Aufguss

I recently did this Aufguss class during a visit to the bathhouse for a friend’s birthday, and I have to tell you, this was hands down the hottest room I’ve ever been in. The temperature was over 190°! As soon as I walked in to begin the class, I felt like running right out. I started feeling lightheaded and dizzy almost immediately.

The instructor running the class used a towel and essential oils to create air and wind movements in a way that was absolutely amazing. I was seriously impressed with his ability to keep moving for 15 minutes in that insanely hot, tropical sauna. The class has three 5-minute rounds, but I was only able to survive one before I felt like I was about to fall flat on my face. There was one guy who, apparently not properly conditioned, managed to stay for all three rounds, but he was literally laid out afterward.

This heat is no joke, and you really need to condition your body for it. Thankfully, someone had electrolytes for me to drink after the class—without that, I’m pretty sure I would’ve had one of the worst headaches ever. I’ve done hot yoga many times, but that’s a cakewalk compared to how intense this was. They say the benefits come from releasing heat shock proteins, which is interesting. I’m glad I tried it, but I’m not sure I can ever do it again. Or maybe it’s a matter of adapting, and one day I’ll love it. But wow, that room was seriously hot.