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A sacred and supported space to learn about sauna rituals and benefits.
Check In: 11AM, Fri, Oct 14
Check Out: 4PM, Sun, Oct 16
(tuition)
Treehaus Queen: $1975
Ricepod Queen: $2275 (single), $1875 (double)
Nest: $2475 (single), $2175 (double), $1975 (triple)
Please Note: This is a private group retreat, and all reservations must be made directly through the Group Leader. Booking is not available through our website. Please click the button to book directly through the Group Leader’s site.
- Class description
- Bio
- Supply List
- gallery
Class description
Step into the wilderness environs and rise — mind, body, and spirit. This immersive three-day retreat weaves together the ancient art of sauna bathing with the modern joy of alcohol-free celebration, held in the breathtaking landscape of Bayfield, Wisconsin.
Led by Jen Veralle — founder of Sauna and Sobriety and the Mindful Drinking Movement — The Wild Rise is a full-sensory experience rooted in community, ritual, and deep restoration. Jen is trained in the Revivery method, a bio-psycho-social approach to hot and cold contrast therapy that honors the whole person: physical, emotional, and relational.
Throughout the weekend, guests will be guided through intentional sauna rituals, learning about the culture of sauna, including the German tradition of Aufguss — a ceremonial steam and scent experience — alongside sound bath immersion, cold plunge practices, and the science and history behind why heat and cold therapy transform us from the inside out. Jen will also share cultural insights from her travels to Oslo for the International Sauna Congress in September 2026.
Off the sauna bench, the retreat celebrates a new kind of toast. Elevated nonalcoholic beverages will be featured throughout the entire weekend, and a hands-on mixology class will deepen guests' appreciation for the craft, complexity, and culture of alcohol-free sipping. This is a space where not drinking is the norm — and where it feels extraordinary.
The weekend is intentionally unhurried. Unstructured time, forest hikes, yoga, and an evening gathering at the historic St. James Hotel in Bayfield round out a retreat designed to restore and reconnect.
The Wild Rise is open to anyone ready to feel deeply well — no experience necessary, just a willingness to show up, slow down, and rise.
biography
Jen Veralle is a wellness advocate, speaker, and certified guide on a mission to reimagine what it means to truly celebrate — without alcohol at the center.
With two decades of lived experience navigating alcohol misuse and eleven years alcohol-free, Jen brings both depth and directness to her work. Her 2023 TEDx Talk, "Why We Should Rethink Drinking Culture," has been viewed over 47,000 times and has been recognized by Hazelden and leading addiction-recovery organizations worldwide.
Jen is the founder of two communities redefining wellness culture: Sauna and Sobriety, which has hosted sauna events for people in recovery and the sober-curious since May 2023, and the Mindful Drinking Movement, which works with corporations and communities to shift how we think about alcohol in social and professional spaces. She also co-leads Sauna Social, a gathering space for entrepreneurs built around community and healthy living.
A certified guide in the Revivery method — a bio-psycho-social framework for maximizing hot and cold contrast therapy — Jen leads sauna experiences that go far beyond heat. She is also a certified coach through the International Association of Professional Recovery Coaches (IAPRC) and, through her practice All of the Truth, she helps people examine their relationship with alcohol and step boldly into their purpose.
Jen believes that the most meaningful celebrations happen when we're fully present — and she has built her life's work around proving it.
Supply List
Shoes for hiking
Comfortable clothes for yoga and movement
Sauna attire – swimsuit, workout wear, breathable fabric
Social hour leisure, casual and fun for a Saturday evening event and optional content capture
Journal
