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Othership Toronto Review: Honest Thoughts, What It’s Really Like & How I Finally Felt Calm (Plus a Discount Code)

  • Toronto Popups
  • Jan 5
  • 6 min read

Updated: Jan 5

If you’re Googling “Othership Toronto thoughts” and scrolling Reddit threads wondering whether Othership is actually worth it, especially if you’re introverted, anxious, sober, or just tired of overpriced Toronto wellness, I get it.


I was terrified before my first visit.


This is my honest Othership review: what it’s really like, what Reddit doesn’t tell you, who it’s actually for, and how to try it for less using a discount code.



Eye-level view of a serene meditation pod inside Othership Toronto
Outside the Othership doors

What is Othership?

Othership is a sauna and cold plunge experience with locations in Toronto (and now New York City!) that focuses on heat, cold, breathwork, and nervous system regulation. Depending on the session you book, it can be guided or self-directed, social or quiet, structured or totally freeform. They also have events like sauna stand-up comedy, social parties, singles events, and more.

Picture the following:

  • A sauna and ice bath

  • A little tea room/relaxation area to take a break between cold & hot

  • Guided breath work and nervous system reset

  • A sober-friendly environment

  • A place to laugh, cry, or just sit totally silent and keep to yourself

But honestly, this doesn't even begin to paint a picture of the total impact of the Othership experience.


Why I Was Considering Othership in the First Place

After moving to Toronto post-COVID, I made the painstaking choice to finally get sober. At the same time, I was dealing with chronic pain, social anxiety, and a long history of relying on vices, especially alcohol, to help me cope, be social, and honestly just exist in my body.


Once I removed alcohol, everything got louder, and more uncomfortable.


My body hurt. My anxiety spiked. Social situations felt unbearable. I wasn’t numbing anymore, but I also didn’t know how to regulate myself or feel calm.


I needed an outlet where I could just feel, safely. That search is what led me to Othership.


Dimly lit modern spa room with wooden walls and ceiling, multiple rectangular ice baths warm ambient lighting, and a calming atmosphere.
The ice bath room at Othership (Yorkville)

My First Othership Experience (And Why I Was Terrified)

I was extremely nervous going in. I had no idea what to expect and had a lot of fear around what the experience might actually involve. The idea of being in a bathing suit around other people alone was enough to almost make me cancel.

At the time, I was bloated, coming out of COVID, eating and drinking away pain, and it was visible on my body. Toronto as a whole already felt intimidating to me... Add a wellness space full of seemingly confident, gorgeous people in bikinis, and it felt like my worst nightmare.

To make it easier on myself, I booked a "Free Flow" session.


What Is the Free Flow at Othership?

The Free Flow experience is exactly what it sounds like:

  • You move through the saunas and cold plunges at your own pace

  • You can leave any time

  • You can hang out in the tea room

  • You can shower between cycles

  • No one forces you to do anything

For anxious or introverted people, this option matters.


The Cold Plunge (And the Moment Everything Changed)

When it was time for the cold plunge, I panicked.

Not because I knew how bad it would be. I actually thought it looked manageable. But the guides were so encouraging and so present that I suddenly thought, wait, should I be afraid of this?

They guided me into the cold plunge slowly.

It was a shock to my system. My instinct was to get out immediately. Every part of my body screamed no. I thought, why do people do this?

But the guides stayed with me. They talked me through my breath. They reminded me I was safe. After about 30 to 40 seconds, something clicked.

I reached the thing people always talk about...Pure bliss.

My mind went quiet, in a way I hadn’t experienced since I stopped drinking. It was calm, grounded, and present. This was the feeling I had been chasing my entire life through substances.

And here it was... sober and surrounded by random strangers.


What Reddit and Social Media Don't Tell You About Othership

A lot of Reddit threads ask if Othership is awkward, "culty", or overhyped. Here’s what I learned:

  • You don’t have to talk to anyone

  • You can leave early without explanation

  • The guides are there to support, not pressure

  • No one is watching your body as much as you think

  • It’s not influencer-y once you’re inside

It’s not about looking a certain way. It’s about regulating your nervous system.


People relaxing on wooden benches in a warmly lit sauna, lying on towels. The ambient light creates a calm, serene atmosphere.
The massive and glorious sauna at Othership

Pricing and How to Use the Discount

Othership is great for:

  • Introverted people

  • Sober or sober-curious folks

  • People with anxiety or chronic pain

  • Anyone burned out by Toronto life

  • People who need a healthy way to feel something

It might not be for you if:

  • You hate heat

  • You want a luxury spa day

  • You’re expecting silence the entire time, since some sessions are social

  • You don't have an open mind, but honestly, if you're reading this and you've gotten this far, I'm assuming you do.


Final Thoughts on Othership Toronto

Honestly? Yes, with one caveat.

Toronto is expensive, wellness is expensive, and Othership is no exception. Paying full price can feel like a lot, especially if you’re unsure whether it’s for you.

That’s why I always recommend trying it with a discount first.


Othership Discount Code (How to Try It for Less)

If price is the thing holding you back, this matters.

You can use my Othership discount code to try your first session at a lower cost, without committing to a membership:


It’s the most accessible way to see if it’s right for you, especially if you’re nervous or new to sauna and cold plunge experiences.



Final Thoughts: My Honest Othership Toronto Review

Othership gave me something I didn’t know how to access on my own: calm, presence, and connection to my body, without alcohol, without numbing, without forcing myself to be someone I’m not.


If you’re introverted, anxious, sober, or just looking for a way to feel grounded in this city, Othership might surprise you the way it surprised me.

And if you’re on the fence, try it once with a discount and see how your body responds.

Sometimes, that’s all it takes.


Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is Othership Toronto?

Othership Toronto is a sauna and cold plunge experience that combines heat, cold, breathwork, and nervous system reset. It’s great for introverts, anxious people, and those sober-curious who want to feel calm and grounded.

Is Othership worth it in Toronto?

Yes. Othership is worth it if you want a calming, sober, and grounding experience. First-timers can try it with a discount code (TORONTOPOPUPS) to see if it’s right for them.

Do I need to be social or talk to people at Othership?

No. You can participate quietly, leave early, or stay in the tea room. You only interact if you want to or ask for guidance. Most people focus on themselves.

Do I need to wear a bathing suit?

Yes, a bathing suit is required, but no one is judging your body. Guides and staff are supportive, and most guests are focused on their own experience.

What is the Free Flow experience at Othership?

Free Flow lets you move through the saunas and cold plunges at your own pace. You can go in and out, shower in between cycles, relax in the tea room, and leave whenever you want.

How can I try Othership Toronto for less?

You can use a discount code for your first visit to reduce the cost. This is the best way to try it without paying full price or committing to a membership.

Who is Othership best for?

Othership is great for introverts, anxious people, those living a sober lifestyle, people with chronic pain, or anyone looking for a healthy way to reset and feel grounded in Toronto.

Who might not enjoy Othership?

Othership might not be for you if you hate heat, are looking for a luxury spa day, or expect complete silence, since some sessions are social.


 
 
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