Russia — is a place where traditions are just as significant as in Britain. When it comes to the Russian sauna, not many people are aware that not following the ceremony rules can lead to severe prosecutions — you will be probably considered being an alien and set at naught.
The so-called Russian Banya in a world on its own with an array of customs and a long history. This post covers the very paramount ones not to scare you off completely.
1. Be Bollock Naked
As a rule, Russian saunas are gender separated — so don’t worry about facing naked opposite sex humans (though this might be also disappointing). If your girlfriend is Russian and you happened to be on the ‘groom test event’ (that special day when your girlfriend’s dad invites you to have a sauna session), be ready to denude your male dignity. Russian people always visit their so-much-loved sauna naked, unless you are in the public one. There’s no escape from witnessing someone’s birthday suit!
2. Don’t Resist From Brooms Beatings
Undress your ass and be prepared to experience the full excitement of this process! I’m telling you, the beating will help to reveal all the sins of your entire life. Not getting beaten by brooms is simply impossible in the Russian sauna.”There’s no point to go in sauna if you haven’t prepared the brooms”, what Russians say.
If you happened to be in the position where you have to dominate this culmination, don’t forget to wear a special sauna hat. This is simply a part of the tradition. Now take up all your strength and anger — and let it out on someone’s bump.
3. Be Ready To Jump Into The Snowdrift
Another banya ritual is followed by visiting the outside freezing world. Russians go on this adventure to cool down from the extremely high temperatures soaked in in the sauna. Plus, the session might be quite lengthy, so going outside it is also a good way to change to scenery! They escape their houses and enjoy the cold in the all seriousness.
The advice is: take a big breath and don’t be afraid to cover yourself with the layers of the arctic snow. You will not feel the full coldness of it, as before that the kind Russian will melt your body to the lava temperature!
Check out how the Russians do it:
“The benefit of sauna is that your body gets washed, but not your brains.” – Russian Popular Wisdom
If you fancy to enhance the Russian culture — the authentic sauna session is definitely a very illuminating experience. Banya is the best place to get closer with these stiff people. It provides a magic environment to make great Russian friends, become mates with your future father-in-law, establish good relationship for business or just feel yourself in the Russian element for some time. Follow this easy tips not to drop a clanger and you are ready to go for an eye-opening adventure!
Good luck!
Read relevant articles:
Brits & Russkies 
Great post! I love saunas! 👌
lol! 😀 this was funny and interesting! What is the point of the sauna broom? Is it supposed to have some sort of beneficial effect?
Thank you so much! Brooms are used for both – massage and health reasons. It is believed, that due to the high sauna temperature their useful properties enter the skin more easily 🙂
thanks nice update
i’m glad you found it useful 🙏