By Matthew Link, Founder of Inland Luxury Sauna
“You should sit in meditation for twenty minutes a day. Unless you’re too busy. Then you should sit for an hour.”
— Zen proverb
I didn’t build a sauna because I had extra money or space. I built one because about eight years ago I was falling apart and needed a reset.
It started small: a restless mind, tighter shoulders, constant fatigue I couldn’t shake no matter how clean I ate or how much I trained. My days were fast, my thoughts even faster, and I found myself craving… stillness.
I didn’t need a vacation. I needed a sanctuary. So I built one.
Not Just Heat—Healing
We often think of saunas as luxuries. Something you find at a fancy spa, hotel, or gym you never go to.
But when built with intention, a custom sauna becomes something more powerful than a wellness trend—it becomes a habit-shaping, health-supporting, soul-centering space.
Here's what changed for me when I added one to my home:
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Stress dropped. Within 15 minutes, I felt calm. My thoughts stopped racing.
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Sleep improved. Deep, uninterrupted, high-quality sleep became the norm.
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My skin cleared up. I didn’t expect that. But sweat does wonders.
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Recovery accelerated. Whether it was a long run or a heavy leg day, my sauna made me feel new again.
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Mindfulness became automatic. Because there’s nothing to do in there except breathe and be.
The Shift
What surprised me the most wasn’t how good the sauna looked. It was how it made my entire home feel different.
Instead of collapsing on the couch at the end of the day, I go to the sauna. I leave my phone behind. I sit. I breathe. I sweat. And when I step out, I feel… lighter.
It became my reset room. The place I go to change my state, not just clean my skin.
It’s the room where I’ve had my best ideas. My biggest emotional releases. My deepest sleeps afterward.
And all of this came from dedicating a small corner of my property—and some intention—to building a space for health, clarity, and calm.
Want to Build One Too?
If you’re even thinking about building a sauna—do it custom. Don’t compromise.
Here’s what I recommend:
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Pick your placement wisely. Indoors or outdoors, consider your privacy, views, and ventilation.
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Choose real wood. Spruce, cedar, and Thermory woods are long-lasting, low-maintenance, and elevate the space.
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Go traditional. If you want real health benefits—use a rock heater and steam. That’s what our ancestors did for a reason.
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Think of it as a ritual space. Not a workout accessory. Build it to feel sacred.
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Work with a builder who gets it. You’re not buying a product. You’re creating a lifestyle.
Final Thoughts
We live in a time where peace is hard to come by. Where our homes are filled with noise, screens, and notifications.
But the sauna? It’s the opposite. It’s heat, breath, and stillness. It’s the pause before you pour into others. The place where stress gets melted out of your skin, and clarity rises like steam off your back.
That’s why the sauna is the most important room in my home.
Not because it’s fancy.
Because it brought me back to myself.
Want to explore building your own sanctuary?
Let’s talk. We design and build custom traditional saunas across Kelowna, Calgary, Alberta, and British Columbia—indoors, outdoors, and always with your lifestyle in mind.
Inland Luxury Sauna
Your sanctuary, handcrafted.