I was lucky enough to be invited along to experience a Russian Banya on a cloudy Monday morning with my friend, make up artist Pamela Cochrane. A spa is probably the best thing you can do on a Monday morning, but what is a Russian Banya?
Deeply rooted in Russian culture, this is a traditional wellness practice celebrated for its invigorating hot and cold contrasts. Hot/cold contrast therapy is very much in Vogue here in the UK, but the Russians have been doing it for a VERY long time. The first known mention of a Banya is in the book Histories by the ancient Greek writer Herodotus, who lived around 440 BCE. Herodotus described people enjoying a banya north of the Black Sea, in what is now Russia. So this traditional wellness practice is older than Russia itself!
Here in London on Chiswick high street – this spa features unique elements such as a traditional sauna, an ice-cold plunge pool, bucket showers, and the treatment rooms for offerings like the Parenie ritual . More on that later!
Pammy and I arrived and greeted warmly by Aneta who told us lots of useful info and explained that we should get into our swimsuits and go to booth number 5, where we would be served tea and meet our therapists. Excitedly we did so and after a short time sipping tea, we were guided into the sauna by Olek, one of our therapists. He says we need to be in there for a little while first. Felt hats are traditionally worn in the Russian Banya to protect the head from extreme heat. Made from thick, insulating material, these hats help regulate body temperature by keeping the head cool. They look a bit silly but who cares!
The sauna looked like a bigger version of a traditional sauna you might find in a gym, but it is different. The banya master makes a superheated steam by splashing water onto a tonne of cast iron, heated to 700°C inside an authentic brick furnace. The banya’s temperature (70°C) is lower than in a sauna, the high levels of superheated steam cause the body to sweat profusely and then detoxify. Once we felt cooked enough we stepped out and stood under a cold bucket of water each – when we pulled chain it dispersed the water on us.. well that wakes you up on a Monday morning I can tell you! There was also the option of showers and an ice cold plunge pool.
Back to the sauna and our therapists – Alexander and Olek had us lie down while they reached for bunches of leafy and fragrant bundles of birch, oak, and eucalyptus twigs. They then hit us with the branches which boosts blood circulation around your body, is beneficial for the skin, but also good for heart health. It did not hurt and neither did we feel beaten by these burly Russian men! Once they have done your back and legs you roll over and they do the other side. Another technique is they whip up the hot air with the leaves and you feel this beautiful heat over your skin and this feels great! Something I have never experienced before, Pammy on the other hand was on her second visit, after trying the Banya No 1 in Hoxton.
Directed out of the sauna and we found ourselves under those bucket showers again and they promptly discharged the water over our heads, then ushered to the ice cold plunge bath – there was no getting out of that! I initially just put my legs in but was asked to go completely in until my head went under! Argh! The cold water constricts your blood vessels, leading to a quick energy boost and prolonged effect of refreshment. I definitely felt refreshed!
It’s clear why the likes of Liv Tyler, Justin Bieber and Emilia Clarke rave about Banya No1 on their website and Kate Moss is a regular to the Hoxton branch. There are many additions you can add to your package; massages, mud masks, body mud wraps, etc. Our package included a Siberian body wash. As we lay on heated marble slabs in our own private rooms, fragrant bundles of birch twigs were used to wash and exfoliate our skin.
The silky bubble wash removes the dead cells to help skin breathe whilst cleansing the pores and stimulating blood circulation. The ritual is renowned for its revitalising effects on body and mind and we certainly felt this way. Back at our booth we promptly ordered some delicious food and sea buckthorn tea from their extensive menu. There is a button on the booth and someone comes to take your order. While our food was being prepared we did the hot, cold, rest and repeat, before returning to our private booth to try some of the Russian delicacies on offer. Pammy had Borsche – “The king of soups”..A homemade vegan beetroot soup. Served with sour cream, I tried the Vareniki – homemade mashed potatoes and mushrooms dumplings. Served with sour cream. We washed this down with ample amounts of Sea Buckthorn tea sweetened with honey. Next time I will try the fish! (They also have a fully licensed lounge bar.) Now – how do I arrange to do this every Monday morning after the school run!? 😉
We left feeling de-stressed and reborn 🙂 Vouchers are on my Christmas list for sure! I know my husband would love this and it beats his inflatable cold bath he goes in the garden every morning! Banya offers gift vouchers, private sessions and also has both gender specific and mixed sessions.
404-406 Chiswick High Rd, London W4 5TF
07458 386519
