The inaugural USA national competition for sauna Aufguss masters will take place at the Bathhouse, Williamsburg, NYC, 23-24 June, 2025. Originating in Europe, Aufguss has captivated sauna-goers worldwide, and in 2025, the USA will host its first national competition. The Aufguss WM (World Masters) takes this tradition to another level, elevating the “Art of Aufguss” into a theatrical performance where competitors incorporate music, lighting and storytelling to transport guest

Competitors will be judged on steam and temperature control, towel-waving techniques and audience engagement through storytelling Credit: Aufguss WM The ancient European sauna ritual of aufguss is continuing to make waves in the US, as the country prepares to host its first-ever national sauna competition this summer. Aufguss, which originated in Europe, transforms a traditional sauna session into a multisensory performance, where masters use heat, scent, music and storytelli

In this immersive live episode, host Lisa Starr brings listeners into the heart of the first-ever U.S. Aufguss World Masters Trials, recorded on-site at the newly expanded Bathhouse Williamsburg in Brooklyn, NY. As the ancient European tradition of Aufguss —a multisensory, storytelling sauna ritual—makes its competitive debut in America, Lisa interviews several key figures shaping this cultural movement. From competition judges and spa innovators to passionate sauna performer