One of the most wonderful things about the FIR system is the ability to get in your daily cardio whilst sitting down and relaxing. FIR therapy promotes cardiovascular condition in a manner similar to aerobic activity, as your core body temperature rises, your physiological responses are triggered with an increased heart rate, metabolic rate and cardiac output. The increased heart rate and blood circulation that occurs is crucial for a healthy lifestyle and it does so without heightening blood pressure. FIR rays also induce the haemoglobins to release nitric oxide, which expands blood capillaries. This increases the blood circulation without straining the heart’s muscles, improving cardiovascular functions and lowering blood pressure with regular use. Daily sessions in the sauna are one of the best available alternatives to exercise especially for those who are unable to do so.

Zazen FIR also works to aid in weight management by speeding up the metabolic process of vital organs and endocrine glands. This results in a substantial caloric loss in each session, burning 600-900 calories in just 30 minutes. Due to the unsurpassed ability to expel toxins, this is an excellent way to lose weight and repair one's thyroid, which can often cause weight gain. The regular use of the sauna is as effective for burning calories as regular exercise, and all while sitting back and relaxing in the heat.

Nitric oxide acts as a signal molecule to elicit vasodilatation of the blood vessels. It promotes expansion of the capillaries and allows the blood to get into needed areas to increase circulation and reduce the risk of strokes and heart attacks. As we age, we lose 85% of our ability to produce nitric oxide which is why we are more at risk of health-related issues when we get older. However, with sauna therapy there is a 40- fold increase in the production of nitric oxide in the body. A high concentration of this has also been identified as a primary defence mechanism against tumour cells, which may help inhibit cancer cell growth. It is a key regulator in our body and is critical to numerous biological processes including vasodilation, neurotransmission and immunity. On top of all of that, it is also a beneficial neurotransmitter in the brain and peripheral autonomic nervous system, it turns on the parasympathetic nervous system, promoting a deep rest to the body, causing the body to truly become unstressed and allowing deep relaxation which nourishes and heals the body effortlessly.

Far infrared therapy (FIR) has been used successfully in providing pain relief to those suffering from bursitis, fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, back pain, muscle spasms, sprains, ankylosing spondylitis as well as those with chronic fatigue and other muscular-skeletal ailments. Through extensive warming of tissues, Far infrared therapy stimulates the dilation of peripheral blood vessels, encouraging microcirculation,therefore supplying more oxygen to injured tissues in cartilage, joints and musculoskeletal tissues thus relieving pain, diminishing inflammation and speeding the healing of many of these ailments. FIR’s anti-inflammatory properties inhibit and slow down inflammation, protect the cells and have regulatory properties. Pain relief induced by a sauna was attributed to an increase in the release of these anti-inflammatory compounds such as noradrenaline, adrenaline, cortisol, and growth hormones, as well as an increase in positive stress on the body, causing it to release natural pain-killing endorphins. A combination of multidisciplinary treatment and repeated FIR thermal therapy may be a promising method for treatment of chronic pain, alleviating rheumatic pain and improving joint mobility.

Throughout history and into this modern age, heat has always been used as a form of inactivation of microbial cells. Fevers are a natural healing response of the body and artificially induced fevers can have extraordinary effects on our health. By slightly raising our core body temperature, our body produces a natural biological defence to rid itself of invading pathogens. Our immune functions are improved by 40% when we increase our core body temperature by just 1 degree Celsius. Exposure to Far Infrared heat is known to do just this by elevating our core body temperature from 1 to 3 degrees Celsius, setting into motion a series of mechanisms that regulate our immune system.

An often overlooked concept, preventative healthcare is one of the most important factors we should focus on when it comes to our health. Preventative measures against harmful diseases are the best way to avoid an infection or virus entering our body. Not only is it more cost-effective to funnel resources into prevention, but it also fosters a wellness-focused lifestyle. The FIR offers an astounding range of therapeutic benefits that can help build our body’s immune system and prevent diseases and illnesses such as cancer, diabetes and hypertension, with regular use. It is important to remember that it is much easier to prevent a disease from coming into our bodies than fighting it off once it has entered, and the FIR can make this an easy daily part of your lifestyle.

As we get older, the growth hormone within our bodies starts to decrease, this causes loss of mass and increase of body fat muscles. Regular use of FIR saunas is one of the few methods that brings about a significant rise in the level of growth hormone in the body, giving us the ability to better maintain our lean body tissue and boosting our bone density whilst decreasing fat tissues. FIR saunas promote healthy circulation that not only revives our skin, but also gives us a healthy, youthful and vibrant glow by allowing our body to produce more DHEA - the anti-aging hormone. The deep sweat from the sauna cleanses the skin by eliminating the build-up of toxins and pollutants, while also reducing the look of wrinkles and increasing collagen for better elasticity. In addition to all of those benefits, the FIR rays also improve circulation by oxygenating and hydrating the cells and organs.

The human body doesn’t discriminate between the big and little stressful situations that we feel everyday. A typical stress reaction begins a cascade of 1400 chemical events in our body. If left unchecked, these reactions can cause premature ageing, impairment of cognitive function and loss of energy. Sitting in an FIR sauna helps keep stress at bay by maintaining a healthy level of cortisol (stress hormones) which allows deep relaxation to take place. It does so by assisting the body in switching from the ‘fight or flight’ state to the ‘rest and relax’ state. Each 20 to 30 minute sweat session gives your body a chance to let go of everything we deal with on a daily basis, it is a short but effective way to practice self-care in this ever changing, fast paced world.

Regular use of a FIR sauna is essential in promoting muscle recovery, reducing tension and eliminating performance inhibiting toxic burdens from the body. It minimises injury downtime for damaged tissues, muscles, tendons, ligaments and nerve endings while expediting recovery by increasing blood circulation and vasodilation of blood vessels. It speeds up oxygen delivery to the distressed area and removes toxins and lactic acid. This enhanced cell regeneration gives more energy and stamina, and is one of the most effective ways to cool down after any athletic activity.