{"id":13964,"date":"2021-03-15T07:32:43","date_gmt":"2021-03-15T07:32:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/russian\/?p=13964"},"modified":"2021-03-15T07:35:38","modified_gmt":"2021-03-15T07:35:38","slug":"the-a-z-of-the-russian-banya","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/russian\/the-a-z-of-the-russian-banya\/","title":{"rendered":"The A-Z of the Russian Banya"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>A trip to <strong>\u0440\u0443\u0301\u0441\u0441\u043a\u0430\u044f \u0431\u0430\u0301\u043d\u044f<\/strong> (Russian banya\/ Russian sauna) is a healing cultural experience for your mind and body. Many Russians have a \u0431\u0430\u043d\u044f (banya) on their <a href=\"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/russian\/russian-dachniki-in-february\/\">dachas<\/a> and might be enjoying the &#8220;jumping in the snow after banya&#8221; in their backyards with the last of this winter&#8217;s snow.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_13967\" style=\"width: 360px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone post-item__attachment\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-13967\" class=\"wp-image-13967 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/russian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2021\/03\/Russian_banya-350x209.jpg\" alt=\"russian_sauna\" width=\"350\" height=\"209\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/russian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2021\/03\/Russian_banya-350x209.jpg 350w, https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/russian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2021\/03\/Russian_banya.jpg 640w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 350px) 100vw, 350px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-13967\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Image by <a href=\"https:\/\/pixabay.com\/users\/kschlott-6135866\/?utm_source=link-attribution&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=image&amp;utm_content=2844863\">KSchlott<\/a> from <a href=\"https:\/\/pixabay.com\/?utm_source=link-attribution&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=image&amp;utm_content=2844863\">Pixabay<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n<h4 style=\"text-align: center\">Tips for Russian sauna:<\/h4>\n<div id=\"attachment_13969\" style=\"width: 360px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright post-item__attachment\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-13969\" class=\"wp-image-13969 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/russian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2021\/03\/sauna_hats-350x214.jpg\" alt=\"sauna hats\" width=\"350\" height=\"214\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/russian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2021\/03\/sauna_hats-350x214.jpg 350w, https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/russian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2021\/03\/sauna_hats-768x469.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/russian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2021\/03\/sauna_hats.jpg 1016w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 350px) 100vw, 350px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-13969\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Image by author<\/p><\/div>\n<ul>\n<li>Avoid drinking alcohol. Despite the stereotypical associations of banya and drinking, this healthy spa-outing requires zero alcohol in-take.<\/li>\n<li>Avoid overeating or going on an empty stomach.<\/li>\n<li>Right before going inside the sauna, take a light shower but keep your hair dry. Also remember to wear a <strong>\u0431\u0430\u0301\u043d\u043d\u0443\u044e \u0448\u0430\u0301\u043f\u043e\u0447\u043a\u0443<\/strong> (banya hat) made of wool, cotton, or linen. The hat will keep your head from overheating and the rinsing off helps you open up to the heat.<\/li>\n<li><span style=\"text-decoration: underline\">Note:<\/span> These are my parents\u2019 banya hats, and they say \u201c<em>\u0412 \u0431\u0430\u0301\u043d\u0435 \u043f\u043e\u043c\u044b\u0301\u043b\u0441\u044f \u2014 \u0437\u0430\u0301\u043d\u043e\u0432\u043e \u0440\u043e\u0434\u0438\u0301\u043b\u0441\u044f!\u201d and \u201c\u0411\u0430\u0301\u043d\u044f \u043f\u0430\u0440\u0438\u0442 \u2013 \u0441\u0438\u043b\u0443 \u0434\u0430\u0440\u0438\u0442\u201d.<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>It\u2019s best to <strong>\u043f\u0430\u0301\u0440\u0438\u0442\u044c\u0441\u044f \u0437\u0430\u0445\u043e\u0301\u0434\u0430\u043c\u0438<\/strong> (to sauna in sessions) so that you slowly adjust your body to the warm heat. <strong>\u041f\u0435\u0301\u0440\u0432\u044b\u0439<\/strong> <strong>\u0437\u0430\u0445\u043e\u0301\u0434<\/strong> (the first session) should be about 5-10 minutes and there is no need to climb on the top shelf. You also wouldn\u2019t use <strong>\u0431\u0430\u0301\u043d\u043d\u044b\u0439<\/strong> <strong>\u0432\u0435\u0301\u043d\u0438\u043a<\/strong> (sauna whisk) at this point, but you should bring it inside the sauna to warm up and absorb some moisture.<\/p>\n<p>Some people like to use essential oils (<strong>\u044d\u0444\u0438\u0301\u0440\u043d\u044b\u0435<\/strong> <strong>\u043c\u0430\u0441\u043b\u0430<\/strong>) in the sauna for health benefits and aromatherapy. The most popular choices are <strong>\u043c\u044f\u0301\u0442\u0430<\/strong> (mint), <strong>\u043f\u0438\u0301\u0445\u0442\u0430<\/strong> (fir tree), <strong>\u044d\u0432\u043a\u0430\u043b\u0438\u0301\u043f\u0442<\/strong> (eucalyptus). Dilute 7-8 drops of the oil in a bucket of warm water (could be the same one in which you are soaking the whisk) and splatter the water on the walls and ceiling inside the sauna.<\/p>\n<p><strong>\u0411\u0430\u0301\u043d\u043d\u044b\u0439 \u0432\u0435\u0301\u043d\u0438\u043a<\/strong> [banyy venik] is an essential part of the Russian sauna experience. Russians say:<\/p>\n<p><em>\u0411\u0430\u0301\u043d\u044f \u0431\u0435\u0437 \u0432\u0435\u0301\u043d\u0438\u043a\u0430 \u2013 \u0447\u0442\u043e \u0441\u0430\u043c\u043e\u0432\u0430\u0301\u0440 \u0431\u0435\u0437 \u0442\u0440\u0443\u0431\u044b. [A Russian banya without a whisk is akin to a samovar without a pipe]<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>\u0412 \u0431\u0430\u0301\u043d\u0435 \u0432\u0435\u0301\u043d\u0438\u043a \u2013 \u0434\u043e\u0440\u043e\u0301\u0436\u0435 \u0434\u0435\u0301\u043d\u0435\u0433. [The whisk in banya is better than money]<\/em><\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s mostly referred to as a \u201cwhisk\u201d in the US, though I have seen \u201cbath\/sauna broom\u201d here and there. While the Russian \u201cvenik\u201d is made from young tree twigs and can be translated as a household \u201cbroom\u201d or \u201cbesom\u201d that\u2019s where the similarities end.<\/p>\n<p>The tree twigs for the \u2018whisk\u2019 come from trees that have medicinal effects on the body. The most popular ones include:<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_13966\" style=\"width: 360px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright post-item__attachment\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-13966\" class=\"wp-image-13966 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/russian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2021\/03\/sauna-whisk-350x197.jpg\" alt=\"sauna_whisk\" width=\"350\" height=\"197\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/russian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2021\/03\/sauna-whisk-350x197.jpg 350w, https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/russian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2021\/03\/sauna-whisk.jpg 640w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 350px) 100vw, 350px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-13966\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Image by <a href=\"https:\/\/pixabay.com\/users\/mikkooja1977-2095799\/?utm_source=link-attribution&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=image&amp;utm_content=3435549\">mikkooja1977<\/a> from <a href=\"https:\/\/pixabay.com\/?utm_source=link-attribution&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=image&amp;utm_content=3435549\">Pixabay<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n<p>birch &#8211; <strong>\u0431\u0435\u0440<span style=\"text-decoration: underline\">\u0451<\/span>\u0437\u0430<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>oak &#8211; <strong>\u0434\u0443\u0431<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>linden &#8211; <strong>\u043b\u0438\u0301\u043f\u0430<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>alder \u2013 <strong>\u043e\u043b\u044c\u0445\u0430\u0301<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>eucalyptus \u2013 <strong>\u044d\u0432\u043a\u0430\u043b\u0438\u0301\u043f\u0442\u043e\u0432\u043e\u0435<\/strong> <strong>\u0434\u0435\u0301\u0440\u0435\u0432\u043e<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The whisk is used to massage the body and Russians use different massage techniques and styles. As mentioned before, the venik has to be soaked in warm water so that the leaves soften up for the subsequent whisking sessions. Right before the massage, the soaked whisk is placed on the hot stones for a few seconds on each side. Depending on what you are comfortable with, you can customize the whisking techniques and their intensity. Likewise, you can be standing, sitting, or lying down on your stomach or back when receiving the whisking massage. Just make sure that the stroking and lashing movements are gentler on the breasts, stomach, and around the face.<\/p>\n<h4>Popular whisking movements:<\/h4>\n<p><em>*all gifs are by author<\/em><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>Waving the whisk up and down in front of the person so that the hot air is enveloping them.<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-13980\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/russian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2021\/03\/waving.gif\" alt=\"waving the whisk\" width=\"656\" height=\"368\" \/><\/li>\n<li>Shaking the whisk over and along the receiver and pressing down to different parts of the body, especially the back and feet. <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-13981\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/russian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2021\/03\/shaking_and_compress.gif\" alt=\"shaking and compress\" width=\"656\" height=\"368\" \/><\/li>\n<li>Rhythmic lashing which can range from mild to strong beats. <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-13982\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/russian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2021\/03\/slapping.gif\" alt=\"slapping\" width=\"656\" height=\"368\" \/><\/li>\n<li>Using gentle strokes to slowly slide the whisk along the body. <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-13989\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/russian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2021\/03\/stroking-1.gif\" alt=\"\" width=\"656\" height=\"368\" \/><\/li>\n<li>Alternating between strokes and whipping. <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-13984\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/russian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2021\/03\/stroke-and-slap.gif\" alt=\"stroke and slap\" width=\"656\" height=\"368\" \/><\/li>\n<li>Gentle compress, which means placing the hot whisk on the body (mostly back and feet) and firmly pressing on it for 5-6 seconds. <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-13985\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/russian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2021\/03\/gentle_compress.gif\" alt=\"gentle compress\" width=\"656\" height=\"368\" \/><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>If you have a source of clean snow by the sauna \u2013 go ahead and jump in there right after the whisking session for the contract sensation. Otherwise, it\u2019s great to rinse off with cold water. You can have a bucket ready to go, though most commercial saunas today will have a device like the one below ready to go:<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-13990\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/russian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2021\/03\/cold-water.gif\" alt=\"contrast shower\" width=\"656\" height=\"368\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Remember, going to a Russian sauna is about massage, relaxation, and overall positive cultural experience for your body and mind \u2013 so don\u2019t do anything you aren\u2019t comfortable with. And if anyone starts pressuring you into having a really hard whisking session, just tell them: <strong>\u041d\u0443, \u0447\u0442\u043e \u0442\u044b \u043f\u0440\u0438\u043b\u0438\u0301\u043f \u043a\u043e \u043c\u043d\u0435, \u043a\u0430\u043a \u0431\u0430\u0301\u043d\u043d\u044b\u0439 \u043b\u0438\u0441\u0442!\u00a0<\/strong>[lit. Why are you stuck on me like a leaf from a sauna whisk?]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<img width=\"350\" height=\"209\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/russian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2021\/03\/Russian_banya-350x209.jpg\" class=\"attachment-post-thumbnail size-post-thumbnail wp-post-image\" alt=\"russian_sauna\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/russian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2021\/03\/Russian_banya-350x209.jpg 350w, https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/russian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2021\/03\/Russian_banya.jpg 640w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 350px) 100vw, 350px\" \/><p>A trip to \u0440\u0443\u0301\u0441\u0441\u043a\u0430\u044f \u0431\u0430\u0301\u043d\u044f (Russian banya\/ Russian sauna) is a healing cultural experience for your mind and body. Many Russians have a \u0431\u0430\u043d\u044f (banya) on their dachas and might be enjoying the &#8220;jumping in the snow after banya&#8221; in their backyards with the last of this winter&#8217;s snow. Tips for Russian sauna: Avoid drinking&hellip;<\/p>\n<p class=\"post-item__readmore\"><a class=\"btn btn--md\" href=\"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/russian\/the-a-z-of-the-russian-banya\/\">Continue Reading<\/a><\/p>","protected":false},"author":171,"featured_media":13967,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"content-type":""},"categories":[3,7827,913,7826],"tags":[541506,1227,257651,1288,541507],"class_list":["post-13964","post","type-post","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-culture","category-russian-life","category-traditions","category-when-in-russia","tag-russian-banya","tag-russian-culture","tag-russian-sauna","tag-russian-traditions","tag-541507"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/russian\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13964","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/russian\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/russian\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/russian\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/171"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/russian\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=13964"}],"version-history":[{"count":17,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/russian\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13964\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":14028,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/russian\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13964\/revisions\/14028"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/russian\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/13967"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/russian\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=13964"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/russian\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=13964"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/russian\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=13964"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}