Last week, I decided to go to Othership, a sauna and cold plunge experience, and instantly fell in love with it. The first time I went (because yes, I went to two classes in 4 days), I attended a guided class. This class consisted of a 75 minute embarkment through the sauna and ice bath. It was 20 minutes in the sauna, with guided commentary, different lights, music, breathing techniques. Followed by cold plunge in groups, then back to the sauna, and then some tea. It was NOT what I was expecting, and took me a little off guard, but I loved it so much.
The sauna has three different levels — I was on the bottom and that was SO hot. I sweat BUCKETS. So much, that I was able to do the cold plunge. The actual sauna is HUGE and fits 64 people — it was packed. All places were taken. Even though it sounds like it could be a little gross, it wasn’t at all. Everything felt very clean.
The cold plunges are also beautiful. There is a guide to count you through the 2 minutes as well as helping focusing in on your breath.
Corny, but cute.
The second time I went was a free flow, where you were able to go between the sauna and cold plunge area as pleased. Although I loved that experience, I REALYL loved the guided experience. So much, that I keep checking when I can go back. So if you are in NYC (or in Toronto) or you know of a different company that has a sauna / cold plunge class, I say YES, DO IT. TAKE IT. To read more about Othership in the NYTimes, go here. Highly highly recommend — going alone, or with friends or loved ones.
Othership truly seems to have mastered the “social wellness” atmosphere. There is something incredibly powerful about a guided 75-minute journey that combines breathing techniques and curated music to help you push through the heat. Most people find that the structured environment makes the cold plunge much more approachable, especially when you have a guide counting you through those challenging two minutes. Whether you are sweating buckets on the bottom tier or bracing for the ice, the communal energy of 64 people pursuing the same goal creates a unique sense of clarity and connection!