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International Sauna Association (ISA)

The International Sauna Association (ISA) is an association of national and other sauna societies, organisations and private people. It was founded in 1958 with the office in Germany . After 20 years quite slow activities it was reborn in 1977 in Helsinki Finland and the office was agreed to be in Helsinki.
The founding members were Austria , Germany , Finland and Japan and they are continuously members. Besides those there are 20 other members including all the important sauna countries. The President has been all these years from Finland.

ISA and its members shall pursue the goal of publicizing the sauna and promoting its use on a global scale by rallying supporters of sauna activities in different countries.
This goal is served e.g. by acceptance of the Definition of Sauna recorded in Aachen , Germany 1999 as well as promoting the scientific studies of the sauna from e.g. such viewpoints as social history, folklore, medicine and technology. A particular emphasis is given to the collection and compilation in archives of the results of such scientific studies as well as other written material on sauna.

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Sauna aid

 

Sauna Aid is a multicountry initiative, sponsored by the International Sauna Association (ISA), to provide movable sauna facilities and supportive services to people facing natural and man-made disasters.

During the 2011 Fukushima tsunami and nuclear plant accident, ISA and the Japanese Sauna Society maintained a tent sauna for five weeks and used it for decontamination and cleaning of over a thousand locals.

Sauna Aid is now focused on the war in Ukraine. The sauna, or laznia/banya, as it is known among Ukrainians, is an important part of everyday life and provides a means of hygiene, stress relief, socialization, psychological comfort, and social identity. It is not considered a luxury, nor is it only about cleanliness. It is a social event that brings together the young and the old, the rich and the poor and promotes peace and a common sense of humanity. Ukrainians call the banya their “second mother”.

 

Global network of saunapeople

The International Sauna Association consists of four types of memberships.
We have the founding members, national members, supporting members and ou honorary members.

Gathering of all these dedicated sauna people is what makes it possible for the International Sauna Association to spread the important message of good sauna culture and continue the good work around the world.

It is also important for the International Sauna Association to protect the cultural history surrounding sweat bathing while also welcoming and supporting new sauna initiatives and ways to sweat baths.

All this is only possible thanks to our amazing members!

SAUNALETTER 1 2019

SAUNALETTER 1 2019

Dear ISA Members and other Saunalovers The first Saunaletter 2019  is mainly having interesting links about different sauna related matters and events in 2019. The new Board of Directors started it four year term 01.01.2019. Please note that ISA Board Meeting is...

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SAUNALETTER-1 2020

SAUNALETTER-1 2020

Dear ISA Members and other saunalovers The New Sauna year has started with many  activities. And that is naturally nice. We want to  open in the future calendar which could show the different eventsorganised by the members as well as also other people/organisations...

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SAUNALETTER 6 2019

SAUNALETTER 6 2019

Dear ISA members and other saunalovers Because there are so many things happening we make this extra Saunaletter in order to be able to distribute information to You. The company and member presntations we have been planning to this Saunaletter are published a littel...

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NEWS

Tartu 2024: Naked truth

Tartu 2024: Naked truth

Opinion festival in saunas, where the sauna benches are the discussion stages. The goal is a nice get-together, promotion of sauna culture and development of conversation culture based on the example of sauna. Saun helps us to be better version of ourselves. Mobile...

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3rd Assembly will take place in October 18-20!

3rd Assembly will take place in October 18-20!

Start: 2024-10-18, 16:00 Location: Uosio g. 20, Neveronys, Kauno r., Kaunas Event page: 3nd International Assembly of Traditional BathingOrganizer: Lithuanian Bath Academy More information is comming soon! Forms of Assembly work Similar to previous years, we will...

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Covid19

Regarding the sauna and the coronavirus

There is a lot of misleading information circulating on the subject of the sauna and the coronavirus. Here is a statement the International Sauna Association drafted. It has been reviewed by medical experts for accuracy.

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