Steaming in Sochi

Jae C. Hong/AP

Bathhouse worker Alexander Bogatov prepares a hot pot at the British Banya bathhouse, in Krasnaya Polyana, Russia, Feb. 15, 2014. Preparations begin late in the afternoon, at least three hours before a bathing party arrives.

The eclectic outdoor bathhouse is just a few miles away from the ski slopes where athletes are competing for Olympics medals.

The banya is an institution in Russia, where bathhouse traditions date back for centuries.

Krasnaya Polyana

Jae C. Hong/AP

Olga Gharkova bathes in a hot pot at the British Banya bathhouse, Feb. 15, 2014.

"The most important thing about the banya is to have a good spirit in the body," says bathhouse master Ivan Tkach.

Krasnaya Polyana

Jae C. Hong/AP

Bathhouse master Ivan Tkach, right, walks through the outdoor sauna area at the British Banya bathhouse, Feb. 15, 2014.

Krasnaya Polyana

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A guest sits on a bench in the outdoor sauna area at the British Banya bathhouse, Feb. 15, 2014.

Krasnaya Polyana

Jae C. Hong/AP

Olga Gharkova enters a aromatherapy room at the British Banya bathhouse, Saturday, Feb. 15, 2014, in Krasnaya Polyana, Russia, just a few miles away from the ski slopes where athletes are competing for Olympic medals. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

Krasnaya Polyana

Jae C. Hong/AP

Dried herbs sit in the sun outside a steam sauna at the British Banya bathhouse, Feb. 15, 2014, just a few miles away from the ski slopes where athletes are competing for Olympic medals.

Krasnaya Polyana

Jae C. Hong/AP

Bathhouse worker Roman Korotkov soaks leaves in hot water at the British Banya bathhouse, Feb. 15, 2014.

Krasnaya Polyana

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Steam rises from bathhouse worker Roman Korotkov at the British Banya bathhouse, Feb. 15, 2014.

Krasnaya Polyana

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Receptionist Anastasia Kandyba rests on a swing set in the outdoor sauna area at the British Banya bathhouse, Feb. 15, 2014.

Krasnaya Polyana

Jae C. Hong/AP

Bathhouse master Ivan Tkach starts a fire to heat up the stones for a sweat lodge at the British Banya bathhouse, Feb. 15, 2014.

Krasnaya Polyana

Jae C. Hong/AP

Bathhouse workers Roman Korotkov, center left, and Alexander Bogatov chat in the outdoor sauna area at the British Banya bathhouse, Feb. 15, 2014.

Krasnaya Polyana

Jae C. Hong/AP

Olga Gharkova, right, and Svetlana Fedorenko sit in a tea room at the British Banya bathhouse, Feb. 15, 2014.