The Best Self Care Health Healing Wellness Activities in the Asheville Area 2021
The Asheville area has long been a place of ancient beauty, energy and healing.
People have traveled here for ages to experience the health benefits of fresh mountain air, mineral hot springs and pure forests.
I believe a lot of our ailments are rooted in the fact that we are so much more disconnected from the Natural world.
Many studies link a lot of our stress, anxiety, depression, etc. to being immersed in the artificial digital world and glued to our computer, phone or TV screens all day.
So, the simpler, more unplugged and closer to Nature you are with your self care, the healthier and more healing it is.
September is Self Care Awareness Month so here are some things to do in and around Asheville, North Carolina that will help you rest, relax and recharge your body, mind and spirit!
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Acupuncture, Herbal & Chinese Medicine • Aromatherapy • Chiropractic Care • Hiking • Sound Healing • Spas & Massage • Yoga Hikes
Yoga Hikes
RELAXING WATERFALL YOGA HIKING TOUR
Relax and reconnect with your body, mind and with nature during our most popular tour. Includes up-close views of a 150 foot waterfall, historic structures, 2.5 mile (to the falls & back) easy-moderate guided hike, guided meditation, guided yoga in the forest. Optional: take your shoes off and wade in the water at the base of the falls. Free pictures and lightweight yoga mats to borrow provided by your local guide & certified yoga teacher. This is our most popular location. Also available for private groups of 4 or more. [Available Weekday/Weekend Mornings, March - November, Weather-Permitting]
BEAUTIFUL BLUE RIDGE PARKWAY VORTEX YOGA HIKING TOUR
Elevate your body and mind on this scenic tour after an easy, scenic drive on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Includes stunning mountain summit views, historic structures, 2 miles (to the bald & back) easy-moderate trail guided hike, guided meditation, guided yoga on the bald at 5600 feet. This location is said to be a natural vortex. Free pictures and lightweight yoga mats to borrow provided by your local guide & certified yoga teacher. Also available for private groups of 4 or more. [Available Weekday/Weekend Mornings, April - October]
SUNSET VORTEX YOGA HIKING TOUR
Enjoy a short - but steep - hike and then bask in a mountaintop sunset. Up to 2 miles easy-moderate trail guided hike, guided meditation, guided yoga at 5600 feet. This location is said to be a natural vortex. Free lightweight yoga mats to borrow provided by your local guide & certified yoga teacher. Also available for private groups of 4 or more. [Available Weekday, Weekend Afternoon/Evenings, April - October]
WINTER WATERFALL YOGA HIKING TOUR
Book a Winter Waterfall Yoga Hike December - February. If you’re lucky, you might see some frozen falls!
Acupuncture, Herbal & Chinese Medicine
Acupuncture is a Chinese medical practice in which single-use, sterile acupuncture needles are placed in specific points throughout the body to enhance a patient’s capacity to overcome disease, reduce pain and achieve homeostasis.
Chinese Acupuncture & Herbology Clinic I’ve personally enjoyed my treatments here with Dr. Maegan Davis. In addition to acupuncture, they offer moxa (moxibustion), gua sha, cupping, electrical acupuncture and dry needling. Here you’ll also find the largest herbal pharmacy in the Southeast including herbal teas, pills, granules (powders), essential oils, topical applications, and tinctures.
Two locations in Asheville & Hendersonville
369 Montford Ave, Asheville, NC 28801 • 828-258-9016
Open Monday–Saturday
Serving Western North Carolina and South Carolina since 1985
206 Chadwick Avenue, Hendersonville, NC 28792 • 828-698-3335
Open Monday–Friday
Serving Western North Carolina and South Carolina since 1997
Chinese Acupuncture & Herbology Clinic in the historic Montford neighborhood in Asheville
Of course there are many other places that offer acupuncture and Chinese medicine.
Asheville Community Acupuncture
They offer affordable prices in order to make acupuncture accessible to you and your family. Community Room Treatments: $30 - 50*
New patients are charged an additional $20 intake fee. Herbs cost extra.
378 Haywood Road, Asheville, NC 28806 • 828.777.8804
This not for profit clinic offers an herbal pharmacy, acupuncture, consultations, massage and body work.
23 Broadway St., Asheville NC 28801 • 828-424-7415
Open Monday-Saturday 9am – 5:30pm, Sunday 10:30 – 4:00pm
Established in 2003, this clinic offers acupuncture, massage therapy, cupping, herbal medicine and nutritional therapy.
959 Merrimon Ave Ste. 203, Asheville, NC 28804 • 828-254-4405
Open Monday - Friday: 8:30am - 6:30pm, Closed Saturday- Sunday
Aromatherapy
Local places to shop for essential oils & aromatherapy in Asheville, NC include
• Dreaming Earth Botanicals
• ADORAtherapy
• Aromatic Origins, LLC.
• Herbiary AVL
• River Island Apothecary
Dreaming Earth Botanicals has fantastic guide to all things Aromatherapy:
• Articles about Aromatherapy including Aromatherapy for Physical Well Being and Mental Well Being
• Aromatherapy FAQ on everything from Arthritis to Hypothyroidism to Menopause to Relaxation + more!
• Aromatherapy Recipes for Grounding, Head & Neck Tension, Antibacterial Cleaning Spray & More!
Enjoy hand-distilled essential oils from Blue Ridge Aromatics. You can even buy essential oils distilled from tree species native to Western North Carolina including the Frasier Fir and Eastern Hemlock. Other 100% pure, undiluted, single-species essential oils include ginger, African Blue Basil, Lime & Blue Spruce.
Do an Aromatherapy Level One Certification home study with WNC School of Massage. They also offer a lot more aromatherapy classes (with CE continuing education credits) in person.
Chiropractic Care
Chiropractic is focused on the body’s ability to self-heal. Chiropractic is a healthcare profession that cares for a patient’s neuromusculoskeletal system. This includes the bones, nerves, muscles, tendons, and ligaments. A chiropractor can help you manage back and neck pain through the use of spinal adjustments and alignment.
Since I’ve been going to see Dr. Dan and Dr. Erin at Radius Chiropractic, I’ve had less migraines and my hips have felt better. I was born with hip dysplasia and struggled with them ever since. I can’t wait to see and compare my follow up x-rays soon!
Everyone on their staff is so friendly and welcoming and it’s some of the best customer service I’ve experienced anywhere in Asheville. They also host some fun and free events and give back to our local community through volunteering and donation drives. Oh, and they have this nifty app you download to easily schedule, reschedule and check in for your appointments.
They were voted #1 Asheville Chiropractor Western North Carolina by Mountain Xpress in 2020.
1011 Tunnel Rd #110, Asheville, NC 28805 • (828) 333-4447
Open Mondays - Thursdays
Hiking
Check out my list of the Best 25 Hikes and Waterfalls near Asheville including short video previews of each trail. I highly recommend downloading the All Trails App for directions to and on the trails.
Click below if you are curious to learn more about the vortex energy in and around Asheville.
Sound Healing
Billy has an amazing talent and space to host sound healings at his shop in downtown Asheville. Group sound healings cost $20 pp and take place every Saturday and Sunday at 11 AM. We lay yoga mats on the floor and lower the blinds to give you a meditative space to clear your mind and relax to our unique soundscapes.
Billy Zanski, shop owner, uses crystal bowls, gongs, harps, and several other instruments to create a peaceful atmospheric soundscape to assist in relaxation and healing.
Reservations are not required, but, if you want to reserve a spot, call Billy at (828) 768-2826.
4 Eagle St, Asheville, NC 28801 • (828) 768-2826
The Salt Spa of Asheville & Himalayan Salt Cave Sanctuary
While in the private salt cave, opt to spend time on a Vibroacoustic Therapy Mat which uses healing frequencies to induce stress relief, relaxation, pain relief and more.
Open Wednesday through Sunday by appointment and closed Monday & Tuesday
473 Hendersonville Rd., Asheville, NC 28803 • 828 505 1838
Spas & Massage
Whatever kind of spa or body work you are looking for, chances are you will find it in Asheville. Natural mineral hot springs? Check. Himalayan salt caves? Check. Nordic style sauna? Check. Sensory deprivation tank? Check.
Centrally located near downtown Asheville in a cozy vintage bungalow, they offer integrative massage therapy, Thai yoga bodywork, Ashiatsu (back walking), and an herbal apothecary. They offer heart-centered and high-quality services while still maintaining fair and competitive prices.
54 Merrimon Ave, Asheville, NC 28801 • (828) 252-7827 • Open daily 9:30 AM - 8 PM
Located Northwest of Asheville, the this area has drawn tourists and travelers here for decades. The natural hot springs have drawn people here since the 1770s, the first hotel was built there in the 1830s and it has a fascinating history from there. Today, make reservations in advance to enjoy one of their Mineral Baths. You can also enjoy massages, meals and camp or stay in a cabin.
Pro tip: I hosted a yoga retreat in Hot Springs a few years ago. These are NOT sit-in-the-actual-ground hot springs. The water is pumped into and drained out of private, covered outdoor hot tubs and I’d describe the temperature more as warm than hot.
315 Bridge St, Hot Springs, NC 28743 • (828) 622-7676
Mineral bath hours: 9am-9pm 7 days a week
Relax in the salt cave for a public or private session or enjoy a massage or Hammam steam room.
Salt Therapy Sessions limited to 8 people.
16 N Liberty St, Asheville, NC 28801 • (828) 236-5999
Open Mon & Tues 11-5, Thur & Fri 10-7, Sat 9-8, Sun 10-4, CLOSED Wednesdays
Enjoy massage and other therapies at the Salt Spa of Asheville
The Salt Spa of Asheville & Himalayan Salt Cave Sanctuary
The Salt Spa offers several private spa packages for two so this is great for couples. In addition to the therapeutic benefits of breathing the dry, salty air, you can enjoy a massage or spend time on a Vibroacoustic Therapy Mat or on a Chakra Energy Mat.
Sound Therapy (music medicine) uses healing frequencies to induce stress relief, relaxation, pain relief and more. Their Chakra Mat is made of 15 lb of gemstones and emits far infrared heat, negative ions and PEMF at the frequency of 7.83 HZ.
Salt Therapy Sessions limited to 4 people.
Open Wednesday through Sunday by appointment and closed Monday & Tuesday
473 Hendersonville Rd., Asheville, NC 28803 • 828 505 1838
Hot and cold contrast is an ancient tradition proven to help alleviate modern day stress. Sauna House is social but chill; come experience an environment that restores and resets the body and mind. Three saunas, cold showers, cold plunge, heated furniture, and a fantastic massage therapy team.
They keep the aspen wood wet sauna at 180 degrees and allow water to be added to the rocks. The cedar sauna is dry and keeps temp at 192 degrees. The cold showers are 60 degrees and the cold plunge is 52 degrees.
Closed on Wednesdays but open every other day by reservation only.
230 Short Coxe Ave, Asheville, NC 28801 • (828) 505-6393
You’ll have to take a shower before soaking in a therapeutic salt mineral hot tub. Your experience also includes access to a sauna, towels, sandals and a yakuta.
Add on a tub-side tea service using Shoji’s own Signature Tea Blend, made in partnership with Dobra Tea Co., and served with Raw Unfiltered Honey & Japanese Tea Crackers. They also offer a variety of massage and automated massage chairs.
Reservations required.
Shoji Spa & Retreat is located just east of Downtown Asheville:
96 Avondale Heights, Asheville, NC 28803 • (828) 299-0999
Open every day except Tuesdays
Founded in 1999, Asheville’s original spa establishment is dedicated to relaxation and wellness. Enjoy a full range of luxurious treatments including massages, skin care, facials, body wraps, manicures, and pedicures performed in a beautiful and distinctive environment. Their Eminence organic treatments are customized according to your specific needs.
53 College St, Asheville, NC 28801 • (828) 255-4171 • Open daily 10 AM - 7 PM
Still Point Wellness offers Esalen Massage®, Cranial Sacral Therapy and Somatic (body) Psychology, is designed to encourage effortless relaxation and an opportunity to reconnect to your body’s wisdom. They also offer Salt Water Floatation (sensory deprivation). Note: there is only one tank that acan accomoodate one person at a time so this is best as a solo activity.
81 B Central Ave, Asheville, NC 28801 • (828) 348-5372 • Open Monday - Saturday 8AM - 12 AM, Sunday 8AM - 10 PM
Located in the heart of Asheville’s shopping district, this unique communal space allows you to take a break from exploring the city, cozy up in a plush chair and enjoy a custom foot soak made from essential oils, dried herbs, and botanicals. Sip on hot tea with treats while you soak. Add on a massage by a licensed massage therapist and soak up the bliss!
1 Page Ave #115, Asheville, NC 28801 • (828) 575-9799 • Open daily 8AM - 9PM
Which of these activities most appeals to you? Which ones have you already tried? Any awesome experiences that we missed? Let me know in the comments!
💖 Miranda
There are some more resources to help you turn your self care activities into a retreat!
Create Your Own Yoga Retreat: Earth Element Theme (Rest, Relaxation, Reflection, Relieve Anxiety/Stress)
Create Your Own Yoga Retreat: Water Element Theme (Creativity, Passion, Sexuality)
Create Your Own Yoga Retreat: Fire Element Theme (Increase Strength, Discipline, Energy)
Create Your Own Yoga Retreat: Air Element Theme (Love, Contentment and Gratitude)
