The Banya Lab
Two rituals

The stage changes. The essence does not.

Both are banya — heat, venik, cold, silence. One is held at the dock. The other leaves the harbour and takes the cold plunge out into the Pacific.

The Lab Session

The full ritual, held at the dock. Small group, four rounds, two hours.

A sailing vessel in Ala Wai Harbor

  1. Arrival — phones surrendered, tea, silence.
  2. First round — gentle heat, the body adapts.
  3. Par — the master works the body with venik.
  4. Cold — plunge or cold water poured over you.
  5. Rest — on deck, in silence.
  6. Repeat — three to four rounds in total.
  7. Afterglow — tea, water, no conversation.
$175
per person · With Master Yura
$250
per person · With Master Max — the Signature Reset

$600 minimum per session. One or two guests cover it together.

About 2 hours · 1 to 4 guests

A fresh venik held over a guest's back
The Ocean Session

The same ritual, taken out of the harbour. The cold plunge becomes the ocean.

Under sail, open Pacific

  1. The vessel leaves the harbour — movement becomes part of the ritual.
  2. The same four rounds of heat and venik.
  3. The plunge is the open Pacific — deeper, saltier, colder than any tub.
  4. Between rounds — live sound: singing bowls, hang drum. Never speakers.
  5. Silence during par. Conversation only in the afterglow.
  6. Sunset or night. The light works with the ritual.
$1,000–1,200
for the group · Private outing

By application. Members of the Lab first.

About 3 hours · 4 to 5 guests

The vessel seen from the water
The words we use
Banya
The ritual itself. Never sauna, never steam room, never bathhouse.
Par
The act of working the body with steam and venik. The verb and the craft.
Venik
A bundle of fresh oak or birch branches, used by the master.
Master
Never attendant, never therapist. The master leads the ritual.
Afterglow
The state afterwards. What people come back for.

Apply for a session