It is said that ‘horses sweat, men perspire and women simply glow.’ Perspiring or ‘glowing’ is becoming the pastime of choice. A fast growing leisure activity in Kigali is the sauna or steam bath sessions. 

Spas are springing up at a fast rate demonstrative of the fact that ‘glowing’ or perspiring, is gaining more recognition and appreciation. 

From Nyamirambo, to Remera; Kimihurura to Nyarutarama on is sure to find an establishment that offers a steam bath, a sauna or both.  Not to mention other perk services such as massages.

But what are the benefits of these activities and how do these rooms work?

Pamela Ruyuki, Sales and Marketing Manager for Laico hotel, sums the benefits as ‘simply relaxing and refreshing’. Not only is it good for the body and mind but does wonders to the skin.

‘Steam baths open up the pores allowing the skin to get rid of toxins, leaving it clean and healthy’, says the Marketing Manager. She was quick to note that the benefits were not just physiological but also social, saying.

‘Engaging in these activities allows one to meet and socialise with a wide variety of people in a relaxed atmosphere.’ 

Ruyuki differentiates this kind of engagement to that within the gym or aerobics class which are too physically intense for one to carry out a conversation with someone. 

In the steam bath or sauna, the atmosphere is relaxed enough to carry out deep conversation, even with a complete stranger. The science behind the steaming rooms is quite simple. 

As Mike Mayeka, Operations Manager at Nyarutarama Tennis and Sports club explains, in the case of a steam bath, water is passed through a plastic cylinder that is fitted with electrical coils. 

These coils heat the water to a pre-set temperature and the steam emitted is passed through a pipe into the steaming room. Herbs, such as Eucalyptus are placed strategically so that as the steam enters the room, it is infiltrated by the minty scent.

The sauna is a well insulated room, where dry heat, generated from pouring cold water on hot coals is trapped in the wood panelled interior. 

The difference between the steam bath and the sauna, as the Operations Manager pointed out, is that the former utilises steam while the latter, dry heat. So whether one uses a steam bath or a sauna, or whether the user will perspire or glow – the results are worth it.

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