Hanna's Guide to Finnish Happiness.
The glow of a wood-fueled stove flickers, the scent of birch and juniper filling the air.
For over 20 years, Hanna Aro-Heinilä has lived in Saaristo, offering guests a deep dive into Finnish sauna traditions and making art inspired by the archipelago nature.
Hanna explains as she adds more wood to the stove.
Hanna offers wood-fired sauna experiences, whisking therapy, cupping, and massage on the island of Livonsaari in an authentic log cabin.
Even though the treatments are considered traditional or folk healing, Hanna does not see anything mystical in the wellness practices the Finns have carried out for centuries.
She sees the sauna as a space where people can let go of their burdens, both physical and emotional.
“People come to the sauna as they are. Everyone in the sauna is equal and has a right to a psychologically safe space.”
“Sometimes another person is there listening to you, giving some peer support. But sometimes you go to a sauna alone – and you can just sit in silence, with just the handcrafted log walls listen to you. That also can be very relaxing, comforting, and rejuvenating.”
Everything in Hanna’s cabin has a second life. The building built from logs carved by hand by her husband, is fueled by the leftover wood from his workshop.
The sauna whisks are carefully made from natural ingredients to enhance the experience.
In Finnish sauna culture, vihtominen refers to the act of gently whisking or whipping the skin with a whisk made of a bundle of fresh tree branches, known as a vihta or vasta. This Finnish tradition enhances relaxation, and fills the sauna with a fresh, natural aroma.
In summer, guests can choose to whisk with fresh leafy birch, while in the winter, Hanna prepares whisking bundles from juniper or spruce.
Some visitors are initially nervous about using a spiky juniper whisk, but Hanna patiently guides them through the process.
Beyond the sauna treatments, Hanna creates handcrafted jewelry from natural materials: antlers dropped by deer, bones from local hunting, and feathers she finds in the forest.
Hanna describes how nature inspires her to make art:
“I have this forest and its animals around me, and just out of respect for them, I’m really eager – even childishly eager to create something out of it all. That’s my way to relax.”
For her, Saaristo as an environment offers the perfect balance between untouched natureand community.
“Here you have privacy and serenity – but also a deep connection to people, locals and visitors alike. This is a place where you can have both.”
“Sometimes when traveling and exploring new places and meeting new people, it can all feel a bit overwhelming. But this is a place where you can detach yourself from stress, and I’m so happy to see that people are quite quickly in a relaxed state of mind – that is always my aim.”
“I wish that people would take their time when visiting Saaristo. There’s a lot to see here, and a bicycle is a good idea. Sometimes it’s the best way to get to see different places and landscapes.”
