You could say that Alan’s first love was sauna. Following Finnish tradition, he was introduced to sauna at a very young age. He liked it so much, it earned him the nickname saunapoika, or in English, sauna-boy.
Born to a Canadian mother, and Finnish father, Alan grew up in Southern Ontario. Sharing his Finnish culture with his Canadian friends was always a point of pride. After introducing his friends to the family cottage sauna, it became the place to hang out.
Over the years, he’s learned that there is no right or wrong way to enjoy a sauna. For some, it is a place of solitude, for others, a place to gather and socialize. Whether alone, or with a group, it is where the worries of the day evaporate.
Alan would like nothing more than to share his passion for sauna with you through this website, Kivia.ca, and his podcast, Kivia: The Spirit of Sauna.
Alan Short Bio
Shayla Howell did not grow up in a sauna like Alan, however, she would spend every moment during the winter months in one if she could.
Naturally inquisitive, Shayla is a seasoned content creator, storyteller, and interviewer. She has travelled the country as a story producer with CBC’s hit documentary/comedy series Still Standing, interviewing rural Canadians from all walks of life. In 2020 she earned a Canadian Screen Award nomination for achievement in research. Insatiably curious and always up for an adventure, Shayla is thrilled to talk-sauna alongside Alan as his co-host.
