HOW IT ALL STARTED

ANCIENT KIEVAN RUSSIA

According to the chronicles of Nestor Slavic tribes of ancient Kievan Russia being in harsh climate conditions, widely used washing and soaring in the baths, self-massage by whipping with birch or oak twigs over the body (tailing).

When rubbing the joints and kneading the muscles, ointments, fats, and special potions cooked from herbs and leaves were widely used.

A similar massage was also common among the Finns and Karelians.