Explore sauna vs infrared sauna through ritual, radiant heat, and low-field design so heat stays focused on recovery and balance.
Video·Medical Saunas·9 min read·March 10, 2017
A grounded conversation on sauna tradition, the shift from heated stones to infrared panels, and why low-field design matters when heat becomes part of a home recovery ritual.
Sauna As Inherited Ritual
Sauna begins before technology. For Steve Benda, it began in family memory, in a Finnish and German heritage where heat was not a luxury or a trend, but part of ordinary domestic life. His mother came from Finnish heritage, and her parents came directly from Finland. The sauna was already present before he had language for engineering, radiation, or power systems.
the SAA gets built often times before the home
That early familiarity matters. When a practice is woven into childhood, it carries a different authority than a product discovered later. It becomes part of how a home feels, how a day closes, how the body understands pause. The sauna was not an occasional experience in his family. It was a known sanctuary.
Benda describes the Finnish relationship to sauna with a plain confidence: every Finnish home has a sauna in some degree. The statement holds more than architecture. It points to a culture that gives heat a place inside daily life, not outside it. Sauna becomes as familiar as a kitchen, a threshold, or a room for rest.
The tradition reaches even deeper in the idea that the sauna is often built before the home. That detail carries the whole philosophy. Before comfort, before polish, before the finished domestic frame, there is heat, water, wood, and recovery. The ritual comes first because it supports the life that will gather around it.
This is why sauna resists reduction to a device. It is a practice, a protocol, and a cultural inheritance. The room may change. The heat source may evolve. The intention remains steady: enter, warm the body, sweat, rinse, cool, and return to equilibrium. The simplicity is the strength.
Benda’s later technical interest did not appear in isolation. His background in nuclear power, power systems, and electrical control gave him a precise way to look at sauna design, but the personal foundation came first. He had lived with the practice before he began measuring the room. Experience gave the engineering a human center.
At its best, a sauna is both inherited ritual and daily sanctuary. It asks little from you beyond presence and respect. You sit with heat, allow the body to respond, then leave clearer than you entered. The room is simple. The reset is deliberate.
hello this is Dr mcole and today we're here to talk about a topic that many here to talk about a topic that many people in natural medicine are aware of people in natural medicine are aware of and personally use and that's uh saunas and personally use and that's uh saunas uh and here today joining me to uh and here today joining me to elaborate on this topic is Steve Benda elaborate on this topic is Steve Benda who is a some has training in uh Power who is a some has training in uh Power sourcing Power Systems not power sourcing Power Systems not power sourcing Power Systems and nuclear sourcing Power Systems and nuclear engineering so Steve welcome to uh our engineering so Steve welcome to uh our studio and thank you for joining us studio and thank you for joining us thanks and I'm wondering if you can tell thanks and I'm wondering if you can tell our viewers how you first became our viewers how you first became interested in this topic and how your interested in this topic and how your journey was that led you to the position journey was that led you to the position you are now well the the SAS in the uh you are now well the the SAS in the uh that my Heritage I'm a Finnish and that my Heritage I'm a Finnish and German background and it seems like German background and it seems like every finished home has a sauna in it in every finished home has a sauna in it in in some degree and and R so just about in some degree and and R so just about everyone everyone I I think it's very everyone everyone I I think it's very interesting the tradition is that the interesting the tradition is that the SAA gets built often times before the SAA gets built often times before the home and in in light of that we've uh
home and in in light of that we've uh I've been raised with SAS since I was a I've been raised with SAS since I was a small child and were you born in Finland small child and were you born in Finland I was no I wasn't I was my mother was uh I was no I wasn't I was my mother was uh uh from a Finnish uh Heritage and her uh from a Finnish uh Heritage and her mom and dad were directly from Finland mom and dad were directly from Finland okay and so the sounds were always in my okay and so the sounds were always in my family and and they became part of our family and and they became part of our life and so that I guess spawned an life and so that I guess spawned an early interest and now with the Advent early interest and now with the Advent of some of the newer technology like the of some of the newer technology like the infrared SAS or the or the traditional infrared SAS or the or the traditional type SAS where type SAS where they'll electrical energy provides the they'll electrical energy provides the heating mechanism uh these become more heating mechanism uh these become more and more available to the common user in and more available to the common user in their homes could you expand on the use their homes could you expand on the use of saunas historically obviously you of saunas historically obviously you mentioned it was it's common in Finland mentioned it was it's common in Finland in my experience common in many Eastern in my experience common in many Eastern European European countries and many European European countries and many Asian countries and uh how far back does Asian countries and uh how far back does it go and do you have any
it go and do you have any um perspective on you know when it um perspective on you know when it started and then how it became widely started and then how it became widely adopted within the culture well I I adopted within the culture well I I can't speak as an expert for when the can't speak as an expert for when the days were of the early days but but uh days were of the early days but but uh the some of the old Finnish Sounders the some of the old Finnish Sounders were building fires under piles of rocks were building fires under piles of rocks and then inside of a room that was very and then inside of a room that was very smoky and then the people would come smoky and then the people would come into those rooms and throw water on that into those rooms and throw water on that pile of rocks and and get the steam he pile of rocks and and get the steam he eat in the room and sweat and sweating eat in the room and sweat and sweating was a mechanism that uh I would say is was a mechanism that uh I would say is very common attribute of SAS it evolved very common attribute of SAS it evolved into into contained wood stoves where into into contained wood stoves where the wood stove would heat the pile of the wood stove would heat the pile of rocks and and more of a contained smoke rocks and and more of a contained smoke being that they have chimneys um and being that they have chimneys um and then the same water on the Rock sit in then the same water on the Rock sit in the room and experience a a a sweaty the room and experience a a a sweaty very warm very warm environment uh and that evolved into um environment uh and that evolved into um electrical SAS which which are more
electrical SAS which which are more traditional now where the electric traditional now where the electric heating elements will heat the rocks in heating elements will heat the rocks in a small stove and very typically found a small stove and very typically found in basement or little recck centers in in basement or little recck centers in homes and uh lots of homes and uh lots of clinics and they again the same thing clinics and they again the same thing heat throw water on the rocks and and heat throw water on the rocks and and the the bther will experience the uh the the the bther will experience the uh the warm Heats of the of the Steam and the warm Heats of the of the Steam and the and their body will sweat and I say and their body will sweat and I say profusely but what a great experience profusely but what a great experience and that then has led to more recent and that then has led to more recent years and probably 10 or 15 years ago uh years and probably 10 or 15 years ago uh the evolution of the infrared SAA which the evolution of the infrared SAA which is a a different kind of heating is a a different kind of heating mechanism that that relies on the mechanism that that relies on the infrared portion of the electromagnetic infrared portion of the electromagnetic spectrum to provide heat and spectrum to provide heat and radiation uh radiant radiation uh radiant heat so it was it's really an important heat so it was it's really an important innovation and and evolution of the
innovation and and evolution of the technology technology because certainly mean the basic goal is because certainly mean the basic goal is to generate heat and you can generate to generate heat and you can generate heat from burning wood but the problem heat from burning wood but the problem with burning wood in confined space of with burning wood in confined space of course is that there's toxic byproducts course is that there's toxic byproducts like carbon monoxide and smoke which are like carbon monoxide and smoke which are not very good for your health the not very good for your health the sweating C may be but certainly the sweating C may be but certainly the toxic byproducts are not so it's nice to toxic byproducts are not so it's nice to have an alternative strategy and and have an alternative strategy and and certainly using the Rocks as a way to certainly using the Rocks as a way to capture and store that energy and then capture and store that energy and then transfer it certainly useful so transfer it certainly useful so basically we have evolved now to the basically we have evolved now to the point where you have two safe ways to point where you have two safe ways to heat the internal environment of the heat the internal environment of the sauna which would be the traditional sauna which would be the traditional more is that classically called the more is that classically called the Finish sauna I I would call it finish I Finish sauna I I would call it finish I I would traditional finish which would I would traditional finish which would be the electrical heat yes okay it's be the electrical heat yes okay it's electrical heat and then we have the electrical heat and then we have the newer uh more 21st century versions newer uh more 21st century versions which would be the infrared Sona so I'm which would be the infrared Sona so I'm wonder if you can discuss the wonder if you can discuss the traditional saas First maybe the type of traditional saas First maybe the type of heating elements they're doing and then heating elements they're doing and then the difference between the wet and the
the difference between the wet and the dry then we can go and discuss the dry then we can go and discuss the infrared absolutely the traditional infrared absolutely the traditional which is very typical found it's not a which is very typical found it's not a very big stove but it has uh radiant very big stove but it has uh radiant heat Elements which are resistive heat Elements which are resistive elements that will heat when current elements that will heat when current flows through um that they'll heat heat flows through um that they'll heat heat up under the Rocks the rocks will become up under the Rocks the rocks will become warm from that uh the room will be warm from that uh the room will be regulated by a therm regulated by a therm thermostat um and that the bather will thermostat um and that the bather will go in and and initially the room will f go in and and initially the room will f dry and warm um comfortably warm and dry and warm um comfortably warm and you'll throw water on the Rocks which you'll throw water on the Rocks which will then release an explosion I'll call will then release an explosion I'll call it a fun explosion of of Steam Heat uh it a fun explosion of of Steam Heat uh where where that instant that moment where where that instant that moment when it goes from dry to to more of a when it goes from dry to to more of a humid environment thousands of pores are humid environment thousands of pores are popping at the same time on your body popping at the same time on your body and it feels really really nice as your and it feels really really nice as your sweat mechanisms turn on um and that sweat mechanisms turn on um and that that's a traditional sauna uh that that that's a traditional sauna uh that that we throw water on the Rocks we get the
we throw water on the Rocks we get the Steam Heat in the room and we experience Steam Heat in the room and we experience a lot of sweating that would be a lot of sweating that would be considered a wet sa that be considered a considered a wet sa that be considered a wet SAA and what what typically happens wet SAA and what what typically happens is you'll you'll go in take take a few is you'll you'll go in take take a few ladles of of water on the rocks and ladles of of water on the rocks and experience the steam blast and enjoy the experience the steam blast and enjoy the the warm sweaty heat and then maybe go the warm sweaty heat and then maybe go into a cool down mode after that in the into a cool down mode after that in the in the changing room and then probably in the changing room and then probably shower and I I'll say it's the best shower and I I'll say it's the best recipe for ready to go to bed um when recipe for ready to go to bed um when when uh you lay down to go to sleep that when uh you lay down to go to sleep that night you're very very relaxed and and night you're very very relaxed and and Clean from the Clean from the SAA skin is Silky Smooth oh it is it is SAA skin is Silky Smooth oh it is it is so wonderful and and and being that so wonderful and and and being that that's such a a nice way to to close the that's such a a nice way to to close the day day out we like my sound at home is day day out we like my sound at home is heated every night my my traditional um heated every night my my traditional um in the basement so I'm wondering if you in the basement so I'm wondering if you can describe your transition into your can describe your transition into your current position which is with a company
current position which is with a company that as I understand is the largest that as I understand is the largest producer of saunas in the producer of saunas in the world yes I I uh being that my my world yes I I uh being that my my background in nuclear nule nuclear power background in nuclear nule nuclear power uh is um deals with radiation deals with uh is um deals with radiation deals with Power Systems deals with the control of Power Systems deals with the control of of certain uh electrical properties um of certain uh electrical properties um the gentleman asked me to be involved the gentleman asked me to be involved with the with some development and in with the with some development and in doing so applied some of those theories doing so applied some of those theories and processes to the infrared sound of and processes to the infrared sound of rooms and uh right now we we have uh rooms and uh right now we we have uh effectively built some of the first low effectively built some of the first low electromagnetic radiation rooms as well electromagnetic radiation rooms as well as the first low electrical field rooms as the first low electrical field rooms and both both and I'll speak to that a and both both and I'll speak to that a little bit that little bit that electromagnetic um fields which which electromagnetic um fields which which are all about electrical energy um are a are all about electrical energy um are a form of of um I'll call it like the the
form of of um I'll call it like the the the force components that come off of the force components that come off of electrical energy um the the for the electrical energy um the the for the force equations uh are set up where force equations uh are set up where electrical fields are are everywhere electrical fields are are everywhere around us if there's energized wires around us if there's energized wires electrical fields are are around us and electrical fields are are around us and well potentially because they could the well potentially because they could the electrical Fields can be fairly easily electrical Fields can be fairly easily mitigated they can be absolutely so but mitigated they can be absolutely so but it's certainly it's potential and and it's certainly it's potential and and for most most of us we are exposed to for most most of us we are exposed to them we are and and being that they can them we are and and being that they can be mitigated through shielding be mitigated through shielding electrical fields are probably one of electrical fields are probably one of the areas that we can easily the areas that we can easily contain um but the other component contain um but the other component that's in the electrical field is the that's in the electrical field is the electromagnetic radiation field the M electromagnetic radiation field the M for the EMF is magnetic which is which for the EMF is magnetic which is which is the bugger that's the tough one yeah is the bugger that's the tough one yeah but but actually when you think about it but but actually when you think about it both are both are very uh um Bad actors both are both are very uh um Bad actors I'll say because they they act on on our I'll say because they they act on on our bodies where our bodies are are filled
bodies where our bodies are are filled with charged particles we're made up of with charged particles we're made up of charged particles and the an electrical charged particles and the an electrical field will out will act with a force on field will out will act with a force on those charged particles depending on its those charged particles depending on its magnitude and and over time May Al alter magnitude and and over time May Al alter the way that our bodies behave um C the way that our bodies behave um C cellularly well because many people cellularly well because many people don't realize that we are fundamentally don't realize that we are fundamentally electrical beings we are that's the way electrical beings we are that's the way our cells communicate they communicate our cells communicate they communicate El electrically and if we're exposed to El electrically and if we're exposed to some external field that could interfere some external field that could interfere with that cellular communication and with that cellular communication and wreck havoc with our system it sure can wreck havoc with our system it sure can and you're probably closer to those and you're probably closer to those physical effects than I am but but I physical effects than I am but but I from the electrical side I know that if from the electrical side I know that if if I have an energized source which is if I have an energized source which is an EMF which is Electro motive Force an EMF which is Electro motive Force volts volts we all know volts um that volts volts we all know volts um that that's generating or emitting an that's generating or emitting an electric field we we measure that by electric field we we measure that by volts per distance and and that's that's
volts per distance and and that's that's what our meter will tell us um but the what our meter will tell us um but the other part of that Force equation would other part of that Force equation would be the the electromagnetic part which is be the the electromagnetic part which is the when a when a a Charged particle the when a when a a Charged particle Moves In The Wire meaning now current so Moves In The Wire meaning now current so volts and current um that it'll generate volts and current um that it'll generate a magnetic field around the wire and a magnetic field around the wire and that magnetic field will also impart a that magnetic field will also impart a force on those same charged particles in force on those same charged particles in our body so when when there there's an our body so when when there there's an an electromagnetic field uh present then an electromagnetic field uh present then possibly an electromagnetic field will possibly an electromagnetic field will be present if there's a current flow and be present if there's a current flow and in in both cases we've developed some in in both cases we've developed some technology that we can effectively technology that we can effectively mitigate or eliminate the electric field mitigate or eliminate the electric field piece and we've we have technology that piece and we've we have technology that will mitigate or minimize below um will mitigate or minimize below um acceptable standards the electromagnetic acceptable standards the electromagnetic piece well thank you for setting that piece well thank you for setting that that frame and that perspective because that frame and that perspective because it is an issue as I mentioned um when I
it is an issue as I mentioned um when I first started doing saunas it was about first started doing saunas it was about 15 years ago and the first generation 15 years ago and the first generation saunas and they they I believe now these saunas and they they I believe now these panels that are being used to generate panels that are being used to generate that infrared heat uh initially were that infrared heat uh initially were carbon or I think ceramic and then it carbon or I think ceramic and then it progressed to carbon or is it the progressed to carbon or is it the converse I think you're right it started converse I think you're right it started ceramic which much hotter yeah progess ceramic which much hotter yeah progess so the first one I had one of the first so the first one I had one of the first ones was a ceramic and the newest one of ones was a ceramic and the newest one of course are the carbons but the ceramic course are the carbons but the ceramic were relatively safe but as they were relatively safe but as they progressed to the carbons my progressed to the carbons my understanding is that the initial understanding is that the initial technology the second third and fourth technology the second third and fourth Generations actually were very high in Generations actually were very high in emfs emfs and so essentially almost any sauna that and so essentially almost any sauna that was made in the late 90s to just was made in the late 90s to just recently is likely infrared sauna is recently is likely infrared sauna is going to be high in EMF and there's a going to be high in EMF and there's a very simple way to test for this it's very simple way to test for this it's not like something you have to call call not like something you have to call call a manufacturer you could just get an EMF a manufacturer you could just get an EMF meter and you could pick up ones you can
meter and you could pick up ones you can get an electrical meter for like $10 or get an electrical meter for like $10 or a more sophisticating me one for maybe a more sophisticating me one for maybe 100 or 150 like a trifield and actually 100 or 150 like a trifield and actually measure these yourself I mean you don't measure these yourself I mean you don't need to someone to tell you you could need to someone to tell you you could see exactly where it's coming from where see exactly where it's coming from where it's hot uh I mean the uh one of the it's hot uh I mean the uh one of the ones I recently looked at just within ones I recently looked at just within the last few weeks I mean it was off the the last few weeks I mean it was off the chart even outside the sauna 120 yeah chart even outside the sauna 120 yeah and I mean normally she be below three I and I mean normally she be below three I think it's m micross micro yeah Migos think it's m micross micro yeah Migos so 3 Migos and this was 120 so um wasn't so 3 Migos and this was 120 so um wasn't that because these these fields weren't that because these these fields weren't mitigated because of the way they mitigated because of the way they construct it so I wondered if you could construct it so I wondered if you could comment on what I just said and then comment on what I just said and then what uh changes you made in your newest what uh changes you made in your newest Technologies of infrared saas well the Technologies of infrared saas well the the if I walked around the room in here the if I walked around the room in here with a with a a migous meter that I I with a with a a migous meter that I I could go to cords electrical cords uh could go to cords electrical cords uh lamps whatever the case may be and I lamps whatever the case may be and I could I could find hotpots and and
could I could find hotpots and and hotpots would be ranges of 100 200 300 hotpots would be ranges of 100 200 300 migal um I'd call those hot however um migal um I'd call those hot however um the interesting thing on that radiation the interesting thing on that radiation piece is that as you move away from the piece is that as you move away from the source the the uh the the measured field source the the uh the the measured field drops off by one over the the distance drops off by one over the the distance squared so drops off relatively quickly squared so drops off relatively quickly however we don't have the luxury when however we don't have the luxury when we're sitting in one of these rooms to we're sitting in one of these rooms to have to position ourselves just right to have to position ourselves just right to be just far enough away we we go in be just far enough away we we go in there it's virtually impossible to be there it's virtually impossible to be less than a foot or two away from the less than a foot or two away from the source yeah you'll go in and and most source yeah you'll go in and and most likely I'll be leaning against the likely I'll be leaning against the source my body you're you're a little source my body you're you're a little bit further away so you'd be if I bit further away so you'd be if I metered where you sit would be less than metered where you sit would be less than mine but not much not not much but mine but not much not not much but nonetheless um that when there is an nonetheless um that when there is an electric field um a and there's an electric field um a and there's an electric current flow we will be electric current flow we will be generating electromagnetic radiation EMR
generating electromagnetic radiation EMR and in in when being that electric and in in when being that electric fields and fields and electromagnetic radiation Fields um are electromagnetic radiation Fields um are are vector meaning that they they have a are vector meaning that they they have a direction and they have a direction and they have a magnitude any combination of of um an magnitude any combination of of um an electric field plus an electric field electric field plus an electric field plus other components that add up will plus other components that add up will end up to be the resultant of the many end up to be the resultant of the many not just one and and so what happens is not just one and and so what happens is if we don't effectively control all the if we don't effectively control all the sources of of the electric field or all sources of of the electric field or all the sources of the electromagnetic the sources of the electromagnetic radiation we we aren't really taking radiation we we aren't really taking care of the of the problem and so the care of the of the problem and so the Technologies we've developed are that we Technologies we've developed are that we can uh effectively eliminate the all the can uh effectively eliminate the all the all the um uh induced electromagnetic or all the um uh induced electromagnetic or electric fields in the room so that the electric fields in the room so that the entire environment is below our entire environment is below our acceptable standards and we've also
acceptable standards and we've also created the Technologies to um mitigate created the Technologies to um mitigate through through some of the through through some of the configurations we've used on uh the configurations we've used on uh the magnetic magnetic portion can you just touch on how you've portion can you just touch on how you've mitigated against the electrical fields mitigated against the electrical fields and how and and adopted technology and how and and adopted technology within your sonus to to essentially within your sonus to to essentially eliminate the electric Fields the eliminate the electric Fields the electric fields are are are more um electric fields are are are more um there we we can shield on those that we there we we can shield on those that we can how do you Shield we we have uh can how do you Shield we we have uh effective materials for shielding and effective materials for shielding and we've we've taken great great care we've we've taken great great care things like conduit or um actually we've things like conduit or um actually we've gone to uh U some patented technology gone to uh U some patented technology that we've developed on ways to Shield that we've developed on ways to Shield our our uh power sources um through our our uh power sources um through through probably a Year's worth of work through probably a Year's worth of work and testing we uh we've taken care of we and testing we uh we've taken care of we think to be all the all the different think to be all the all the different areas in the room that will have areas in the room that will have electrical sourcing okay so Essen some electrical sourcing okay so Essen some type of shielding it's a type of type of shielding it's a type of shielding yeah electric fields are are shielding yeah electric fields are are effectively reduced by shielding
effectively reduced by shielding magnetic fields on or they can counter magnetic fields on or they can counter each other out too can't they uh each other out too can't they uh electric fields are well the answer electric fields are well the answer would be yes if you could if you could would be yes if you could if you could layer them and and line them up properly layer them and and line them up properly because they are vector meaning that because they are vector meaning that they're they're directional however uh when you're directional however uh when you're running power wires through different running power wires through different areas in the room to do that would be uh areas in the room to do that would be uh probably impossible okay uh being that probably impossible okay uh being that uh well just I'll just say it'd be uh well just I'll just say it'd be impossible based on a power feed being impossible based on a power feed being two wire okay um on the other hand the two wire okay um on the other hand the magnetic fields are are um induced by magnetic fields are are um induced by current flow in in that same conductor current flow in in that same conductor and and we have ways that we can cancel and and we have ways that we can cancel the the magnetic field so again being the the magnetic field so again being that they Vector meaning meaning length that they Vector meaning meaning length and direction we we have U effectively and direction we we have U effectively placed our Power conduiting Systems in a placed our Power conduiting Systems in a way that will provide uh Vector way that will provide uh Vector cancellation Okay so and this takes some cancellation Okay so and this takes some extra time effort and energy and
extra time effort and energy and resources to construct a SAA this way resources to construct a SAA this way right well actually the not not to not right well actually the not not to not to construct it but what we we took some to construct it but what we we took some all those energies and time and all those energies and time and resources to develop it okay so so now resources to develop it okay so so now they putting it together putting it they putting it together putting it together is is the same as the the other together is is the same as the the other there's no special changes to the wiring there's no special changes to the wiring or the shielding or same issue actually or the shielding or same issue actually some of our goals here were to make the some of our goals here were to make the installation easier and we have installation easier and we have accomplished that as well accomplished that as well okay great so but in your experience I okay great so but in your experience I mean there's a number of Sonic companies mean there's a number of Sonic companies out there maybe you can relate to out there maybe you can relate to compare your company that you work with compare your company that you work with with some of the other Sonic companies with some of the other Sonic companies and have you seen any other companies and have you seen any other companies that really have even thought to address that really have even thought to address this issue there there's some out there this issue there there's some out there that are addressing it and and being that are addressing it and and being that I'm very electrically oriented um that I'm very electrically oriented um to to hear their presentations about to to hear their presentations about chemical processes and and things that chemical processes and and things that they're using to they're using to minimize the electromagnetic radiation
minimize the electromagnetic radiation um it's either way Beyond me or it's um it's either way Beyond me or it's just not it's just not true and I I I I just not it's just not true and I I I I happen to believe that it's just not happen to believe that it's just not true because of my experience with the true because of my experience with the electrical fields and this is relatively electrical fields and this is relatively easy to measure it's not like rocket easy to measure it's not like rocket science I mean you can almost take any science I mean you can almost take any grade school child and give him a meter grade school child and give him a meter and he can check and see if the if the and he can check and see if the if the fields are there or not yes they can fields are there or not yes they can yeah so I mean developing and designing yeah so I mean developing and designing systems to mitigate against that is is systems to mitigate against that is is certainly a challenge and requires certainly a challenge and requires professional expertise like yourself but professional expertise like yourself but to actually measure that is a pretty to actually measure that is a pretty simple process yeah very it is very simple process yeah very it is very simple you'll you could give the child simple you'll you could give the child the meter and tell them to to the meter and tell them to to interrogate the room um and put the interrogate the room um and put the meter on the wall and flow the wall and meter on the wall and flow the wall and and see what they come back with and so and see what they come back with and so I I think you know I'd like to have I I think you know I'd like to have people understand as a result of this people understand as a result of this interview is that there is indeed sort interview is that there is indeed sort of a public health warning that people of a public health warning that people do use for relaxation as you mentioned
do use for relaxation as you mentioned but many people perhaps in my my but many people perhaps in my my experience even more use saunas for experience even more use saunas for health benefits for detoxification and health benefits for detoxification and things like that so if they're doing things like that so if they're doing that it would seem counterproductive to that it would seem counterproductive to employ a device that is actually aiding employ a device that is actually aiding one aspect of their health but hurting one aspect of their health but hurting them in another I would agree so it's them in another I would agree so it's kind of like driving down the road with kind of like driving down the road with your foot on the gas and the break at your foot on the gas and the break at the same time it's not an efficient way the same time it's not an efficient way to do it yeah and it's it's hard to say to do it yeah and it's it's hard to say which I mean you might get benefit it which I mean you might get benefit it may actually make you worse depending on may actually make you worse depending on your your specific individuality you know that specific individuality you know that again I look at this this Force equation again I look at this this Force equation which is the total net force and this is which is the total net force and this is force on our cellular body is is the net force on our cellular body is is the net force is a is an electric field Force force is a is an electric field Force the static that that's the volts part the static that that's the volts part plus the magnetic part which is the two plus the magnetic part which is the two very distinct components in that very distinct components in that equation and and to to address only one
equation and and to to address only one of them and assuming that only one of them and assuming that only one exists such as the the magnetic part the exists such as the the magnetic part the magnetic part can never exist without magnetic part can never exist without the the the the um the electric field the the the the um the electric field part the electric field I use it as a part the electric field I use it as a like a water analogy where if a garden like a water analogy where if a garden hose you had a garden hose and you had a hose you had a garden hose and you had a a water source and you saw pressure a water source and you saw pressure gauge the pressure gauge pressure is gauge the pressure gauge pressure is volts in the electric analogy and when volts in the electric analogy and when you turn it on the flow of the water is you turn it on the flow of the water is the current in the electric analogy and the current in the electric analogy and so you can't have current flowing so you can't have current flowing without volts the electric portion and without volts the electric portion and so to address only one and assume only so to address only one and assume only one exists is missing half of the one exists is missing half of the equation and if if we're truly equation and if if we're truly addressing the the all aspects of the addressing the the all aspects of the electric field the the electromagnetic electric field the the electromagnetic field um we need to effectively address field um we need to effectively address both interesting Dr the um the standard
both interesting Dr the um the standard that we use as as our as our Target is that we use as as our as our Target is one that has uh developed in Sweden one that has uh developed in Sweden which they has effectively been called which they has effectively been called the Swedish standard the electromagnetic the Swedish standard the electromagnetic Swedish standard where um you can Swedish standard where um you can visualize how it was born and that that visualize how it was born and that that a um a computer monitor would be in a um a computer monitor would be in front of a person and that computer front of a person and that computer monitor would be a certain distance monitor would be a certain distance realistically from that person and that realistically from that person and that they've developed a standard where at 30 they've developed a standard where at 30 or 50 cm from that screen there would be or 50 cm from that screen there would be a certain amount of migous reading or a certain amount of migous reading or maximum or a maximum electric field and maximum or a maximum electric field and so what we've done based on that study so what we've done based on that study and and The credibility of that study is and and The credibility of that study is we've said okay let's take that same we've said okay let's take that same Benchmark that same standard and apply Benchmark that same standard and apply that to our soundus here here's what we that to our soundus here here's what we have to make the Assumption we don't have to make the Assumption we don't care really what distance it is that care really what distance it is that they're measuring we care about what the
they're measuring we care about what the migous reading is that they set as their migous reading is that they set as their maximum Benchmark and so what we've done maximum Benchmark and so what we've done is we've said okay let's take that is we've said okay let's take that Swedish standard and apply that to be to Swedish standard and apply that to be to everywhere in the room that that a hum everywhere in the room that that a hum part of a human body could realistically part of a human body could realistically exist your back your foot your legs exist your back your foot your legs wherever that may be and and we've taken wherever that may be and and we've taken that standard to be the our maximum that standard to be the our maximum acceptance and what was the standard acceptance and what was the standard again uh the standard currently is two again uh the standard currently is two 2.0 m 2.0 m um at 30 cm but again I don't care about um at 30 cm but again I don't care about the distance I care about the number the distance I care about the number yeah where where your body is exactly yeah where where your body is exactly exposure if your head's going to be exposure if your head's going to be there your hand your foot absolutely and there your hand your foot absolutely and and then I've also taken the the Swedish and then I've also taken the the Swedish number of 10 volts per meter as the number of 10 volts per meter as the electric field piece and so wherever you electric field piece and so wherever you interrogate that room um those are the interrogate that room um those are the numbers that we've used as the numbers that we've used as the acceptance and the interesting part acceptance and the interesting part about the Swedish standard is that about the Swedish standard is that that's the 2.0 milligals is is the the
that's the 2.0 milligals is is the the number that would be added milligals number that would be added milligals reading to that of background so so if I reading to that of background so so if I took my meter I have to make this took my meter I have to make this assumption that the meter is going to assumption that the meter is going to automatically have background which automatically have background which which my experience is 04 to 6 in an which my experience is 04 to 6 in an area that's generally Mill that's area that's generally Mill that's generally if I can interject here is a generally if I can interject here is a that's a pretty clean area that is clean that's a pretty clean area that is clean more than likely most people watching more than likely most people watching this the vast majority I would guess this the vast majority I would guess live in environments that are beyond live in environments that are beyond that two to three Absol if they're under that two to three Absol if they're under three they're doing pretty good you bet three they're doing pretty good you bet you bet so so but your point is that you you bet so so but your point is that you have to add the background radiation on have to add the background radiation on top of this so before you would turn top of this so before you would turn whatever you're measuring before you're whatever you're measuring before you're measuring whatever it is you have to measuring whatever it is you have to make sure it's off measure all around it make sure it's off measure all around it so you know understand the background is so you know understand the background is then turn it on and then the difference then turn it on and then the difference is what the actual that's right amount is what the actual that's right amount is coming out of it and but you still is coming out of it and but you still are concern it's sort of a mood issue
are concern it's sort of a mood issue because it's a fine point because you because it's a fine point because you really bottom line is you still want it really bottom line is you still want it down to below 2.5 no matter what's down to below 2.5 no matter what's contributing to it that's right contributing to it that's right background or or a new new addition background or or a new new addition based on that the the science that went based on that the the science that went into the Swedish standard and and we do into the Swedish standard and and we do use that as our Benchmark and we we find use that as our Benchmark and we we find that here here's kind of the an that here here's kind of the an interesting uh event that I see in our interesting uh event that I see in our testing but when we when we test and testing but when we when we test and someone will will say oh got high someone will will say oh got high readings the first thing that I'll do is readings the first thing that I'll do is take my meter and I'll walk around the take my meter and I'll walk around the the external environment and and see the external environment and and see what the ambient is and and often times what the ambient is and and often times what happens is somebody has laid a what happens is somebody has laid a power cord near the test room or power cord near the test room or something changed in the environment to something changed in the environment to make a high environmental EMF and uh you make a high environmental EMF and uh you eliminate those external sources and and eliminate those external sources and and isolate just the room that's what we're isolate just the room that's what we're really looking at is the isolated room really looking at is the isolated room room and and our our the sciences that
room and and our our the sciences that we've added to the room and the design we've added to the room and the design attributes have really brought all attributes have really brought all aspects of that room under under good aspects of that room under under good control I'm glad you have because it's control I'm glad you have because it's it really is an important detail and the it really is an important detail and the Devil is a detail many many areas of Devil is a detail many many areas of life certainly here and what I would life certainly here and what I would encourage the viewers to do is actually encourage the viewers to do is actually uh get an EMF meter I happen to uh get an EMF meter I happen to personally like the trifi I've used them personally like the trifi I've used them for 15 years or so it's there are others for 15 years or so it's there are others there are certainly less expensive ones there are certainly less expensive ones more expensive ones but it's you know more expensive ones but it's you know you get one that works is that that you you get one that works is that that you can trust and measure it regularly uh can trust and measure it regularly uh interestingly just last night I for interestingly just last night I for whatever I was using a device that I was whatever I was using a device that I was concerned about had some emfs so I concerned about had some emfs so I grabbed my meter and measured and it was grabbed my meter and measured and it was actually okay but what kind of shocked actually okay but what kind of shocked me is that my ambient radiation in my in me is that my ambient radiation in my in my bedroom had gone up I measured it my bedroom had gone up I measured it like when I first moved in several years like when I first moved in several years ago it was really low in fact I had one ago it was really low in fact I had one of the president of biob biology in of the president of biob biology in North America come out and measure it North America come out and measure it got pass with fine colors but now there
got pass with fine colors but now there was a it was like the five or six Migos was a it was like the five or six Migos not too far from where I was sleeping not too far from where I was sleeping which shocked me but on the other side which shocked me but on the other side of the bed it was it was low so I still of the bed it was it was low so I still have to figure out what that is but what have to figure out what that is but what what what the reason I'm mentioning that what what the reason I'm mentioning that is that my new strategy now is I'm is that my new strategy now is I'm always going to travel with my EMF meter always going to travel with my EMF meter because when you're traveling at a hotel because when you're traveling at a hotel or something it's a lot of times all you or something it's a lot of times all you have to do is move sometimes you won't have to do is move sometimes you won't be able to but move the headboard out or be able to but move the headboard out or sleep on one side of the other of the sleep on one side of the other of the bed or or change rooms because you never bed or or change rooms because you never know what's going on the only way to know what's going on the only way to know is to measure it and fortunately know is to measure it and fortunately these things are very simple they these things are very simple they typically require a 9vt battery you know typically require a 9vt battery you know that lasts for years and as long as you that lasts for years and as long as you turn it off and uh you know it's easy to turn it off and uh you know it's easy to measure as I said a gr School child can measure as I said a gr School child can do it and and you really want to do it and and you really want to minimize your exposure because these minimize your exposure because these these exposures are not going to H hurt these exposures are not going to H hurt you in the short term there's just no you in the short term there's just no question you know it's kind of like question you know it's kind of like smoking you can smoke a pack of smoking you can smoke a pack of cigarettes you're not going to die from cigarettes you're not going to die from it but it's what you do over the long it but it's what you do over the long term these exposure to these C chronic term these exposure to these C chronic exposure these fields that can have
exposure these fields that can have really very significant adverse really very significant adverse consequences on your biology you know in consequences on your biology you know in my in my Nuclear background we we dealt my in my Nuclear background we we dealt with three aspects and I've added a with three aspects and I've added a fourth but we deal with time distance fourth but we deal with time distance and shielding and and apply those same and shielding and and apply those same things to our our infrared rooms well things to our our infrared rooms well you say time can't really fuss with that you say time can't really fuss with that too much because the user is going to too much because the user is going to use it for as long as they they feel but use it for as long as they they feel but the distance piece yes you can we we we the distance piece yes you can we we we try to find uh ways to maximize our try to find uh ways to maximize our distance remember it drops off at 1 over distance remember it drops off at 1 over the R squar so we can distance is is the R squar so we can distance is is most definitely in our favor uh and and most definitely in our favor uh and and then the shielding piece of course we then the shielding piece of course we can Shield where we can or or we can can Shield where we can or or we can mitigate by by uh cancellation and other mitigate by by uh cancellation and other other techniques um but then the other other techniques um but then the other is is my mitigation is where I I look at is is my mitigation is where I I look at ways that in combination of different ways that in combination of different things I can take and minimize the things I can take and minimize the fields because again I I think of all
fields because again I I think of all these little EMF and E EF generators is these little EMF and E EF generators is all these little magnitude and and all these little magnitude and and directional additives and that every directional additives and that every piece is adding to some meter reading piece is adding to some meter reading somewhere and if I can configure and and somewhere and if I can configure and and uh uh lay out the room properly that I uh uh lay out the room properly that I can deal with reducing the pieces by um can deal with reducing the pieces by um in essence minimizing their the the net in essence minimizing their the the net effect so thank you for describing the effect so thank you for describing the the details of of the EMF process and the details of of the EMF process and how you reduce it in the saunas I'm how you reduce it in the saunas I'm wondering if you could address some of wondering if you could address some of the other areas of bilding AA because the other areas of bilding AA because obviously the power supply is only one obviously the power supply is only one uh and how your company might differ uh and how your company might differ some of the other companies being it's some of the other companies being it's the largest and one of the oldest I the largest and one of the oldest I would imagine well they're they're a would imagine well they're they're a very seasoned company and theyve you go very seasoned company and theyve you go what what factors make it different what what factors make it different distinguish it from other companies and distinguish it from other companies and and uh maybe even comment on the types and uh maybe even comment on the types of materials you use well the the the of materials you use well the the the the company in itself is is very uh well
the company in itself is is very uh well healed with in regards to the culture in healed with in regards to the culture in regards to the the technologies that regards to the the technologies that that are exist in the in the different that are exist in the in the different uh sound of type rooms and they're also uh sound of type rooms and they're also I'd call them a leader in Innovation we I'd call them a leader in Innovation we we have not only gone and solved many of we have not only gone and solved many of these little problems but we're we're these little problems but we're we're building a good intellectual base as building a good intellectual base as we're moving forward that um some of the we're moving forward that um some of the discoveries are are discoveries are are you know again we're not generating the you know again we're not generating the new wheel but we're generating some new wheel but we're generating some techniques of of uh existing pieces techniques of of uh existing pieces bringing those together to to bringing those together to to effectively achieve the results that we effectively achieve the results that we want and um the so we're we're very want and um the so we're we're very Innovative we we protect by patents and Innovative we we protect by patents and and we are looking past this generation and we are looking past this generation to the next um the next version of this to the next um the next version of this that will have more more whistles more that will have more more whistles more buzzers more Sizzle to it uh um uh in buzzers more Sizzle to it uh um uh in terms of its technology we we are also
terms of its technology we we are also the first to to truly effectively deal the first to to truly effectively deal with um redefining the infrared on with um redefining the infrared on signature that that we we have turned signature that that we we have turned from the the TR typical 50% on infrared from the the TR typical 50% on infrared signature to one that's about 96% on now signature to one that's about 96% on now can you elaborate on that more uh what can you elaborate on that more uh what what it is is that when an infrared room what it is is that when an infrared room nears the set point uh uh the thermos at nears the set point uh uh the thermos at 150° F setting let's say um that it 150° F setting let's say um that it begins to cycle on and off based on on begins to cycle on and off based on on the the controls and the set points um the the controls and the set points um we've done some some very interesting we've done some some very interesting high performance aspects that that will high performance aspects that that will uh more effectively keep the infrared uh more effectively keep the infrared signal signal on 96% of the time versus only on 96% of the time versus only 50% and to the bther that means a lot 50% and to the bther that means a lot because the bather is going to going to because the bather is going to going to feel they'll they'll feel warmed and
feel they'll they'll feel warmed and they'll feel like they're in an they'll feel like they're in an experience when the infrared is on again experience when the infrared is on again the Heat Signature coming from the the the Heat Signature coming from the the electrical energization whereas if it if electrical energization whereas if it if the room is turned off their bodies will the room is turned off their bodies will start to feel cold cooler almost start to feel cold cooler almost instantaneously well if the temperature instantaneously well if the temperature is still 120 or 150 it's not going to be is still 120 or 150 it's not going to be that quickly it will be very quickly that quickly it will be very quickly very interesting what what happens is as very interesting what what happens is as soon as the infrared turns off their soon as the infrared turns off their body uh starts to cool down based on not body uh starts to cool down based on not getting that heat signature from the the getting that heat signature from the the infrared uh Ray um I've seen some infrared uh Ray um I've seen some companies and some people to keep the companies and some people to keep the infrared signal on they'll open the infrared signal on they'll open the door um so that the room is so the door um so that the room is so the thermostat is sitting there thinking I thermostat is sitting there thinking I got to be turned on so I'm going to stay got to be turned on so I'm going to stay on yet the room is cooling down and to on yet the room is cooling down and to the bther they feel like they're exposed the bther they feel like they're exposed in the uh the nice warm uh radiant heat in the uh the nice warm uh radiant heat are there any other ects you wanted to are there any other ects you wanted to comment
comment um well I guess I guess those are some um well I guess I guess those are some really some big items in terms of our IR really some big items in terms of our IR engine and what's what's nice about it engine and what's what's nice about it is we we truly believe that we're the is we we truly believe that we're the First on some of the little intricate First on some of the little intricate details on on making these pieces come details on on making these pieces come together the IP associated with it together the IP associated with it perfect well thank you for joining us perfect well thank you for joining us today appreciate that appreciate all today appreciate that appreciate all your time effort and energy to help your time effort and energy to help produce a useful device to help us reach produce a useful device to help us reach our goals and take control of our he our goals and take control of our he excellent thank you Doctor appreciate it
Transcript auto-generated by YouTube. Verbatim — duplicates intentionally preserved.
From Smoke Rooms To Heated Stones
The older Finnish sauna began close to fire. Benda describes early smoke saunas as rooms where fires burned beneath piles of rocks, filling the interior with smoke before the bathers entered. The rocks held the heat. The room held the atmosphere. People came in, threw water on the hot stones, and let steam and warmth bring on sweat.
The principle was elemental. Heat the stones. Add water. Sit inside the changing air. The moment water meets rock, dry heat turns humid, and the body answers through sweat. The protocol is not complex, but it is precise. Its power comes from repetition and attention.
Over time, the open fire moved into a more contained form. Wood stoves heated the rock pile while chimneys carried smoke away from the room. The ritual stayed intact, but the environment became cleaner and more controlled. The sauna evolved without losing its center.
Modern Finnish saunas often use electric heat. A compact stove holds rocks over resistive elements, and current through those elements creates heat. A thermostat regulates the room. The bather enters a warm, dry space first, then adds water to the stones to create a sudden wave of steam.
That transition from dry heat to wet heat is part of the experience. The room can begin comfortably dry, then become humid in an instant. Benda describes the sensation as pores responding together as the sweat mechanism turns on. The language is simple because the feeling is direct. The body knows the shift.
thousands of pores are popping at the same time on your body
A traditional wet sauna is built around this exchange between stone, water, and skin. You take a few ladles of water, pour them over the rocks, sit with the steam, and allow warmth to gather. Then you move into a cooling phase. The pause matters as much as the heat.
The full ritual often continues beyond the room. A cooldown in the changing area, a shower, and the quiet that follows can prepare the body for sleep. Benda speaks of the after-feel with affection: clean skin, deep relaxation, and a smoothness that stays with you. The evening settles because the body has been given a clear signal to release the day.
This is the enduring beauty of the traditional sauna. It is not only the temperature. It is the sequence. Heat, steam, sweat, cool, rinse, rest. When practiced with intention, the protocol turns warmth into stillness.
Infrared Heat And The Field Question
Infrared sauna changed the way heat enters the room. Instead of relying on hot rocks and steam, infrared designs use the infrared portion of the electromagnetic spectrum to provide radiant heat. The goal remains familiar: create a warm environment that supports sweating. The method is newer, closer to the body, and more dependent on electrical design.
The early generations of infrared panels moved through different materials. The discussion traces a shift from ceramic panels, which ran hotter, into carbon panels. The change expanded the category and helped infrared saunas become more available for home use. It also raised a more precise question: what else enters the room when heat comes from energized panels.
Mercola notes that many infrared saunas made from the late 1990s until more recent designs carried high EMF readings. The concern is not abstract. In a sauna cabin, the body sits close to the source. A wellness tool designed to support sweating works against its own purpose when it adds unnecessary field exposure.
Benda separates the issue into two parts. Electric fields arise around energized wires and are tied to voltage. Magnetic fields arise when current moves through conductors. Both belong to the broader field conversation, but they behave differently, and each requires its own design response.
The distinction matters because the body is electrically active. Cells communicate through electrical activity, and charged particles respond to external forces. Benda frames the body as filled with charged particles, which makes field exposure relevant inside a cabin built for close contact. The question is not fear. The question is alignment.
A sauna asks the body to enter stress in a controlled way, then return to balance. Heat can support a deliberate reset. Field exposure that has not been considered adds noise to that ritual. The cleaner the design, the more clearly the room can serve its purpose.
Electric fields can be shielded. Magnetic fields are more difficult, because they come from current flow and require careful arrangement to reduce or cancel. This is where engineering moves from claim to craft. A low-field sauna is not created by language. It is created by controlling sources, conductors, and the space where the body rests.
The infrared conversation therefore becomes more than a comparison between old and new heat. It becomes a design standard. If heat is part of your recovery ritual, the surrounding electrical environment deserves the same attention as the wood, the bench, and the warmth itself.
Measuring And Designing For Lower Exposure
The field question can be measured directly. Mercola emphasizes that people do not need to rely only on manufacturer claims. Simple meters can identify hot spots, and more sophisticated meters such as a Trifield can give a clearer reading. He mentions basic electrical meters around $10 and more advanced options around $100 or $150.
This makes the issue practical. You can move through a room with a meter, place it near cords, lamps, or sauna walls, and watch the numbers change. Benda notes that ordinary rooms can contain hot spots in the range of 100, 200, or 300 milligauss. Measurement brings the invisible into view.
Distance reduces measured field strength. Benda explains that readings drop quickly as you move away from the source, following a one-over-distance-squared relationship. In many rooms, that matters. In a sauna, it matters less, because the body sits close to the panels and walls.
A sauna user does not have the luxury of arranging the body far from the source. You sit, lean, place your legs, and rest your back where the cabin allows. That is why the standard has to follow the body, not an idealized measuring point. The design must protect the real position, not the diagram.
we don't have the luxury when we're sitting in one of these rooms to position ourselves just right
Benda’s approach addresses both components. For electric fields, he describes shielding around power sources and electrical areas inside the room. For magnetic fields, he describes arranging power conduit systems so directional fields cancel each other. The work starts with a simple premise: voltage-related and current-related fields both have to be considered.
He uses a water analogy to make the relationship clear. Voltage is like pressure in a hose. Current is like water flow after the valve opens. You do not get current without voltage, so addressing only one part misses the full equation. A precise protocol treats the system as a whole.
The benchmark Benda names is the Swedish standard, with a current target of 2.0 milligauss at 30 centimeters. His team applies the number more strictly inside the sauna. The distance matters less than the place where the body can realistically be: back, legs, feet, and every point of contact.
That shift is subtle and important. A sauna is not a monitor viewed from a fixed distance. It is an enclosed recovery room, and the body occupies it fully. Lower exposure design respects that intimacy. It allows heat to remain the primary signal, and lets the ritual return to what it has always been: a deliberate path back to balance.
