After a long day of classes and studying, my weekend begins with a quick, thirty-minute drive to The Salty Moon Spa in Hillsborough, NJ, which is an hour or so drive from NYC. The Salty Moon Spa was founded by and is owned by Alaina, a Scorpio who has been doing healing work since she was a young teen and is now certified in various aspects of wellness and health.
I made my way to my spa appointment there after finishing up my final class of the day, and felt the serene atmosphere wash over me. Greeted by Alaina and Lisa, my masseuse for the evening, I was transported to a world of crystals, potions, and self-care. Alaina gave me a tour of the location and thoroughly explained the in-house cryoskin technology.
She then led me to the start of my treatment (and namesake of the spa): the salt cave, a room filled with pink salt, warm lights, and cozy vibes. It featured a one-of-a-kind hammock from India, which made me feel like I was worlds away from New Jersey. On the ceiling was a replica of the night sky with constellations. Salt has proven benefits to help clear the lungs and aid in deeper breathing, through the inhalation of the cave’s salt through a halogenerator located behind the wall. This halogenerator ionizes medical-grade white salt into the air, which my skin absorbs for more balanced breathes. Plus it helps in clearing skin and releasing negative ions to help relieve stress. I climbed into the hammock with my journal by my side as I doodled for a few minutes at the start of my session. After some time, I suddenly found myself drifting off to sleep (it was that comfortable and peaceful). I felt myself breathing deeper and my nose clearing up after being a bit stuffy from the change in weather.
Twenty-five minutes passed, then it was time to head out of the salt cave. Funnily enough, my lips tasted like salt which I was told may happen! The salt cave was a perfect introduction for what was to follow of my spa day.
I was led over a large dome that looked like a spaceship capsule. Alaina reassured me this was the Somadome Meditation Pod. As the name suggests, this pod is used as a non-distraction area to mediate.
In the Somadome there are twenty tracks that play binaural beats through headphones. The offerings include health, creativity, sleep, and so much more. I selected one for wellness, the unguided version. I slipped on headphones and bundled myself up in a blanket before I began. The sound frequencies aid in aligning my energy for blissfulness and relaxation. There was a soft light therapy and microcrystalline tiles laid throughout the pod to aid in de-stressing and grounding. Plus, these tiles transmute EMF energy! Twenty minutes passed and before I knew it the session was complete and I had drifted off.
The final portion of my treatment, and the most unique to me too, was the Aypa Mystic Inka Ritual. Lisa, the practitioner for the service, described it as a blend between a massage and body scrub. She led me to the room with dim and soft lighting and gentle music pulsing from speakers in the ceiling. The decorations of celestial bodies, salt lamps, and moons added a mystical touch as I undressed and laid on the massage table. In came Lisa – and I was ready for the next hour or so of restorative touch to soothe my semester anxieties.
The Mystic Inka Ritual evolved from the culture of the people of the Peruvian Andes. They viewed the world in a holistic way and saw the Earth as their source of life, home to live, and to live in tandem with the planet. In return for the world providing for them, they nurtured and protected the land. By doing this they preserve their identity by tending to the Earth.
This four step in-depth service consists of:
STEP 1: Purify, with Purple Corn
STEP 2: Energize, with Lucuma
STEP 3: Regenerate, with Sacha Inchi
STEP 4: Nourish, with Quinoa
Lisa started with a Purple Corn exfoliator to slough away dead cells and brighten my skin while leaving behind a chamomile scent. Starting on my back, she carefully scrubbed and then applied a lucuma warming mask that tingled and brought relaxation to my muscles. Repeating on my legs and arms, I breathed in deeply and started to drift off into a state of tranquility. Lisa gently applied Sacha Inchi oil to seal in the moisture, massaging away any knots in my legs from working all day. It truly was an absolutely pampering experience. The final step was a quinoa cream to nourish my skin. Afterwards, Lisa gently woke me up and stepped out of the room, telling me to take my time. I laid for a few seconds, enjoying the last bits of stillness before getting dressed. I left a tip at the door and headed back to my car on cloud nine the whole ride back.
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The Salty Moon has been one of the best spa experiences I’ve had during a midweek of midterms. The pick-me-up is much-needed for any student, parent, or busy person who needs some time to slow down and unwind.
Visit this autumn for some R&R:
Salty Moon
390 Amwell Road, Bldg 5, Suite 508
Hillsborough, New Jersey
Website: https://thesaltymoonspa.com/aypa-mystic-inka-ritual
