For Briana and Peter Borten, The Dragontree Spa isn’t just a business—it’s a living expression of their dedication to creating a community that thrives through connection and the empowerment of each person’s highest self. With their new space on Broadway, their ultimate goal was to foster an environment where people can come together in collective healing.
This journey began in an unexpected way when Briana Borten—18 years old and on her way to art school—survived a life-altering car accident that left her with a broken neck. The experience was both painful and transformative, pulling her into the present moment and revealing the fragility of life. Her stepmom arranged for her to see a massage therapist, who managed to ease her pain through energy work alone, something Borten found incredibly inspiring. That moment sparked a new vision for her life and set her on a path to help others find relief and healing as well.
Driven by this purpose, Briana studied massage and later Ayurvedic medicine, determined to provide people with holistic care. She began her career in a spa and, in a twist of fate, was told by her then-boss, “If you think you can run a spa better, go do it.”
The words were an unintentional blessing, pushing Borten to create her own healing space. Alongside her husband and business partner, Dr. Peter Borten, Briana Borten took a leap and opened the first Dragontree Spa in Portland just two weeks after her 23rd birthday. With limited resources they began modestly, even closing doors to undecorated rooms to create a sense of fullness. Through dedication, trust, and a clear vision, their effort blossomed into a thriving wellness sanctuary.
For the Bortens, collaboration has been the key to their success. Working side by side for over 22 years, they’ve found that clear communication and mutual appreciation of each other’s strengths keep their vision alive and evolving. In fact, they've found that their differences in approach and perspective have actually strengthened their ability to bring their shared purpose to life.
In their most recent venture, the Dragontree Sanctuary in Boulder, the Bortens brought their vision full circle. Inspired by the ancient ruins of a communal spa they visited in Spain, they designed the Dragontree Sanctuary to be a place where people can gather, reflect, and connect—not only with themselves but with each other.
Dragontree Sanctuary offers a range of holistic experiences, like massage, Shirodhara, and Ayurvedic therapies. It also has a communal steam room, dry sauna, cedar hot tub, salt room, and cold plunge. The space isn’t just about the services. It’s about the power of connection and an invitation to share space and slow down together. Briana Borten has been delighted to watch visitors forge friendships as they intuitively move through the healing options, sharing laughter and quiet moments alike.
"When we slow down, we see we have so much in common," she reflects.
With plans to host gatherings, talks, and structured journaling events, Briana and Peter Borten envision Dragontree as more than a wellness center. They hope it becomes a beloved gathering place for Boulderites to ground themselves, connect with their true purpose, and engage in shared healing.
To learn more or book a treatment, visit TheDragontree.com