Jodie, Beth, & Neal / Owners
In 2008, Neal stumbled across a salt cave and received such profound benefits for his serious respiratory issues, that he wanted to share this with others. After many years of extensive research and planning, the Appel family opened the Asheville Salt Cave. We welcome you as we continue to grow and flourish.
Laurel / Operations Director & General Manager
Laurel helps manage all the behind-the-scenes workings of the Asheville Salt Cave. She lives in Weaverville with her sweet hubby, amazing 7 year old son, and their very old & very cuddly cat, Rosie.
Lia / Front Desk Associate & Salt Cave Educator
When Lia’s not working her laundry magic or leading meditations in the salt cave, she can usually be found digging in a garden, rearranging a room or sewing the layered wardrobe of her dreams.
Jason / Massage Therapist & Cave Host
Jason is a massage therapist, Reiki Master and freelance yogi. His technique is a relaxing integration of Swedish, Deep Tissue, and Trigger Point Therapy, tailored to meet each client’s specific needs.
Michael / Massage Therapist
Michael has been passionate about natural healing arts for over 15 years, in part, of an effort to work on his own wellbeing. Through a personal transformational healing of his own chronic back pain, he enjoys sharing the knowledge that he has learned with each client. Whether you are coming to destress and relax, or […]
Max/ Massage therapist & Cave Host
Max approaches the practice of bodywork from a background involving a trinity of Neuromuscular Therapy, Sound Healing, and Integrative Breathing. Through a combination of these elements, his techniques focus on awakening the inner healer of each client, promoting their own self-healing beyond the initial session. Outside of massage, Max enjoys playing live music and exploring […]
Jason / Massage Therapist
Jason has practiced massage since 2007, blending techniques and modalities to address each person as the individual they are. Working with and learning different healing modalities and sustainable ways to be in harmony with ourselves is the inspiration.
Jeffrey / Massage Therapist
Jeff experienced a re-awakening of his own physicality through massage and bodywork, and is a firm believer in the body’s ability to restore itself, through conscious breathing and nurturing touch. His sessions blend the invigorating qualities of trigger point release with the soothing groundedness of swedish massage.
Tia/ Front Desk & Salt Cave Educator
Tia has a wide range of interests- from their love of nature, to yoga, different cultural perspectives and foods. The uniting theme amongst these interests is their ability to inspire connection between the individual and the whole. In everything they do, Tia hopes to lead with a compassionate mindset that ripples outwards.
Christopher/ Front Desk & Salt Cave Educator
Christopher relocated to the Asheville area seven years ago in search of community and holistic wellness. He attended the Asheville School of Massage and Yoga, and has been certified by the Upledger Institute for Cranial Sacral 1. He spends his spare time perfecting recipes in the kitchen, and has a passion for gardening and crafting […]
Gail / Massage Therapist
Gail has specialized for over 20 years in Swedish, deep tissue and Thai massage and provides a tailor-made treatment for each individual’s needs. She also finds inspiration in wellness coaching and international travel.
Emily / Front Desk Associate & Salt Cave Educator
Emily transplanted here from Arkansas 7 years ago, thus beginning her journey and exploration thru the many healing modalities and offerings that Asheville so abundantly offers. She enjoys petsitting, hiking and watching movies with her partner Josh and kitty Miso.
Michael “Meka” / Massage Therapist
When you walk around our beautiful gardens , you will feel the creative and playful dreams of this wonderful guy, Meka is our landscape designer and support team. He has so many talents from landscape layout, to interior design, massage, and even puppet creations. Meka is on our massage support team and his massage offers […]
Buffie/ Massage Therapist
Buffie is extensively educated in a variety of massage and yoga modalities. Her bodywork combines specific structural work with a relaxing, holistic approach, and may include rhythmic compressions, passive joint movement, long flowing strokes, trigger point work, myofascial release, and Thai Yoga stretches.”
Alex / Massage Therapist
As a former emergency medical technician and backpacking guide, Alex (they/them) is passionate about therapeutic bodywork. Using a combination of Esalen-inspired massage, table stretching, and deep tissue, Alex will customize your massage to meet individual needs from specific anatomical work to general stress relief. Alex’s hobbies are playing in the outdoors with their dog and […]