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Our Salt Spa Team

Riitta Thrall,

Front Desk Manager, Reiki Master & Sound Practitioner

 

My passion for the Healing Arts has brought me so much fulfillment over the last 13 years and I am dedicated to keep expanding myself even further to bring the highest level of healing to all that I have the pleasure of working with here in North Carolina.

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My biggest joy is to see the faces of our clients

immerging from a Reiki Session or a Crystal Bowl Meditation. The expression on the face is that of a pure state of being and relaxation.

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It has been a privilege meeting and working with so many people in Ft. Myers, Sedona and now here in Asheville. It truly fills my soul to have helped so many people in so many places!

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Emily Ankeney,

Front Desk, Reiki Master, Flower Essence practitioner and Intuitive Artist

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I began my exploration into the healing arts with my own healing journey through severe asthma in my late 30’s. It has brought me many beautiful experiences. I went on to study to become a shamanic reiki master and flower essence practitioner, among other spiritual studies and complementary therapies.

I am passionate about creativity as a path to deepening intuition.

I am grateful to be here to encourage others on their healing and spiritual path. The challenges of life are lessened by the heart connection to other humans. The salt spa is such a special environment to receive loving support. My goal is to bring compassion and kindness to all.

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Windy Donovan

Licensed Lead Massage Therapist, LMBT NC License #19643

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I came to the healing art of massage therapy through a love of movement and a fascination with the body's innate ability to heal itself.

The slow, intentional and harmonious nature of massage has captured my heart. 

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My intention for our massage session is to offer a place where you feel safe and supported.

While some need a gentle, relaxing massage, others need significantly more pressure and specific targeted work.​ I enjoy creating an integrative experience. My bodywork is often described as flowing and connected, nurturing and intuitively effective. ​I look forward to being a part of your healing journey.​

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Paige Foran,

Licensed Massage Therapist, LMBT NC License #12702​

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I believe that nature is the the ultimate healer.  At our core is an innate intelligence that comes from the same source.  In a chaotic world it is easy to forget this.  

 

It is my intention to assist you in remembering the intuitive capacity your body has for healing through the restorative power of massage.  

From gentle and relaxing touch, to deeper or specific work, and anything in between, I look forward to helping you.   I’m in awe of the power of a healing environment to positively impact the human nervous system and  The Salt Spa of Asheville is a very sacred and therapeutic space.  

I am deeply honored to be part of this incredible team.  

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Cameron Walker

Licensed Massage Therapist,, LMBT NC License #06522

Jamie Hunnicutt,

Licensed Massage Therapist, LMBT NC License #​06319

Tressa Brown

Licensed Massage Therapist, LMBT NC License #​21596

Michael Brasunas

Licensed Massage Therapist, LMBT NC License #11933

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Bob Bauer,

Gong Master

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The Clark Family - Creators of The Salt Spa of Asheville Salt Cave

Our journey into healing with The Salt Spa of Asheville began in 2009 when we were introduced to Halotherapy. European Halotherapy Centers were helping hundreds of thousands of people to feel and breathe better with a natural approach.

We were very intrigued with this therapy for the beautiful combination of healing and relaxation. We started with a vision, inspiration and a purpose to bring this natural therapy to Asheville. We, that is me, my husband and our son…

 

I, Ines was called into the healing field in 1995 after a long period of health issues. I was still living in my home Country Germany when I began my training as Physical Therapist which included many natural healing methods, including Hydro/Balneotherapy, Light Therapy, Ultrasound, Electro Therapy and Massage Therapy.

I also learned about Speleotherapy (underground climate therapy in natural mines, including salt mines). After finishing my Physical Therapy training I continued to be a student of multiple other energy therapies, including Cranio-sacral Therapy, Manual Therapy, diverse Neurophysiological Methods not available in the US and Meditation/Relaxation Techniques while working with handicapped children.

 

This experience opened me to a new dimension of healing. Many of the children I was privileged to support were not able to communicate on a physical level. As they taught me to be more sensitive to the unseen, I realized more deeply that healing is not just a physical affair. So my own journey brought me to the US for a personal inner pilgrimage.

 

Because of the missing reciprocity for my German Physical Therapy training and experience in the US, I became a Board Certified Massage Therapist and worked for several years as a licensed massage therapist in Florida before I dedicated my time entirely nurturing and caring for my son.

 

Although my husband Brad was not trained in mainstream therapies, his knowledge is amazing and he is a healer in his own subtle way, radiating kindness and compassion.

When we learned about Halotherapy Centers on our travels to Germany, we knew the healing environment would become part of our lives. In 2010, our family decided to manifest our vision of a salt spa here in Asheville, offering the only solid scientifically researched form of salt therapy known as Halotherapy.

 

The decision to use only environmentally friendly and healthy materials to build the Salt Spa was a consequence of our own natural and health oriented lifestyle and my chemical sensitivities. We did not use any glues, toxic and off-gassing substances. We loved the process of envisioning and designing our logo and our salt spa, which we were to build by hand by ourselves with the purest Himalayan Salt and we did.

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The 3 of us applied Millions of salt crystals to all walls and the floor. It was a labor intensive and also fun experience. Our son was just 7 years old back then. It is very rewarding to see the outcome of ones own effort and it becomes more personal than having a company design and build it.

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On December 8, 2011 the doors to The Salt Spa of Asheville opened for the first time.

We are ever so grateful to this Himalayan Salt Sanctuary and its dry salt micro-climate which supports our own health and well-being and that of others.

We wouldn't have evolved to the wellness center we are now without the wonderful support, input, dedication and big hearts of our team members. Thank you!!

 

On a level much deeper than certificates and degrees, we are seekers of the true meaning of life and lovers of nature. ​​ We love our family life, traveling, all sorts of outdoor activities and being under the sun and the stars as often as we can. Smiles are never short in our lives.

 

Ely is grown up now and found his passion in photography. He is off on his journey to touch peoples heart with his imagery. https://elyclark.photography

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We are honored to serve, support and inspire you into healing.

 

Be Well,

  Ines, Brad & Ely Clark

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