612 Sauna Co-op Native + Indigenous Heat--Dec. 14, 2024

“Even a wounded world is feeding us. Even a wounded world holds us, giving us moments of wonder and joy. I choose joy over despair. Not because I have my head in the sand, but because joy is what the earth gives me daily and I must return the gift." ~Robin Wall, Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and the Teachings of Plants

In a world that wants to keep us constantly dysregulated, reconnect with self through the simple offerings of the earth by way of sauna: fire + stones + snow + fresh air. Enjoy a 90 minute session of good heat and good company alongside fellow indigenous and native folx.

This is a donation-based offering. Please contribute what you are able. A regular spot on the bench is $45. If you can contribute more, it opens up a spot on the bench for more native/indigenous community members. Session will be led by Misty Blue (tribal affiliation White Earth Nation and Lower Sioux Indian Community).

--Over centuries and across the globe, peoples and cultures have embraced the power of fire and heat for communal connection, spiritual ceremony and physical wellbeing.
--612 Sauna Cooperative is typically structured in the tradition of Nordic and Finnish traditions of thermal cycling (cycles of hot and cold), but is all self-paced so you decide your limits.

More Information:

• Each session is capped at 8 people with no overlap in between sessions.
• The sauna will be located next to the Trailhead building.
• Parking is available in the Trailhead or Chalet lots. Plan on extra time as it's very busy this time of year and parking can be difficult.
• Mill Valley Market is open daily in the Trailhead building serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily, and offers specialty coffee drinks, beer, and wine.
• Skis and snowshoes are available for rent in the Trailhead if you want to make your sauna session into a full day winter adventure!
• Restrooms are available in the Trailhead or plan on either coming ready to sauna or you can change inside the Forge. There are no locker rooms/showers available at the Trailhead.
• Footwear, and shirts are required inside the Trailhead building
  Transportation:
• Metro Transit stops right in front of the Trailhead.
• Bike parking is available in front of the sauna.
• Walk, hike, ski or snowshoe to the sauna--the park is beautiful!
• Parking is available in the Trailhead or Chalet lots. Parking is usually pretty full, so plan on arriving early to find a spot and get to your session on time! The Chalet lot usually has more parking available and is about a 5-7 minute walk to the Trailhead.

What to bring:

- Bathing suit (required)- Water bottle & water - 2 Towels - one to sit on and one to use after your session. Your sitting towel should be long enough to place your feet on the towel as well. There are hooks in the hot room to hang your sitting towel between rounds. - Flip flops

Covid-19 Protocols:

612 Sauna Cooperative is committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for all members, guests, and staff. Our goal is to mitigate the potential for transmission of COVID-19 within our facility and our community. This will require cooperation of guests, members and staff to comply with protocols to keep the sauna safe.

• Stay home if you’re feeling sick or if you’ve been exposed.
• You must use your own towel and water, and a towel is required for sitting on the bench inside the hot room.
• Staff cleans and sanitizes equipment per disinfecting checklist between each reservation.

SAUNA COOPERATIVE CODE

The Sauna Cooperative Code has been identified to ensure that all guests have an enjoyable sauna and can be immersed in the health benefits of the activity, and can be summarized as follows:

At the 612 Sauna Cooperative, our intention is to support a welcoming, respectful, and inclusive space to enjoy the health and community benefits of sauna.

We are aware of ourselves, each other, and our surroundings to ensure a safe environment for all sauna guests. We are aware of our own health and safety, and we are also aware of the health of other guests.

We and our guests believe that everyone is equally worthy of love, respect, and dignity. We believe that differences of race, age, culture, religion, politics, sexual orientation, gender, gender variance, body shapes and sizes, nationalities, (and beyond) are simply part of being human and all are welcome here.

In short, we endeavor to treat each other as a family—one that loves and respects each other. Thank you for helping us create a safe and comfortable space for all.

SAUNA TIPS

Please arrive hydrated so you can enjoy the full benefits of your time on the bench.

Sauna promotes healthy blood flow by activation of the thermoregulatory system. Practicing full “rounds” will provide the full health benefits. A round consists of 10-20 mins in the hot room (your body will tell you when your time is up), followed by a cool-down period outside. Letting your body cool down between rounds by relaxing and cooling off at the rinse station will increase your circulation and provide the full physical and mental benefit of the experience. A typical sauna session consists of 3-4 rounds of this hot-cold treatment.

Learn more about the health benefits of Sauna here.

AND MORE

- The Sauna will be staffed by a trained host. If you have further questions about Sauna, The Forge or 612 Sauna Cooperative, please ask a member of the Stoker Team, or email us at [email protected].

- See you on the bench!

Host or Publisher 612 Sauna Cooperative