Presented by The Bath House Group & Banya No.1
Wednesday 18 February 7–10pm
Banya No.1 Chiswick
404–406 Chiswick High Rd, London W4 5TF
Join us for a relaxed and immersive evening celebrating traditional and modern bathhouse culture.
Set in the authentic surroundings of Banya No.1 Chiswick, the night brings together communal ritual, guided sauna practices, live music, and East European food.
Led by Toby Mott, Ksenia Bobkova, and experienced bathhouse practitioners and sauna masters, the evening features an open-format programme including Schmeissing, Parenie, Pirtis, Aufguss, and breathwork with cold plunge.
Live music throughout the evening, featuring renowned klezmer musician Oleg Lapidus, Soho cabaret diva Rachel D’Arcy, and international opera soprano Jasper Kindleysides
Traditional East European snacks and tea will be served.
Tickets: £85 per person
Suitable for both newcomers and experienced bathers.
The Rituals
Schmeissing
Rooted in Jewish and Eastern European bathhouse traditions, Schmeissing is an invigorating exfoliation ritual performed in steam using soap, a raffia brush, and heat, followed by a cold rinse or plunge. A cornerstone of London bathhouse culture since the early 20th century, it builds camaraderie, endurance, and mutual respect.
Parenie
A traditional Russian banya practice where the body is gently worked with heated birch or oak veniks. Using steam, rhythm, and scent, parenie warms the body deeply, stimulates circulation, and promotes relaxation and renewal.
Pirtis
A Lithuanian sauna tradition combining hot steam with wellness rituals and leaf whisking to enhance circulation. Deeply purifying and meditative, Pirtis is rooted in ancient Baltic practices.
Aufguss
A modern sauna ritual where water or ice infused with essential oils is poured over hot stones. The sauna master circulates heat and fragrance using rhythmic towel movements, often accompanied by music or guided breathing for a powerful multisensory experience.
Breathwork & Cold Plunge
Guided breathing helps calm the body and mind while entering the cold plunge, turning cold exposure into a grounding and restorative experience.
Food & Drink
A selection of traditional East European snacks will be served, including:
• Rye bread and herring
• Salmon and crackers
• Olivier tartlettes
• Pickled vegetables
• Ossetian pies
• Bliny with cheese and salmon
• Tea
About the Hosts
The Bath House Group is a community centred around shared bathing rituals and social connection, hosting immersive events rooted in both traditional and modern bathhouse cultures.
Toby Mott, Founder & Formulator of Toby Bath House Supplies, is a master practitioner of the schmeisse with over 30 years’ experience from Porchester and Canning Town Baths.
Julia Blest is the female lead, dedicated to passing the tradition on to a new generation and welcoming more women into the world of schmeissing.
Igor Ryzhov
Operations Manager at Banya No.1, breathwork facilitator, and wellness practitioner. Igor brings deep expertise in traditional banya culture, guiding guests through breathwork and heat practices that promote relaxation, resilience, and nervous-system reset.
Sergey Portnov & Team
Led by Sergey Portnov, Head Steam Master at Banya No.1 Chiswick, the team will deliver a guided aroma parenie ritual, combining heat, herbal infusions, and rhythm for a deeply restorative steam experience.
“There is before a bath and after a bath. The Schmeisse restores body and soul.”
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