Shelbyville Road is not the type of place where one expects to find serenity. In fact, the traffic on the stretch of the highway near the busy intersection of Hurstbourne Road may make you wish you were in a cave. Now, you can be a bit like Batman in one of the East End’s newest businesses. “We’re on one of the busiest streets in Louisville intentionally as a reminder to stop and breathe,” says Nicole Bartlett, co-owner of the newly-opened Louisville Salt Cave(9800 Shelbyville Road).
The Louisville Salt Cave was dreamed up by Bartlett and Co-owner Kimberly Rash, who have been best friends since high school in Oldham County. Rash used to live in North Carolina and visited Asheville’s Salt Cave; the Louisville cave was built based around that visit. According to Holistic and preventative health stats, the business follows the trend of high interest in holistic and alternative medicine that some studies point to being a $34 billion industry in the United States.
Both women are graduates of Western Kentucky University; Rash is a massage therapist and aromatherapist, and Bartlett is a former marketing executive in the nutritional field. With a passion for holistic and preventative health, the entrepreneurs intend to spread joy throughout Louisville.
“We want to improve the community one customer at a time. Not only do people feel better from salt therapy if suffering from respiratory or skin conditions, it also helps them better manage stress on a day-to-day basis,” says Bartlett.
Into the Cave
On the day I visited the Louisville Salt Cave, I was fully prepared to put the health benefits of salt therapy to the test. I had a headache, earache and all-around congestion (The joys of living in a city that is perennially ranked among the worst in the nation for allergies.). According to Bartlett, who has suffered with seasonal allergies her entire life, I had come to the right place for relief. She explained that salt therapy benefits respiratory health, such as allergies and congestion, and skin conditions like eczema, psoriasis and acne.
When walking into the lobby of the Louisville Salt Cave, there’s a similar ambiance to that of a yoga studio. Clean lines, nicely displayed retail items (all of which are made locally with the exception of the essential oils), a check-in counter, and an area to leave your shoes and enjoy water or tea. I was impressed with a stunning natural-cut countertop and shelves made from wood from Rash’s family farm.
I know you are wondering what to wear: I chose jeans and a top; workout clothing would work well, too. It’s chilly in the cave—65-70 degrees—warm clothes are recommended. Feet must be covered, so bring socks; if you forget, foot covers are provided.
The cave is really a cave, albeit a small one that was built in a room of a building that faces Shelbyville Road. Constructed using pink Himalayan rock salt that’s more than 250 million years old and contains over 84 trace minerals, there are five tons of salt that make up the Louisville Salt Cave. The salt made a long trek to Kentucky from the Himalayan Mountains.
At the beginning of the session, you are led into the cave upon which I was immediately attracted to the beautiful pinkish-amber glow of lights set behind some of the large pieces of salt. I stepped in and, as Bartlett informed me, walked on salt crystals, which felt like walking on sand.
There were three guests, and we selected our spots from the six zero-gravity reclining chairs that were sitting in various directions in the cave. I chose the chair farthest from the door and beside one of the walls so that I could touch the salt. You ease back into the chairs (which are, by the way, amazing), and Bartlett explained the benefits of salt therapy, as well as the intricacies of how the salt cave works. She then walked out and soothing spa-type music plays.
Most of the time, I snuggled under the blankets that are set on each chair, closed my eyes, tried to shut off my mind and breathed deeply. When my eyes kept popping open, I watched the twinkling lights on the ceiling that were reminiscent of being outside in a faraway land. Very cozy. Very relaxing.
The Benefits of Halotherapy
The 45-minute session I experienced is called Halotherapy. Halotherapy means “salt” therapy and consists of relaxing in a quiet environment. Rash explains that, based on the amount of salt concentration in the cave, 45 minutes in the room is equivalent to four days on the beach, “Negative ions in the room produce positive vibes by increasing the mood-enhancing chemical, serotonin.”
Halotherapy research also shows improvements for people suffering from depression, anxiety and sleep disorders. I exited the cave feeling lighter and happier. Within a few hours, my headache and congestion had improved. Bartlett also asked me to make note of my energy level the rest of the day. I didn’t notice a visible energy spike; however, I did notice that I had a more positive demeanor.
In addition to the 45-minute session, there is a 30-minute Lunch Refresh. There’s also a 30-minute Kid’s Play where children are invited to come with their guardian to play in the sand-like salt floor of the cave, buckets, shovels and trucks included. Guided Meditation is also offered.
For two women who are so focused on balance, they are finding that being entrepreneurs is quite a balancing act. Bartlett sums things up this way, “Balance is the biggest challenge. Running a new business entails so much. Luckily Kim and I bring different strengths to the table. We’ve been utilizing that balance since we played volleyball together in high school. We’re so excited about the difference we can make for the Greater Louisville Area.”
