Venik is the “tsar of banya” – a leafy, fragrant bundle of birch, oak, eucalyptus, juniper and other tree twigs. The venik helps with muscle and joint pain. It cleans the skin, accelerates the healing of wounds and scratches…. and it smells wonderfully. Its special virtue is that it widens the small bronchi, aiding in the removal of phlegm and improves the ventilation of the lungs. The leaves contain essential oils, tanning substances and vitamins A and C.
Venik Platza combines the natural healing power of tree leaves with the revitalizing heat of a Russian steam room. We use fresh birch or oak tree veniks that have been soaking in hot water to help bring out the oils and aromas. The next stage of the venik platza involves a careful lashing of the back, loin, thighs, calves and feet. As a rule, this procedure last for only about a minute and is often followed by a quicker phase of patting. At this point one can make use of another important technique – venik compression. The practitioner directs a couple of gentle lashes at a part of the body (usually starting with a back) then pulls the venik in the air, turns it upside down, and lays it down on the body and presses it with a hand for several seconds. The hot part of the venik is now compressed to the body, which makes it possible to provide an intensive and localized heat therapy. Venik compressions are extremely useful during recovery from physical stress. The above techniques of the platza can also be used when a person is lying on the back. Venik platza can be repeated in several sauna sessions. The last one sometimes includes rubbing the venik on the whole body: the leaves are slightly pressed to the skin with a hand of a practitioner. This helps the skin to receive that final portion of vitamins and essential oils contained in the leaves of a venik. If you decide to try a venik platza on your own, it is recommended that you follow the above explained procedures to achieve the best result.
Types of Veniks
Birch
A business, as much as an individual, demonstrates a certain perspective and a philosophy. It can aspire to the general good of the local community using knowledge from international sources. Its success can be measured in part by the contributions to the individual lives it has helped. ARCHIMEDES BANYA’s philosophy combines a constantly evolving up-to-date facility development with implementation of new cultural ideas. The BANYA meets the needs of our visitors, by providing a great steam, massage, food, and relaxation facility. ARCHIMEDES BANYA plays a vital role for our community by providing a setting where people are able to meet and enjoy becoming healthier and feeling better. We believe that the diversity of cultures involved in our facility enhances the social aspect and enriches entertainment life of the San Francisco Bay Area.
Oak
This type of venik is good for people with oily skin: it makes it more elastic and has a powerful anti-inflammatory effect. Oak tree aroma helps to keep blood pressure stable while in Russian sauna. This venik calms nerves down and relieves stress.
Coniferous
Increases sweating, intensifies blood circulation deep in the muscles and even in internal organs. Coniferous venik is great for pain alleviating spine massage.
Eucalyptus
Contains 1-3% of essential oils that give it well-known healing power. It works especially well in treating sore throat and other cold related symptoms.
Venik Platza is an amazing technique that combines the natural healing power of tree leaves with revitalizing heat of a Russian steam room. Platza is a type of massage improves blood circulation both overall and in the specific areas of application.
Fresh birch or oak tree veniks can be used right after they are soaked in warm water for 10-25 minutes and are heated up for 2-3 more minutes in the sauna itself. Usually the platza starts with a masseur gently patting a person lying on a bench with a venik, starting from feet and going up to the neck. The reverse movement should also cover arms. There should be about four repetitions of this movement, each taking approximately a minute.
The next stage of the venik platza involves a careful tapping of the back, loin, thighs, calves and feet. As a rule, this procedure lasts for only about a minute, and is often followed by a quicker phase of patting.
At this point one can make use of another important technique – venik compression. The masseur directs a couple of gentle taps at a part of the body (usually, starting with a back), then pulls the venik in the air, turns it upside down, and lays it down on the body and presses it with a hand for several seconds. This way, the hot part of the venik is now compressed to the body, which makes it possible to provide an intensive and localized heat therapy. Venik compressions are extremely useful during recovery from physical stress.
The above techniques of venik platza can also be used when a person is lying on the back. Venik platza can be repeated in several sauna sessions. The last one sometimes includes rubbing the venik on the whole body: the leaves are slightly pressed to the skin with a hand of a masseur. This helps the skin to receive that final portion of vitamins and essential oils contained in leaves of a venik.