Eld & Co Experiences

Welcome:

Eld & Co Experiences is where wood fire and steam meet calm at the valley's end. Our rustic setting offers a unique experience of restorative heat, invigorating steam, and tranquil spaces designed for relaxation. Immerse yourself in a holistic experience that nurtures the body, mind, and soul, leaving you refreshed and revitalized.

Mission Statement:

Eld & Co Experiences is dedicated to fostering holistic well-being through our four core elements: offering wood-fired restoration (Eld & Steam), facilitating energetic rebalance (Eld & Flow), sharing essential knowledge (Eld & Root), and building expert wellness spaces (Eld & Craft).

Our Way:
To create a space where growth and healing occur by simply being.

Elements

Eld & Steam: Sauna
Wood-fired sauna experiences designed to restore the mind, body, and spirit.

Eld & Flow: Wellness
Reiki and energy-healing services that help rebalance, release, and reconnect.

Holistic Healing

Step into our tranquil, rustic setting and prepare for a unique experience of profound rest and energetic alignment. Our certified practitioner offers Reiki, a gentle, non-invasive practice of hands-on (or hovering) energy transfer that promotes healing by balancing the body’s life force energy. Unlock your body's natural ability to heal.

Eld & Craft: Construction
The hands-on building element where we design and construct saunas and wellness structures.

Handcrafted Wood Sauna

Let us construct your own personal sanctuary. Where flow and energy meet craftsmanship at the valley's end, we offer unique, hand-crafted wood construction of a beautiful, comfortable 4-person wood-fired sauna with integrated steam capability. This isn't just a build—it's an immersive experience in rustic wellness that you can take home.

Eld & Root: Learning
A learning element focused on knowledge-sharing, skill-building, and technical trainings.

Focusing on Harmony & Knowledge

An innovative academy where digital fluency meets emotional intelligence. Our curriculum pairs cutting-edge tech training with hands-on learning from the best co-teachers: certified therapy dogs, ensuring deep learning, reduced stress, and increased focus. A variety of workshops are offered throughout the year.

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Wood Fire and Steam Sauna

Wood fire and steam meet calm at the valley's end. Our rustic setting offers a unique experience of restorative heat, invigorating steam, and tranquil spaces designed for relaxation and detoxification. Immerse yourself in a holistic experience that nurtures the body, mind, and soul, leaving you refreshed and revitalized.

Wood Fire Sauna

At Eld & Steam, we use moderate sauna temperatures to create a more restorative experience. Gentle heat allows the body to relax, the nervous system to settle, and recovery to unfold without stress. By prioritizing comfort and consistency over extremes, our sauna supports deeper relaxation, longer sessions, and a lasting sense of balance.

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130–150°F

Longer sessions · 30–60 minutes

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THE EXPERIENCE

Gentle, sustained heat that supports regulation and recovery

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BENEFITS

Gradual rise in heart rate and steady circulation
Parasympathetic (rest-and-digest) activation
Muscle relaxation and physical recovery
Sustained sweating without overheating
Support for stress reduction, sleep, and hormone balance
Easy to return to — day after day

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IDEAL FOR

Recovery and relaxation
Stress management
Hormone and nervous system support
Beginners and frequent sauna users
Those prioritizing longevity and balance

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Sauna Essentials

Welcome to a space where warmth, stillness, and presence guide the experience. To help you make the most of your time with us, here’s what to know before stepping into the ritual:

Timing – The sauna is located in our home. Please do not arrive more than 15 minutes early. If the roads are slippery, we’d be happy to drive you up the driveway—it’s a journey in itself.
Attire – Dress is at your discretion. Swimwear, athletic clothes, or whatever makes you comfortable is perfect.
Towels – Guests will be provided hand towels, but you are welcome to bring your own.
Hydration – Bring water or electrolytes to stay balanced before, during, and after the sauna. Infused water will be provided.
Essential Oils – Birch oil is used during the sauna. Please let us know ahead of time if you have any allergies.
Post-Sauna Ritual – After the sauna, you are welcome to relax around the bonfire for up to an hour. Peppermint tea can be provided to help refresh and restore.
Presence – Let yourself fully absorb the warmth, the scent of cedar and birch, and the gentle crackle of the fire. Move at your own pace, listen to your body, and allow your breath to deepen and slow. This is your time to pause, soften, and settle into the present moment. A space to reconnect with yourself, nature, and the elemental energy of fire—inviting restoration, ease, and simply being.

Our Story

When we want to disconnect from the world, we go to Duluth. The three of us lead very busy lives, and it was time to reset. Every time we visit Duluth, there is something so restorative for our souls. We wanted to experience something new, so we rented a sauna on Lake Superior—and for the first time in what felt like forever, we were fully present. Surrounded by the scent of cedar, listening to the crackling of the fire, and in awe of Lake Superior, the warmth of the sauna melted our tensions and let us simply be in the moment. Leaving the sauna, we felt more relaxed and clearer than we could remember.

The following year, when we returned to the sauna, we were joking about how wonderful it would be to have our own sauna. “What a dream—to experience this any time we want.” Well, Jim began sharing stories about the saunas he had built years ago at logging school in Ely. Completely surprised, we had no idea he had built saunas—and in that moment, the idea began to grow.

Friends and family often joined us, and those shared moments of restoration sparked Eld & Co Experiences. Eld, meaning fire, honors Swedish roots and centuries of sauna tradition, representing warmth, transformation, and growth.

Today, Eld & Co offers:

Eld & Steam – Wood-fired sauna experiences
Eld & Flow – Reiki and energy healing
Eld & Root – Learning and skill-building
Eld & Craft – Hands-on design and construction

Rooted in nature, connection, and intention, Eld & Co Experiences is a place to slow down, restore, and feel the transformative power of fire, stillness, and presence.

Meet our family

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These are the hands and hearts behind every Eld & Co Experience.

Sauna - Reiki

Briana Prindle, RN

Briana’s path into holistic wellness began in her initial career of Occupational Therapy, where she first learned how deeply the mind and body are connected. She was fortunate enough to learn various healing techniques such as myofascial release, which was the first holistic treatment she'd provided and eventually lead her to connect with Reiki and the power of gentle, intentional energy work.

She later followed her heart into nursing, a calling rooted in caring for the whole person: mind, body, and spirit. Through years of balancing work, school, and life, Briana learned one of the most meaningful truths—you can’t pour from an empty cup. Caring for yourself is an act of strength, not selfishness.

That understanding sparked her love for self-care: walking in the woods, moving her body, breathing deeply, slowing down, and creating small rituals that bring peace and joy. With a passion for self-care, and looking to expand her "toolbox," Briana felt it was time to revisit former curiosities of Reiki and became certified in Level 1 and 2 Reiki with a focus on grounding, gentle and transformative energy work. For her, it is a practice of presence: quieting the mind, aligning energy, and making space for healing.

With a nursing background and a recent transition into management, Briana understands how fast-paced life can be. Eld & Co Experiences is her way of returning to center—and helping others do the same. It is a space built from heart, warmth, and intention… a place to breathe, reconnect, and experience the healing power of nature and stillness.

Sauna - Craftsman

Jim Prindle, Master Craftman

Jim began his career in northern Minnesota in 1985, where he learned the Scandinavian scribe method for constructing log buildings—including both cabins and saunas. Over the years, his skills evolved to include more modern structures, such as cedar siding, decks, and contemporary saunas.

Having recently retired from public works management, Jim has returned to his first passion: mastering the craft of woodworking. Today, he creates everything from custom tables to saunas, blending traditional techniques with modern design.

Beyond his craft, Jim is deeply inspired by nature, the North Shore, and the art of foraging. These passions fuel his creativity and connect him to the landscapes that have shaped both his life and his work. Jim enjoys snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, camping, hiking, and kayaking.

Sauna - Educator

Cindy Prindle, MEPD, MCAS

Cindy's life purpose is rooted in education and sharing knowledge with others. With a career in technology education spanning since 1991, she is a seasoned and enthusiastic educator known for her clear, down-to-earth practices.

Her professional foundation is built upon a master's degree in education and professional development (MEPD). Cindy is a Microsoft Certified Applications (MCAS) Master Instructor and continually stays ahead of the curve with certifications, including one in Artificial Intelligence (AI).

Over the last decade, Cindy has successfully applied her educational gift to another great passion: training handlers and their canines. She specializes in dog therapy training and evaluation, canine massage, and canine strength training.

Cindy believes in a balanced life. Her retirement is a purposeful mixture of technology training, dog training, and spiritual direction. This deep focus on wellness, intentional guidance, differentiated instruction, and continuous learning informs both her professional expertise and her personal life, which she enjoys from her peaceful home in the woods. Eld & Co Experiences is her way of continuing to share her knowledge and experiences with others.

Location

We are nestled at the end of a valley: N5885 Gills Coulee Road, West Salem, WI. You’ll see a camper at the bottom of the driveway; the sauna is located at the top of the hill, next to the house. If the driveway is snowy or icy, we are happy to give you a ride to the top.

For the adventurous, you may follow the driveway yourself—at the bottom, take a right to go up the hill (going straight will take you to the neighbors!). Most often, we will be waiting outside. If not, the sauna is off to the right of the house, where you may find us tending the fire.

If you have any questions, concerns, or want to arrange a ride up the driveway, please text or call 608-797-8599.

Schedule Visit

Testimonials

"Spent an amazing hour of rest and relaxation - the type of rejuvenation that only a hand-crafted wood steam sauna can provide, at Eld & Co Experiences LLC this afternoon! Located in the Gills Coulee of West Salem, WI, the sauna is made beautifully by Jim, the Master Craftsman, and is positioned in a panoramic view of the wooded ridges beyond. The drive there provided spectacular views that kept getting better and better until you find yourself nestled right in the woods breathing birch wood oils in a cocoon of wood fired steam heat.

The hosts, consisting of a father (Jim), mother (Cindy) and daughter (Briana) met us with a warm welcome and introduced us to the sauna. Plenty of water for hydration and wonderful customer service. The fee offers you a full hour use of the sauna and the fire pit where you can cool down outside and then go back in and enjoy the sauna again. It was lovely watching light snowflakes through the large sauna windows. The Wisconsin cool weather was a nice natural flush of coolness and welcomed, as you leave the sauna. Briana brought my husband and I a warm cup of tea as the session ended and we had to come back to reality. We enjoyed conversation around the fire pit as we sipped our tea.

My steam treatment goals includes all the benefits that steam offers - skin health, muscle relaxation, parasympathetic nervous system activation, stress reduction, and better circulation for skin and muscles and detox support. At 50 years old, I'm loving the silky moisture that has returned to my skin afterwards. We will be returning for more treatments. The sauna is not just a short session; it's an hour retreat experience in the wooded bluffs and valleys!

P.S. Briana is an RN and offers Reiki. Cindy is a professional dog trainer with techno design skills, and Jim will build you a sauna having built several in the Northwoods!

The fee is for a full hour. Sweat, then cool off outside, then sweat again."

Janet Grandzielwski Parent, WI