ABOUT
Pirts Spirit is inspired by Latvian Pirts tradition and its deep connection to nature. Our mission is to reconnect people with nature, with themselves, and with the ancient tradition of Latvian Pirts (sauna) bathing and, through that, to bring community back together.
Education is the strongest way we do this. Through our courses, you learn to give Latvian Pirts inspired experiences and treatments using only natural products, working in harmony with the four elements โ Air, Fire, Water and Earth โ the philosophy that guides everything we teach.
We also promote natural, handmade products including tree whisks, herbs, teas and crafts made by the hands of Latvian people we know personally, ensuring quality and love in every piece.
We also consult with some of the world's leading wellness centres, helping them refine their guest journeys, select the right products, offer authentic experiences, and train staff to deliver these experiences with intention and confidence.
EDUCATION
PRODUCTS
EXPERIENCE
CONSULTANCY
What is Latvian Pirts
Latvian Pirts is a sacred space for cleansing the body, mind and spirit. While Pirts might translate as sauna, its experience is incomparable to the traditional sauna you might think of.
Latvian Pirts is an ancient cultural and historical bathing tradition that dates back long before modern medicine, playing a crucial role in traditional Latvian healing practices.
Heat and humidity are created by pouring hot water over stones heated by a wood-burning stove, releasing the natural healing properties (negative ions) of wild foraged plants and herbs. The ritual includes manual bodywork, whisking, massages, herbal scrubs, aromatherapy and hydrotherapy with hot/cold water contrast.
Pirts is an essential part of Latvian life, holding deep ceremonial value and is used for marking significant life milestones.
Watch the video below to understand more about what Pirts is.
The 4 Elements Philosophy
At the heart of everything we do is our four element philosophy.
Four elements, four directions and four main trees, each carrying their own intention and invitation.
East โ Air โ New Beginnings
The birch tree, symbolising new beginnings, where every journey starts.
South โ Fire โ Transformation
The oak tree, carrying strength, resilience, and the courage to change.
West โ Water โ Flow & Intuition
The linden tree, soft, feminine, deeply connected.
North โ Earth โ Integration
The maple tree, rooted, enduring, and whole, where the journey comes full circle.
This is the foundation of the education pathway for both Treatments and Group Experiences. If you are curious to learn more about your education options, see our Education Page.
MISSION
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Promote
To promote and share Latvian Pirts tradition, experience, wisdom
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Educate
To share knowledge about Latvian Pirts, nature, herbs and natural wellness
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Connect
To connect more individuals with the forest, herbs, the healing power of nature
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Support
To support the local and natural products made by craftsmen in Latvia
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Create
To create a community of Pirts Spirts who share our mission and values
VALUES
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Quality
To ensure that Pirts Spirit experiences are delivered with the appropriate knowledge, respect, and care
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Nature
To teach the importance of respecting nature and using natural resources in Pirts with love and care.
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Togetherness
To share knowledge and bring people together from all over the world to support and learn from each other
The Journey of Pirts Spirit
Pirts Spirit was founded in 2017 at Tamina Therme, Switzerland, with a mission to integrate Latvian Pirts philosophy into Europe's oldest thermal bath. Between 2017 and 2020, the entire Tamina Therme sauna team trained in Pirts inspired experiences across all four levels. In 2018, the company launched its first treatment courses in Latvia, welcoming participants from around the world to learn Traditional Latvian Pirts. These courses continue to run annually in Latvia.
Spreading the Spirit
Pirts Spirit has been sharing its experiences and knowledge at major wellness events worldwide. Since 2017, Pirts Spirit has been a fixed partner of the World Championships Aufguss WM, always creating a grounding space amongst the busyness where visitors can reconnect with themselves and empower their spirits
Since 2019, founder Benoit De Bock has served as a jury member of the Herbal Cup, with Pirts Spirit remaining one of the event's main sponsors. That same year, the company became the main sponsor of the renowned Freestyle Aufguss Masters Competition, where aufguss masters from around the world showcase their signature towel-waving techniques. While the contrast between freestyle aufguss and traditional sauna practices is significant at these events, Pirts Spirit is happy to find its place inspiring new sauna masters with the authenticity and originality of traditional experiences.
The intention behind supporting these events and serving on juries is to support the community and bring light and energy to authentic cultural, folkloric, and mythological experiences worldwide.
In Latvia, Pirts Spirit holds a beloved place at the Butฤซba Festival, offering group experiences and treatments to both Latvians and international guests. Here, it demonstrates that Pirts is not limited by nationality, its healing power belongs to everyone willing to share it with respect and authenticity.
Growing the Community
Since 2023, Pirts Spirit has evolved its mission to share knowledge worldwide by training passionate practitioners (Our Pirts Spirits) from around the globe who are dedicated to authentic, nature-infused experiences. These ambassadors are becoming certified trainers who will continue to spread the teachings and wisdom cultivated by founder Benoit De Bock, creating a growing global network rooted in tradition and authenticity.
Benoit, the founder
Benoit has a Latvian soul and has been connected with Latvian Pirts for over 10 years. During this time, he has undergone various trainings with Pirts schools and Pirts Masters, gaining a deeper understanding of this ancient Latvian cleansing tradition and the healing power of nature and the four elements.
His path to founding Pirts Spirit is a story of transformation. Trained as a civil engineer, he spent years managing large-scale bridge projects across Europe before a powerful encounter with his first Aufguss ritual set him on a new course.
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Immersing himself in the art of sauna, he competed in four Aufguss World Championships, earning a 4th place team ranking in 2015, and became a certified Lรถylymaster trainer for Aromen, guiding spa teams across Europe and Canada in elevating their ritual offerings.
His journey deepened when he discovered the Latvian Pirts tradition at a festival in 2015โan experience that resonated so profoundly it drew him back to Latvia repeatedly. There, he studied with traditional masters and was welcomed into the living culture of pirts.
As Wellness Manager at Tamina Therme in Switzerland, he integrated these natural rituals and built a pioneering Pirts program, blending cultural authenticity with operational excellence. This rare combination of technical precision, cultural sensitivity, and ritual expertise became the foundation for Pirts Spiritโa company dedicated to bringing authentic, nature-based wellness experiences to spas and communities worldwide.
Pirts Spirit Trainers
We are proud to have an amazing team of trained and certified Pirts Spirit Trainers who are now teaching Pirts Spirit courses in their own countries. Together, they help share the power of nature, steam, and connection with more people around the world, inspired by authentic Latvian Pirts traditions.
Below you will find the trainers representing Pirts Spirit in your country. To attend or organise a Pirts Spirit course, please contact Pirts Spirit directly.
Collaborations
Pirts Spirit currently supports the education, product supply and/or consultancy to over 28 wellness centers across 10 countries, promoting the healing power of nature and inspiring them with the power of Latvian Pirts and traditions.
As we continue to expand, we welcome new wellness centres to join our journey and to help spread the Pirts Spirit worldwide.