What Is Aufguss? The Viral Sauna Ritual, Explained
- House of Undine
- Jun 27
- 3 min read
Watch above, or listen on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
It started with a reel. Big sauna, packed benches, DJ music, club lights, the room dim, everyone waving towels and sweating. I watched it and thought, is the sauna the new millennial club? I was so curious. Turns out the thing I was laughing at has centuries of history, world championships, and a whole world behind it. It is called aufguss. Let me explain what it actually is.
What is aufguss?
Aufguss is a traditional German and Austrian sauna ritual led by a sauna master. He pours water and essential oils onto the hot stones, then uses towels to move the scented air and steam through the room. It is spelled A-U-F-G-U-S-S. The oils waft, the heat rises, and there is real intention behind every towel movement. That is the heart of it.
Where did the aufguss ritual come from?
It began as a practical task. In communal saunas full of people, the air would go stale, so doors were opened to ventilate, water was poured on the hot stones to restore the heat, and a towel circulated the steam. Over time, especially in German and Austrian sauna culture after World War II, that simple maintenance became refined. The towel work got precise. Essential oils came in. Music followed. It turned into an art form with training schools and certification programs.
Are there really aufguss championships?
Yes, and this is where it gets fun. The first Aufguss World Championship was held in 2007 in South Tyrol, in the Alpine region between Italy and Austria. Today there are national competitions in 18 countries. In 2025 the United States held its first national competition at Bath House in New York City, and the winner went on to represent Team USA at the World Championships in Verona, Italy. This is not a fad. It has real roots.
How is the viral version different from the original?
The viral version is a show, and the original is a meditation. What is going viral right now is the aufguss show, a theatrical, high-energy format with a DJ, lights, and choreography. That is the one that looks like a club in a sauna. The classic version uses the same ritual but quieter. No club music. More silent, more restorative, more meditative. I find both fascinating, and I get into why I think this one is landing right now in the episode.
Quick questions
What is aufguss?
A traditional German and Austrian sauna ritual where a sauna master pours water and essential oils on the hot stones and uses towels to move the scented steam through the room.
How do you say aufguss?
It is spelled A-U-F-G-U-S-S, a German word. It comes from German and Austrian sauna culture.
Is an aufguss show the same as the original ritual?
Not quite. The show is the theatrical, high-energy version with a DJ and lights. The original is quieter, slower, and more meditative.
Where can you do aufguss in the US?
It is still new here, with shows starting to appear in cities like New York. The first US national competition was held in New York City in 2025.
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