Already a hit in Canada for its emotional wellness programming fused with group-based hot and cold therapy, Othership has landed in New York City
Othership, a sauna and ice bath studio that combines self-care and community, has launched in New York City, marking the first United States location for the brand that’s become a household name in Canada.
In NYC, a city where many of the social activities revolve around food or alcohol, Othership is promoting powerful techniques and tools for self-transformation, like mental visualization, motivating music, and essential oils. The studio offers emotional wellness programming against a backdrop of hot and cold therapy.
Robbie Bent, who serves as CEO, founded the brand in Toronto in 2022 alongside his wife Emily Bent, Myles Farmer, Amanda Laine and Harrison Taylor. Since then, Othership has amassed over 60,000 followers on Instagram and 1,000-plus five-star reviews on Google. The new New York City location just opened, in Manhattan’s Flatiron neighborhood, with a Brooklyn studio set to open in 2025.
“Our third location is a testament to New Yorkers’ desire for spaces to connect with themselves and their communities,” says Bent. “As a society, we’re starting to think much more about how much our emotional state impacts not only our physical health, but day-to-day life. Othership’s unique take on hot and cold therapy has helped over 200,000 people de-stress and transform their relationships.”
credit: Othership
Meticulously Designed Wellness Programming
Othership’s guided classes begin in a communal space with a spaceship-inspired aesthetic. Classgoers gather in the space before class to mingle and sip tea or water. Before the sauna portion begins, the Othership instructors present to the communal space to explain their rationale for the class theme.
Each class has a cohesive message, or theme, such as “Awakening,” “Heart Opener,” or “A-Z Emotions.” The guided classes fall into one of three categories: Up, Down and All Around for energy, relaxation or emotional connection, respectively.
Next, the group moves into the communal sauna area, which can comfortably fit around 70 people. The sauna portion was the most reflective, with guided visualization exercises. Some classes also involve partnering up with others in the class for exercises.
The temperatures in the sauna range from 175-185 degrees Fahrenheit with humidity ranging from 0 to 20%. In the sauna, instructors use elements like breathwork, towel-waving for essential oil diffusion, and a curated soundscape.
credit: Othership
Next, the guided class is brought to the ice baths, which can either fit two or four people during a two-minute plunge. The temperatures in the bath range from 32-40 degrees Fahrenheit.
Aside from the guided classes, Othership also offers ‘Free Flow,” a 75-minute self-guided journey, or Quieter Free Flow, which encourages soft-spoken interactions and a relaxed playlist. It also offers an Evening Social, a two-hour sober-curious gathering to replace a night out.
A Better Way To Relax & Unwind
Othership has raised more than $10 million in venture funding since it’s founding just two years ago, with backers including early investors in Headspace, as well as the founders of SoulCycle and Daybreaker, along with Sean Mendes.
“People are tired of going to a bar or restaurant in order to have a social night out; there needs to be a better way,” Laine says of the concept’s popularity. “People want to reconnect with themselves, relax, drop their guard, and feel safe. Othership is a way to socialize without the distractions of technology and reap the health benefits of these practices along the way.”
To bring the Othership vision to life in New York City, the team hired Futurestudio to develop its creative direction for the physical spaces.
Introductory pricing begins at $64 for a drop-in session, with class passes ranging from $33 to $67.
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