About
Katie Bracher – Founder
For over a decade Katie has been at the forefront of a quiet revolution — bringing authentic sauna experiences, ancient bathing traditions and nature-led wellness to new UK audiences.
Drawing on years of immersion in bathing cultures from around the world, her training weaves together diverse global sauna practices into a rich, cohesive experience for modern practitioners.
She is the founder of Wild Spa Wowo, an off-grid forest spa in Sussex, and co-founder of Beach Box Spa in Brighton — a seaside sauna that sparked the wave of similar ventures across the country. As co-founder of the British Sauna Society she made history as the first woman elected to the executive board of the International Sauna Association.
Katie works with businesses and individuals to create high-quality, meaningful sauna and spa experiences. Bringing her special combination of creative vision, operational expertise and deep cultural knowledge – therefore a considered, functional and genuinely special angle to every project.
Wild Spa Wowo
In-Person training is currently held at Wild Spa Wowo, a magical forest glade spa and retreat space in Uckfield, Sussex. Check for Training Events.
Qualifications, Memberships and Experience
Qualifications
- Academy of Traditional Bathing & International Bath Academy – Level 1&2 Bath Master & Sauna Guide
- IBA: Traditional Group Bathing · Classical Family Bath · Emotional Trauma Healing
- Sipoonjoki Heritage Sauna – Saunotus – Finnish Saunaritual Training
- Loyly Masters: Level 1 Aufguss Master
- Aufguss Creations: Advanced & Show Aufguss Master
- Gateway Workshops: Spa Treatments, Body Wraps & Exfoliation · Indian Head Massage
Memberships
- British Sauna Society – Approved Operator Member
- Beauty Guild – Gti Teaching Certificate
- International Bath Academy – Diploma of Special Recognition
Experience
- Sauna Master for Barking Bath House & Southbank Centre Finnish Sauna projects. London, 2012 – 2017
- Co-founder & Council Member of the British Sauna Society 2014 – present
- Creator and co-founder of Beach Box Spa 2018 – 2022
- Founding Director – Community Sauna Baths CIC, London 2021 – 2022
- Executive board member of the International Sauna Association 2023 – 2025
- Hemingway Design Sauna Pop-up for Emerge East. 2022 – 2025
- Design & ritual programme Consultancy at &Soul Sanctuary, Shoreditch 2025
- Sauna Ritual Consultancy for David Lloyd Leisure spas, nationwide 2025
- Staff training programmes for Community Sauna Baths, London 2026
The Vision
Bringing more sauna to more people, giving the sauna industry the opportunity to become truly holistic; encompassing the well-being of the community.
The Mission
Ideally in nature, or at least with fresh air available. Lets take the spa out of the basement!
The Values
Team of Trainers
Birutė Masiliauskienė
Birute, of the Academy of Traditional Bathing, is a highly skilled bath master, with 20+ years of experience, delivering unique & powerful training.
About Lithuanian ABC
Her courses give you a deep understanding of how to work with leaf whisks, herbs and natural products in the sauna bringing elemental sauna experiences to guests.
The programme Lithuanian ABC: Experience a classic Pirtis in this introduction to the ritual and leaf whisking (a fun experience event which is also part 1 of the Level 1 course)
Level 1 – Community Bath Master in Pirtis Tradition
Level 2 – Small group practice, Full Body Whisking and Natural Spa Treatments.
Birute also hosts a range of specialist workshops for advanced practice eg. Emotional healing in the sauna space, Plant mythology, group practice and much more…
Laura Foon (Sauna-Akka)
Sauna-Akka is a sauna heritage artist and cultural guide – sharing traditional sauna experience that takes you into the healing world of the forest.
About Sauna-Akka
A deep and meditative sauna practice that combines the wisdom of Nordic ancestors, natural ingredients and the healing heat of the sauna.
Using rhythm of the vihta (leaf whisk), the healing power of plants and the softness of Löyly (sauna steam) into one holistic experience.
Steamings made from different trees and plants bring their own nuances to the treatment – birch, juniper, yarrow and many other plants bring their aromatherapeutic, healing effects through inhalation and skin.
The 3 day immersion incorporates herbal teas and waters, Finnish mythology and sauna folklore, Finnish sauna traditions, sauna meditation, sauna silence & woodland magic… and of course plenty of Löyly!
Sigrid van Rijswijk
Sigrid van Rijswijk is the lead trainer at Aufguss Creations and the current WM world champion Aufguss master, she turns sauna sessions into art.
About Aufguss
Aufguss is the art of moving steam around the room using a towel or fan for a short-form (15 minute) sauna experience.
Often incorporating aromatherapy and performance to create an sensory experience and heat peak for the sauna guest.
Our Aufguss training immersions share towel techniques, how to craft an aufguss routine and aromatherapy – amongst other tools and top tips for how to create a beautiful and impactful experience.
She blends performance and creativity to turn sauna sessions into an art form.