The following bilingual Russian MiniLesson is meant to build your vocabulary by providing Russian phrases within English text. Hover over the bold Russian to reveal its English translation.
ย has always played an important part in Russian culture.
Since ancient times, Russians have said that . The ะฑะฐะฝัย was also thought in previous times to be highly medicinal for nearly ailments. Russians once said that . While today it is not usually recommended for sick people, the ะฑะฐะฝั is still regarded as a powerful way to maintain oneโs health and keep oneโs spirits up.
A traditional ะฑะฐะฝั, whether private or public, will consist of several parts. The ะฟัะตะดะฑะฐะฝะฝะธะบ, which literally translates to โbefore the banyaโ is a dressing room for stripping down before entering the chamber. There is also a washing room or space called ย ย or sometimes even just . Sometimes the ะฟัะตะดะฑะฐะฝะฝะธะบ and ะฟะพะผัะฒะพัะฝะฐัย are in a single room with the , where one takes breaks from the high heat and humidity, socializes over drinks and snacks. Sometimes all three rooms are separate compartments.
The main part of the ะฑะฐะฝั is, of course, the heat chamber which is called the โะฟะฐัะฝะฐัโ or โะฟะฐัะธะปะบะฐโ.ย Both derive their names from the Russian word .ย
Most frequently, the level of ย is manually regulated by pouring water on stones which are traditionally . The Russian ะฑะฐะฝัย is known as one of the most extreme of the worldโs heat baths, with temperatures that range from 150-200F and humidity often approaching 80%. Most saunas in America, for instance, very rarely exceed 150F and 25% humidity. Russians ย by pouring water on the stones often and in small amounts, which allows this even, high steam to coat the room. They call this . Just be careful while pouring, as the stones are heated to well over 1300F!
In Russian ะฑะฐะฝัย culture, it is customary to say โั ะปะตะณะบะธะผ ะฟะฐัะพะผ!โ to those who have just returned from the ะฑะฐะฝั. This literally translates to โwith soft steam!โ and means, loosely, โI hope you enjoyed the banya!โ The phrase is perhaps best known as the subtitle of the classic Russian film , about a man who gets drunk at his traditional new year ะฑะฐะฝัย celebration and ends up going home to the wrong apartment in the wrong city.
To allow the body to sweat freely, the ะฑะฐะฝั is typically used in the nude. While there are sometimes male and female compartments (or sessions), the ะฑะฐะฝัย is often coed. Modest people can cover up with a and in fact, most commercial ะฑะฐะฝั facilities recommend that you wear a ะฟัะพัััะฝัย for sanitary reasons. Other common supplies to take to the banya include , , ย to hold the ะฒะตะฝะธะบะธ, which are bunches of small, leafy birch or oak branches tied together.
The process begins by simply sitting in the ะฑะฐะฝัย and . After about seven minutes, one should exit to the ะบะพะผะฝะฐัะฐ ะพัะดัั ะฐ, rest, and preferably drink water. On the second , the truly Russian tradition of ย begins, but to be truly effective, the sweating process should be well underway. This โmassageโ helps lift impurities from the skin and adds a pleasant fragrance to the person and room.
can be numerous and a visit to the can often last several hours. ะะฐั ะพะดัย are interspersed with sessions of ย or ย or even ย Russians believe that these sudden shifts in temperature improve circulation and cause the body to release endorphins that improve the functioning of nearly all organs.
Russians are known for making their experience extreme, with long followed by snacking on pickles, vodka, and beer in the sessions of . However, all of these products are dehydrating and ill-advised. If you ever feel light headed or ill in the ะฑะฐะฝั, excuse yourself and leave, explaining if needed that .
While a visit to the ะฑะฐะฝั can leave one feeling refreshed and invigorated, there are obviously health risks as well. Such sudden shifts in temperature can be , as can prolonged exposure to high temperatures. ะะฐั ะพะดั should be kept to under 15-20 minutes. should last at least 15-20 minutes. is prohibited before entering the for the first ะทะฐั ะพะด, as a wet head can heat too quickly, causing stress to the brain.
One should not earlier than 1-2 hours after having meal but also not an empty stomach. Drink often and stick to water or at least juice and . Soda and strong tea are also not preferable in the ะฑะฐะฝั. For food, stick to sausage, cheese, and bread and avoid the salt.
A ะฑะฐะฝั session is usually ended with . There is a tradition of The head should be washed in one washbasin, the body in another, and a third is used for . However, many modern Russians will just shower or take one last plunge in the cold water.
Also, one should not after leaving the ะฟะฐัะฝะฐั. Stroll around for several minutes first to allow your circulation to come back down to equilibrium.
Given these health issues, and given that the ะฑะฐะฝั is usually a small wooden structure where a fire is kept and alcohol often consumed, it is not surprising that the ะฑะฐะฝั figures in some of Russiaโs most horrific mythology.
While Russians believed in the , and generally associated it health with purity, it was also inhabited by the who was perhaps the most fickle and easily offended of all the spirits that Russians once believed in.
To gain the favor of the ะฑะฐะฝะฝะธะบ, Russians would sacrifice a black hen to it after constructing the ะฑะฐะฝั and before using it the first time. The hen was suffocated and buried under the entrance. While Russians typically wear crosses, many would remove them before entering the ะฑะฐะฝั as it was thought that the holy object would upset the evil spirit. Water intended for the ะฑะฐะฝั should not be drunk. Loud, sudden noises should be avoided and cursing is not allowed in the ะฑะฐะฝั, as is thought that any damnation pronounced in the ะฑะฐะฝั will come true and often come true sooner rather than later.
Guests were also supposed to be treated with great respect at the ะฑะฐะฝั. The guest should enter first, be given plenty of food and drink, and offered a bed and rest after the session. Not abiding by rules of hospitality would offend not only the guest โ but possibly the ะฑะฐะฝะฝะธะบ as well. Those who upset the ะฑะฐะฝะฝะธะบ were often maimed or killed by this powerful spirit.
While safety should be remembered at all times when using the ะฑะฐะฝั, it can be an invigorating, healthy experience and a great taste of Russian culture. If youโll be in Moscow, treat yourself to a trip to the Sanduni Banya, an 18th century palace of a banya complex that catered to (and still caters to) Moscowโs business elite. They also have pictures on the wall of the Red Hot Chili Peppers, John Travolta, and Scotty Pippen using their facilities. However, they have facilities within the price range of even students if you go as a group. Of course, many will tell you that you should go to a โreal banyaโ โ one in the country with a river or pond to jump into outside โ there are also commercial opportunities to do this, but again, itโs best to go as a group, and best to have a Russian guide you. So ask around, make some friends in Russia, and go do it!
