In Collaboration with Liz Westerhaus of ThisMinnesotaLife
I recently heard someone say “Winter is where wellness is made.” I’d never thought of it that way. Like many, I’ve habitually used the long trudge of winter in the Midwest as an excuse to hide behind closed doors in hibernation mode until the first signs of Spring. But we don’t have to! Turns out our mindset through challenging times (and dark, frigid winter season) matters most.
There are ENDLESS places to redesign a more solid foundation of greater physical and emotional health for the new year right here in Stillwater, Minnesota . Winter is the PERFECT time to go inward and use these quieter days to explore self-reflection, self-care and overall health. Revive your well-being by taking advantage of the therapeutic resources in Stillwater. Here’s a few ideas to get you on a healing path!
Your Mind-Body Connection
Stillwater, Minnesota has INCREDIBLE yoga studios that offer a wide range of multi-level classes. If the lack of sunshine and cold temps have you feeling stiff, stagnant and uninspired, try a Hot60 class at Studio One Yoga on Stillwater’s north end of Main Street. This class is a gentle, slow-moving flow in 100-108 degrees that ignites the soul and invigorates the senses. You’ll leave feeling alive and rejuvenated!
Studio One Stillwater has 21 heated or Hot60 sessions to choose from during the week. Be sure to sign up ahead of time online to reserve a spot as these classes fill quickly. Bring a friend, rent a towel and a mat on your way in and use this awesome space with super talented instructors to reconnect with your breath and to release old energy from a long week.
If you’re looking for something more restorative (and at room temp,) head over to KALI located in the Brick Alley building on the south end of Main Street. A 60-minute Yoga Nidra + Sound class is a lovely way to unwind or head in to a new week with more clarity and calm. This ancient meditative practice offered at KALI brings about profound relaxation, helps alleviate stress and better cope with general winter malaise.
As a business defined as “a space for transformation”, they also have Ayurveda wellness retreats, mindful art journal, astrology, pranic healing and classes on breathe work. Grab your comfy clothes, blanket, and yoga mat as you are cradled in coziness within an intimate space in an inspiring town. Be sure to check out their schedule online. The KALI yoga space is also available for private parties, work outings or small groups of friends who want to be taken through a private, guided class.
Good muscle strength powers your mind and body so give a new fitness class a try like the aerial arts and dance classes offered at The Pole Barn Studio downtown Stillwater. You’ll be so impressed with yourself when you can hang from the ceiling like Pink.
Your Bodywork & Spa Needs
Follow up a fitness session with an incredible massage! Just a few steps next door from KALI yoga is Brick Alley Massage & Body Work Studio, a tranquil and intimate massage space. If tension from recent days has built up and you’re in desperate need of relief, book a session here for stress relieving massage therapy at this studio dedicated to helping clients relax and tend to their well-being.
Their experienced massage therapists will assess your individual needs and set you up with the PERFECT style of massage or bodywork. Think about what you would love to try. They offer Swedish, deep tissue, hot stone massage, couples massages, Thai massage or Thai yoga. Brick Alley Massage also specializes in craniosacral/miofacial techniques, cupping, shiatzu, and reflexology. My winter wellness is improving just thinking about all these massage options.
If you are a manager looking to boost winter wellness in your office, ask about their corporate massage services that includes massage chair or table, set-up, and transportation to your workplace, company health fairs, or employee appreciation day.
Ask your hotel about massage options or book through one of the many massage therapist or healing experts in the area.
There’s NOTHING better than capping off a day or a weekend away with friends in Stillwater, by pampering yourselves in ultimate luxury at Just For Me Spa! Just up the hill from downtown, Just for Me Spa is convenient to all local lodging and is the greatest way to solidify all the peace and healing you’ve acquired during your stay here. In fact, they even have three VRBO rentals on site for the ultimate convenience for your group seeking winter wellness.
Just For Me has an endless list of spa and salon services, but is most notably recognized for it’s one-of-a-kind salt cave sanctuary. Book a session in this GORGEOUS space that offers next level physical healing and support. If you haven’t had a Salt Cave Experience, you won’t want to leave Stillwater without trying it.
By just SITTING in the salt cave, you’ll bring purification and balance to your skin and respiratory system while you lay back, close your eyes or gaze into the starry sky ceiling above and breathe in the tiny salt particles. This type of treatment is a safe and effective way of using salt’s natural antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and super absorbent properties to provide relief for respiratory and skin conditions. Upon your arrival, you’ll be given a warm Sherpa blanket and slippers for your 45-minute session of reclining in their zero-gravity chairs in this peaceful space. This is a truly blissful experience and one you’ll want to return to year after year.
Just for Me Spa: Serenity Room
Check out Just for Me Spa’s website for other salt cave therapy option add-ons like the serenity experience for heel to toe treatment or the just opened ancient healing mineral pool with warm 90 degree water or 104 degree hot tub. Be sure to book ahead of time!
Just for Me Spa: Ancient Healing Mineral Pool (NOW OPEN!)
Your Style & Fashion
If you’re heading into Stillwater and need an update to your look, we have myriad of local salons and stylists to choose from. A fresh trim or new hair color is just what will add a little pep to your step during these dull winter months! Stillwater’s incredibly talented hair stylists can offer expert advice and ideas on how to recreate YOU with a simple make-over or new do. Check out our link to all the local hair salons at your fingertips. From lashes to locks, we’ve got you covered.
Your new hair style may also deserve a new outfit to complete the winter woes makeover, so stroll downtown to find several fashion boutiques ready to help pull together a fantastic new look for you!
Your Creative Side
A weekend getaway to Stillwater with friends in the winter months is a great time to not only reconnect relationships but also tap back into your innate creativity that may have taken a back seat to work and family life.
Stillwater has fun DIY classes rediscover your artistic talents like painting pottery at Kari’s Create and Paint Studio , designing jewelry with Marquess Studios , or finding the colorful Stillwater Beads basement at Art n Soul. You can even create personalized home decor with local artisans at the new Smith & Trade Mercantile showcasing workshops from fiber art to woodworking to candle making.
Your Natural Health & Beauty Products
Before you head out of town, be sure to grab local, hand-crafted products from Modern Roots on the corner of Main and Commercial Street. Modern Roots sells must-have body care and natural soaps that are made right in Minnesota with organic principles and ingredients sure to embrace your winter wellness goals.
This beautiful Main Street store has some of the most incredible scents you’ve ever experienced. Head in to their shop where you’ll spend quality time exploring the glorious salves and soaps, finding just the perfect soothing balm for you. From foot scrubs to body lotions, there’s something for everyone at Modern Roots.
Also be sure to check out Medicinal Blends at 224 Chestnut Street E, for invigorating botanical, natural, full spectrum pain relief tinctures. As a wellness boutique, they feature local natural beauty brands like Worker Bee, their proprietary CBD oils, and locally made meditation cushions.
Medicinal Blends offers beautiful curated gift boxes for you or for that thoughtful gift to someone you love. They also offer monthly workshops to help educate and guide you through a better understanding of the healing properties of natural herbs and plants and even how to make your own medicinal syrups. Follow them on Instagram and Facebook for amazing health and wellness inspiration and upcoming events.
Where to Stay?
Awaken to your TRUE potential this winter and create space for revived energy by exploring all Stillwater has to offer! You’ll leave here feeling refreshed, rejuvenated and with a renewed sense of purpose and joy for the rest of winter! Book your winter wellness retreat now starting with choosing where you’d love to stay.
