Anne-Mari Paster, Elizabeth “Helvi” Brauer, and Julie Rice join The Upper Bench to discuss the cultural nuances of sauna and nudity. They share personal stories from Finland and the United States, touching on the importance of comfort, consent, and respect in sauna settings. The conversation explores how different backgrounds shape views on nudity, from traditions in Nordic countries to more reserved perspectives in America and beyond. Throughout, they emphasize creating a welcoming, judgment-free space that values dialogue and mutual understanding in both private and public sauna experiences.
https://www.theupperbench.com
https://finlandiafoundation.org
Elizabeth "Helvi" Brauer is the founder of Luumu - Finnish Living and a founding-member of the 612 Sauna Cooperative in Minneapolis, MN.
https://www.luumuabc.com
CONTENT
00:00 Introduction and Welcome
02:30 Cultural Perspectives on Sauna Nudity
10:45 Comfort and Consent in Sauna
20:15 Personal Experiences and Stories
35:00 Additional Thoughts and Takeaways
