What’s the fuss about Aufguss?

If you knew that just 15 minutes in a sauna could improve cardiovascular strength, boost immunity, alleviate pain, increase endorphins and be put into a pleasant meditative state, would you try it? Yes, so would we – and so, it seems, would a lot of spa goers who are now booking an Aufguss Rituals as part of their visit.

The German word for “infusion”, Aufguss is a combination of rising heat, essential oils, towel work and music performed in 15-minute slots within a sauna. The Aufguss Master uses a large cloth to whip the air around the room, encouraging heat to circulate and infuse into the skin for maximum benefits. That towel work is considered something of an art with competitions for the best Aufguss Master taking place each year – check out the UK championships being hosted at Galgorm Resort this month.

In the meantime, here’s some spas in which to try this rising trend.

FFOLKESPA, NORFOLK

Ffolkes turned spa-ing on its head last year when it launched with a different ethos: a fun and colourful environment for social and celebratory spa-ing. The Aufguss Ritual at this vibrant space takes place in the outdoor thermal area where spa goers can stare at a map of the world on the ceiling whilst enduring the rising heat. Not sure when your ritual starts? Wait for the Aufguss Master to strike the large gong near the pool before heading over.


RUDDING PARK SPA, NORTH YORKSHIRE

Aufguss lovers wishing to push the envelope will marvel at everything on offer at Rudding Park, with Smoke Incense, Deep Relaxation, Sound Meditation, Classic Aufguss, Show Aufguss or CBD Aufguss on the menu. Slots are available at 11.30am and 3.30pm every day (except Friday) throughout April and May. The spa also offers private small group and couples’ sessions where whisks (branches of eucalyptus leaves doused in essential oils) are used instead of a towel.


GALGORM RESORT, NORTHERN IRELAND

The setting for Aufguss Sessions at Galgorm Resort is worth the visit to Ireland alone: within a glass box sauna facing the gushing River Maine. Sauna Master Zak Moore (pictured above) is a UK champion who runs Celtic Sauna sessions here three times a day (at 1pm, 4pm and 5pm), running longer than the usual 15 minutes to 25. Hot under the collar (and feeling brave)? Conclude the experience with a refreshing dip in the cold plunge pool.

AQUA SANA FOREST SPA, WOBURN FOREST, BEDFORDSHIRE

At this forest-based spa, the daily Aufguss Session involves raising the body’s temperature by pouring a mix of water and essential oils onto hot coals within a sauna in the Fire & Ice Zone, before wafting the air to increase the temperature in the room. Spa hosts offer handfuls of ice to willing participants to further stimulate the circulation during the experience (and to cool down hot skin). The spa’s Ice Cave, Experience Shower and Outdoor Pool will provide post-Ritual relief.


BANYA No.1 HOXTON, LONDON

At Banya No. 1 Hoxton, the Aufguss Ritual is designed to show that a sauna can be used for more than just heat, with a real show of tradition and performance put on for spa goers. Whilst not akin to Aufguss in the European sense, the three-hour Aufguss Wednesday Club shares the same guided intensity, rhythm and sense of community with 20-minute aroma steam sessions paired with heat and intense cold experiences (think plunge pools and ice buckets).

LOW WOOD BAY RESORT & SPA, THE LAKE DISTRICT

The outdoor Fellside View Sauna at Low Wood Bay has arguably one of the best vistas of any sauna in the UK with panoramic windows offering watery views aplenty. As looking at water can make you feel cool when you’re anything but, this is the ideal sauna for Low Wood Bay’s Aufguss Ritual. You can jump in the lake afterwards if you are so inclined, but the experience showers, pools and outdoor bar (Prosecco please) will also cool you down nicely.

HOAR CROSS HALL, STAFFORDSHIRE

Once the venue for the British Sauna Society’s two-day Sauna Mastery Workshop – and offering sessions to spa goers since 2024 - Hoar Cross Hall is no stranger to the Aufguss Ritual. Sauna Master Matthew is your host for sessions here, taking place in the Juniper Log Sauna on the beautiful spa terrace. Hop into the cold plunge afterwards or cool down with an icy drink served hydropool-side by a spa host. All in the name of relaxation...