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Get Ready For the Russian Sauna
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What You Need To Know Before You Enter!
The Russian sauna or bania plays a very important role in Russian culture. Almost every town and village will have at least one communal sauna where people gather to socialize, relax and improve their health. Many Russians visit a sauna at least once every week to chat with friends, relax and alleviate stress after a tiring work week. This practice is becoming more popular around the world as people learn more about the remarkable healing and health benefits of the Russian sauna.
If you weren't born in Russia or have never been to a Russian sauna, you may be a little anxious. We're going to discuss the process and some important etiquette for anyone not familiar with the process. Hopefully, this will make your Russian sauna experience a pleasant one that you will want to repeat over and over again!
What is a Russian Sauna
First of all, it's important to understand what happens when you take a Russian sauna. The goal is to produce enough heat and steam to encourage a healthy sweat. This is accomplished by pouring water over hot stones in an enclosed room. People will usually follow a session in the sauna with a cold shower, dip in a pool or even a roll in the snow. They will then return to the hot environment of the sauna where they will repeat the hot/cold process 5 or 6 times.
During the sauna, Russians also practice a unique type of massage using venik. A venik massage includes a bundle of dried birch or oak twigs that individuals use to "flog" their body. The twigs are previously soaked in hot water to soften them and they are repeatedly used to massage the skin until it turns pink. This enhances the healing effects of the sauna by increasing circulation. You may notice some bathers wearing a felt hat or felt gloves to protect their body from possible heat shock.
Who Goes To Russian Saunas
Russian men and women of all ages and backgrounds will visit a Russian sauna on a frequent basis. Most banias are not co-erectile dysfunction so men and women will bath at separate times. In the smaller villages and towns, residents will visit the same bania for many years to socialize and relax.
When You First Arrive
Once bathers arrive, they can pay for the visit at the office and order either a birch twig or venik massage or a regular massage. Bathing accessories are often available from the office, and you can leave valuables with the attendant in exchange for a locker key. You can order items from the bar using the number on the key; all charges will be billed to your number.
Once bathers have paid, they will normally change in the single-sex changing rooms and take a quick shower. You can take your own shampoo or soap or use the items available. The idea is not to scrub, but merely rinse off any sweat. You can then place your clothes in the locker and don your bathing suit and a pair of slippers. If you didn't bring a pair, almost all Russian baths can supply you with some. You might also consider purchasing a felt hat to keep your head from overheating. Once you exchange greetings, you're ready to head straight to the steam room or parika.
What Happens in a Russian Sauna
This area is lined with at least 3 different levels of benches, and it contains a large stove filled with hot stones that radiate heat. Large buckets of water and a ladle surround the stove. A bather will take a ladle full of hot water and pour it right over the stones; this produces a hot, dense steam. Another bather will usually guard the door during this process in case the wind gets blown open by the steam's intense pressure. Your pores will immediately open and you will begin to sweat intensely. This helps to eliminate toxins from your skin and improve your blood circulation. Don't worry if you have to leave the sauna at this point. Newcomers will gradually grow accustomed to the process, and be able to remain for much longer sessions.
Round One
If you decided to purchase a venik or bundle of birch twigs, you need to soak them in a hot bucket of water for approximately 10 to 20 minutes. Make sure you remember to bring a towel to sit on in the sauna. If you didn't bring or purchase a felt hat, you can wrap a towel around your head. Try to keep the door open only briefly so you don't let too much heat escape from the room.
Start off slowly and choose a lower level bench for a less intense temperature or a higher bench if you want to really turn up the heat! You can either lay or sit on the bench. Once you feel you are hot enough, you can leave and cool off by taking a quick swim or a brief shower. Another option is to rest outside and enjoy the room temperature or enjoy a cup of tea for approximately 10 minutes.
Round 2
You can return to the steam room once you're ready for round two. This is the time to take your venik with you. Because the leaves are soft, a venik massage should never be painful. You can massage yourself or request someone else to do so for you. Some people choose to merely relax and enjoy the steam without using a venik. Once you reach your heat tolerance limit, you can take a quick dip in a very cold swimming pool. This will be shocking at first, but it helps you to experience the full effect of the Russian bath. Pouring a bucket of ice-cold water over yourself will accomplish the same goal. Take a short break to enjoy a cup of tea or chat with a friend.
Rounds 3-6
You can repeat this hot-cold cycle as many times as you wish. Most Russians alternate between the hot sauna and cold water for 5 to 6 times during a session. However, you can do whatever is comfortable; there is no right or wrong around. After enjoying a sauna, most Russians will relax with friends by ordering snacks, drinking Vodka or chatting for the entire day. Once you are finished with the sauna, give your body enough time to cool off before you put your clothes back on. This will give you time to stop sweating. You should also avoid becoming very cold right after the sauna because your body will be in a much more sensitive state.
What You Should Not Do
Now that you know what you should do, we feel it's important to discuss some things to avoid during a Russian sauna. Never drink alcoholic beverages while bathing and choose hot tea rather than cold drinks which will reduce the sweating. Don't enter a sauna if you're not feeling well, and don't try to outdo your friends. Everyone's body and heat tolerance limit is different so you need to respect your own limits.
Try not to eat too much before entering the sauna and don't perform any strenuous exercises while inside. You should also avoid pouring too much water over the stones; stones that are not sufficiently hot will create a heavier steam that is harder to breathe. Lying down will help to balance the temperature in your entire body. If you sit or stand, you risk overheating your head. Last but not least, make sure you take long enough breaks in between rounds before re-entering the steam room.
You should now have a better idea of what to expect before you enter the Russian sauna. If you follow our advice and basic etiquette, you can relax safely and enjoy many of the remarkable health benefits. You'll soon realize why many wise Russians have been enjoying these unique saunas for centuries!
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