The Knockturnal was invited to experience a much-needed Quieter Free Flow session hosted by Othership in collaboration with GoingDry.co and Smoothie King. The immersive experience held on Tuesday, July 15 at 8:30 AM at Othership’s serene Flatiron location (23 W 20th St, NYC) offered guests a chance to step away from the city chaos and into an environment designed for guided sauna and cold plunge sessions meant to reset the body, mind, and spirit. I didn’t know how much I needed this.
Glitching in the 3D: A Personal Prelude
Lately, I’d been feeling… off. Not in a spiral, but subtly irritated and restless. My temperament was shorter than usual, and I couldn’t shake a low-level agitation.
Anyone who knows me knows I’m an easygoing Brooklynite but even the brightest of us can glitch.
Whether it was a delayed train or a lingering annoyance, I found myself muttering the classic New York “F this,” way more than usual. Something was energetically off. So when I got the chance to cover this event, it felt divinely aligned.
The Sauna: Stillness, Scents, and Sweating It Out
From the moment I walked into Othership, the tone shifted. Despite the early hour, the staff greeted me with warmth and clarity. I was shown to the locker area, changed, and invited to enter the sauna.
Inside, we were guided through a breathwork and affirmation session. The room was filled with calming peppermint and lavender aromatics, and soft, stream-like sounds played in the background. I was encouraged to either sit or lie down on my towel, letting my breath lead: four counts in through the nose, and a long “ahhh” exhale.
My towel? Drenched. My body? Letting go. I felt toxins leave me through every pore. It was the kind of sweat you don’t get at your neighborhood gym this was elevated, intentional, almost spiritual. It was, as the name suggests, Other.
Reflections and Cold Plunge Revelations
After the sauna, I grabbed a pen and jotted down some of the thoughts now flowing freely. One stood out:
“I’ve been running too fast to hear myself.”
That moment of reflection alone was worth showing up for. But then came the challenge: the cold plunge.
I’ll be honest I wasn’t ready. I questioned why people do this. I might have cursed again. But stepping into that ICE cold water snapped me into presence. I didn’t last long, but I did last and that alone reminded me of what it means to show up for yourself.
Hilary Sheinbaum: The Voice Behind GoingDry.co
This entire event was inspired by Hilary Sheinbaum, the journalist and author behind GoingDry.co. Her work explores sobriety, mental wellness, and self-honesty in a way that feels both personal and empowering. She turned her own journey into a movement and this activation allowed us to experience her message in a deeply physical, real way.
Support her and elevate your own journey with her powerful books:
Going Dry: A Workbook – A Practical Guide to Drinking Less and Living More (Quarto, Sept. 2024)
Follow Hilary:
Website | Instagram | LinkedIn
Smoothie King & the Wellness Cherry on Top
After purging and plunging, I wrapped up the morning with a Pineapple Mango smoothie courtesy of Smoothie King. Light, hydrating, and just sweet enough, it replenished everything I’d released in the sauna. It was like sunshine in a cup.
Book Your Own Reset at Othership
Whether you’re sober-curious, already deep into your healing path, or just overwhelmed by the grind Othership is for you. Their blend of breath work, elements, and emotional intelligence is changing the wellness landscape in NYC.
Follow @othership on Instagram
Final Takeaway: A Sanctuary for the City Soul
This was more than a wellness event it was a reminder. To slow down. To breathe. To let go.
As a Brooklynite, I often forget that I don’t have to run on fumes to be successful. This morning reminded me:
You can reclaim peace. You can reset. You can begin again today.
Thank you to Othership, Hilary Sheinbaum, and Smoothie King for creating a healing container where I could breathe, sweat, freeze, reflect, and walk away better than I arrived.
10/10. Would recommend. Now, go book your moment.