Salt Therapy by Tim Trudell

Forget reducing your salt intake when it comes to salt therapy. When choosing massage therapy, Omaha’s Salt and Spa suggests you consider a one-of-a-kind salt therapy, where you’ll feel relaxed and fresh after a 45-minute session. Open since 2016, Salt and Spa was the brainchild of Yesenia Osorio, who sought a new style of massage therapy for customers.

Salt treatments – halotherapy - consists of breathing in small particles of salt, which clean the body by scrubbing organs, such as lungs, and are then exhaled, Osorio said. During salt therapy, people breathe in through their nose and exhale through the mouth. Participants report feeling so relaxed during their session that they sometimes fall asleep in the comfortable reclining chairs.

The image of salt therapy may be a foreign concept as clients pull into a parking spot in the Wakeley Plaza. But, Salt and Spa’s atmosphere is immediately relaxing, with sofas and chairs reminiscent of a living room, and soft music playing. Salt and Spa’s gift shop includes salt lamps of all sizes, air fresheners, and other therapy-related items.

Customers wear protective booties, so they don’t contaminate the salt covered floor. If you wear glasses, you’ll want to place them on a shelf. Cell phones need to be secured, as well, so salt doesn’t get in them.

Once in the room, you’ll sit in a recliner, lean back and just enjoy the sounds of soothing music, played at a low volume. The floor is covered in salt, because it settles from the air. A small generator in the wall shoots out salt – sodium chloride – which is considered safe for inhaling. The salt room, which is about 300 square feet, is spacious enough to seat 8-10 people – excellent for family or business group outings – and allows space to stretch out and soak in the calming effects of salt therapy. The room’s lighting changes colors every few minutes, so people don’t get bored with one color, Osorio said.

As a graduate of the Omaha School of Massage Therapy, Osorio doesn’t claim salt therapy has medicinal purposes, but some people with breathing issues, such as asthma, have told her they’ve noticed improvement. When her husband first tried it, he was skeptical, but quickly came around, Osorio said.

“We went to Arizona and visited a therapy site,” she said. “My husband had a really bad respiratory infection at the time. ‘Oh my God, I can

breathe through my nose. My nose is totally open,’ he said.”

While some people may not be open to holistic measures, others have found reasons to use salt therapy to support their medical treatment, Osorio said.

But, most of the people using salt therapy enjoy the massage benefits without actually having a massage, she said. Some even ask for a robe, so they can dress more comfortably during their visit.

Salt therapy leaves very little residue on a person’s skin, Osorio said. Most of it is inhaled and exhaled. Excess salt from the generator falls to the floor or settles on the wall. Salt and Spa employees clean the salt therapy room throughout the day, she said.

People also enjoy having massages in the salt room, so they can experience a variety of massages – Swedish, deep tissue, reflexology, and hot stones – while also receiving salt therapy, Osorio said. It’s popular for couples massages, but, Salt and Spa’s salt room is large enough for up to four tables, she said.

By Tim Trudell Freelance Travel Writer

“It’s perfect for a girl’s day out, bachelorette parties, or even a family of four,” Osorio said.

Besides the salt therapy, Salt and Spa also has separate rooms for massages, including an exclusive couples room. The spa also offers prenatal and oncology massages. Ear candling is another service available at the spa.

Salt and Spa also offers children’s massage therapy services in a colorful room with toys and other attractions. At about 100 square feet, the children’s room uses Himalayan salt, which is considered healthy for children, Osorio said. The salt on the floor resembles a sandbox, and children play while breathing in the salt.

Parents often bring in children with asthma and other breathing conditions and see success in opening their lungs and nasal passages, she said.

So, when considering kicking off the New Year with a fresh outlook on life, some people seek the benefits of massage therapy. And in Omaha, salt therapy may be a fun alternative to the traditional styles. But, if you prefer traditional over holistic options, Salt and Spa can help you there, as well.

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You’re never too old to hop on a snow tube or a good old-fashioned toboggan and head to the nearest snow-covered hill. Lincoln’s Pioneers Park has been recognized by USA Today as one of the top 10 sledding spots in the country; the two wooden sled runs launch sledders down the lengthy decline, some sliding as far as 300 feet!

Nebraska also has plenty of other hills that are perfect for slippers, sliders and sledders: Visit Wildcat Hills State Recreation Area – Gering, Mahoney State Park - Ashland, or Chadron State Park - Chadron

Ice skating is a long-time favorite activity for family outings, first dates and fun times with friends. Mahoney State Park, located in Ashland, features a large openair ice-skating pavilion perfect for seasoned-skaters or first-timers looking to earn their “sea legs” (ice legs?).

Nebraska’s Ponca State Park provides more than 20 miles of groomed cross-country skiing trails for skiers of all skill levels looking to get out and experience the beautiful scenery.

Nebraska’s unique geography makes for an extensive list of cross-country skiing opportunities across the state. Visit Indian Cave State Park – Shubert, Rock Creek Station Historical Park- Fairbury, or The Kearney Trail - Kearney For more on Nebraska >Click Here

CANTON - Special spa services are available to Gervasi overnight guests. Spa services include massages, facials, manicures, pedicures, and foot reflexology.

Plan your next extended weekend getaway at the 55-acre Gervasi Vineyard Resort, home to three restaurants, exclusive winery distillary, and Marketplace Gift Shop. Then during your stay, make a reservation, take a deep breath and immerse yourself in a rejuvenating in-suite massage.

A 60 or 90 minute Therapeutic massage is a deep, rhythmic, body therapy which alleviates stress, sooths aching muscles, and reguvenates the senses. A Gervasi Deep Tissue massage focuses on realigning deeper layers of muscles and connective tissue. It is especially helpful for chronic aches and pains and contracted areas such as still neck and upper back, low back pain, leg muscle tightness, and sore shoulders. Only available when you schedule another massage service is a 30-minute foot reflexology massage. This is an avenue of stemulating the entire body by working on the feet using aromatherapy oils and creams.

In April, 2023, a brand new spa facility will open to expand these services. The Spa will feature a state-of-the-art design and equipment to provide Gervasi guests and local spa seekers a beautiful and tranquil experience along with exceptional spa services. The 5,000 sq. ft. facility will transcend guests to a high-end luxurious spa. Services will include a variety of massages, facials, body treatments, and manicure/pedicure services.

Gervasi Vineyard is proud to announce Brooke Zarconi has joined the team as The Spa’s Operations Manager. As such, her goals are to create a luxury experience not only for the local community to enjoy, but for traveling guests to add to their itinerary when they join Gervasi as hotel guests from all over the country. She feels everyone needs to find the importance of self-care and is eager to introduce guests to the exquisite experience The Spa will soon offer.

To learn more, visit www.gervasivineyard.com/spa

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Put yourself first with a spa day

Work out the kinks from skiing, quiet the ever-racing mind, hydrate winter-weary skin, all good reasons for a spa day this winter. Along with Sundara Inn & Spa and Spa del Sol, there’s also Spa Serenity, Sun Mountain Spa, and Spa Kalahari. Disconnect from the real world and emerge a new person with a visit to any of these lovely spas.

Spa Serenity is a full service day spa located in the heart of Downtown Baraboo, located 12 miles south of Wisconsin Dells. Spa Serenity provides a full menu of relaxing and invigorating spa services. The menu of services includes Massage, Facials, Manicures, Pedicures and Waxing. https://spaserenitydayspa.com/ with a seasonal treatment uplifting, yet spice filled aromatic fusion to awaken your senses and evoke a sense of warmth and coziness. CBD-infused ingredients ease pain and reduce stress. Chromatherapy lights are used to improve circulation, enhance your mood, calm, relax and purify your body while infrared lights will help reduce muscle tension and boost the immune system. https://www.sundaraspa.com/

Spa del Sol is located at Chula Vista Resort. Their services include massages, facials, body treatments, waxing, couples treatments and a Pink Nail Bar. For more, visit https:// www.dellsspa.com/

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