Uniting the world of spa & wellness
Get Spa Business and Spa Business insider digital magazines FREE
Sign up here ▸
News   Features   Products   Company profilesProfiles   Magazine   Handbook   Advertise    Subscribe  
People profile
Mikkel Aaland

Photographer, author and sauna enthusiast


Mikkel Aaland is on a mission to find ‘the perfect sweat’ – a mission which is taking him around the world to film an eight-part TV documentary. What he’s discovered along the way is an explosive rebirth of ancient sauna (sweat) bathing traditions.

“Everywhere I go, I meet young people who are hungry for authentic, healthy experiences,” he says. “Millennials are infusing new life and excitement into sweat bathing rituals.

“In Russia, for example, the banya was mostly a place to clean and drink vodka, but now young people have transformed it back to its original position as a healthy place you go to relax and share community. In Finland, in the 70s, public baths were closing on a near daily basis and now the opposite is true. Almost every month a new one opens, crowded with enthusiastic patrons.”

Aaland has a life-long passion for heat experiences and in the mid 70s he spent three years researching and writing Sweat, a classic book detailing global bathing traditions. A lot has changed since then, he says, including the accumulation of serious medical research proving the benefits of thermal experiences. He also feels the world is more stressed out than ever and Perfect Sweat, the series, “is all about educating, inspiring and motivating as many people as possible to include the healthy activity in their daily life”.

Teaming up with local guides and directors, Aaland has already filmed episodes on the sauna in Finland and the banya in Russia and is set to focus on the Islamic hammam, Japanese mushi-buro, Mexican temazcal and American Indian and Eskimo sweat lodge.

“In the series I always ask what makes a perfect bathing experience? For some, it’s about who they’re sharing the bath [sauna] with. Others say the physical characteristic is the most important – does the bath get hot enough? Is the steam just right?

“One of my favourite responses came from a banya steam master outside Moscow who said ‘you have to allow time for the perfect bath’. Her words are a good thing for those of us living busy, hectic lives to take to heart.”

During his travels, he’s noticed that a number of luxury spas and wellness retreats are starting to embrace bathing traditions – which are increasingly popular with tourists and locals alike – and that those which offer just standard a steam and sauna room are missing a trick.

“I think of bathhouses like I think of restaurants,” he says. “There are restaurants that serve cheap, fast food with little attention to quality… The discerning customer will always go for quality and authenticity.

“I love what’s happening all over Europe with the sauna aufguss movement – spas that feature aufguss rituals have experienced a huge uptick in customers.”

Aaland, who’s in talks with streaming companies such as Netflix and National Geographic, hopes to finish filming Perfect Sweat by the end of 2019. The series is being made in cooperation with Seattle-based Bray’s Run Productions and Helsinki production company VAARA.

The TV series is designed to inspire and motivate people to “include the healthy activity in their daily life”
Aaland has teamed up with local sauna experts and guides, and episodes on the Russian banya and Finnish sauna have already been filmed
Aaland has teamed up with local sauna experts and guides, and episodes on the Russian banya and Finnish sauna have already been filmed
FEATURED SUPPLIERS

How technology can help drive growth for your spa business
It's safe to say that technology is transforming every sector, and the spa, wellness and beauty industries are no exception. [more...]

Elevate your spa business: master global standards and thrive in Saudi Arabia's tourism boom
Discover how to prepare your spa or wellness facility for the influx of international guests and meet global standards as tourism in Saudi Arabia surges. [more...]
+ More featured suppliers  
COMPANY PROFILES
Subtle Energies

Subtle Energies was founded in 1993 as a clinic by Farida Irani in Sydney Australia. [more...]
Iyashi Dome

Iyashi Dome offers two infratherapy treatment devices – the Iyashi Dôme and the Iyashi Dôme RenaiS [more...]
+ More profiles  
CATALOGUE GALLERY
 

+ More catalogues  

DIRECTORY
+ More directory  
DIARY

 

22-24 Apr 2024

UK Aufguss Championships

Galgorm Resort, York,
23-25 Apr 2024

ISPA Conference 2024

Phoenix Convention Center, Phoenix, United States
+ More diary  
 
ABOUT LEISURE MEDIA
LEISURE MEDIA MAGAZINES
LEISURE MEDIA HANDBOOKS
LEISURE MEDIA WEBSITES
LEISURE MEDIA PRODUCT SEARCH
 
SPA BUSINESS
SPA OPPORTUNITIES
SPA BUSINESS HANDBOOK
PRINT SUBSCRIPTIONS
FREE DIGITAL SUBSCRIPTIONS
ADVERTISE . CONTACT US

Leisure Media
Tel: +44 (0)1462 431385

©Cybertrek 2024
Uniting the world of spa & wellness
Get Spa Business and Spa Business insider digital magazines FREE
Sign up here ▸
News   Products   Magazine   Subscribe
People profile
Mikkel Aaland

Photographer, author and sauna enthusiast


Mikkel Aaland is on a mission to find ‘the perfect sweat’ – a mission which is taking him around the world to film an eight-part TV documentary. What he’s discovered along the way is an explosive rebirth of ancient sauna (sweat) bathing traditions.

“Everywhere I go, I meet young people who are hungry for authentic, healthy experiences,” he says. “Millennials are infusing new life and excitement into sweat bathing rituals.

“In Russia, for example, the banya was mostly a place to clean and drink vodka, but now young people have transformed it back to its original position as a healthy place you go to relax and share community. In Finland, in the 70s, public baths were closing on a near daily basis and now the opposite is true. Almost every month a new one opens, crowded with enthusiastic patrons.”

Aaland has a life-long passion for heat experiences and in the mid 70s he spent three years researching and writing Sweat, a classic book detailing global bathing traditions. A lot has changed since then, he says, including the accumulation of serious medical research proving the benefits of thermal experiences. He also feels the world is more stressed out than ever and Perfect Sweat, the series, “is all about educating, inspiring and motivating as many people as possible to include the healthy activity in their daily life”.

Teaming up with local guides and directors, Aaland has already filmed episodes on the sauna in Finland and the banya in Russia and is set to focus on the Islamic hammam, Japanese mushi-buro, Mexican temazcal and American Indian and Eskimo sweat lodge.

“In the series I always ask what makes a perfect bathing experience? For some, it’s about who they’re sharing the bath [sauna] with. Others say the physical characteristic is the most important – does the bath get hot enough? Is the steam just right?

“One of my favourite responses came from a banya steam master outside Moscow who said ‘you have to allow time for the perfect bath’. Her words are a good thing for those of us living busy, hectic lives to take to heart.”

During his travels, he’s noticed that a number of luxury spas and wellness retreats are starting to embrace bathing traditions – which are increasingly popular with tourists and locals alike – and that those which offer just standard a steam and sauna room are missing a trick.

“I think of bathhouses like I think of restaurants,” he says. “There are restaurants that serve cheap, fast food with little attention to quality… The discerning customer will always go for quality and authenticity.

“I love what’s happening all over Europe with the sauna aufguss movement – spas that feature aufguss rituals have experienced a huge uptick in customers.”

Aaland, who’s in talks with streaming companies such as Netflix and National Geographic, hopes to finish filming Perfect Sweat by the end of 2019. The series is being made in cooperation with Seattle-based Bray’s Run Productions and Helsinki production company VAARA.

The TV series is designed to inspire and motivate people to “include the healthy activity in their daily life”
Aaland has teamed up with local sauna experts and guides, and episodes on the Russian banya and Finnish sauna have already been filmed
Aaland has teamed up with local sauna experts and guides, and episodes on the Russian banya and Finnish sauna have already been filmed
LATEST NEWS
US spa industry hits record-breaking US$21.3 billion in revenue in 2023
The US spa industry is continuing its upward trajectory, achieving an unprecedented milestone with a record-breaking revenue of US$21.3 billion in 2023, surpassing the previous high of US$20.1 billion in 2022.
Immediate rewards can motivate people to exercise, finds new research
Short-term incentives for exercise, such as using daily reminders, rewards or games, can lead to sustained increases in activity according to new research.
Shannon Malave appointed spa director at Mohonk Mountain House
Spa and wellness veteran Shannon Malave has been named spa director at iconic US spa destination Mohonk Mountain House.
Six Senses unveils urban wellness retreat in Kyoto inspired by Japanese Zen culture
Six Senses Kyoto opens its doors today, marking the eco-luxury hotel and spa operator’s entry into Japan and a new addition to its urban collection.
UAE’s first Dior Spa debuts in Dubai at Dorchester Collection’s newest hotel, The Lana
The UAE’s first-ever Dior Spa has officially launched at The Lana, Dubai – the Dorchester Collection’s debut property in the Middle East.
Four Seasons’ Sacred River Spa in Bali relaunching in Q3 following extensive renovation
The Sacred River Spa at Four Seasons Resort Bali at Sayan will reopen later this year with an all-new design plus enhanced treatments and experiences inspired by its river valley home.
Circadian Trust invests in wellness to support its NHS partnerships
Operator Circadian Trust has launched a five-year growth drive designed to support health and wellbeing across South Gloucestershire, UK. The initiative will see a £2.4m investment in its five Active Lifestyle Centres.
US named world’s largest wellness economy, reaching US$1.8 trillion valuation
The Global Wellness Institute (GWI) has released new data on the US’ wellness economy, valuing it at US$1.8 trillion.
Galgorm Resort gears up to host UK Aufguss Championships next week
UK sauna enthusiasts will converge at Galgorm Resort in Northern Ireland next week for the highly anticipated second annual UK Aufguss Championships.
Remedy Place to launch two new social wellness clubs annually as part of rollout strategy
Remedy Place, a US-based social wellness club brand, is poised for steady expansion in the coming years, with plans to open two new clubs annually moving forward.
Clinique La Prairie to operate health resort at Tri Vananda in Phuket
Swiss longevity brand Clinique La Prairie (CLP) has inked a deal with Montara Hospitality Group to operate a resort at Tri Vananda – a purpose-built wellness community in Phuket, Thailand.
Six Senses La Sagesse launches with lagoon-fronted spa inspired by Caribbean fishing villages
Six Senses has announced the grand opening of its first-ever property and spa in the Caribbean, called Six Senses La Sagesse.
+ More news   
 
FEATURED SUPPLIERS

How technology can help drive growth for your spa business
It's safe to say that technology is transforming every sector, and the spa, wellness and beauty industries are no exception. [more...]

Elevate your spa business: master global standards and thrive in Saudi Arabia's tourism boom
Discover how to prepare your spa or wellness facility for the influx of international guests and meet global standards as tourism in Saudi Arabia surges. [more...]
+ More featured suppliers  
COMPANY PROFILES
Subtle Energies

Subtle Energies was founded in 1993 as a clinic by Farida Irani in Sydney Australia. [more...]
+ More profiles  
CATALOGUE GALLERY
+ More catalogues  

DIRECTORY
+ More directory  
DIARY

 

22-24 Apr 2024

UK Aufguss Championships

Galgorm Resort, York,
23-25 Apr 2024

ISPA Conference 2024

Phoenix Convention Center, Phoenix, United States
+ More diary  
 


ADVERTISE . CONTACT US

Leisure Media
Tel: +44 (0)1462 431385

©Cybertrek 2024

ABOUT LEISURE MEDIA
LEISURE MEDIA MAGAZINES
LEISURE MEDIA HANDBOOKS
LEISURE MEDIA WEBSITES
LEISURE MEDIA PRODUCT SEARCH
PRINT SUBSCRIPTIONS
FREE DIGITAL SUBSCRIPTIONS