Wellness dictionary

Little ABC for your spa-break questions ...

In their treatment discriptions, wellness hotels often use technical terms, which are hard to understand for potential guests. We have therefore collected and defined the most relevant terms in our small wellness ABC. A tip: Our wellness dictionary also supports word requests. You don't need to know the exact wording.

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Banja sauna - The Russian sauna

What is a Banja Sauna?

Banya is the name for a Russian steam bath as well as for a traditional Russian bathhouse. Just like the Finnish sauna, the Russian banya is made of wood and consists of three rooms: the sweat/steam room, a washroom and a relaxation room.

How does a visit to the Banja Sauna work?

First of all, the sauna visitor rinses himself with both cold and warm water. In particularly authentic Banja saunas, the cold water is scooped out of tubs and heated with hot water as required. The recreation room is originally furnished in a classic style with simple tables and chairs. It is used for rest breaks and for eating small meals. The heat of the sauna is then enjoyed in the sweat/steam room.

Sauna Banja: The Russian Banja in Germany

The Russian banya is heated with a wood stove and is much hotter than the Finnish sauna. The temperatures can be more than a hundred degrees Celsius. Infusions are also common in the Russian banya. Here, water or ice mixed with essential oils is added to the hot stones of the sauna stove. This creates high humidity, which makes the heat even more effective.

Does a time out in the Banja Sauna work?

A visit to a Banja Sauna has many positive effects on body, mind and soul. These include:

the blood circulation of the skin
Relaxation of muscle tensions
Strengthening the immune system
However, people with acute infections, varicose veins or cardiovascular diseases should avoid visiting the banya.

Special feature of the Russian sauna Banja

Just like in the Finnish sauna, "tassels" are common in the Banja. In this process, one beats one's own or each other's body with bundles of soaked birch branches. Striking with birch branches refreshes and stimulates the blood circulation. In addition, the water in which the birch branches have been soaked can be used as an infusion. It is important that there are still leaves on the birch branches when tasseling, otherwise it can be very painful.

In Russia the Banya is visited strictly separated according to gender. There are either separate rooms for men and women or different visiting hours.

The banya also has a social component, just like the Finnish sauna. Here friendships are cultivated and business deals are concluded.