An oasis of tranquility and wellness await at Lavana Connection Spa in Stevensville. “At Lavana it’s about treating the mind, body, and soul,” says owner Elizabeth Lindquist. “We’re a cross between a medical spa and a regular spa. We offer cosmetic benefits, but we treat so much more.”
Originally from Corvallis, Elizabeth’s dream of opening a spa in the Bitterroot Valley was sparked during her extensive international adventures when she was introduced to a unique blend of holistic health practices. “I kept thinking, why don’t we have anything like this at home?” she says. “Then my daughter Brianna wanted to become an esthetician, so I thought this is a perfect time to create that wellness company I’ve been dreaming of, and be able to offer my daughter a place to work.”
An Air Force veteran with an extensive background in business, Elizabeth was fairly new to the spa industry when opening Lavana and knew that she wanted to compile a team of highly qualified individuals. That team now includes a medical doctor, registered nurses, licensed massage therapists, a certified personal trainer and nutritionist, and Brianna, a licensed esthetician. Elizabeth says, “It’s all about trust. I want a team with proper credentials so people can trust that they’re getting top care from well-licensed individuals who have a lot of experience and knowledge in this industry.” Elizabeth christened her spa “Lavana” which generally means salt or beauty. “I liked the idea of referencing someone of great beauty inside and out,” she says.
It’s impossible not to feel the cares of the day melt away as you descend the stairs into the darkened candlelit setting. “I wanted an immersive experience,” says Elizabth. “I’m very career-driven and have a hard timing relaxing, but I found I was able to relax and finally decompress at other spas due to the atmosphere. I wanted to bring that home.”
Lavana’s extensive menu of services range from facials to body wraps to vitamin injections to weight management, yet each one aligns with Elizabeth’s and her team’s goals of offering natural alternatives to treatments that benefit the whole person.
Sink into comfy chairs in the relaxation area for a nutritional IV treatment and take advantage of the small “beach” in the front of the room composed of microscopic grains of antifungal and antibacterial Himalayan salt. “We’ve had people fall asleep here,” Elizabeth laughs. “You can come in the dead of winter and push your feet in the salt and just let your mind go.” Over in the Halotherapy chamber, other microparticles of pure-grade salt crystals disperse in the air reducing swelling and mucus to benefit the respiratory system.
Elizabeth believes they have the only Ballancer Pro in Montana. She explains that this FDA-approved lymphatic drainage massage machine works to restore the body’s natural balance. It can have a significant impact on health and body shape by regulating the lymphatic system to push out toxins. Elizabeth gets especially excited talking about their new Japanese head spa. During treatment, Brianna performs a deep cleanse and scalp massage then uses steam therapy to stimulate hair follicles. “The treatment ends with a light waterfall on your skin. It’s super relaxing,” says Elizabeth.
New customers receive free consultations to help determine their goals. The team then customizes packages or stand-alone treatments based on these goals and budget. “I want to make all of Lavana accessible to everyone so I keep prices as low as possible,” says Elizabeth.
Elizabeth and her team strive to bring the benefits of self-care to everyone who walks through the doors of Lavana. “Prioritizing self care just makes you a better person,” says Elizabeth. “I’m speaking from personal experience. I didn’t prioritize self care enough, and sometimes I still don’t when I get busy, but when I utilize the tools we have here to decompress and get away from the hustle bustle, I feel so much better.”
“It’s all about trust. I want a team with proper credentials so people can trust that they’re getting top care from well-licensed individuals who have a lot of experience and knowledge in this industry.”