Mobile sauna taking up the temperature at Cape Town beaches

Along with cold plunging, the age-old ritual of the sauna is taking off around the world thanks to its health benefits.

And Cape Town now has its own special take on this culture - if you live in the city, or are a regular visitor, you'll probably have noticed ShuShu Sauna's red mobile unit popping up at your local swimming spot.

The person behind the idea is Finnish-Canadian carpenter Jari Salminen, along with his Capetonian partner Mix.

Sauna-ing was woven tightly into the fabric of his family life growing up, as it is in most Finnish households, says Salminen.

"My grandfather was a carpenter, my father was a carpenter... so I grew up building saunas from a young age, holding a tiny hammer and a saw and just going at it."

Salminen has even brought his own baby son into the sauna, sitting him in a little bucket and not turning the temperature up too high.

"Nowadays there are stricter rules at public saunas but... as long as kids are under strict supervision and the temperature's not too hot you can start sauna-ing as early as possible.."

From Ottoman hammams to Japanese mushi-buros, cultures around the world have woven the healing powers of heat therapy into their own unique tradition.

When done regularly the benefits include:

• Accelerated cell regeneration
• Boosted metabolism
• Natural detoxification of heavy metals and chemicals
• Support for weight loss, pain relief, skin rejuvenation, and anti-aging
• Improved circulation and heart health

• Enhanced muscle recovery and function

These benefits are compounded when the sauna is combined with cold plunging.

"There's a lot of science that's come out about how to optimise the physical benefits: You're in there at around 90°C for about ten minutes, you take a break and go back in - two sessions are what you're supposed to get the best benefits from."

If you're not keen on the cold plunge or are feeling out of sorts, this part of the ritual is not essential, says Salminen. The point is to just cool your body down again before your second session in the sauna.

ShuShu also extols the community building aspect of sauna:

"At ShuShu, we believe in the power of heat, community, and creating a space to just be. Rooted in tradition, it’s where mind, body, and spirit reconnect through rest, laughter, connection, and an ancient healing ritual."

Their mobile sauna is out every day of the week and can be found at beaches and tidal pools from Kommetjie through to Camps Bay.

While drop-ins are welcome, it's advisable to book as people with an appointment will of course have precedence.

Click here for more information on the website. You can also follow ShuShu Sauna on Facebook and Instagram.

To listen to Jari Salminen in conversation with Sara-Jayne Makwala King on CapeTalk's Weekend Breakfast, click on the audio link below: