The Turkish bath has three sections. The first is a lobby with a fountain, changing rooms and a ticket office are located here. At the cash desk you need to pay for the desired procedures. You can choose a regular wash or a massage wash. At the ticket office you will be given a special bath towel with Velcro and traditional wooden slippers. The changing rooms are a cross between a den and a locker, where you can leave your belongings in a locked drawer. After putting on flip-flops and wrapping a towel around your hips, you need to go to the next room. It contains toilets and showers. In the next, main section, in fact, all the main action takes place.
Hararet is warm rather than hot. The temperature cannot be compared with that which usually reigns in Russian baths. There is a lot of soft, thick steam, and light penetrates through special holes in the dome. There are marble benches everywhere on which visitors lie. Massage therapists work in special niches. Hot and cold water flows from numerous taps into special sinks. Most often, in the back of the hall there is a small pool, which serves for decorative purposes, since the Turks consider standing water unclean and do not bathe in it. In the middle of the room there is a special elevation called the “belly stone.” There is a firebox underneath, and the stone itself distributes heat throughout the room.
Getting old is cool.
I spent half my life fighting aging, and it won. Why did I waste my time so mediocrely? Why didn't I immediately admit defeat and try to just live? I don't know. All my life I pretended to be someone else: more sociable, more sexually liberated, younger, more stylish. I've spent tens of thousands of hours covering my gray hair and weighing it. And finally I told myself - enough is enough.
A year ago I stopped dyeing my hair. I gave up dieting, and now I only make sure that my diet is complete - once, and tasty - twice. I've gained 10 kilos and I don't care. I did not renew my contract with the fitness club, because in fact, of all the physical activities, I only like running in the park in the morning, while also walking the dog. I stopped spending crazy money on cosmetics because for everyday makeup I need foundation, eyebrow pencil and mascara.
I'm 52 years old, but I feel like I'm 30 years old. No, I'm not crazy, I see all these wrinkles, sagging sides and age spots. I'm talking about the internal state, the state of the soul. I just don’t kill myself anymore in the field of “bring your body into a state that matches your sense of self.” I look 50, but in my heart I'm 30. That's it. Dot.
They say about people like me “not a fighter.” And I don't understand why this is bad. Yes, I chose the path of least resistance: to be happy just like that, and not in spite of it.
Visiting the hamam: what you need to know
In order for you to have only positive impressions after your first visit to the hammam, and for the procedures performed to bring maximum benefit, you should take into account some features. Below is a detailed description with photographs, which will help to better imagine the structure and operating principle of the Turkish bath.
To understand what a hammam looks like, you should know the location of its rooms:
- Jamekan is the room from which the hammam begins. As a rule, it consists of a lobby with ticket offices and a locker room. Also, there is always a fountain located here.
- Sogukluk is the next room, which is a washing room with showers and toilets. The maintained temperature here is 30 – 35 degrees.
- Hararet is the main, warmest room of the hammam. The temperature in it reaches 50 - 60 degrees. The hararet is located in the center and is distinguished by the so-called “belly stone”. It is a firebox that creates heat for the entire room. On the marble benches located here, visitors are treated to a healing traditional massage. Also, a swimming pool is often installed here, which is called “kurna”.
The general recommendations offered below will also be very useful for visitors going to the hammam for the first time.
Be silent
If I have something to say, I say it, and I’m not afraid of being misunderstood, misheard, and I don’t think about what others might, of course, probably think about me. It's their problem, not mine. And if someone treated me badly, offended me, offended me or was rude, I will not remain silent, I will tell him or her: “You are rude, you said disgusting things, it’s unpleasant for me to communicate with you.” And I won’t think about what I did to deserve rudeness. It cannot be earned at all. There are just louts in the world. And we need to put them in their place.
Useful properties of hamam
Thanks to a unique set of procedures and special temperature conditions, the hammam has a comprehensive and beneficial effect on the body.
Namely:
- heals and cleanses the skin, relieving inflammatory processes;
- normalizes the secretion of the sebaceous glands of the scalp;
- accelerates metabolism and promotes the removal of toxins;
- has a beneficial effect on blood circulation, improving microcirculation;
- relieves inflammation in the nasopharynx;
- improves the functioning of the respiratory system;
- has a positive effect on the functioning of the digestive system;
- serves as an excellent prevention of diseases of the musculoskeletal system;
- helps get rid of headaches and insomnia;
- helps relieve fatigue and irritability;
- significantly improves overall emotional state.
Now, knowing detailed information about the hammam - how many degrees the temperature is in its steam rooms, what are the basic rules for visiting and what fundamentally distinguishes it from other types of baths, you can safely go for healing procedures.
Worry about how I look
My husband (yes, I'm married) suggested that I have breakfast at a cafe. I went to get ready and discovered that the dry shampoo (and shampoo in general) had run out. I've already worn jeans twice. And three years ago I would definitely have told him that I was not ready to go somewhere like this. And now I thought, damn it, my beloved man is inviting me to have breakfast with him. Does it matter if I washed my hair? He saw me this morning and he wants to go to the cafe with me. Don't you care what the people at the next table think? And yes, I didn’t iron the T-shirt. I don't even pet them anymore. They are clean. It's enough.
Sauna in fitness clubs: why is it needed?
Today, fitness clubs have begun offering their guests the use of a sauna after an intense workout. The choice is amazingly diverse: at your service there is a Turkish hammam, a Finnish sauna with dry steam, and a traditional Russian steam room... However, is exposure to high temperatures immediately after exercise really beneficial for the body? Let's figure it out together. The best time to visit the sauna is after a workout. The main effect of the sauna is on the cardiovascular system. Heat raises your body temperature, causing your blood vessels to dilate. Increased blood circulation accelerates the natural healing process of the body - it removes lactic acid that occurs after exercise. This relieves muscle and joint pain so you don't feel sore after your workout the next morning. It is important to observe the proportions of the load (temperature and duration of stay in the steam room, the total duration of the procedure, frequency of visits, etc.) - You can save time, says Mario Sarno, director of the Rittenhouse Square Fitness Club, and do stretching right in the sauna, if possible, or upon exiting the steam room to remove residual lactic acid. Going to the sauna will prepare your body for your next workout and help prevent injury, and is especially helpful if you are trying new exercises or increasing the intensity. Sweating is good for you Every time you sweat, your skin cleanses itself by washing away bacteria and dead skin cells, leaving you with a healthy glow. Heat accelerates blood circulation, improving blood circulation, skin color and texture. Visiting the sauna is especially good in winter, when your skin does not have enough opportunity to increase blood circulation due to cold weather. Both body and soul The benefits of a sauna extend not only to muscles and skin. Regular use of the sauna helps people suffering from hypertension and heart failure, and is also useful for preventing heart attacks. Don't forget about the beneficial effects of a sauna on the psyche. High temperatures stimulate the production of endorphins, and a calm atmosphere helps relieve stress and relax.
Tips for visiting the sauna When visiting the sauna, you need to follow some precautions. The procedure should be carried out in a gentle manner. You should not visit the sauna immediately after excessive exercise. The period of time between exercise and visiting the sauna depends on your well-being: sometimes it is insignificant (10-15 minutes), and in some cases it is better to postpone visiting the sauna for several hours or even until the next day. After significant exertion, accompanied by active sweating, it is better to take a break of 60-120 minutes before visiting the sauna. It is necessary to drink additional water (about 700 ml) to replenish the fluid that you will lose while in the sauna, especially since your body may already be partially dehydrated after exercise. Do not use the sauna as a weight loss tool because... all the liquid will be restored as soon as you drink or eat something. For long-term weight loss, diet and exercise are beneficial, not short trips to the sauna. Do not exceed the recommended time in the steam room. For dry saunas, the “threshold” is 15-20 minutes; in a Turkish bath you can stay a little longer. Under no circumstances should you visit the sauna after cardio training. This will lead to significant overload of the cardiovascular system, which will negatively affect health. Too frequent visits to the steam room can lead to disruptions in the functioning of the cardiorespiratory system. When sitting in the sauna, be sure to use a towel. For public baths and saunas this is a necessary hygiene requirement. If you suddenly feel unwell, immediately leave the steam room, even if you just entered. Based on materials from the sites: phillymag.com, sportaim.ru, sportobzor.ru
The difference between a hammam and a Russian bath
To experience all the benefits of this establishment, you need to know how to visit the hammam correctly. It is very important to evaluate in advance all the benefits of Russian and Turkish baths, to find out what the health benefits and effects of each of them are.
It’s worth saying right away that the differences between these two types of baths are visible to the naked eye. If a Russian steam room is always decorated with wood, then a Turkish hammam is always decorated with marble. In the east, it is customary to create the most acceptable conditions for comfortable accommodation of guests and take care of their comfort. But the differences don't end there.
About the benefits of a Turkish bath
The benefits of a Turkish bath are invaluable, because it has a beneficial effect on many organs and systems of the human body.
Before you go somewhere, you should know the accepted rules in advance. This is especially true for places that are not entirely familiar to our culture, such as the Turkish bath hammam, the rules for visiting which few people still know. But they are the ones who guarantee that you will get maximum benefit and pleasure from this event.
If you manage to go to Turkey and set aside time there to visit the hammam, then first you should prepare yourself mentally for the fact that it will be very beautiful, rich and unusual. The fact is that for Muslim countries, steam rooms have long been one of the few places for meetings, relaxation and communication, so they did not skimp on their construction and decoration.
Most of the decoration is stone and marble. Even the beds are made not from the usual wood, but from this material. But in the atmosphere of the hammam they heat up to 35-40 degrees, and it is very pleasant to relax on them.
Traditionally, the hammam consists of three main rooms. In the first room, nothing special awaits you: a reception desk, a wardrobe. The only feature, a mandatory attribute, is a fountain.
The second room is something like a locker room, where you can take off your clothes, put on a swimsuit, tie a mandatory sheet, change into wooden slippers, and visit the restroom. The temperature inside is close to normal, but clearly higher than outside. Those who know how to properly go to the hammam prefer to sit in this room for a while, warm up and prepare for visiting the steam room.
The third room is the steam room itself. It must have a round shape and a dome-shaped arch. Thanks to this, condensation does not drip onto the head, but flows down to the walls. It is in this room that all the most interesting and useful things happen.
How to take a steam bath in a Turkish bath
So, how to steam in a hammam? First you need to warm up in a warm room. The temperature provided in this room will be enough for the body to warm up well and be ready for further procedures. You need to steam properly - on a marble lounger - until sweat begins to appear.
Next, you need a massage therapist to give you a good massage on heated marble, which will help restore flexibility to your joints and youth to your body. The massage should be performed using rough mittens, which help improve blood circulation. Next, peeling is done. A special brush removes dead and keratinized particles from the body.
After this, you can enjoy a relaxing soaping with a special soap made from natural vegetable oils. In most cases, olive oil or peach oil is used.
Now you need to take a shower or plunge into a chilled pool in order to close the pores after the peeling.
Now you can go to the steam rooms. The temperature in them is usually 70-100°C. After the steam room, the following procedure is performed: foam is lathered all over the body using a rough washcloth, then you need to douse yourself with cool water and plunge into the pool.
Then you should apply a nourishing cream to the skin. Now you can cool down and relax while drinking Turkish milk tea.
Now we know how to visit a Turkish bath.
