I’m not really a spa guy.
I know there are lots of you out there, and I’m great with that, but just not something I’ve ever done…until last week.
My brothers are huge fans of a Russian Spa here in Seattle called Banya 5, and last week we all went (my brothers, brother-in-law and some other friends) Wasn’t quite sure what to expect. They dude 
After throwing on our bathing suits, yes we wore suits – it’s not THAT kind of spa, we headed for the hot sauna. I’ve done saunas before, but this place was roughly like being on the surface of the sun while inside a rain forest. The walls were too hot to touch, so you just sat on your towel and after a minute our so the monsoon-sweat began. I didn’t know I had that much liquid in me. Not knowing how long I should stay in here, the helpful guide gave me the specific instructions - “you’ll know.” He was right.
After we emerged came the most memorable part of the experience (kinda like the drill is the most memorable part of the visit to the dentist). Covered in sweat we jumped into a FREEZING COLD pool.
My heart rate instantly shot up to like 300 and in a weird way my skin felt hotter than before. That soon changed and I was just a bald shivering guy wanting badly to hug the deadly walls of the sauna. There were lots of other cool things that day (pun intended) like a salt water bath where you couldn’t help but float, your typical hot tub, a nap room with awesome lounge chairs, and my favorite – a steam room with intense eucalyptus vapors that made me feel like I’d never have a cold again. Also, if you didn’t want the ice water bath there was an freezing shower thing where you pulled a chain and were dumped on with water so cold that I’m pretty sure chunks of ice bounced off my head. Pulling that chain was awful tough…
It was a great day, and hard to leave. We did 3 circuits of the different “stations.” And I left feeling surprisingly mellowed and relaxed (a little bit like a long church meeting). Russian Spa = AWESOME. Can’t wait to go back, but I’m wearing this next time:
6 comments:
Look at you! Going to a Spa, impressive! Though that doesn't sound like the kind of spa I would want to go to.. definitely more of a man thing.
Sounds interesting.. I am not sure I need that at this point in my life..
Love the Costanza photo!!
That sounds like a lot of fun & totally relaxing. The salt water pool sounds awesome. I watched the video on that website - just chatting with that massage therapist would be totally worth a visit - she was awesome!! Normally I zone out during a massage, but I would totally stay awake just to listen to her accent- Favorite quote: "Russian People. Extreme People."
Also pretty cool how everything is in English and Russian on that site - kinda like how everything was in English and Snake Rattles on the last site you linked. hahahah
Parts of it definately sound great like the eucalyptus, the hot tub, and the nap room... but YIKES on the cold stuff!!! Guess thats what you get though when you have super star brothers!
I did a spa day for my 30th bday pres from the hubster - I only wish I hadn't done it alone - 8 hours of alone time as a mom is uncomfortably, unnatural.
Ahh, Russian banyas. We had friends while in Russia who swore by them. There is no optional bathing suits there though...gotta love all things Russian!
That doesn't sound like any spa I've ever been to. I guess the "Russian" part should have clued me in... Definitely a Man Spa. Glad you survived.
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