The Aufguss Tradition

Step inside the sauna on a Friday evening and you might notice something different.

The air carries the cooling sharpness of eucalyptus or the sleepy calm of lavender. There’s heat—subtle at first, then rising. And at the centre of it all: a towel, slicing through heat like a brush across canvas.

This is Aufguss.

An ancient European sauna ritual, reimagined for modern bathers. Here at Capybara, we bring it to life with a little extra steam, a touch of theatre, and a whole lot of intention.

Aufguss at Capybara Bathhouse

To understand a little better let us take you through the 6 pillars of Aufguss...

HEAT

Slowly rising, never rushed. The crescendo comes right at the end, peaking adrenaline and opening the gates for blissful release.

OILS

But in the form of Snowballs... Not the kind you throw—but the kind you melt.

Each Aufguss begins with a handcrafted snowball, infused with pure essential oils. These are placed onto the hot sauna stones where they slowly dissolve, releasing scent into the air like a spell. The fragrance unfurls—eucalyptus, citrus, rosemary—depending on the mood of the day.

As the snowball melts, the atmosphere thickens. The temperature rises. And then… the towel begins to move.

TOWEL WORK

This is where the art lives. Waving, flicking, folding. Every movement has intention. Every swirl of air is a whisper from the master to the guest.

LIGHT

Light and shadow aren’t just set dressing—they shape the emotional arc. Think darkness for introspection, warm light for connection.

DANCE

This is where it turns into something more than just a sauna session. Through precise, practiced movements, the Aufguss master uses their towel to push waves of scented heat across the room. It’s a performance. It’s a rhythm. It’s poetry in motion.

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SO WHY IS AUFGUSS SWEEPING THE WORLD?

It’s the way everything comes together:

• The snowball sets the mood

• The scent tells a story

• The music guides your mind

• The towel moves like a wave, sweeping you along with it

With each sweep, the warmth lands on your skin differently—more intense, more direct. You feel it not just as heat, but as a presence. As the air moves, so do you. Your breath deepens. Your awareness sharpens. Your sweat tells you you’re fully here. And then there’s the stillness in between—the shared smiles, the collective focus, the feeling of being part of something. It’s powerful, peaceful, and just a little bit primal.

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We host Aufguss sessions every Friday evening and trust us—you’ll won't want to miss out. Whether it’s your first session or your fiftieth, there’s always something new to feel.

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