OUR STORY

The Salt Mine began with a simple idea: to create a space where community and creativity converge. Located in Salt Lake City, UT, it serves as a vibrant hub where local artists, instructors, and community members gather to share their passions. By empowering instructors to run their own businesses, The Salt Mine cultivates a diverse and dynamic ecosystem that enriches everyone involved. It offers a supportive environment where creativity and personal growth thrive, inviting people of all backgrounds to learn, connect, and be inspired. As it continues to grow, The Salt Mine remains dedicated to uplifting and empowering the community, fostering collaboration and support at every turn.

  • The Salt Mine is dedicated to creating a safe, inclusive space for everyone, regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, social class, gender, sexual orientation, gender identification, ability, or age. We do not tolerate harassment of any kind in our studio or online spaces.

  • 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. Finding it difficult to secure a rehearsal space, SALT was thrilled when Somer Ahonen offered the group the opportunity to take over her photo studio lease in October of 2014.

    Four members of SALT, Cara Heuser, Melinda Heins, Katie Petersen, and Somer Ahonen, joined forces to convert the space into a dance studio. On November 1, 2014, they celebrated The Salt Mine's creation with Barefoot Champagne, envisioning a bright future.

    In the spring of 2015, founders Cara and Somer had to step back to focus on their personal lives. Mel and Katie, though nervous, were determined to realize the studio's potential. Sarah Baird soon joined the ownership team, and together they began making plans to transform their vision into reality.

    In late 2019, Sarah stepped down to focus on her family. As Katie and Mel prepared to expand the studio, the global pandemic hit, halting their plans. The Salt Mine endured a three-month shutdown, and the saved renovation funds were used to pay rent.

    The Salt Mine reopened with strict sanitation protocols and a mask mandate. During this time, Ann Crowther, a former colleague of Mel’s, reignited the expansion dreams. Ann joined the ownership team in 2021, and the studio began renovating its Main Street location. Despite delays and challenges, they successfully transitioned to the new space without significant downtime.

    In 2022, The Salt Mine celebrated its first full year in the new space. The ownership team—Katie, Ann, and Mel—works tirelessly to create an environment where instructors can develop their own programs, workshops, and classes. Our goal is to provide a safe space for individuals to move their bodies in ways that feel good to them.

    In the fall of 2023, with proceeds from our student showcase, the ownership team began construction on a new expansion. The Underground officially opened in February 2024, marking another milestone in our journey to create a supportive and dynamic community for movement arts.

  • All movement arts can be dangerous because a human is moving their body, which can lead to serious injury. The Salt Mine is committed to instructor certification and continuing education to provide the best possible experience and support the growing pole and aerial fitness community. Instructor certifications ensure industry-standard safety practices are upheld, prioritizing the safety of our students.

    Born out of pure love for pole dance and community, The Salt Mine is a movement arts collective where everyone, regardless of experience, comes together to support one another in their fitness, movement, and artistic expression journey.