Sauna Basics

To say that I love the sauna would be a tremendous understatement. I don’t love it like one loves chocolate or cheese (next favorites on my list). I don’t even love it as one can love coffee. No. My relationship with the sauna goes beyond love.

Sauna for me is like oxygen. It’s in my blood. I miss it if I haven’t been in a while. I’m drawn to it. And it calls to me. In that sweet, angelic voice as only a sauna can. Ahhhh, it’s beautiful. Without it, I am like fish out of water.

Seriously though, it is the best form of relaxation I have found. Better than a deep tissue massage. Or a bath. And I am not talking about a sauna in the American sense of the word. Although, I don’t know what an America sauna is like. I’ve never been. But all the American guests who have visited a Russian sauna have always said they have never seen anything like it. So, I assume that the two are different.

For starters, a true Russian sauna uses wood. It’s not electric. The temperatures get up to 120C and higher. It burns your skin. Sometimes it burns your nostrils. Most of the time it’s not that extreme though. And then there is a little thing called a venik.

The best I can describe it as is a few birch branches tied together to form a weapon of mass destruction. It can be some other tree branches, such as eucalyptus, oak, rowan tree, bass, sliver firtree, cedar and juniper. A venik is usually dried and then, when one decides to make a trip to the sauna, the venik is held in steaming water, to allow it to un-dry.

The venik is used for slapping of the heated body. That’s it. You just slap yourself for a while. And it feels good. Like a steam massage. I know, as I am writing this, it is beginning to sound more and more weird. Trust me, you just need to experience it once and you will “get it.” My feeble words are so not enough to describe this divine experience.

Anyway, as you have noticed, the countdown to my return trip to USA has been put on hold. This is due to various unexpected circumstances. Such as a desparate need for a dental visit and a job interview in the States that will possibly involve another cross-country move. I will be back with the numbers as soon as I have a ticket in hand. Until then, all prayers are appreciated.

Oh, and please check out new Fall pics . It’s a beautiful time of year.