The birthplace of the sauna is Finland and the Finnish people consider the sauna as a place of contemplation, family and social gatherings, and even for business meetings. Now, of course the owner of a modern home sauna will find it a bit difficult to hold meetings in, but there is plenty of room for you and/or the family. And it won't cost you the earth!  Finnish people even look healthier. So they should...they've been doing it for 2000 years! 

It's considered that the first saunas were most likely caves that were heated by a wood fire that heated the cave walls. Later they refined the concept to a kind of timber covered dug-out that still used firewood, but included a collection of rocks that help maintain the heat and at the same time help reduce the smoke.