168) Sauna

My friend, Jon, introduced me to sauna. (This was 2 months ago.) He first heard sauna from Tim Ferriss' book, Tools of Titans:  The Tactics, Routines, and Habits of Billionaires, Icons, and World-Class Performers.

(Ferriss has interviewed many people in his podcast. They have given him advice and told him stories. He decided to share it to a bigger audience by documenting it in his book.)

Ferriss explained about sauna in his book:  "'Hypothermic conditioning' can help you to increase growth hormone levels and substantially improve endurance. I now take ~20-minute sauna sessions post-workout or post-stretching at least four times per week, typically at roughly 160 to 170°F. If nothing else, it seems to dramatically decrease DOMS (delayed-onset muscle soreness)."

He also noted it has "been shown to cause a massive release in prolactin, which plays a role in wound healing."

Sauna may purify body from "built up wastes and harmful toxins."

Like Ferriss, I take 20-minute sauna sessions, after I have finished from lifting weights, exercising my abs, and foam rolling my muscles.

I would join Jon in the sauna. We would usually encounter at least one person in a sauna.

​For example, we were talking about how the mind is complex. And how the great book, The Inner Game of Tennis:  The Classic Guide to the Mental Side of Peak Performance, written by W. Timothy Gallwey, explains about it. Life is a test and challenge. It is an up and down journey. Eventually, we will suffer. We cannot avoid it. Negative thoughts and voices will come and go in our mind. If we are able to train our mind, it gives us an advantage.

A man engaged in our deep, meaningful conversation. He agreed. 

He almost got killed overseas. He ran for his life. And escaped death. They were jealous of him.

Another day at the sauna.

John Cena look-a-like walked in. I already knew this charming man. (I met him before.) We engaged in a deep, meaning conversation (again) about women.

Based on his experience, he believes most women get what they want. They are dependent.  He knows a rich man, who dates a woman half his age. He is more in love with her than she is to him. Apparently, she is dating another man.

"I know a beautiful woman. A man twice her age bribes her. She only likes him as a friend. And she does not love him," I told them. "We can only go with what we can control. Money cannot buy love. We can say whatever we want to anybody. But at the end of the day, it is up to them."

When Jon was not able to attend the sauna, I still continued to go.

I reunited with the man who escaped death.

He has a cousin who plays leading guitarist for Metallica. He has been their chiropractor for many years. And has traveled with them in tour. He is one of their biggest fans too.

Another day at the sauna without Jon.

A man told me a story. Everybody was telling his friend to stay in jacuzzi for 30 minutes at the max. Last week, he had a seizure. Because he stayed in jacuzzi for an hour.

Another sauna story.

As I entered, I saw a woman listening to a guided meditation through her phone's speaker.

She apologized for the loud noise.

"Go ahead. I do not mind," I told her.

I remained seated. I started talking to her when she finished her meditation.

"I like the sauna. So far, I have encountered at least somebody. We would engage in a conversation," I told her. "I cannot force a connection though. It just happens. I am not here to force you."

We continued to talk.

A man entered. He joined us. A few minutes later, another man entered. He joined us too. The woman had to go.

An old lady walked in. She was only listening to our deep, meaningful conversation.

Our time was up. Everybody left.

Before I left, the old lady talked to me. She enjoyed listening to us. And liked how men were engaging and connecting together. 

​On our sauna experience, Jon defines "where legendary conversations happen."

Jon and I continue to learn the importance of empathy and compassion at the sauna. (This was said in my previous blog entry too). We are observing, scoping, and learning from others.

​Relationships come unexpectedly.

​Everybody has a story to tell.

If you would like to join me in the sauna, meet me at In-Shape Health Club in Vallejo, California.