Aufguss

About Aufguss

Aufguss is a  European sauna ritual, which originated in Germany. It is a 10-15 minute immersive sauna experience which combines music, heat, and essential oils in order to enhance sweating and deep relaxation.

The word “Aufguss” means “infusion” in German.

In a typical Aufguss ceremony, there will be a Saunameister (Sauna Master) who leads the experience, and uses: 

1) a snowball to infuse essential oils and to release the aromas and add humidity to the sauna

2) a towel or fan to accelerate the movement of humidity and aromas throughout the room and to concentrate the heat onto the sauna patrons to enhance sweating

3) music to inspire feeling and relaxation

In modern Aufguss there is music, towel choreography, and enhanced lighting which is used to create a more stimulating experience for patrons.

The Sauna Master

The Sauna Master is typically a trained professional, and in some countries the standard training includes about 40 hours of class & practical work. This includes learning about:

 

-Essential oils, combinations of aromas and selecting high quality oils for sauna use

-Safety & medial considerations in a sauna – what to look out with elderly patrons and ensuring a low risk experience

-Standard towel movement: “helicopter”, “flag”, “parachute”, “pizza”

 

Some training academies are offered through:

– Aufguss Roots (Germany)

– Aufguss.it (Italy)

– Aufguss Creations (Netherlands)

Aufguss Internationally

Many world renowned spas / saunas / wellness centers in Europe (Italy, Germany, Switzerland, Austria) have daily Aufguss sessions, with people often lining out the door to see the performances.

European spas & wellness centers also have sauna experiences in a steamroom (wet sauna), where guests are given mud, honey, or other exfoliating substances to scrub their bodies while a sauna master enhanced the heat and sweating experience.

There are international competitions for Aufguss, most notably Aufguss WM, which has hosted international competitions since 2011. In 2025, the Aufguss WM championship hosted 18 participating countries.  

Aufguss in the U.S.

Aufguss is just beginning to gain traction in the U.S. 2025 is the first year that the U.S. sent representatives to the international Aufguss competition.


Facilities that run Aufguss ceremonies in North America are located in: