Banya No.1 is a touch of Russian beauty in Hoxton. Not a beautiful lady, though of course I am sure beautiful ladies do visit, however it is very much a wellbeing, cultural and beauty establishment rooted in the woods from where it began. You can leave your 21st century office and take part in a tradition that will make your inside and outside gleam and something you can share with friends.
This is part of a series of features about key spa and massage philosophy, practices and treatments from around the world.
People might have seen the news ready images of someone being beaten with branches whilst wearing a hat, but once you visit and speak to those people who not only give the treatments but are regular visitors you will understand that it’s much more. It’s a way of life, of wellbeing, of a culture and way to spend time with friends.
Banya Wellness Spa Philosophy
The mission at Banya No.1 goes beyond offering an outstanding wellness spa experience. It’s about introducing the time-proven wellness practice of the Russian Banya and its rituals and making it accessible for its profound health benefits whilst preserving and sharing the heritage of the Russian Banya.
The philosophy, deriving from the Russian Banya tradition, is based on guiding guests through an exhilarating thermal experience, which alternates between intense heat and refreshing cold, invigorates the body, detoxifies the system, and leaving you feeling revitalised and de-stressed.
They started as a small branch in London’s Hoxton, a second location started in Chiswick, London and their latest branch in Tbilisi, Georgia.
My Banya Experience
Into the sub terranean Banya near Old Street station I was greeted with warmth. Health checks complete I was escorted to their VIP suite, a traditional space perfect to share with friends.
Once changed, and showered, hat given and 2 burly gents, Latvian I believe escorted me for my Banya ritual to start with the Parenie.
Parenie
In a Russian Banya, the “hitting of branches” refers to a ritual called parenie, where a bundle of leafy branches (venik) is used to gently beat or massage the body with steam. This practice is believed to improve blood circulation, relax muscles, and release aromatic oils from the leaves, creating a unique atmosphere.
The venik is typically made from birch, oak, or eucalyptus branches, and sometimes a mix of different leaves.
Parenie is the ritual of using the venik to gently strike or massage the body with steam. The leaves are used to drive the steam onto the skin, providing a massage-like effect.
Parenie is believed to improve your blood circulation and oxygen supply to the body, help release toxins through sweating, exfoliate the skin, remove dead skin cells, relax muscles and relieve muscle and joint pain and release aromatic oils from the leaves, creating a pleasant scent.
The venik is soaked in water and then used to gently “whip” or massage the body while in the steam room. The intensity and technique can vary, with some preferring a gentler massage and others opting for a more vigorous treatment.
Parenie is also seen as a way to connect with oneself and with others in the Banya.
After my experience with steam and branches and of course a good number of cold plunges which those familiar with sauna will know about I was off to be pampered.
Body Wash with Tar soap
Siberian Body Wash to cleanse, exfoliate and rejuvenate your skin. Experience a traditional Siberian Body Wash that deeply cleanses, exfoliates, and rejuvenates your skin using a bundle of fragrant birch branches and silky soapy foam.
For those seeking extra skin purification, the Siberian Body Wash with Tar Soap offers additional benefits. The tar soap works alongside the exfoliating bundle of birch branches to cleanse the skin, reduce inflammation, and promote a balanced complexion, all while retaining the deep cleansing and invigorating effects of the traditional Siberian Body Wash.
And then….
Honey and Salt Scrub
This organic spa treatment uses sea salt as a natural detoxifier, absorbing toxins and gently removing dead skin cells to cleanse your skin. Honey moisturises and nourishes, infusing your skin with vitamins and minerals. The Honey and Salt Scrub not only exfoliates but also leaves you feeling revived, energised, and rejuvenated.
In my nearly 40 years of having treatments, yes, I started in my early twenties way before the word metrosexual was even invented, I can safely say this hour of combining these 2 body treatments one of the best and I have had hundreds, literally. My therapist really knew her stuff, was kind, caring and I could feel my skin getting nourished and getting softer. So this is one that really sticks in my mind.
Russian Massage
Then time to drift away for an hour’s massage.
After the Parenie, the scrub and the cold showers my body was in a sublime state of tenderness and wonderfully comatosed which was a perfect place to be as the body and muscles were ready to be massaged. When combined with hot and cold contrast therapy, the benefits of deep tissue massage are amplified. The alternating temperatures help to boost circulation, reduce inflammation, and relax muscles, making the deep tissue techniques even more effective. Incorporating the Parenie treatment before your massage further prepares your body, opening pores and relaxing muscles for deeper penetration and more profound results.
Then time to eat.
To be honest I felt this is really at its best if there is a group of you. I just say that as I feel you will get the best out of the room.
Having said that, I had drifted away during my massage and it was getting later, so I definitely munched my way through the salty sausages and potatoes. The beer was a treat, but I felt in hunter mode. The juices were not totally me, but we all have our preferences, but I could certainly see that they were cleansing.
After entering in daylight, I left in darkness and wonderfully zoned out and that’s a wonderful way to describe it as I was ready for sleep which could not be a better way of describing a true spa or Banya experience.
Super friendly so thank you. Marcello who gave my massage was top notch and the scrub treatments were sublime, with invigorating scrubs and the foam at the end which was really quite unique. I can see how people can get into the experience of the Banya as both a wellbeing and a social activity and its lovely to experience something real, delivered by people who believe and absolutely know what they are doing.
HOXTON – 17 Micawber Street, London, N1 7TB
+44 207 253 6723 [email protected] gobanya.co.uk