Welcome to part II of Worldwide Wellness, where we discover more sauna and steam room traditions from around the world. Last time we looked at the Turkish Hammams, the Mexican Temazacal and the Japanese Onsen.
Some cultures used them for religious purposes, others as a method of socialisation, while other cultures simply used them to keep clean. Modern sauna and steam rooms often emphasise relaxation and health benefits, such as improving pain levels and blood flow.
From Russia – The Banya
Like most traditional saunas and steam rooms, the banya should be entered naked. This is not considered an issue by Russians, as the banya is generally only used by one gender at a time, but it may take some getting used to if you come from a country such as Britain.
You may have read in previous blogs how a steam room is best made from non-porous materials, such as tile or natural stone, but a traditional banya thumbs its nose at this! It is made of wood, despite reaching 80 to 100% humidity.
A unique feature of the banya is that as you lie on the wooden benches, you may be beaten vigorously with bundles of birch or oak leaves. The person responsible for this is called the banschik. In modern reviews of banyas, he is often referred to as the therapist. This practice is partly intended as a massage, invigorating the skin by increasing blood flow to the surface, and partly to induce the release of endorphins.
Once you have lain in the heat for long enough, you should move on to a cooler room, and cool showers. Some very traditional banya experiences involve running straight from the hot room to dive into snowbanks, but these days a more moderate transition is recommended!
From Pre-Industrial Ireland – The Teach Allais
These “sweat houses” were small stone structures, up to 2 metres high at the highest point, which are described repeatedly as looking like beehives and were usually built onto an existing hill or bank of earth. Often, they were built near a source of water, presumably for cooling off afterwards. The sweat house was heated by burning turf for several days, so it was a dry sauna-type of experience, causing perspiration, rather than a humid steam room.
The sweat house was most often used to counter rheumatism, but early records say that it was used to help cure any ailment which a person might have. A man was recorded as using a sweat house to combat rheumatism as late as 1924. The tradition is not in use in the 21st century, but it is an interesting and little-known piece of worldwide sauna history.
It is unknown how far back the traditional of the “sweat house” goes in Ireland, but the earliest written reference which has been discovered is from 1797. It is possible that the practice might have arrived through Scandinavian influence, but there are no theories for how this could have happened.
If you would like something a little different from your usual sauna or steam room, please contact Aegean Spas on +44 (0)20 8959 1529. With 30 years of experience in the sauna, steam room and hot tub industry, they offer you the chance to design your ideal bathing experience.
References:
Sweathouses and Simple Stone Structures in County Louth and Elsewhere in Ireland
Anthony Weir
Journal of the County Louth Archaeological and Historical Society
Vol. 19, No. 3 (1979), pp. 185-196 (12 pages)
http://masterrussian.com/russianculture/banya.htm