From the bustling city of New York to the serene landscapes of Monmouth County, Rachel Ozana’s journey is one of personal healing and entrepreneurial spirit, culminating in the creation of Himalayan Salt Cave & Spa Float, now widely recognized as Ozana Spa. Leaving Israel over three decades ago, Ozana never anticipated that her own transformative experience with holistic therapy would inspire her to establish a wellness sanctuary in Manalapan. Prior to venturing into the spa industry, Ozana dedicated years to nurturing children, successfully running a daycare center in Staten Island from 2001 to 2015, and later contributing her expertise to another center until 2018. Her relocation to New Jersey six years ago was initially driven by the ambition to open another daycare, but life had other plans in store, intertwined with her personal health journey.
Battling respiratory challenges since her mid-30s, Ozana faced diagnoses of COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), bronchitis, and asthma. Doctors cautioned her about the potential need for supplemental oxygen by the age of 45. By 2018, the demands of motherhood and a full-time career amplified her health concerns. Seeking relief from an asthma flare-up, Ozana followed a friend’s advice to visit a salt cave in Pennsylvania. This pivotal experience marked a turning point. “By the second session, my long-lost sense of smell returned,” Ozana recounted. “It was a revelation. After the seventh session, my allergies were gone. I knew I had to bring the healing benefits of Himalayan salt to others by opening my own salt cave,” she explained, driven by her profound personal transformation and a desire to share this natural remedy.
Driven by a newfound purpose, Ozana envisioned her spa in Manalapan. Spotting a promising 3,000-square-foot space on Route 9, she secured the lease. However, transforming this vision into reality proved to be a two-year endeavor. Leehe, Ozana’s daughter, then 19, recalled the initial hurdles: “The location was ideal, close to home, but the space was completely bare – no floors, walls, or ceilings. My mom had a very clear vision for the spa’s design, but convincing others to believe in her plan was a challenge.” Despite skepticism, Ozana persevered, collaborating closely with contractors and a business partner to source authentic Himalayan salt. Her dedication and meticulous planning culminated in the grand opening of Himalayan Salt Cave & Spa Float, Ozana Spa, in February, realizing her long-held dream of offering a unique wellness experience.
Today, Ozana Spa welcomes guests into an inviting multi-room facility designed to promote healing and relaxation. The spa features a meticulously controlled environment where Himalayan salt bricks adorn the floors and walls, creating a visually stunning and therapeutic atmosphere. This distinctive pink salt, sourced from the Himalayan mountains of Pakistan, is central to the spa’s halotherapy offerings. “Halotherapy, or salt therapy, is a holistic approach involving breathing in dry, salt-infused air,” Ozana explained. “It offers a wide spectrum of benefits, from alleviating respiratory conditions like allergies, bronchitis, asthma, sinusitis, and COPD, to enhancing circulation, reducing stress, and improving various skin conditions.” Ozana Spa provides a diverse range of services including salt infrared saunas, salt caves designed for both adults and children, and private rooms for massage therapy, Reiki, and facials. A unique feature is the Dead Sea Room, replicating the mineral-rich environment of the Dead Sea in Israel. This room houses a double-person float tank with water heated to 99 degrees and saturated with 1.2 tons of Epsom salt, offering the deeply relaxing experience of flotation therapy.
Interior view of a Himalayan salt cave at Ozana Spa, Manalapan, NJ, showcasing Himalayan salt brick walls and floor for halotherapy.
Ozana Spa is committed to making wellness accessible. “We pride ourselves on being a high-end spa that offers competitive pricing,” Ozana stated. A 45-minute sauna session starts at $49, and children can enjoy the kids’ salt cave for $25. An hour in the Dead Sea Room is priced at $80 for individuals or $130 for couples. Ozana Spa also provides various specials and discounts, often announced on their social media platforms. For regular visitors, session packages significantly reduce the cost, with 5-, 10-, and 20-session salt cave packages bringing the per-session price down to as low as $22 – less than half the regular rate. Currently, Ozana Spa also allows session sharing, enhancing the value and flexibility for their clientele.
Since its inception, Ozana Spa has garnered overwhelmingly positive feedback. “The moment you step into the salt cave, you feel the clean, cool air and a palpable sense of healing energy,” Ozana shared. “Breathing in the salt-rich air is like being high in the mountains, instantly clearing your airways.” Clients seek out Ozana Spa for various ailments, including respiratory issues, stress, sleep disorders, and skin conditions like psoriasis, often experiencing rapid improvements. “Our clients become regulars because they love the deep relaxation and therapeutic benefits,” Ozana noted. “With our comfortable reclining chairs and cozy blankets, it’s common for 95% of our salt cave visitors to fall asleep during their sessions, testament to the calming environment.”
Launching a new business is inherently challenging, but opening Ozana Spa just before a statewide pandemic shutdown presented unprecedented obstacles. “We officially opened the weekend of February 28th and operated for only three days before voluntarily closing on March 2nd,” Ozana explained. Anticipating the severity of the pandemic based on early reports from colleagues in China, Ozana prioritized safety, closing two weeks before the official state mandate. “We had heavily promoted our opening and were incredibly busy those first few days, but we unfortunately had to cancel our grand opening scheduled for March 18th.” Having invested significantly in the spa over two years and facing ineligibility for the federal Payroll Protection Program due to their brief operational history, Ozana expressed the uncertainty, “We truly wondered if Ozana Spa would survive.”
Reopening in late June at 25% capacity, Ozana Spa began the slow process of recovery. “Business is gradually improving, though still not at pre-pandemic levels,” Ozana acknowledged. Previously accommodating 25 clients, the spa now operates at a reduced capacity, serving around six people at a time, by appointment only to manage walk-ins and ensure social distancing. Ozana Spa rigorously adheres to all safety protocols, including mandatory masking, social distancing, and enhanced cleaning and sanitization. “While some clients are still apprehensive, many are drawn to the cave’s immune-boosting properties, seeking natural ways to prevent or recover from COVID,” Ozana observed, highlighting the growing awareness of halotherapy’s health benefits during these times.
Ozana is supported by a dedicated team of seven, including her daughter Leehe, who manages marketing and social media, two Reiki specialists, a facialist, and two massage therapists. Ozana herself is deeply involved in daily operations, greeting clients and ensuring a personalized experience. “My primary goal is to help people,” Ozana emphasized. “We focus on educating our clients about the benefits of salt therapy and providing exceptional customer service. Our numerous five-star Google reviews reflect our commitment.” Reflecting on the shutdown period, Ozana found a silver lining: “The forced closure, while challenging, provided unexpected time to refine the spa’s details and perfect the client experience.”
While salt caves are gaining popularity in New Jersey, “Ozana Spa is unique in our immediate area,” Ozana stated. “I believe more salt spas will emerge as people increasingly recognize the profound health and wellness advantages they offer. I hope to expand Ozana Spa to multiple locations in the future.” Beyond her spa, Ozana extends her passion for Himalayan salt through Sian Enterprises, a company that designs and builds salt caves globally and supplies a variety of Himalayan salt products, including culinary salt, salt lamps, bath salts, and salt inhalers. Driven by her personal health transformation, Ozana is deeply gratified to facilitate healing in others. “The most rewarding aspect is seeing the radiant, happy, and relaxed faces of our clients after their sessions at Ozana Spa. They truly don’t want to leave,” she concluded, encapsulating the deeply satisfying impact of her wellness sanctuary.
Himalayan Salt Cave & Spa Float – Ozana Spa
Location: 330 Route 9 N., Manalapan
Phone: 732-972-8888; 732-972-8889
Owner: Rachel Ozana
Opened: February 2020
Website: www.himalayansaltcavespa.com