Introducing: The Sweat Therapy Sauna
The world’s first Sweat Therapy Sauna was completed today! Click on pictures to enlarge view.
“What the hell is a Sweat Therapy Sauna,” you ask? The Sweat Therapy Sauna was designed specifically for group work. The design was influenced by the Finnish Sauna, the American Indian Sweat Lodge, and modern technology.
Like a common sauna, it was built with conventional wood-framed construction with insulation between vertical studs, the interior lined with cedar walls and benches. It is heated with an electric heater. Like an American Indian sweat lodge, the Sweat Therapy Sauna allows people to sit in a circle to promote group cohesion. The heating element is placed in the center. It is windowless to control lighting to promote intimacy and introspection and contains a stereo system to make use of the therapeutic benefits of music.
The dimensions of the Sweat Therapy Sauna are 10’ x 10’ x 7’ and can accommodate about 12 people. The 15 KW electric heater is a stainless steel floor model purchased from Finlandia Sauna. Four recessed ceiling lights operate on a dimmer switch. The stereo is a waterproof marine audio system that includes an amplifier, MP3 connector, and four speakers purchased from Poly-Planar. A shower is installed on the outside of the right front wall.
This project was a long time in the planning. I completed my doctoral dissertation in 2005 - THE EFFECTS OF SWEAT THERAPY ON GROUP THERAPEUTIC FACTORS AND FEELING STATES. The primary purpose of the study was to examine the efficacy of sweat therapy as a group counseling technique by investigating the effects of sweat therapy on group therapeutic factors with 85 college students. Overall, I found that participants in sweat groups had superior group cohesion and interpersonal interaction than participants in non-sweat groups (groups held in a standard office setting). It was clear that the sweat experience accelerated and intensified group dynamics. It seemed to me that the differences between the sweat and non-sweat groups would have been even greater if participants in the sweat groups were able to sit in a circle (a fundamental technique in any group work). One of the study’s limitations I identified was that -
“the seating arrangements in the saunas used were set in an “L” shape rather than a circle. Use of a sauna with circular seating would lend itself better to group processing.”
Soon after I completed my dissertation, I began looking into obtaining a circular sauna and quickly found that . . .there was no such thing. Saunas are either built with one wall of seating or with two walls of seating in an “L” shape. At the very most, there are designs for 3-sided seating in a “U” shape. My requests for a customized circular design from pre-cut and pre-fabricated sauna manufacturers resulted in estimates way out of my price range. It looked like the only way my Sweat Therapy Sauna was going to become a reality was if I got a big fat research grant and obtaining one would not be easy. The idea was shelved as part of a 5-year plan. The Sweat Therapy Sauna would not have become a reality without the help of Kevin Trautman.
Kevin Trautman, owner of Trautman Woodworks located in the Sylva area of North Carolina is a contractor. His daughter and mine are friends and both just completed the 4th grade. Soon after I told Kevin of my dreams and woes, he quickly told me to cheer up and said that he and I could build the Sweat Therapy Sauna ourselves for a fraction of the price of the estimates I was given. I told Kevin that I have absolutely zero mechanical ability but he was unconcerned. Together we launched off into this project with Kevin as the technical expert and master craftsman and me as the visionary/laborer.
I would have been satisfied with a sauna that looked like a box just as long as my criteria were satisfied – (1) Circular Seating, (2) Kick-Ass Heating Element in the Center, (3) Stereo, and (4) Control of Lighting. Kevin heard what I wanted but demanded that it look sharp.
Kevin’s work must be described as no less than artistry. He made sure to meet my specifications and went above and beyond. From start to finish, the three principles that guide his work are Durability, Practicality, and Beauty. He continually came up with creative ideas to improve on my project and was a pleasure to work with.
Here is Kevin’s contact information:
Kevin Trautman
TRAUTMAN WOODWORKS
Serving Jackson, Macon and
Surrounding Counties
Home: (828)631-9169
Cell: (828)226-2349
Trautman2@verizon.net
If you are interested in coming out to my home in Bryson City, NC to try a sweat session, send me an email and I will give you a couple of dates to choose from. I would also be happy to host an exclusive sweat session for your group. You can contact Stephen at COLMANT@GMAIL.COM. Yvette is available to host women-only sessions. You can contact Yvette at YCOLMANT@GMAIL.COM
