Becoming a healthier and happier version of ourselves for many has fueled a renewed interest in finding balance in life through holistic wellness. Taking the time for self-care and relaxation is one of the main pillars of the holistic aspect of healing. To that end, I have found Himalayan salt caves a perfect place to relax, recharge, and rejuvenate your body, emotions and mind.
Over the holidays I headed west on Route 66 for Santa Barbara, California. I was excited to chill out on the beach, watch and hear the sound of the crashing waves, and smell the revitalizing salty sea air. I was also looking forward once again to reaping the many healing benefits of the largest underground crystal salt cave in the U.S. that is located there. Luckily, readers who are still battling Albuquerque’s wintry weather have a local spot that offers those same benefits.
Many health claims have been made regarding salt caves for several hundred years as a natural and effective way to improve respiratory health. In my experience, many of them are true. The same goes for Life-long New Mexico resident April Eschenbrenner. Noticing a marked difference in her anxiety levels after visiting salt caves, Eschenbrenner decided to open The Salt Cave in Albuquerque and create an immersive self-care and wellness experience for her clients.
“When I would do salt therapy, I did not have any type of anxiety. I was able to just release it and let my worries of the world just completely melt away,” Eschenbrenner tells The Paper. “I visited many salt caves while doing my research and figured out what I liked and what I didn’t like, and was able to put my dream together with other bits and pieces that I discovered along my way.”
The Salt Cave Experience
The salt cave sessions last 45 minutes. After entering the cave, you’ll relax in zero gravity style chairs surrounded by six tons of pink Himalayan salt. The cave walls are made from pink-hued Jurassic-age Himalayan salt rocks and crystals from the Punjab region of Pakistan, while the floor is covered with crushed salt. Calming music is played and the ceiling is a vision of a star-studded night sky. The controlled environment cave has zero humidity, and the temperature is set at 70 degrees. If needed, blankets are provided. During your session you are encouraged to sit quietly and unwind.
Sessions in the salt cave focus on your respiratory system like a day at the beach. A machine called a halo generator grinds Himalayan salt into microscopic particles and releases them into the air of the salt cave. You will be able to taste a bit of salt.
The pink hue of the ancient sea salt comes from the trace minerals it is packed with, including magnesium, calcium, sodium, and potassium that are vital for cellular communication and maintaining our body’s health. The salt is mined from red rolling hills located about two hours south of Pakistan’s capital city of Islamabad in the remnants of an old lagoon that existed 600 million years ago.
“As you inhale the tiny salt particles into your airways, it helps clear out any type of mucus that you might be having in your respiratory system,” Eschenbrenner explains. “Breathing in the salt infused air is really good for the common cold, seasonal allergies and helps people suffering from asthma, bronchitis and skin conditions such as eczema or psoriasis. And right now, they’re doing some pretty good studies on the benefits of salt therapy on the long-term effects of COVID.”
Eschenbrenner offers a variety of other services including an infrared sauna with chromotherapy, foot detox and sound therapy sessions.
“We offer private sound healing sessions that include a guided meditation as the sound therapist plays crystal sound bowls,” Eschenbrenner says. “Tuning forks are used on the body as well as a variety of different healing and energy work. You definitely feel like a completely different person when you’re done with sound therapy.”
The temperature in the infrared sauna is set at 140 degrees and heats up the core of your body to help expel toxic metals, chemicals, and chronic infection at a cellular level. Your session also includes color therapy known as chromotherapy.
“We use light colors that change as part of our infrared sauna experience.” Eschenbrenner says. “A written guide tells you what each color does and its healing properties. Color therapy works with the mind to promote healing throughout the body.”
A non-invasive ionic foot detox uses the same style of chairs as spa pedicures. Your feet are placed in warm water and an ionizer called an array creates a static charge to help pull toxins from the body through the pores of your feet. By the end of the detox session, the water will have turned color; the darker the water, the better the detox. Afterward Eschenbrenner sits down with her clients and explains what the different colors in the water mean for the detox of the body.
“It’s been a true blessing and a dream just to watch people come in, feel relaxed and comfortable, and have a sense of healing. Some people open up and show their true emotions,” Eschenbrenner says. “For me, a community has come together and it’s more than I could have ever dreamed of. I do truly feel that they have become more than just customers. Everybody has become like family to me.”
Contact Eschenbrenner at 505-200-0087. More information is available at saltcaveabq.com