Owner Jill Woodward is shown outside her business, Salt of the Earth, Abingdon, Virginia. (photo by Breece Bryan)
By Bonny Gable
Bonny Gable is a former theater professor and freelance writer based in Bristol, Virginia. www.bonnygable.com
Walk through the front door of Salt of the Earth on Main Street in Abingdon, Virginia, and step into a realm of peaceful energy, surrounded by objects of beauty that promote calm and healing. Everywhere you look are soothing words like “peace,” “love” and “self-care.’ All are designed to fulfill the spa’s promise to help you “relax, restore, rejuvenate,” a mantra that permeates their spa.
What a perfect recipe to nurture and celebrate a loving relationship for Valentine’s Day.
Salt of the Earth is a unique spa offering salt therapy, also known as halotherapy, infrared sauna, red light therapy, guided meditation and Reiki, as well as a generous menu of massage options. Many of these activities may be enjoyed with a partner, including couples massage, couples sauna and couples salt therapy.
Asked what prompted her interest in Salt of the Earth, owner Jill Woodward says, “I have always been passionate about holistic wellness and the importance of self-care. With a background in sports massage, I have always been drawn to alternative therapies for healing. The primary motivation behind my ownership is creating a safe space for our community to come and provide not only physical well-being but also mental and emotional balance.”
The first therapy room inside the spa, the salt room, is billed as “a sanctuary from stress.” On her website, Woodward explains, “Salt therapy, aka halotherapy, is a powerful, natural treatment in a controlled air environment that simulates a natural salt cave micro-climate.” Indeed, there is a hushed atmosphere inside the spacious room, minimally lit by the glow of tiny lights behind walls of salt bricks and a scattering of salt lamps. Frothy mounds of salt crystals line the floor to cushion your feet, and comfortable lounge chairs are strategically placed for relaxation.
“A patented machine called a halo-generator produces a dry saline aerosol by mechanically crushing pharmaceutical grade rock salt grains to the size of 1 to 5 micrometers which is then blown into the room. The salt-filled room provides a negative ion environment (much like the seashore), which contributes to well-being and stress reduction.”
Next is the room for infrared sauna therapy. Woodward explains, “Infrared saunas mimic the same infrared frequencies emitted by the sun and the tissues in the human body absorb these waves. This process is called ‘resonate absorption,’ and it occurs when the frequency of the water in the body cells matches the frequency of the infrared waves. When this occurs, toxins are released into the blood stream and are excreted from the body.
“Since the body is absorbing the heat and not the air, the body quickly begins to perspire and release the toxins. Beyond simple detoxification, infrared saunas are an efficient and relaxing method that creates a more stable body and circulatory system; it aids in weight loss, reduces pain and reduces stress.” Other listed benefits include skin purification, immune support and muscle recovery.
Massage therapy at Salt of the Earth is devoted to serving individual needs and preferences. Woodward states, “Different massage modalities are used to encourage healing, rejuvenation and wellness on both the physical and psychological level.” The options are plentiful. The spa offers Swedish massage, Himalayan salt stone massage, deep tissue massage, couples massage, Himalayan salt body glow massage, integrative massage and CBD oil massage. Other massage therapies include relaxing foot massage, CBD oil facial massage, cupping and Reiki.
Inside the spa’s red light therapy room sits a device that looks much like a tanning bed. But Woodward clarifies, “A red light therapy system has no ultraviolet light, so there is no risk of overexposure. It uses special electronics and proprietary lamps to produce high levels of red light. Red light therapy generates a deep, penetrating heat that can offer temporary relief from ordinary aches and pains.”
The spa also offers facials and skin care consultations, as well as classes, held in the salt room, in guided meditation and Reiki.
Although services may be purchased on an individual basis at any time, Salt of the Earth offers a variety of February specials that invite unique ways to celebrate the Valentine holiday.
With a partner you can enjoy “One Love,” which includes a 60-minute couples massage, 30-minute infrared sauna, and a 45-minute salt therapy session, all for $275. If you wish to gift that special someone in your life with a spa package, “Serenity” includes a 30-minute Swedish massage, a 30-minute Reiki session, and a 45-minute salt therapy session, all for $105; or “Aquarius” which offers a 30-minute deep tissue massage, a 30-minute red light therapy, and a 30-minute infrared sauna, all for $85.
If giving something tangible is more to your taste, Woodward says, “Our retail products are super unique and salt lamps are also a great gift.” These salt lamps come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes to fit any décor. Each gives off the soothing amber-pink glow of Himalayan salt to create a peaceful ambience in the room. Other products range from lotions, salt scrubs and jewelry to curated local artwork on consignment.
Woodward makes her intentions clear in her Salt of the Earth philosophy: “In everything we do, our mission is to bring relief, relaxation, wellness and rejuvenation to our clients. We provide a sanctuary from stress, a healing touch, a kind word and a place to reconnect the mind, body and spirit.”
As a unique destination to celebrate Valentine’s Day, Salt of the Earth could be the perfect sanctuary for you and your special someone.
Salt of the Earth is located at 321 West Main Street, Abingdon, Virginia. Phone 276-477-4101, learn more at www.saltoftheearthabingdon.com or visit them on Facebook and Instagram.
