Lähteviisiks

Lähteviisiks is a term used in some Baltic Finnic languages to refer to a specific type of sauna experience. It can be translated roughly as "leaving smoke" or "smoke departing." This refers to the traditional method of heating a sauna by burning wood directly inside the sauna room.

In a lähteviisiks sauna, the stones are heated by the flames of a wood fire. Once the fire has burned down to embers and the room has reached the desired temperature, the smoke and soot are allowed to escape before the sauna session begins. This often involves opening vents or windows to clear the air. The residual heat from the stones and the structure of the sauna then provides the warmth for bathing.

This method differs from modern saunas that use a separate stove with a chimney to vent smoke outside. The direct heating method can result in a different scent and atmosphere within the sauna due to the presence of wood smoke residue. While less common in contemporary saunas, the lähteviisiks tradition is preserved in some rural areas and by enthusiasts seeking a more authentic or historical sauna experience. The practice is often associated with a deeper, more intense heat and a connection to older sauna-building techniques.