Our story began in January 2014, when Melinda Heins gathered instructors from the Utah pole community to perform at a local studio showcase. This newly formed group named themselves SALT, and performed locally as well as in Los Angeles and Chicago for showcases. Finding it difficult to find a space for rehearsals, SALT was ecstatic when Somer Ahonen offered the group the opportunity to take over her photo studio lease in October of 2014.
Four members of SALT joined together to take over this space and convert it to a dance studio where they could rehearse and train. On November 1, 2014, Cara Heuser, Melinda Heins, Katie Petersen, and Somer Ahonen toasted the Salt Mine's creation with Barefoot Champagne in their glasses and visions of the future on their minds.
In the spring of 2015, founders Cara and Somer had to take a step back and focus on their lives. Mel and Katie were nervous as they knew the space had the potential to be something great but were worried that they wouldn't have the chance without other partners. Fortunately, Sarah Baird joined the ownership team, and The Salt Mine started changing. Mel, Katie, and Sarah began making plans and setting goals to turn their vision of The Salt Mine into a reality.
In late 2019, Sarah stepped down from the Ownership team to focus on her family. Katie and Mel were ready to expand in the current space - the only way to continue growing was to add more pole or aerial rooms. But then - as they were gathering quotes for a remodel and expansion - a Global Pandemic happened. The world shut down. The Salt Mine shut down. Our saved up renovation fund went to paying rent while we all stayed safe and stayed home.
The Salt Mine made it through a 3 month shut down, then re-entered the studio with no sharing of poles, stringent sanitation protocols and a mask mandate that lasted for over a year. During this time, Ann Crowther, a former colleague of Mel’s from Studio Soiree days stopped in and rekindled the dreams of expansion for The Salt Mine.
Ann joined the Ownership team in 2021 and The Salt Mine began renovating our current space on Main Street. Running a studio and building out another was a challenge. Delays, disappointing contractors, more delays, but we managed to keep the old space running and basically turned the lights of at our old space, and turned them on in the new space - only being closed between Christmas and New Year’s Day! We celebrated 2022 fully in our new space with all our instructors buying into our vision and trusting us.
The Salt Mine Ownership Team of Katie, Ann and Mel, works hard to create a space where instructors can create their own programs, workshops and classes. We strive to make a safe place where people can shake off the outside world and move their bodies safely and in the way that feels good to them.
Pole and aerial fitness can be dangerous and lead to serious injury. The Salt Mine has been committed to instructor certification and continuing education since its inception, to provide our students with the best possible experience and support the growing pole and aerial fitness community. Instructor certifications ensure industry-standard safety practices are upheld, and the safety of our students is a priority.
The Salt Mine was born out of pure love. Our friendships, love of pole dance, and crazy choreography ideas started things off, but today's Salt Mine is built around the need for community and empowerment. The Salt Mine is a movement arts collective, where EVERYONE in our community, regardless of experience, come together to support one another in their journey through fitness, movement, and artistic expression.