When you hear about a business opening a “Dry Salt Therapy & Infrared Sauna”, my guess is most of think that this wellness studion must be based out of LA, Portland, or perhaps Bend. Most likely, the first place to come to mind is not Keizer, OR – my hometown. But that’s exactly where the band new Salt Haven it is.
The Salt Haven opened just this past October and provides halotherapy sauna sessions to those in the Capital City and beyond. Is this a new concept to you? You’re not alone. My wife was well aware of the benefits, but I was less so.
Benefits:
The average adult takes about 12-15 breaths per minute and little children about 20-30 breaths per minute. The main function of the lungs is to deliver oxygen to our red blood cells and get rid of the CO2 from the body. In addition, our respiratory tract acts as a very important defense mechanism by filtering the air from pollutants and foreign substances, it regulates the pH level of blood by managing the levels of CO2, and it also helps control blood pressure by converting the chemical in the blood called angiotensin I into angiotensin II.
People are exposed to pollutants, airborne diseases, bacteria, allergens, and other irritating factors on a daily basis. Halotherapy is a method to cleanse and detox the lungs as well as invigorate the entire body with increased lung capacity and oxygen intake. Regular Halotherapy practice is an excellent way to aid breathing and improve your quality of life.
We decided to check it out and the Salt Haven was gracious enough to let us try out a session.
As a novice in this realm, I can say it was definitely an experience for the senses. Salt Haven sits inside a larger chiropractic building, with check-in being super quick and easy. The sauna is housed within a single room of the offices and was super clean and welcoming. A changing area upon entry provided ample space and came complete with towels and robes for those looking to get as much salt through the skin as possible (you can also remain in your clothes if you desire).
The other half of the room is the actual sauna – a glass door and wood paneled area emanating calming sounds and lights. Lavender (other scents available) filled the air and the room was set to a nice 88 degrees. There’s some reason behind that temperature. Unlike a traditional sauna where you are solely sitting in a balmy 180-220 degrees, an infrared sauna is designed to be different. The heat isn’t excessive and directly heats the body core, absorbs the infrared heat, and reacts to it.
Over the 40 minute session, I could taste the salty air on my lips while the medical grade chromotherapy lights met my visuals. There was even gentle music piped through the speakers to offer even greater relaxation. I think I expected an excessive amount of salt in the air, but that wasn’t the case. It really wasn’t until touching my skin and licking my lips that I could tell. Basically, you don’t have to worry about being drowned out by an overabundance of essence.
A 40 minute session runs $40 (a really solid price) and adding an additional person is only $15. You can also half that and do 20 minutes for $25. Add $5 for some contactless calf massage or salt grinding bowl for your feet. Bundle additional sessions and save more.
It is a very pleasurable experience and one that allows you to read or be on your phone (I mean, if you really want to) without much issue. Personally, I think this is the perfect opportunity to shut the world off, bask in the warmth, and reap the benefits.
More about Salt Haven:
Salt Haven is owned and operated by Jeremy and Jessica Reisdorf, who first heard about halotherapy while vacationing in Florida, with their children, Mackenzie and Corban. Prior to starting their family, Jessica majored in psychology and Jeremy played and coached competitive soccer. With their respective backgrounds, they have always sought a natural and holistic approach to living, with a focus on mind/body wellness. Familiar with the benefits of Himalayan salt and wet salt therapy, dry salt therapy was a new concept. The discovery of halotherapy came at a time when they had been searching for a new business venture. Understanding the negative outcome that COVID has had on mental health, coupled with the desire to bring a healing service to the community, Salt Haven was born.
Many thanks to Salt Haven for allowing us to check out a trial session. Please read our transparency page for info on how we do our reviews.
