The Saltana Cave - An Experience Worth Repeating

Looking for the perfect Father's Day or year end teacher's gift? Dreaming about a little seaside vacation for yourself? The Saltana Cave offers a place to "come to think, meditate, sleep; to take time out to enhance wellness," says owner Anna Husted. What could be better than that?

Husted, a Ridgefield resident and native of Poland, acknowledges that "salt therapy has been widely used for centuries throughout Europe and Asia as a complementary treatment for alleviating respiratory conditions such as allergies, asthma, colds and flu." But do I need to be sick to reap the benefits? And why a cave? Why Ridgefield?

Salt mine environments were first discovered to have therapeutic effects on respiratory illnesses in the mid-1800's. "Further research," adds Husted, "revealed that this was due to the anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial qualities of the salt."

The first one of it's kind in Fairfield County, Saltana Cave is a re-creation of the same microclimate found in a natural salt mine. Himalayan salt naturally contains all 84 trace minerals required for human life. There are no side effect or contraindications; it is anti-viral, anti-fungal and a source of pride to Husted who says it, "is considered the purest and cleanest." The air in the cave is saturated so as you breathe normally your body naturally breathes in all that the salt has to offer.

After putting on the white socks I was instructed to bring with me, Husted opened the door to the most magical and inviting room. The walls are aglow with Himalayan salt lamps and the ground is covered with pebble sized salts. Zero gravity chairs offer a comfortable weightlessness and the piped in music, hinting of waves crashing on the shore, added to the peaceful serenity that was already washing over me. Husted encouraged me to, "sit back, relax, breathe and enjoy."

As the session began, a soothing voice explained the history of the caves and the benefits that were already being felt. I can't say that I didn't fall in and out of a restful sleep, but I can say that 45 minutes later I left restored, relaxed, and balanced. I felt peaceful, happy, serene. I didn't have any respiratory conditions or allergies that needed support, but the stress that was plaguing my thoughts and carried in my body was suddenly no longer with me. The Saltana Cave provided me with the time and space to get deep down into myself and to let go. It was, in a word, an "experience," and one in which I plan on repeating. Often.

The Saltana Cave is located at 590 Danbury Road, near the corner of Route 7, and nestled between Kilometers and Bring 'N Buy. Sessions are 45 minutes long and begin on the hour.

Hours are Tuesday - Friday 12:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Saturday 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 pm. and Sunday 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.  You can reach Anna by email at anna@saltanacave.com or by phone at (203) 969-4327.