Banya (open for bookings)

Eastern European Sauna Therapies

What is Banya?

In Slavic culture, Banya is as a special place where four major nature’s elements align to heal and recharge the human body and mind. They are water, fire, earth and air. There is also a fifth element in which the sauna master works with these elements and direct energy flow. Our sauna therapies focus on relieving mental stress and body tensions, build a healthy immune system response, exercise cardiovascular pathways and generally, make you feel relaxed and reinvigorated by taking away accumulated negative energies.

Banya’s distinctive features include a wood-fired stove, steam heat and authentic sauna massage therapies using bundles of leafy tree twigs called “Veniki”. It is a different experience to the dry or contemporary infra-red saunas that dominate Australia today.

Health Benefits

Traditionally, people used Banya not only for its health benefits, but as part of the overall lifestyle. There were not many studies conducted on the effects on health of regular going to traditional Slavic Banya. In fact, many locals say that Banya is good in itself and does not need any scientific studies.

The most studied effect of regular sauna use is on cardiovascular health. It reduces risk of high blood pressure, stroke and memory diseases. Regular sauna (at least 4 times a week) can halve the risk of death from cardiovascular disease or coronary heart disease.

Some other documented beneficial effects of regular sauna bathing includes:

Normalises blood pressure
Improves heart health
Soothes aches and pains
Reduced effect of pulmonary diseases including asthma and pneumonia
Reduced effect of psychological stress
Reduced symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis

Other general benefits includes:

Reset body, mind and spirit
Improves sleep and relaxation
Detoxification through heavy sweating
Cleanses skin
Hot and cold adaptation
Helps with creation of structured water in your body
Improves overall body metabolism

It is very common for Eastern Europeans to use Banya and steam body massage with Venik as a remedy against early stages of cold sickness, running nose, coughing and flu. It is often said that “Banya heals everything”.