Sauna interview #1 - John Pederson

I'm thrilled to introduce a long interview article about my sauna friend John Pederson. As briefly featured his sauna project called 612 Sauna Society in the past (here), he's always been working on some exciting sauna projects in Minneapolis. I conducted an email interview with John asking about his new project at Hewing Hotel and an upcoming project.

1) I'm fascinated with your recent sauna project at Hewing Hotel. Can you please tell me about how the sauna project came about?

It actually started before the hotel was even built. A friend of mine brought a friend over for the sauna about 4 years ago. The friend of the friend was working on a new hotel concept for Minneapolis. I don't remember if there was already a sauna in the blueprints or not at that point, but I remember that he committed making sure the sauna experience at his hotel felt as good as the session we had in my backyard. We've been friends ever since, which led to the more direct role I'm playing now working with the hotel's management to operationalize our vision for a vibrant rooftop Sauna Society experience.

Hewing Hotel Co-Owner Tim Dixon trading a load of kiln-dried oak for sauna tips from 612 Sauna Society Founder John Pederson at the Firehouse Sauna, February 2015.

2) What kind of sauna stove are you using at Hewing? Wood-burning or Electric one? Who designs the sauna room? Can you describe what the sauna is like at Hewing?

It's a BIG sauna with a beautiful view of the downtown skyline from the top bench. The sauna comfortably sits at least 22 people and features two electric Tylo Helo sauna stoves, one on each side of the entry door. The sauna features a large platform area before the L-shaped benches which—along with the windows—give the sauna a very spacious and open feeling (relative to most other saunas anyway).

Sauna interior at Hewing Hotel.

3) For the Hewing Hotel project, was the development processes different from 612 Sauna Society project? One is with a partner and the other started from a scratch by getting fund by Kickstarter, so I'm curious about the processes. Can you please tell me what was the fun/exciting and challenging experiences were for both projects?

They are quite different in terms of venue and experience but the success of both programs hinges on collaborative partnerships between stakeholders. One of the most interesting and exciting things about the co-op, in my opinion, is that the service we provide (the sauna experience we create together) is determined and driven by a community of people working together to create something they're excited about sharing. In this way, the sauna service/experience provided by the co-op has the potential to be very dynamic and responsive to its user community (many of whom are also shareholders and all of whom could be if they wanted to). One of the most exciting things about the Hewing, other than the design and beauty of the space itself, is that—because I'm a consultant and not a manager in this case—I get to spend more time developing programming and directly curating experience, which is something I really enjoy.

John (in the center, holding the towel) is about to start aufguss session.

3) What kind of people attend the sauna session at the hotel? Are they mostly hotel guests or locals?

Mostly locals. The German Aufguss-style steam sessions have been extremely popular. I think it's because the sessions help people enjoy the full physical, mental and social benefits available and at the heart of every thermic bathing tradition.

Participants are in a deep meditative state while feeling the heat in the sauna.

4) The Nordic style sauna has not widely known yet in the U.S.. Do you usually explain sauna etiquettes or instruct a proper way of how to take a sauna (sweat, cold plunge and relax) to a first-timer?

Yes, I try to make as much information available as possible. I've noticed that people who appreciate a lot of info will find it and appreciate reading it ahead of time. Speaking with guests about the physiology of hot/cold conditioning also gives them language to understand, experiment and take more ownership of their experience. The recent research and popularization of hot/cold conditioning by people like Wim Hof and XPT Training have done a lot to open and advance the conversation beyond trite cultural stereotypes.

5) I saw you had an aufguss aromatherapy steam session. (I loved it when I experienced in Germany) Did you learn how to do it from saunameister? (did you do it or did you invite someone?)

The first time I hear the word "aufguss" was back in 2014 when someone called me a "SaunaMeister" during a sauna session at The Firehouse, my first mobile sauna. I was pleased to learn that, despite the pompous sound of the word (to the English-speaking ear), it was meant as a compliment. She explained how, in Germany, many public saunas feature a SaunaMeister who helps guests enjoy the full health benefits of the sauna experience by leading full warm-up and cool-down cycles by incorporating steam-pouring, breathing and cooling techniques into the session. She explained how, in Germany, it's a common practice at public saunas and many people plan their visits based on the schedule of their favorite Meister.

I tried to register for a SaunaMeister training program but the best one was only taught in German. Determined and naive, I talked a friend into teaching me German in exchange for benchtime at the Firehouse. Turns out German is very difficult to learn, so I decided to start a Sauna Co-op instead, The 612 Sauna Society, which helped me meet local SaunaMeisters and Thermic Bathing enthusiasts and aficionados of all denominations here in Minnesota.

John explains the sauna etiquette and aufguss session to his audiences before it starts.

6) How's 612 Sauna Society going after it became a member-owned co-op?

Very well. We currently have 171 member-owners are are open every night of the week at the Theodore Wirth Park Trailhead, the epicenter of outdoor winter recreation in Minneapolis.

612 Sauna Society's mobile sauna stations at Theodore Wirth Park.

612 Sauna Society co-op members

7) Do you have any new exciting project coming up?

Yes, I've teamed up with Sauna Times Founder Glenn Auerbach, Sauna Society Outfitters CEO Rodney Buhrsmith and Eric Bongard of Custom Mobile Saunas to design a new mobile sauna line that will be available for rental and purchase through www.saunasoietyoutfitters.com. It provides the best heat I've ever experienced and it can be enjoyed anywhere. Sharing it has been super fun.

A new rental mobile sauna that John and the collaborators built.

Thank you so much, John for sharing the amazing your sauna stories!