I am not one for spa’s and massages but when I heard about Banya No.1 Russian traditional bathhouse who gives guests a treatment like no other of slapping you with leaves I just had to go along and check out their signature treatment parenie. I attended on a complimentary experience along with some other community

Here at Banya No.1 our signature treatment is Parenie – an invigorating thermal treatment using leafy and fragrant bundles of birch, oak and eucalyptus twigs performed in a steam room. In Russia, this bundle is simply called Venik. The treatment we offer is quite intense. And, no, it’s not about the slashing you with Venik,

A traditional Finnish sauna is very similar to a Russian banya. However, there are some extremely significant differences. For example, a Finnish sauna is usually something you can find in any sports club or spa. By contrast, a Russian banya is all about the unique experience, which is why it always stands out on its

Here at Banya No.1, we offer a wide range of traditional Russian food and drinks. One of the most delicious ways to quench your thirst between detoxifying Parenie sessions is to have a glass of the refreshing and fizzy organic drink called Kvass. What Is Kvass? Kvass is a lightly fermented, non-alcoholic beverage commonly made

Between 24th February and 1st March 2020, Russians celebrate Maslenitsa or Pancake Week, a holiday that marks the end of winter and the beginning of spring. Maslenitsa has been observed since the Ancient Slav times when, due to their pagan rituals, it was essential to say ‘goodbye’ to the winter. Initially, it was celebrated at

If you were to find yourself, as I did, prostrate and naked on a bench in an infernal steam sauna, your face mashed into a pile of birch leaves as a hulking Russian banschik beats you with bundles of oak branches, you might question your life choices — which is precisely the point of the

It is a well-known fact that beer is a drink that is enjoyed all over the world. Well, Russia is no exception as it is the second most popular alcoholic beverage after vodka. The history of beer in Russia dates back almost 2,000 years to the Ancient Slavs. Surprisingly, in their language, ‘pivo’ (beer) and

For many of us, a hard-working week always ends with a relaxing Friday night drink. In fact, from a biological perspective, this is a very reasonable way of winding down; we are usually tired and full of stress, and alcohol helps the blood vessels dilate which in turn makes us more relaxed and happy. However,

Can you recall the feeling of your muscles aching after physical exercise? Whether you are a professional athlete or simply a casual gym-goer, you will have definitely experienced this sensation. While many people believe that this type of pain is completely normal and is caused by overtraining, it is in fact a result of ‘under-recovery’.

During this challenging period when hand sanitisers and anti-bacterial soaps are all sold out, we can offer you Siberian Body Wash treatment that can actually disinfect your body. Siberian Body Wash – the treatment where fragrant bundles of birch twigs are used for a deep, exfoliating treatment. The silky bubble wash removes the dead skin

Anyone who’s been following Girl on the River for a while will know I am a passionate convert to saunas and their beneficial effects, ever since I raced in Finland a couple of years ago and a lakeside sauna session transformed me from a wobbly, aching, potentially-injured mess to good as new. Since then I’ve

As we all know, it is extremely important to stretch after you exercise because this increases blood circulation and helps your muscles recover from the workout, ultimately alleviating tight muscles and muscle soreness. Stretching will also improve your flexibility which will in turn reduce the chances of injury. So, how can we take our recovery