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Interviews with the best sauna masters

Every month we will bring an interview with one sauna master from around the world!

Nathan Pruvoost 🇧🇪
Nathan Pruvoost 🇧🇪

The Art of Sauna:
A Journey with Master Nathan Pruvoost

Author: Mark Baďuta, Nathan Pruvoost

What brought you to the sauna for the first time?
Sauna was part of my education. I studied “Wellbeing and Vitality Management,” where we explored how to improve people’s wellbeing — and of course, sauna is a key part of that.
Nathan Pruvoost portrait
 
Why did you decide to get involved in sauna ceremonies, and how long have you been in this profession?
Martijn Van Horelbeke was my tutor during my bachelor’s. He noticed my talent, and they were short on people for the Belgian championship — that’s how I started aufguss competitions from the very first moment I got in touch with ceremonies. I’ve been doing this since 2017, but quite casually at first — sometimes I wouldn’t be in a sauna for three months. It’s been a year now since it became my profession.
Nathan Pruvoost competing in an aufguss competition in Belgium.
Where do you currently work, and what do you enjoy most about your job?
I work at Waer Waters, the most beautiful wellness in Belgium. As the Experience Manager, I love the variety — performing ceremonies, educating my team, and being creative with new concepts.
Waer Waters wellness center in Belgium
The beautiful Waer Waters wellness center in Belgium.
Do you visit the sauna in your free time, or is it just a work-related activity now?
For me, it’s always been quite “professional.” If I go to the sauna, it’s to perform ceremonies. I hardly ever sit in a sauna just to relax — I need the stimuli of aromas, waving, and music.
Nathan Pruvoost performing a sauna ceremony
Nathan Pruvoost in action, performing a sauna ceremony.
What benefits does the sauna bring you? Is it just about health, or is there something more?
For me, it’s the one place where I can let go of everything. If I’m giving a ceremony, I’m not thinking about any kind of trouble.
“It’s a way of releasing my feelings, opening up to the people in the sauna, and trusting them with your vulnerability.”
What are you most proud of in your career? Do you have a moment you’ll remember forever?
Of course, our 6th place at the world championship is one of the most memorable moments I’ve had.
Nathan Pruvoost celebrating at the world championship
Nathan Pruvoost celebrating his 6th place at the world championship.
What is your favorite essential oil or fragrance combination that you like to use during ceremonies?
It changes every few months. Right now, I’m really into vetiver, coffee, cinnamon, sweet orange, and one drop of juniper tar.
Which ceremony do you enjoy performing the most, and why?
A great build show aufguss is wonderful, but I truly enjoy music-themed aufgusses: beautiful music, elegant waving, slowly building the heat… That way I can just dance and enjoy it.
Music-themed sauna ceremony led by Nathan Pruvoost
Nathan Pruvoost leading a music-themed ceremony.
Do you have any unforgettable or quirky memories from the sauna that you’d like to share?
I’ve seen many beautiful shows, but I’m still waiting for a deep, nature-forest sauna experience where I can truly connect with nature in its purest form.
Do you plan to participate in any competitions or events in the near future? Which ones are your favorites?
Yes, this September I’m participating in the World Championships for the fifth time already. That’s the competition I like the most.
Is there anything you’d like to say to the readers about what personally inspires you about sauna rituals?
For me, it’s a way of releasing my feelings, opening up to the people in the sauna, and trusting them with your vulnerability. The gratitude you receive is worth more than anything else.
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Monika Kuncová 🇨🇿
Monika Kuncová 🇨🇿

World champion in freestyle competition.

 

What brought you to the sauna for the first time?
While studying at university in Brno, I was looking for a part-time job that I wanted to make a bit more action-packed. While looking for part-time jobs I came across an advert for a sauna operator and was immediately interested. A few weeks later I had a towel in my hand and was practicing sauna ceremonies.

 

Why did you decide to pursue sauna ceremonies and how long have you been in the profession?
I've been a saunterer for almost seven years. Ceremonies for me are a combination of all the beautiful things like aromatherapy, music, dance, good energy and of course heat.

 

"What I love most about it is when customers leave the sauna after the ceremony smiling and happy."


Where do you work now and what do you enjoy most about your job?
I've been working at Saunia since the beginning of my sauna career. I first started in Brno. Now I'm in charge of a team of saunas in Brno and Bratislava. What I enjoy the most is to see how our sauniers are improving step by step.

What benefits does the sauna bring you? Is it just about health or something else?
Well, apart from the health benefits, the sauna and especially the ceremonies keep me physically fit, because the ceremonies are physically demanding. But sauna also brings me knowledge of wellness centers and great people around the world.

What are you most proud of in your career? Do you have a moment that you will always remember?
I have three moments that I remember the most. The first was when my teammate and I placed third in the team ceremony at Saunafest, which led to us going to the World Championships.

 

What is your favorite essential oil or favorite scent combination that you like to use in ceremonies?
Lately I really like to combine different types of woods with eucalyptus.

Which ceremony do you like to perform the most and why?
Freestyle, where I can show all the towel tricks I have learned during my sauna career. 

Do you have a memorable or quirky memory from your sauna background that you'd like to share?
My fondest sauna memory is from a New Year's Eve sauna night when during one ceremony the customers started dancing. That was really cool and I remember it fondly. 

Are you planning on entering any competitions or events next year?
I'm looking forward to the Freestyle Masters and the National Theatre Ceremonies Championships.

Is there anything you would like to say in closing to readers who are considering a visit to the sauna?
I would definitely recommend the sauna and ceremonies to everyone. That is what you will enjoy the most and have an extraordinary experience.

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