Sauna Cooperative Bringing Steam Bathing to Urban America
Who: John Pederson
Current Gig: Founder of the 612 Sauna Society Cooperative and Sauna Society Outfitters
Location: Minneapolis Minnesota USA
Favorite way to relax: Ahhhhh, in the SAUNA of course!
“Since the dawn of humanity, humans around the world have gathered to enjoy the simple pleasures of steam and heat. The sweat bathing traditions of the world have been preserved by their responsiveness to the needs of modern societies”, explains John Pederson, the Founder of the 612 Sauna Society and Sauna Society Outfitters, both organizations sprouting from the Twin cities area. Founded in 2016, the 612 Sauna Society is the nation’s first member owned Sauna Cooperative and the Sauna Society Outfitters was established two years later, to offer the experience of steam bathing through trainings, events and product development.
“…in today’s fast-paced, distracted, divided and noisy world — the therapeutic potential of steam bathing has never been more obvious or more needed.”
John Pederson could be called a pioneer in making Sauna relevant and “cool” in urban America. Since building his first Sauna in 2014, John has hosted over 5,000 guests for sauna gatherings at venues he has created or managed throughout the Twin Cities. Today the 612 Sauna Society has over 150 members, and it owns and operates a mobile sauna unit called the Forge. The Forge has been hosted by dozens of businesses and neighborhood organizations in the Minneapolis area.
In addition to his gig as a Chief Fire Wood Officer at the 612 Sauna Society, John’s other venture, the Sauna Society Outfitters, now organizes guided steam sessions at Hewing Hotel in downtown Minneapolis, followed by a cool down relaxation round and an optional ice bath reset.
We hope that what John has created is just a beginning for a movement to make Sauna a bigger part of urban life in America. As people search new ways to manage anxiety and stress caused by the demands modern society, sauna can improve mental and physical wellness, in addition to the social benefits it generates.
It’s been inspiring to follow John’s journey of making sauna tradition more relevant in North America, particularly for younger generations. We chatted with John about the future of sauna in America and its role in our everyday life.
LN: We think of Sauna as something so inherently Nordic. What does Sauna represent to you?
JP: I think of sauna as one of many Sweat Bathing traditions. Since the dawn of humanity humans around the world have gathered to enjoy the simple pleasures of steam and heat. The sweat bathing traditions of the world have been preserved by their responsiveness to the needs of modern societies. The Finns started calling it Sauna, the Turks Hammam, the Native Americans Sweat Lodge, and the Russians Banya. Each culture developed different customs and practices around the experience to best serve their time, place and communities.
LN: Why has the 612 Sauna Society Cooperative become so popular among the local communities in Minnesota?
JP: Today, the therapeutic potential of steam bathing has never been more obvious or more needed. As a 308B cooperative organization, our Board of Directors is voted in by our Membership on a one-to-one basis (each member has one share and each share gets one vote). The purpose and advantage of this governance is to keep our organization responsive to the needs and priorities of its Member-Owners. In doing so, we are discovering the therapeutic potential of sauna today and actively participating in the preservation of one of the finest traditions of The North.
“I would love to see more innovated projects making the physical, mental and social benefits of steam bathing traditions more available to all.”
LN: Is there anything about Sauna that you consider to be a unique kind of experience that you cannot find elsewhere?
JP: It’s a very unique experience, especially in today’s fast-paced, distracted, divided and noisy world. In these times, the therapeutic potential of steam bathing has never been more obvious or more needed.
LN: How would you like to see the culture and traditions of sauna evolving in America in a few years’ time?
JP: I would love to see more innovated projects making the physical, mental and social benefits of steam bathing traditions more available to all. I would love to see more Sauna Co-ops.
