Proper Technique

For the "Novice"

For the Novice “Banchik” (Sauna-goer): When first coming to the saunas, a beginner must always remember that safety must always come first! When first entering the sauna, start out by sitting on the bottom shelf so that your body has a chance to adjust to the increased temperature. This is necessary because the heat causes blood to flow from the center of the body to the extremities, and for a novice, this process will take some time. Experienced sauna-goers and bather will be able to immediately enter the sauna and go to the top shelf. After sitting in the sauna for about 6-8 minutes, stand up slowly and leave, while keeping the door open for a minimum amount of time so that a minimum amount of heat is lost upon opening the door. For a true Banya experience, do not enter the cold dunk pool after the first journey into the sauna. Remember: the purpose of the sauna is to detoxify and cleanse the body by opening the pores, while the purpose of the cold dunk tank is to seal in the body’s pores quickly so that no more toxins enter the body. Thus, after the first trip to the sauna, allow your body to simply cool down to room temperature as you sit comfortably in a relaxing robe (provided by us, of course). Then, after your second trip to the sauna, enter the dunk pool and feel instantly refreshed and cooled. Then, simply continue this process over and over again for 5-6 times or more, depending on how much your body can handle. But remember, relax in between sessions so your body is not in a state of shock between the temperature of the saunas and the temperature of the outside.

Venik Massage

Venik Massages: At the luxurious Russian Banya of Dallas, our customers can choose to enjoy the heat in the best, and most traditional, way which the Slavic people have been enjoying it for centuries: by getting an invigorating venik massage (also known as a “platza massage” or a “shvitz massage”). A venik is a bundle of either birch, oak, or eucalyptus branches bound together, and when massaged over the body, it facilitates the dilation of capillaries and the jump-starting of the metabolism. Prior to entering the sauna, the venik is first soaked in cold water for 10-15 minutes to give the leaves flexibility without allowing for them to break away from the branches. Then, before being used, the venik is submerged in steaming hot water, allowing the leaves to open their pores, which release cleansing, natural oils and relaxing scents. We have staff members on hand with decades of experience in giving venik massages here to serve you in your journey towards relaxation and enjoyment, but for those experienced bathers who choose to give themselves venik massages, we do allow and encourage you to bring your own veniks to the saunas. But, of course, at the Russian Banya, we are always prepared for our customers, and for this reason you can always buy premium, professional veniks directly from us.

Things to Watch out for

Do not plan on drinking a large amount of alcohol while using the sauna as this will further increase the effects of the heat on your body and your heart in a negative way.
Do not try and push yourself too hard, especially if you are a first-timer in the banya, because you will overheat and feel sick.
Do not eat a lot of food before entering the banya, as this directs a lot of blood toward your digestive track, while the heat directs heat to the outer shell of the body (i.e., your skin). Thus, the strain on your heart is very great because your blood cannot all be at your core and at your extremities at the same time.
Check with your doctor about using the banya’s facilities if you have any health problems whatsoever!