Relax, rejuvenate in a salt cave
Our personal well-being is dependent on our self-care. Eating right, getting enough sleep, exercising – these are all essential for our physical and mental health. But, so is taking time to be still and disconnect from the day-to-day stresses in our lives. And face it, we’ve all had more than a bushel full of worries and concerns this past year.
In search of experiences that might clear my mind and offer some moments of peace in this crazy world, I discovered the Santa Fe Salt Cave. At first, the idea of chilling in a cave, any cave, sounded very primitive and uncomfortable. But, after doing some research and learning about the potential health benefits of salt caves and their increasing popularity, I decided to investigate further.
Salt is known to have healing properties, and is regarded as being a natural anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and antibacterial. Salt caves offer halotherapy, or dry salt therapy; a treatment that dates back hundreds of years to Eastern Europe. Purportedly, halotherapy can offer relief from respiratory ailments such as asthma, allergies, bronchitis and the common cold. And it may also help with skin conditions like psoriasis and eczema, reducing irritation and redness.
In a salt cave, the salt is dispersed into the air through a halogenerator. This special type of equipment crushes, grinds and cuts the salt crystals into microparticles, which are then blown into the grotto via a blower/fan mechanism. It is the most effective means of providing salt therapy.
As you breathe, the minerals in the salt are absorbed within your air passageways and by your skin. Some claim that the negatively-charged ionized salt and minerals in the cave’s atmosphere draw toxins and impurities from the body. And that the high mineral content and vibrational quality of the salt has the ability to unblock your chakras, or energy centers, while raising your body’s own vibrational frequency.
Most of the caves created are designed to simulate the environment of natural salt caves in the Himalayan Mountains. The Santa Fe Salt Cave, which I visited, is 380-square-feet and constructed of nine tons of pretty pink Himalayan salt crystals. Both the floors and walls of this grotto are covered in crystals. The ceiling is starlit and rock lamps provide a cozy glow. The only furniture in the cave is a set of four zero-gravity chairs, allowing you to recline while being able to prop your legs up at a comfortable angle.
My sensory-rich experience began the moment I entered the cave, sans shoes. The physical sensation of walking across the rocky salt ground was akin to a massage for my feet. After getting situated, owner Kim Rash gave a bit of info about the cave and halotherapy. Then she closed the door and a soothing soundtrack began to play.
Initially, I was mesmerized by the magical, fairytale-like setting, but then I closed my eyes and let myself completely relax. I think I actually nodded off at one point because the atmosphere was so tranquil. Being in the cave felt almost womblike. And though I expected it to be cold, the temperature (which averages 70-72 degrees) was just right.
All too soon, I heard the sounds of a singing Tibetan bowl, indicating the end of my session. As I exited, I felt rejuvenated from my mini vacation and commented to Rash on the dreamland quality of the experience. Rash said many people view their session in the cave as a journey, where their minds drift into a fade-away state.
Rash, who has been involved personally with a holistic lifestyle for several decades, created her first salt cave in her hometown of Louisville, Kentucky. It was a success. After a memorable visit to Santa Fe, however, she set her sights on moving to the Land of Enchantment. She fulfilled this goal a few years ago. The Santa Fe Salt Cave is her way of giving back to the city that has given her so much inspiration and healing.
