By Debra Bokur
Reprint from Spa Magazine, July/August 2003

Sweat Bathing, known traditionally as banya,
may be the hottest path to paradise.

      Still not widely available in the United States, banya is slowly catching on. Rhana Pytell, spa director of Gaia Day Spa in La Jolla, California, has offered it on her menu of treatments since 1997, and she firmly believes in its therapeutic properties. "Banya is an alchemy that goes beyond a simple body treatment or massage," she says. "It's a very powerful therapy. In our moderate climate here in Southern California, there are no intense temperatures. The body isn't stressed and revitalized as it is in other climates that have extremes of hot and cold."

      Banya treatments at Gaia are 60 or 80 minutes in length and follow the same pattern used by Vyssokov. Instead of oak leaves, however, Pytell prefers eucalyptus that grows in abundance in the area. And as an alternative to pure honey, she blends it with mango body butter, which both cleanses and moisturizes the skin.

      "After the client rinses this off, we do a cooling treatment that focuses on lowering overall body temperature, especially in the legs," she says. "Then we apply a peppermint scalp treatment. I suppose it's not quite as rough and earthy as a more traditional banya, but our clients love it."

      I've fallen in love with the post-banya feeling-one of exhilaration and overall well-being. As I finish my tea and prepare to leave this sanctuary, so thoughtfully created by Vyssokov, I realize exactly where this experience has led me. I've been reborn like the phoenix.