Taoist point of view towards sauna therapy

[oatisnottao]

I was trying to find it. Had no luck. 

There are many mentions of sauna on this forum as a good thing but only in a context of a discussion but never as an actual central topic. 

However, what do taoists think about sauna? I saw that M. Chia has a lot of detox methods but does not utilize sauna as method in any of his books.

 

And searching outside did not help, scholar nothing. Journal of Daoist studies nothing as well. 

 

I read this book - https://drlwilson.com/articles/SAUNA.THERAPY.pdf based on the inspiration from Varis Ahmad (talking about sauna as a good option to heal oneself of problems caused by toxic methals and whatever toxic stuff we got too much in our body

 

Sauna therapy might be quite taxing for a body and internal taoist methods like iron shirt chi kung, probably some advanced practices will possible help the body to get rid of crap. 

 

I think sauna could still be good idea to combine with taoistic approaches. However, I would like to read what do taoist think about sauna, how it works according to them. 

 

Does anyone know about something? 

Edited August 21 by oatisnottao

[Thrice Daily]

Just one thing I remember from book, "stretching scientifically", it said that steam room is always preferable to sauna, the reson give was that sauna taxes the heat from the heart, so steam room is better for the heart...

 

I also read in that book, he way to alternate hot and cold, so when I leave the steam room, I cold shower, first legs, then arms, then head, then back then chest. I always remembered that method, less shock for the body, nerves and heart, cools down blood gradually through the venous return. 

 

I've heard good things about testosterone ramping up with long hot saunas though, not tried them. It was an old book, stretching scientifically, maybe now its deemed perfectly fine for heart health, not sure, exercise caution.

[johndoe2012]

I use infrared sauna in the winter time to release bodily tension. 

 

At home I have an infrared lamp. Pointing it to my lower back for just 10-15 min increases kidney qi and the whole body relaxes. 

[silent thunder]

Not sure what Taoists recommend, but I have used a foldable, portable, one person far infrared sauna for many years and particularly in the cooler months it has become of invaluable benefit, particularly before any long sitting, physical work, or moving forms.  It utilizes three ceramic tiles; one on each side and one on the back.  A small foldable stool to sit on and a tiny air heater for added heat when desired.  It will build an impressive sweat.

 

The far infrared penetrates soft tissue quite effectively in my experience.  One or two cycles and I'm moving like warm liquid light.  At 55 after a lifetime of hard martial applications, cliff diving and rock climbing... It's delightful.  Folds up and stores behind my easel in under a minute.   Quite reasonably priced and mine has lasted for over a decade.

 

Highly recommend.

 

https://www.homedepot.com/p/SteamSpa-1-Person-Indoor-PP-Plastic-1050-Watt-Portable-Infrared-Home-Sauna-with-Digital-Controller-and-Foldable-Chair-Brown-SP-SS0002-1P/330414880

 

They come in a variety of options now.  Some have a steam heater in place of the air heater I use. 

Some come with heated foot pads and no air or steam heater... while a few other foldable models are taller and cover the entire body.  I use the model where the head remains outside the unit.