In the spring of 2019—four years into my sobriety journey and searching for a greater sense of belonging—I signed up to attend a multi-sensory sauna experience on the rooftop of the historic Hewing Hotel in Minneapolis, MN. The event was a guided German sauna ritual involving a combination of heat, cold, and choreographed towel movements designed to create waves of aroma from essential oils. In a moment of boldness, I had signed up to attend the event solo, and as a first-time sauna goer (previous lackluster experiences at gyms and hotels notwithstanding), I soon discovered that this type of ritual, common in Minnesota sauna culture, was not for the faint of heart.
Our group of 22 gathered on the hotel’s rooftop while Alex, the Aufgussmeister, or sauna master, set the stage for the experience, going over what to expect to put everyone at ease. Once the experience began, we alternated 15-minute rounds in the hot sauna with 15-minute bouts of cold immersion in the Minnesota winter air. Despite the physical and emotional challenge of this intense new experience, I pushed through, and by the end, found myself feeling exhilarated and better than I had in years. I didn’t know it yet, but I had discovered a life-changing passion.
At this point in my sobriety journey, I was just beginning to envision the possibility of a joyful sober life. The first few years of sobriety had felt heavy. I had found a community within AA that served me well, but I was mostly keeping my head down, focused on not drinking, “white knuckling” each day in a hyper-vigilant state. I didn’t truly understand what was happening in my mind and body, and had not yet learned to slow down, listen to my body, and breathe. This sauna experience was the first time I had deliberately stopped to pause and allow myself to feel.
