Part ceremony, part performance, part deep detox — Aufguss is unlike any sauna experience you’ve had before. Born in Germany, it’s now one of the fastest-growing wellness rituals in the world. Here’s everything you need to know.
Where Did Aufguss Come From?
The word “Aufguss” simply means “infusion” in German — but the experience is anything but simple. The formal Aufguss ritual originated in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland in the 20th century as spa culture blossomed, introduced to elevate the traditional sauna experience and turn it into something more dynamic and immersive.
In Germany, the process of pouring water over the sauna stones is highly ritualised. Guests are not permitted to do it themselves — it is strictly for trained employees, and it follows a schedule. In most saunas, an Aufguss takes place every hour, and it’s not to be missed. The queue outside the sauna door before it begins is a perfectly normal sight.
Since its origins, Aufguss has become an integral part of spa-going culture in central and northern Europe, with competitive events and international sauna festivals celebrating its artistry. Today, the practice is spreading globally, gaining popularity in wellness resorts and luxury hotels that want to offer guests more than just a steam room.
What Actually Happens During an Aufguss?
An Aufgussmeister — or Steam Master — infuses ice balls with aromatic essential oils and throws them onto hot stones to create scented steam in a sauna that can reach temperatures up to 90°C. Using a towel or fan, the Aufgussmeister then circulates the heat in choreographed motions, all set to music.
01 The infusion.
Essential-oil-laced water (or ice balls) is poured over the hot stones, releasing a burst of intensely scented steam that fills the room instantly.
02 The towel ceremony.
The Aufgussmeister performs a series of graceful, towel-flapping movements — observers have likened it to bullfighters with their capes, rhythmic gymnasts with their ribbons, and pizza-makers with their dough — designed to push waves of heat around the room.
03 The cool-down.
The session concludes with a dip in a cold plunge for contrast therapy — the thermal shock that triggers the body’s most powerful recovery response.
04 The rest.
Under the effect of the thermal shock, the body releases endorphins, generating a feeling of intense well-being and considerably reducing stress. This final stage is not optional — it’s where the magic happens.
Sessions typically last anywhere from 10 to 30 minutes, and each Aufgussmeister adds their own unique interpretation. They choose the essential oils, the music, and some will guide you through breathing exercises. No two sessions are quite the same.
Classic Ritual, Reinvented for 2026
Aufguss has deep cultural and historical roots, originating in Germany and gradually becoming a global wellness trend. Its time-honoured tradition emphasises health, relaxation, and community — while modernisation has introduced new elements such as advanced aromatherapy techniques and personalised rituals.
The most theatrical version — Show Aufguss — takes things even further. Show Aufguss incorporates lighting, fire, and theatrics centred around a specific theme, with some Aufgussmeisters creating mini-dramas that tell a story and arouse emotion. Think: a full sensory performance that just happens to take place in a 90°C room.
Such is the global enthusiasm for the art form that an Aufguss World Championship is held annually, drawing competitors and spectators from across Europe, Japan, and North America. The trend has jumped the Atlantic too, with Aufguss now available at spas in New York, Las Vegas, and Québec.
Aufguss and Contrast Therapy — the Perfect Pair
Every authentic Aufguss session ends the same way: with cold. Whether it’s a plunge pool, an ice bucket, or a cold shower, the temperature contrast is not an optional add-on — it’s the physiological engine that makes the whole ritual work.
This pairing of intense heat with immediate cold exposure — now widely known as contrast therapy — is the same principle driving one of London’s biggest wellness trends in 2026. The science is simple: alternating heat and cold causes blood vessels to rapidly contract and expand, flushing the body, resetting the nervous system, and producing a surge of endorphins that can last for hours.
Experience the Full Ritual at Luravia Private Sauna and Spa
Aufguss is a communal ceremony by tradition — but the contrast therapy at its heart is something you can experience entirely on your own terms. Luravia, opening in Central London in 2026, brings sauna, ice bath and jacuzzi together in a single fully private suite, so you can move through the hot-cold ritual in complete privacy, at your own pace.
No shared spaces, no strangers. Just the heat, the cold, and the reset your body has been waiting for. Anniversary packages and special occasion bookings are also in the works.
Luravia opens in Central London in 2026.
