Best Ways to Refresh with Lake Tahoe Wellness
By: Ryn Muat
With all the options for high-energy adventures here in the Tahoe basin, you may want to schedule in some time to rest & restore throughout your stay. As much as we love to play hard here on the South Shore of Lake Tahoe, we also know how to slow down and soak in the beauty. Here are a few local’s recommendations for the best ways to catch your breath and drop into a slower pace.
Infuse your time in Tahoe with wellness at these unique locations:
Take a Japanese Forest Bath
One of the most unique wellness experiences in the south shore region can be found at Tahoe Forest Baths. Tahoe Forest Baths specializes in Japanese cedar baths and is one of only two locations offering this treatment in the United States. Originally popularized at the Olympics in 1972, which were hosted in Sapporo, Japan, cedar enzyme baths have proven to be stress-relieving and serotonin-boosting in clinical studies at Kanazawa Medical University.
Sip Some Tea with a Book in a Nook
Cuppa Tahoe offers unparalleled charm if you’re a fan of reading books in nooks. This coffee shop is cram-jam full of books and souvenirs, including all kinds of unique children’s books and activities.
If you appreciate small town vibes, Free Bird Cafe (location near the Y) is a community hub, with a menu that features healthy smoothies & bowls. I highly recommend The Chronic Bowl, topped with housemade hemp granola, or the Cacao Bliss smoothie. Freebird Cafe is also locally famous for their house-made chai. For a rustic, hygge aesthetic, visit Clyde’s Coffee, another lovely spot to spend an afternoon in a cozy corner with a book.
Nourish Your Temple
The south shore of Lake Tahoe has a wide range of options in terms of fitness, yoga, and niche wellness offerings. Many resorts will have yoga classes and/or activities like how to make the perfect mocktail.
Located in the middle of town, OMNI Tahoe has yoga, barre, and pole dancing classes, plus events like full moon sound baths and Ecstatic Dance (a sober dance party!). It is the only infrared-heated studio on the south shore, so you’ll also benefit from the infrared exposure. Revive Well is housed inside of OMNI, so if you’re feeling like your immune system could use a boost, you can schedule a B-12 shot or IV drip before or after your class to offset the impacts of jet lag on your immune system. You can also schedule in advance and have a nurse visit your hotel or VHR.
Be sure to check out Accessible Yoga Tahoe. Accessible Yoga is Yoga for ALL bodies, abilities, disabilities and possibilities! Yogis may practice from the mat or chair. All humans are welcome. No equipment required.
For a perfect spa day, look no further than The Spa at Edgewood. With a jacuzzi and a treatment menu that includes tantalizing offerings such as the Skin Transformation Ritual and a Crystal Wellness Massage, there is a little something for everyone.
To bring some Tahoe-made wellness back home with you, visit Elevate Wellness or Woods Apothecary. Both businesses have in-house herbalists who craft custom tea blends, tinctures and supplements for almost any need: sleep aids, topical salves for achy muscles after all your adventuring, anxiety support, and much much more.
Whether you’re visiting for the weekend or a longer stay, be sure to dedicate a bit of time slowing down that way you can return home feeling inspired and refreshed.
