Movement, Nordic Culture and Sauna events
As a native Finn, I am finding it exciting that Finnish and Nordic culture interests so many at the moment. My mission is to share my heritage and culture here in Wales (and wider in the UK) through events and workshops.
I have teamed up with some amazing spaces and other small businesses to bring Finnish culture to you.
My first sessions start in Spring 2026 in Bala in collaboration with Niku Naku Sauna. See below the details of these events.
Aamusauna – movement, connection & löyly
This session takes place on Saturday mornings once a month 09:00-11:30. We will meet at Niku Naku sauna and go for a short wander to a nearby area for our movement session surrounded by nature followed by sauna (there is also time for a swim in the lake).
Start your day with a 45 minute movement session inspired by yoga&qigong in nature by Llyn Tegid followed by a peaceful, private 80 minute sauna at Niku Naku. Aamusauna literally translates as morning sauna and my personal favourite time to enjoy löyly.
Mornings are a beautiful time to rise slowly with some gently energising flow movement in nature. I personally practice qigong outdoors most mornings come rain or shine. Prepare for the session as if you were going for a walk with waterproofs if necessary (for extremely bad weather we have an indoor space available). In Finnish culture, it is very natural to be outside whatever the weather – it is just about how we prepare and also knowing that a warm sauna awaits makes the sessions in poorer weather even more inviting. It is invigorating and uplifting for our energy and body to awaken outside surrounded by nature – its sounds, scents and energy through movement.
Qigong is a beautiful practice, which combines gentle yet powerful movement with breath, all done in standing. It goes deeper than the physical body and connects with our energy (qi), helping us feel well from the inside out. Accessible and powerful, this practice is closely connected to the seasonal rhythms in nature. In each session I share wisdom from the season we are in from the energetics to the connections in our daily lives. There will also be some movement inspired by traditional yoga such as sun salutations, but everything is done in standing apart from warmer/dryer months when we might do some movement in seated. No mats are needed for this session.
Cost £30pp limited to 8 spaces (£2 pp discount for swim&sauna club members). T&Cs: 48 hour cancellation policy applies, no refunds if cancelled less than 48 hours prior to the session.
Saunarauha – löyly, stillness & relaxation
This restorative session takes place on Friday evenings once a month 16:00-19:00 at Niku Naku sauna and in a room with a view at Byw’n Iach Penllyn leisure centre.
A peaceful session, which focusses on the essence of sauna in the Finnish culture, stillness. Saunarauha literally translates as ‘sauna peace’ and invites us to bathe in stillness of the sauna. Immerse yourself in a quiet, reflective sauna session followed by a restorative yoga and relaxation session in a beautiful space next door.
We arrive by gathering around the fire – to settle in the body and mind and welcome the theme for the session. Each session is themed around season and nature’s rhythms and as it is taught by a native Finn, it also brings in elements of Finnish culture including introduction to the concept of saunarauha. You will then be invited to enjoy saunarauha during our 75 minute sauna session. This may feel strange at first, but once you have experienced it, there is no going back and it feels very natural to enjoy the peacefulness of löyly. During cool down by the fire or cold plunge, I invite you to reflect and share anything with each other mindfully, because saunarauha also includes mindful connection.
After our peaceful sauna session we will move to the side room of the leisure centre by the sauna to enjoy a 60 minute easing restorative yoga practice and long guided relaxation (yoga nidra). All mats, bolsters and blankets are provided but you are welcome to bring your own.
During longer summer evenings we may gather around the fire after the session with some food&drink. This is completely optional.
Cost £40pp limited to 8 people (£2pp discount for swim&sauna club members). T&Cs: 7 day cancellation policy applies, no refunds if cancelled less than 7 days before.