The Salt Mine SLC

The Salt Mine is a movement arts collective in Salt Lake City that operates on a unique model: certified instructors rent space and run their own independent businesses, setting their own rates and class structures. This approach means you work directly with instructors rather than through a traditional studio front desk, creating a personal and supportive relationship.

The studio offers a wide range of classes including Pole Dance, Liquid Motion®, Aerial Silks, Lyra (Aerial Hoop), AntiGravity®, Shibari, Burlesque, Heels Classes, and Chair Dance. Classes cater to every skill level. The Salt Mine is committed to instructor certification and continuing education to maintain industry-standard safety practices, recognising that all movement arts carry inherent risk when the human body is in motion.

The Salt Mine's story began in January 2014 when Melinda Heins gathered instructors from the Utah pole community to perform at a local studio showcase. The group named themselves SALT and performed locally as well as in Los Angeles and Chicago. In October 2014, Somer Ahonen offered them her photo studio lease. Four founding members—Cara Heuser, Melinda Heins, Katie Petersen, and Somer Ahonen—converted the space into a dance studio, celebrating The Salt Mine's creation on November 1, 2014. Over the years the ownership team has expanded and evolved. The studio relocated to its Main Street location in 2022 after pandemic closures and renovations. In the fall of 2023, a new expansion called The Underground officially opened in February 2024.

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. The studio does not tolerate harassment of any kind. The ownership team—Katie, Ann, and Mel—works to provide an environment where instructors can develop their own programmes, workshops, and classes, with the goal of providing a safe space for individuals to move their bodies in ways that feel good to them.

Beyond regular classes, The Salt Mine offers private instruction (one-on-one at $50 and up per 60 minutes), semi-private training (3 people maximum at $30 per person and up), and private classes for groups of 4 or more. The studio also hosts private parties and events for birthdays, bachelor/bachelorette celebrations, and other occasions, with instructed sessions in any of the movement disciplines offered.

Drop in for a class with an instructor who will connect with you directly about rates and scheduling. The Salt Mine shares a building with Rise4 at 1077 S Main Street; the entrance is on the south side, first red door. Street parking only. Contact the studio if you want to know which instructor or class might be the best fit for you.

The studio is led by founding partner Melinda Heins, a Pole Fitness Instructor since 2008 with around 10 certifications including AFAA Group Exercise, PFA Pole Fitness (Levels 1–4, XPERT levels 1–2), Liquid Motion Licensed Instructor, TRX, and STOTT Pilates. Co-founder Katie Petersen, who discovered pole in 2010 and earned her XPERT certification in 2015, teaches with a warm and playful energy. Ann Crowther, a ballroom dancer and ownership team member, is certified in Antigravity Fundamentals, Restorative, and Aerial Yoga. Courtney Stevens, an award-winning professional aerialist with 8 years of gymnastics and 10 years of ballroom dance, specialises in silks, flexibility, and chair dance; she is NASM Certified Personal Trainer, NASM Certified Flexibility Instructor, and Xpert Certified Silks Instructor. Additional instructors include Justin Vass (pole and sensual movement), Ky (pole and floor work with Spin City and Ecole De Pole certifications plus Liquid Motion 1.0), and Jess LaChance (twerk and booty shake performance).

Classes cater to every skill level; the studio's philosophy celebrates that everyone, regardless of experience, comes together to support one another in their fitness and movement journey.