But the Salt Cave turned out to be just that: a salt cave. Fortunately, a friend enlightened me and told me it was a meditative experience and is relaxing, you sit and think, pray or just enjoy the quiet...and the healing air.
Then my husband got me a gift certificate for Mother's Day. He ventured in there on an open house and thought it was really cool. He tried to describe it to me, adding there are various treatments, and so gave me enough leeway to choose what I would like. Along with the gift certificate came a nylon bag with beautiful coral colored salt crystals.
I stopped in on a Friday afternoon with the work week behind me. Ah, I thought now I can relax.
The first thing that I noticed was the lovely pinkish lamps and crystals displayed everywhere. And the fragrance, it was lovely. Just enough to appeal to the senses without bombarding them.
After an introduction of each of the treatments, I decided on the Aqua Float.
There is a human-sized box in the room that you climb onto. A board is just below the top of this "box" and the attendant covers you with a sheet, then a plastic blanket that is filled with gussets that will eventually fill up with water. The attendant indicates that you will hear some gurgling, as that is the water filling up in the pockets.
You then are lowered very slightly and the water flows around you, gently massaging your neck and back. You are fully clothed and protected with the plastic covering. I expected the water to be cool, but it is body temperature. I thought I might get hot or claustrophic, but neither happened.
During the last 5-7 minutes, the water waves around your feet. It is not hard jets like a whirlpool, but rather gentle waves. I asked if anyone falls asleep and the attendant told me yes, but mostly people say it is like lying on a beach, watching no kids, just noting the sounds around you but not listening to anything in particular. It is much like that, when your body is carved perfectly into the sand and you drift off with the sounds of the afternoon. I think I did fall asleep for a bit, though.
I love the Aqua Float - I felt very relaxed and sat for a minute in a chair in the room and had a bottle of water. The room is very soothing with dimmed lighting and music and it all smells so good. Definitely a treat -
30 minutes and $30.00
8 S La Grange Rd., 708-482-2505 www.primaloceanssaltcave.com
