Probably the buzziest buzzword of the year is wellness. While some might be sick of it or view it as just another trend, I for one am grateful. No longer is our life all about the “daily grind” or the “hustle” but it’s now focused on giving ourselves the necessary time and space to recharge and recenter. Wellness means lots of different things to different people but regardless of your definition or how you choose to embrace it, it is a necessity.
If you’re looking to explore the area of wellness further or take your practice to the next level, it’s easier than ever because Toronto’s newest wellness hub just opened in the downtown core. Situated on Adelaide West near King is Othership and it’s a one-of-a-kind oasis.
The 3,000 square foot space includes a massive sauna that fits 50 people, a tea room, four private ice baths, and dedicated rooms for guided classes and meditations. There are three types of experiences to sign up for at Othership — a 60-minute class that guides you through the process, a 75-minute self-guided Free Flow session, and a 120-minute evening social. There are also evening events that feature guided conversations that facilitate sharing, expression and even fear or trauma release. Plus if you can’t make it in, Othership has also has an app that was created in 2021 where users can access the benefits of breathwork anytime, anywhere.
The idea for Othership was brought to fruition in 2020 seeing as folks everywhere were dealing with managing stress, anxiety, and various mental health struggles. The group of five co-founders began to offer guided breathwork sessions over Zoom to their friends and over time, the response and demand grew to more than 1,000 people who wanted in on the action, and the need for a permanent location presented itself.
“People are tired of going to a bar or restaurant in order to have a social night out. There needs to be another way; people want to reconnect with themselves, relax, drop their shoulders and feel safe,” said Amanda Laine, co-founder and lead facilitator. “We envision Othership as a way to socialize without the distractions of technology, and reap all the many health benefits of these practices along the way.”
The interior design, done by Futurestudio, as well as the experience has been carefully thought out and through the use of plantings, natural materials, and warm colours, you can expect to feel an immediate sense of calm and respite upon walking in. What’s more, is that you’ll find minimal mirrors as well which encourage users to be more present in their practice for the full experience.
Want to check it out for yourself? Both drop-in and monthly membership options are available. Pricing starts at $45 for a drop-in session, while membership options start also at $45 per month. But don’t forget to take advantage of a special intro deal on your first visit to Othership for just $25, or $99 for your first three visits.
Featured Image: Graydon Herriott