WE’VE ALL READ A NOVEL in which a sickly heroine is sent to the seashore for fresh salt air, where she recovers to meet a swarthy lighthouse keeper. The plot device is based on a grain of truth.

After visiting a salt cave in Massachusetts, Skye Winslow, a naturopathic doctor, was inspired. Salt air is charged with negative ions, shown to increase oxygen absorption, reduce symptoms of colds and allergies, and ease respiratory ailments. Thus began a three-year effort to transform a historic home into the Carmel Salt Caves.

They aren’t actual caves but two cave-like rooms. No matter. They’re bewitching, hand-hewn from pink Himalayan salt sustainably sourced from Pakistan. Chill in a zero-gravity recliner or plop down on the salt. Starry lights twinkle, the “fireplace” carved from 300-million-year-old salt glows, and the sound of waves mingled with spa music lulls. Microparticles of pharmaceutical grade salt are dry-misted inside the low humidity, 73-degree caves.

A 50-minute session is like spending four hours at the ocean. Go on, make salt angels.

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A DEVOTED GYMGOER knows both sides of working out: the exercise itself, whether it’s cardio or strength, and the recovery, be it physical, mental, or both. Gemi Ozdemir, a fitness guru who struggled to balance the two as a working father of four, saw a gap that needed bridging. “You need a place to blow off steam and be able to recover and get a minute, relax, and do it again,” Ozdemir explains. He brings his vision to life at Ozwell  Fitness, the posh facility he designed and owns. Guests exercise, then refresh and renew,  under one roof. Amenities include group fitness classes and top-of-the-line workout equipment, as well as regeneration options, such as saunas and compression therapy.

The building formerly housed an HVAC warehouse, and its industrial elements fit seamlessly with the new, modern design. A sleek black-and-white theme flows through the interior of the building, leading to a showpiece retractable dome encapsulating turf that borders the Monon Trail.

Ozdemir spent more than two years making his dream come true after purchasing the property. After the gym opened its doors last December, it attracted a community of busy professionals who appreciate the ease and convenience of his all-in-one concept. “It’s high-level people who just want to work out, recover, and get back to work,” Ozdemir says. “That’s the value of this venture. Saving time and becoming better employees, husbands,
wives, parents. I think that’s the drive for me.” 1077 3rd Ave. SW, Carmel, 463-273-2226

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TRY A NEW place to kick off the weekend with friends: Kiss Kiss Bang Bang. At its free Style Parties with wine and snacks Fridays 7–9 p.m., everyone gets a shampoo and a custom styling lesson. “It’s great for people with straight hair wanting to figure out how to get a curl that lasts or with natural curls who want to learn to enhance their texture,” says stylist Hannah Horner. Demos in braids and blowouts are also common requests.

Horner’s favorite party to date included 30 women from Cocktails & Caregivers, a support group for those with sick or aging relatives. “It was amazing to hear their stories, to chat and laugh. We treated them to the kind of experience they rarely enjoy. They left smiling. So did we.”

Book two weeks in advance for a minimum of five people. Attendees get 20 percent off products and 25 percent off future services. 110 W. Main St., Carmel, 317-571-1120; 11547 Yard St., Fishers, 317-915-0100

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Wellness is not a design trend; it’s a way of life that has become integral to design. Creating comfortable, calm, and relaxing living spaces is becoming more and more desirable to homeowners, and the degree to which wellness elements are applied varies by room.

“Whether it is a reading room, a workout space, or a home office, we demand more of our home today than ever,” says Sallie Lord, chief designer at GreyHunt Interiors. “The feel of a room depends upon what happens in it. Each room needs to do positive things for our mental health.”

The term “biophilic” might be unfamiliar, but its concept of immersive wellness is not. Simply stated, biophilic design represents connectivity to nature. Though the term was coined recently, biophilic design has been used in architecture for millennia, with evidence of courtyards and pleasure gardens strewn across the ruins of the ancient world.

Green Rooms

At the annual Kitchen & Bath Industry Show held earlier this year in Las Vegas, the color green dominated in a vast range of shades including eucalyptus, army, Kelly, sea, emerald, light, forest, pine, olive, tea, lime, grass, Paris, imperial, and Veronese. And no, we’re not talking about the avocado green of the ’70s. To some, green represents the heart chakra and symbolizes opening up, receiving, and abundance.

At KBIS, green was seen on every appliance imaginable, on walls, and on the outsides of tubs and sinks, countertops, and cabinetry. Plants also contributed to the verdant palette.

Nature Versus Nurture

Plants are the most obvious way to bring nature indoors. Living, breathing flora is responsible for oxygen exchange and can bring an immediate sense of calm to any room.

Demetrius Robinson, principal interior designer with At Home With Savvy, utilizes houseplants wherever possible in his clients’ homes. “Plants are important to me as a designer and a human. Finding ways to bring the outdoors in—whether branches, small objects from nature, or a natural element—adds to overall wellness,” he says.

Robinson sets his clients up for success with houseplants by thoughtfully considering and selecting species that align with their lifestyles. Fussy, high maintenance varieties may be ideal for some homeowners, but others may prefer low-maintenance plants that thrive on less attention (enter: succulents). Naturspire in Carmel goes further by creating living walls that look like art installations in homes or offices. A living wall provides energy to a stagnant space.

The primary challenge for many homeowners is capitalizing on natural light. This is not only a factor for plants but also for humans.

Let There be Light Therapy

Our natural biological processes, or circadian rhythms, align with the colors of the sun throughout the day. At dawn, we experience the golden hour. Throughout the day, light becomes more blue, which energizes us. The amber light in the evening facilitates a natural release of melatonin, which signals an approaching bedtime.

To emulate these effects indoors, lighting systems and lightbulbs that match the sun’s natural color temperatures now exist. Through carefully chosen fixtures or apps connected to smart lights, we can replicate changes throughout the day, keeping our bodies in sync with natural light rhythms.

Architectural designer Adam Gibson of Adam Gibson Design leverages natural light as much as possible in his design projects. Gibson recommends installing south-facing windows, and if a room requires additional light, he often brings in tubular skylights, which filter UV radiation and are cheaper, easier to install, more energy efficient, and more weatherproof than conventional skylights.

Trigger the Glimmers

Glimmers are moments in a day when we feel joy, happiness, peace, or gratitude. Surrounding yourself with items that trigger glimmers is a fun way to bring joy into a space. This isn’t far from the “love it or leave it” concept professional organizer Marie Kondo applies to her KonMari method of tidying and decluttering homes. The use of objects that make us feel good is something to pay attention to when decorating.

Healthy Design

Another way to incorporate wellness in design is to use natural products and materials that do not off-gas, or release harmful chemicals into the air. “Many people are unaware that their flooring, cabinets, and furniture contain volatile organic compounds. I strongly recommend installing healthy products that contain no carcinogens, which most homeowners don’t realize they may already be living with,” advocates Gibson, who is a healthy home expert and a master kitchen and bath designer. “Wellness that is unseen includes constant fresh air exchanges throughout the home, including adequate cooking ventilation and make-up air.”

Inspiration Via Immersion

During a presentation at the Kitchen & Bath Industry Show, certified kitchen and bath designer Elle H-Millard spoke of the benefits of biophilic design, describing how immersive experiences—being surrounded by natural elements that engage us through sight, touch, and sound—release endorphins.

“There’s mystery and wonder associated with nature,” says H-Millard, who created biophilic performance art while earning her MFA. “This connectivity to beauty in nature can be incorporated into design to give us all the feels. It is not a coincidence that many people have their best ideas while in the shower—as creative thoughts are inspired by elements from nature.”

H-Millard points to bathroom fixtures such as waterfall faucets, rain-simulating showerheads, and steam showers as features that evoke a feeling of calm. She suggests seeking inspiration in the Japandi approach, which is a minimalist mix of Japanese and Scandinavian design utilizing greenery, natural materials, and neutral colors.

“Emulating an environment within the home that induces the sympathetic nervous system to trip into a state of relaxation [creates] a haven away from work and the stresses of life,” says H-Millard. “Surrounding ourselves with objects that are joy-producing and that minimize distractions from our busy lives is a huge victory for anyone.”

Hot or Cold?

While the phrase “to bathe yourself in luxury” is merely a saying, no one can deny how lavish the simple joy of a long, hot bath or a dip in the pool can feel.

Cold water immersion therapy has been trending for a while, and fortunately, there is a lot of equipment on the market for a range of incomes. Benefits from cold immersion include expediting muscle recovery, reducing muscle soreness, improving circulation, and increasing overall mental well-being.

Immersing oneself in hot water for therapeutic purposes dates back thousands of years, with evidence of hot bath rituals existing in ancient China, Egypt, India, Japan, Greece, and elsewhere. The Romans also partook, coining the phrase “sanus per aquam,” which translates to “health through water.” Hot baths are proven to relieve stress and muscle tension, improve circulation, and promote relaxation. Submerging yourself in a hot bath in the evening may also improve sleep.

The Ultimate Decorating Tip

The bottom line is that whatever makes you feel healthy and happy in your home is paramount.

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In the way blow dry bars freed us from squeezing in a salon visit for a fast refresh, a new facial bar unlinks skincare from full-on spas. Face Foundrie franchise owner Bhumi Patel fills a gap with her light, airy space. “I noticed that most places to get facials didn’t have the open design concept and weren’t approachable.”

Each Face Foundrie 45-minute facial and 20-minute mini facial has a specific purpose. “For example, the Sculpt is for toning and depuffing, versus the Foundrie Glow, which is better for unclogging pores and adding glow,” says Patel. Unsure what you need, exactly? An esthetician will ask the right questions so you can figure it out. Be honest when you share your skincare routine—or lack of it—as it’s a key clue. A seasonal tip: “Don’t come in after too much sun,” advises esthetician Lizzie Krohn. Since walk-ins are taken, returning when your skin settles down shouldn’t be hard. The Shops at River Crossing, 317-533-1210.

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ACCORDING TO the World Resources Institute, while the overall greenhouse gas emissions in Indiana are on a downward trend, they’re still the eighth highest in the country. “The impact of climate change on the skin is enormous and includes higher rates of skin cancer, brown spots, and wrinkles due to an increase in ultraviolet radiation,” says Carmel dermatologist Keeter Sechrist, who is on the board of Outrun the Sun, a local melanoma education and research nonprofit. In short, Indiana is becoming more like a Southern state. “I am sad that I may never get to use my cross-country skis here again,” Sechrist laments.

The sun’s radiation damages our DNA, opening the gate for abnormal skin cells to form. “While our immune system repairs our DNA, over time the damage accumulates, and the immune system can’t keep up. In this way, our skin can become more sensitive to the sun with age,” notes Christy Waterman, a Zionsville dermatologist and board member at Outrun the Sun.

Sechrist urges using a broad spectrum, SPF 30, water-resistant sunscreen all year long. If you don’t like the idea of a chemical sunscreen, pick up a mineral one (look for zinc oxide or titanium dioxide on the label). UVB radiation, responsible for sunburns, is blocked by glass. But UVA is sneakier. It causes skin aging that’s invisible—until it’s not. UVA radiation doesn’t fl uctuate by season, and it passes through glass. “You may work in an office, but if you sit by a window, you’re gett ing UVA damage,” says Sechrist. For a pool day or a weekend at Indiana Dunes, try sun-protective clothing, like Lifa’s Active Hoodie. It’s easier to wear a shirt than to reapply sunscreen every two hours. “Such garments, now stylish and comfortable, have come a long way,” adds Waterman.

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Eagle Creek Park Summer Night Trail Run

This quarter- or half-marathon under the stars allows runners to hit trails that are typically off-limits after the park’s dusk closure. The starting gun cracks at 9:30 p.m. on July 13, with the course remaining open until 1:30 a.m. 7602 Eagle Beach Dr.

Cool Creek Campfires

Bring your lawn chairs and blankets to Cool Creek Park Wednesdays at 7 p.m. to gather around a campfire and learn about all manner of creatures, including birds of prey, reptiles and amphibians, and Hoosier owls. The free educational series, which runs through July, includes wholesome activities such as sing-alongs and marshmallow roasting. 2000 E. 151st St., Carmel

N.I.T.E. Ride

Sleep is overrated, especially on Central Indiana Bicycling Association’s annual all-night summer bike ride through the streets of downtown. This year, pedal-pushers by the thousands will pull into Eli Lilly’s corporate parking lot around 11 p.m. on June 29 to prep for the 20-mile ride that includes a midway stop at The Amp and pizza at the finish line. Online registration is required, along with a helmet and lights.

Eagle Creek Park Guided Kayak Tour

Every Tuesday night from June through August, the Eagle Creek Outfitters team will lead 20 kayakers on a two-hour park and reservoir tour as day turns to dusk. All equipment is provided, and beginners are welcome. Tickets begin at $32. 7602 Walnut Point Rd., 317-207- 1724

Conner Prairie’s We Can Camp

It’s not Yosemite, but Conner Prairie’s family-friendly overnight stays give aspiring off-gridders a glimpse of the great outdoors. They supply the basics (tent, air mattress, cook kit, and propane stove), along with any needed assistance in setup. August 17–18 and August 24–25. 13400 Allisonville Rd., Fishers, 317-776-6000

Summer Sunset Yoga

Take a midweek stretch break with a nature-focused series of yoga classes Wednesday evenings 7–8:30 p.m. at the waterfront Osprey Pointe Pavilion at Morse Park & Beach. Classes are free, but donations are accepted, and registration is required. The June 5 session will be at the Taylor Center of Natural History in Strawtown Koteewi Park. 19777 Morse Park Ln., Noblesville

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MINA Starsiak Hawk, the former star of Good Bones and owner of Two Chicks District Co., newly reopened in Noblesville, hosts her own podcast (Mina AF), manages several rental properties, and—whew—chases after her two little “nuggets.” It’s not surprising that on Mina AF, she often chats about stress management—and the importance of a fitness and sleep routine. “Everything in life is easier when I work out regularly and get good sleep,” she says. “I fell off the wagon when my world was going crazy. Once I got back to morning workouts, within two to four weeks I slept better, my anxiety in the evenings dissipated, and my energy increased.”

Starsiak Hawk emphasizes that improving her wellness hasn’t been a straight line. “I have really bad days, and I have amazing days. If you get stuck, don’t throw it all in the dumpster,” she advises. “Get through the hard thing, meet your core needs for sleep, exercise, and nutrition, and try again tomorrow.” She points out that a multipronged solution is often needed. “Steve and I regularly go to a therapist and have, at different points in our lives, used medication to support our mental health. We have no shame in that, and I hope others who do the same don’t either. You wouldn’t treat diabetes with positive thinking. Why treat a potential chemical imbalance with wishes?”

To Steve Hawk, the goal of fitness is to be able to do everything you enjoy. But the master personal trainer and licensed nutritionist noticed that too often, the sole motivation was appearance. So he started the Hawkfit program to help people not only look good but feel good, too. That takes work and persistence in the form of long-term lifestyle change. “Adding muscle and losing fat takes time. As I tell my clients: You didn’t gain the fat in two months, so you’re not going to lose it in two months.” His programs offer cardio for heart health, but they’re all weight-training heavy. “It’s the key to longevity. And that’s what we’re all looking for, right?” he explains.

While Hawk considers diets temporary fixes at best, he says intermittent fasting—eating only during an eight-hour window—can have merit. “When we restrict the amount of time we have to eat, we naturally wind up eating fewer calories in a day,” he says. “If done properly, it can be a good way to lose extra fat.” It’s not necessarily easy, but it’s straightforward, which helps many stick with it. But Hawk emphasizes the “done properly” part. “If you consume 2,000 calories in Oreos the minute it’s time to eat, it’s not going to work.”

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SPENDING WEEKS cooped up inside in the bleak winter months can take a toll, both mentally and physically. As spring ramps up, walking is a great way to restore health and relieve stress. According to Laura Graefnitz, owner of Lifetime Wellness in Zionsville, walking reduces risk of heart attack and stroke, improves high blood pressure and high cholesterol, strengthens muscles and bones, and reduces overall body fat. Walking also increases dopamine levels, which can alleviate depression and anxiety symptoms, and improves sleep patterns, mood, brainpower, and alertness.

Getting outdoors with family and friends offers health perks, agrees Zionsville-based health coach Dawn Parker. “Walking in nature brings the benefits of using all of your senses to experience life. The smell of the trees and clean air, the sound of birds and rustling leaves, and the beauty of the flowers and greenery,” she says.

Looking for local trails to ease into spring at your own leisurely pace? Running roughly 11 miles from Riverside to the Fort Ben border, the Fall Creek Trail is notable for its picturesque views of both nature and historic man-made structures. Redbuds and wildlife, including blue herons, can be spotted in spring against the backdrop of attractive old homes and bridges.

The Vandalia Trail, composed of two separate segments spanning Hendricks and Putnam counties from Plainfield to Greencastle, goes through idyllic woods, farmland, and suburban neighborhoods. Overhanging trees and spring wildflowers hug the trail in many sections, making it perfect for birding and spotting butterflies.

In spring, it’s hard to beat downtown’s White River Promenade, a quiet passage tucked between the river and the zoo, flanked by stacked limestone blocks and bookended by wrought iron gates. Magnolia, redbud, and cherry blossom trees burst into full bloom along the path, the latter of which also blanket the slopes of the riverbank to the immediate south.

The post Some Of The Best Walking Trails To Hit This Spring appeared first on Indianapolis Monthly.

I WASN’T sleeping well, unable to get comfortable because of my back, which felt like it had been struck repeatedly by a metal folding chair. That’s how I found myself lying on a mat as Wilai Johnson twisted my body into what I think might have been a figure-four leglock (a pro wrestling move, for those not in the know). She had spent the previous hour pulling and stretching me into various positions like a petite Dick the Bruiser. But she was not trying to bind me into submission but, rather, to loosen up my sore, tight muscles. Thus, I received my introduction to the art of Thai massage.

When most people think of massage, I’m sure they imagine a room with dim lights and New Age music gently emanating from a Bose speaker in the corner while a masseuse named Sven or Hilda slowly rubs their shoulders and back. I’ve gotten a few of these types of massages over the years, but Thai massage is an entirely different beast. Thai massage practitioners not only use their hands, but they also use their feet, knees, elbows, and more to stretch and bend your body.

Wilai learned the practice from her grandmother in her native Thailand. Growing up, she lived in a small village with few roads and no electricity. Her grandparents were the village healers, helping their neighbors with various ailments, including sore bodies from working in the fields.

When Wilai was older, she learned additional techniques at the Old Medicine Hospital in Chiang Mai, where she later became a teacher herself. Wilai hit it off with a traveling Hoosier, who brought her to Indianapolis to both visit and teach. In Indy, she met her husband Dave Johnson, who, until his recent semi-retirement, practiced the Polynesian lomilomi style of massage. The pair now operate their studio from their beautiful home near Castleton, where I was greeted and ushered into a mindfully sparse room with a fairly standard massage table and a mat on the floor.

After I changed into loose-fitting pants, Wilai entered. Before starting our session, she said a short prayer to Shivago Komparaj, the founder of Thai massage, who is said to have been a friend and personal doctor to Buddha more than a millennium ago. Many clients come in merely for bodywork, but there’s a spiritual element, as well.

Wilai keyed in on “energy points,” using her appendages like acupuncturists use needles. After being drawn into deeper and deeper stretches, I began to understand why Thai massage is sometimes called “lazy person’s yoga.” With her decades of experience, Wilai knew exactly how much pressure to use as she forced my body into opposing directions without me shrieking.

That’s not to say the experience was pleasant. But it’s what you might call a “good pain.” Afterward, Dave had me hop onto the massage table, where he used a traditional wood mallet to further loosen my muscles. With each strike, I felt like a dilapidated midcentury modern house on HGTV that needs a remodel to become livable again.

Wilai gave me homework: a few stretches to keep my back and shoulders from tightening up again. Walking back to my car, my body felt more limber. And that night, I slept better than I had in ages.

Aloha-Sawasdee By appointment. 20-minute to two-hour sessions. $60-150. 317-985-7940

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