Today, the sauna is as much a part of wellness as eucalyptus is of an Aufguss
Back then, the reasons for taking a sauna were quite different. It was used for physical cleansing, for warmth during cold winters and even as a place to give birth, as the extreme temperatures killed bacteria and turned the huts into protected, hygienic spaces.
Today, sauna bathing is primarily about relaxation. When we think of wellness, we naturally think of the many different types of saunas – from steam baths and caldariums to infrared, bio and traditional Finnish saunas.
Interview with Renato Sonego
Hotel Schloss Seefels: Mr Sonego, you are President of the Associazione Italiana Sauna e Aufguss. How does one earn this title?
Renato Sonego: Being President is a position within the association. But behind it lies a journey that began many years ago, initially driven above all by a great passion for sauna and Aufguss.
AISA (Associazione Italiana Sauna e Aufguss) was founded with the aim of promoting a well-founded and authentic sauna and Aufguss culture in Italy. Over the years, we have focused extensively on training Aufguss masters. The training includes theoretical and practical preparation, a period of supervision and guidance in the sauna, and finally an examination.
However, I believe that the diploma is only the beginning. A good Aufguss master continues to develop, exchanges ideas with others and, above all, gains experience. Technique can be learned, while the ability to connect with people develops over time.
Hotel Schloss Seefels: As a “Master of Ceremonies”, you will accompany Seefels guests during “Hot October” at Hotel Schloss Seefels on Lake Wörthersee. What fascinates you about this particularly “hot” task?
Renato Sonego: What fascinates me most is meeting people and offering them something they may not have expected. An Aufguss only lasts a few minutes, but during that time a small community is created: people who may never have met before share the warmth, fragrances, music, silence and perhaps even a smile or two.
Celebrating an Aufguss at a place like Seefels, with its view over Lake Wörthersee, makes the experience particularly special. The surroundings become part of the experience. And here, we truly have an extraordinary setting.
Hotel Schloss Seefels: What can guests who book the “Hot October” package expect from their sauna experiences at the beautiful Seefels Spa?
Renato Sonego: I would start with one word: variety. I don't want guests to think, “I have experienced one Aufguss, so I already know what will happen at the next one.” Every ritual can have its own unique identity. There will be more relaxing and meditative moments; others will be more energetic. In some, we will play more with music, aromas and the intensity of the heat.
My goal is for every guest to experience at least one ritual that stays particularly memorable. And perhaps those who have so far had little experience with this world will become curious to discover more about sauna culture.
Hotel Schloss Seefels: Can your art of making Seefels guests sweat be experienced in all our saunas – the salt laconium, steam bath, bio-herbal sauna, Finnish lake sauna and Finnish panoramic sauna?
Renato Sonego: Yes, but not in the same way – and that is precisely what makes it so beautiful. Each room has different characteristics in terms of temperature, humidity and the way the heat is perceived, and therefore requires a different approach. The Finnish sauna is the ideal setting for a classic Aufguss: water and ice are placed on the sauna stones to temporarily increase humidity and steam. The steam is then distributed throughout the room using different towel-waving techniques. In the steam bath, laconium and gentler areas, we can work with different experiences: aromas, scrubs, herbs, moments of relaxation and rituals specifically tailored to each space. You should not try to perform the same ritual everywhere. You have to respect each environment and make the most of its individual characteristics.
Hotel Schloss Seefels: What distinguishes your Aufguss rituals from traditional sauna rituals?
Renato Sonego: Probably the fact that I always seek contact with people. Technique is important: you have to understand heat, handle steam correctly and know how to work with essential oils and different towel-waving techniques. But for me, a technically perfect Aufguss is not automatically a successful one.
I enjoy observing people, trying to understand how they experience the ritual and creating an atmosphere in which they feel involved. Sometimes all it takes is a particular piece of music, a fragrance or a gesture. In other situations, a little lightness and humour can make all the difference. Every Aufguss tells its own story; but above all, every group of guests is different. That is why, in my opinion, an Aufguss should never simply be a copy of the previous one.
Hotel Schloss Seefels: What do you recommend to our Seefels guests for a sauna visit, and what should they definitely not miss?
Renato Sonego: My first piece of advice is very simple: “Take your time.” The sauna should not be experienced while watching the clock or as a list of things you want or need to accomplish. Go inside, listen to your body, rest between sauna sessions, drink enough and allow yourself the necessary time to cool down and recover. And during “Hot October”, I would of course recommend trying at least one Aufguss – even for those who have never experienced one before. You don't have to be a sauna expert to participate. All you need is a little curiosity.
Because that, for me, is the beauty of the Aufguss: the heat fades, but the experience remains.
That is a wonderful closing thought. Thank you, Mr Sonego, for these fascinating insights into your “hot” art.
