Discover serenity at new wellness spa in Custer

By Esther Noe

Let the stress of the day wash away and take charge of your physical well-being at Serenity Bliss Wellness Spa in Custer. 
Serenity Bliss is owned and operated by Leeann Holtquist, a Custer resident of 17 years and mother of seven. After serving as a Certified Nursing Assistant, Holtquist became a licensed massage therapist nine years ago in January. Holtquist said she had always wanted to be a massage therapist, but it always got put on the back burner until she decided to shove herself out of her comfort zone and go back to school at Headlines Academy of Cosmetology and Massage in Rapid City.
Three years later, Holtquist went back to school again to become a licensed esthetician, doing therapeutic work like facials, body waxings, body wraps, eyelash extensions and other such things. For years, Holtquist has run a business on the side called Muscles and Mascara Day Spa in Custer, and her schedule is often booked out six to eight weeks at a time. 
“I love what I get to do for people. I have an amazing clientele. Each and every one of them are pretty amazing, and I build a strong friendship with each of them,” said Holtquist. 
However, it has always been a dream of hers to open a wellness spa. 
“I have always wanted to be able to give Custer a day spa that’s affordable for everyone. I just didn’t know how,” said Holtquist. 
Over the years, clients and community members have asked Holtquist to get a tanning bed at Muscles and Mascara or told her about the services they drove to Rapid City for. Although she did not have the space for such services, Holtquist wanted to provide them in the future and kept the idea in the back of her mind. 
“Last year, I started looking and decided to shove myself out of my comfort zone and make this happen,” said Holtquist. 
Although there were a lot of ups and downs along the way, Serenity Bliss Wellness Spa is now located in the former home of the Quilted Buffalo on 6th Street, where Holtquist used the open space to create the vision for her spa. 
It started with a lot of blue tape as Holtquist laid out her plan for each room on the floor. She then created a drawing as a blueprint, and from there, her husband, Daniel, handled the construction. 
“It wasn’t just myself that helped make this happen. I had a team of very important people in my life that I will forever be thankful for. From helping with some of the building or painting, to helping in other ways like a listening ear when I was ready to throw in the towel, to helping babysit the kids so we could go do some more work after a full day of work at our regular jobs, and for a lot of the financial stuff as well,” said Holtquist. 
Holtquist added that they received great business advice, have amazing landlords and had a great electrical team. 
As for how the name came about, Holtquist said, “I chose the name Serenity Bliss for the meaning of it. Serenity means the state of being calm, peaceful and untroubled. And bliss means perfect happiness and joy. I want people to come into a place and be able to get that calm, peaceful joy feeling and to feel welcome here in the spa.”
The spa officially opened in October, and Holtquist said, “I chose to do a wellness spa as I want people to see how they can help themselves feel better, whether it’s for the mind or for the body.”
Within the whimsical and natural atmosphere of the spa, clients have a number of options to experience and explore. 
Currently, there is one massage room, with a second room in progress. Pressotherapy is also offered, which helps with lymph draining, detoxification, blood circulation, body contouring, muscle recovery, bone recovery and reduces swelling from edema.
Next door is an infrared sauna room. The primary feature guests use the sauna for is to burn calories, but it also reduces inflammation, helps heal injuries and assists in muscle recovery, pain reduction, detoxification and skin health.
“You can do a 20-minute session to an hour if you want to. Normally, when I go in there, I take a book and a cup of hot tea and sit in there and sweat it out,” said Holtquist.
Down the next hall is a cryotherapy room. This is a three-minute treatment that starts at -40 degrees through the use of nitrogen and takes your body temperature down to about -70 to -130 degrees, going colder as confidence increases. 
“Doing this helps your body with inflammation, arthritis, healing injuries, boosting the metabolism and you burn 1,000 calories within 24 hours after a session,” said Holtquist. 
It also helps with muscle recovery, cellulite, anti-aging, skin tightening and much more. 
“The whole time we’re sitting here talking to you. We’re watching you to make sure you’re doing OK,” said Holtquist. “There’s a lot of benefits.” 
From there is the red light therapy room, which helps with anti-aging, skin tightening, reducing wrinkles, healing injuries, boosting metabolism, muscle recovery, inflammation and more. 
They also have blue, purple, yellow, green and white light, each doing something different for the body. 
“We use 660nm and 850nm near infrared lighting, which does amazing things to the body, and this service is so relaxing,” said Holtquist. 
Next is the halo therapy room, featuring pharmaceutical rock salt in a variety of forms. It helps with respiratory health, skin health, asthma, colds, stress and relaxation. Eventually, the room will feature Himalayan salt on the floor so guests can sit in it as well. 
The tanning bed was one of the first things installed in an existing office space, and clients have been using it throughout the construction process. 
“I have bronzing lamps, which give you a faster, quicker tan. It is also a safer tan than the regular UV lamps that you get from a regular tanning bed,” said Holtquist. 
It is the only tanning bed in Custer County, and tanning minutes do not expire. 
“Some of these people come in here to tan not for the darker skin, but for the UV rays they need to feel better. Some work all the time and don’t get to get outside and enjoy the sun. And with the bronzing bulbs, it helps make tanning safer. Not saying it’s 100 percent safe, but that it does help,” said Holtquist. 
One of the final features of the spa is the float tank, which helps with muscle recovery, healing injuries, detoxification, relaxation and learning to calm your mind. 
“This is my favorite service that we offer. It’s amazing,” said Holtquist. 
The tank has 11 inches of 95-degree water, containing 1,200 pounds of Epsom salt. 
“You cannot sink. You float no matter what,” said Holtquist. “Floating for an hour is just as good as getting a full-body massage. I was also told it also gives your body the rest of four to six hours of sleep. It is amazing.” 
Sessions can be done with the lid up or down, and guests are required to shower before and after in the space provided in the float tank room. 
In January, Holtquist is adding an esthetician room as well, after she fully transitions her previous business to the spa. 
“All of these are just some of the things each service can help with. There are many more. I think everyone should do research on them if they aren’t sure about trying them. Or even if they are going to try them, do some research. It’s always fun learning what can help you with your body,” she said. 
“Also, not every service can be used by everyone. We do have contraindications that we follow, with some depending on the situation, and with a doctor’s note, we can work with them,” said Holtquist. 
All of the staff members at Serenity Bliss Wellness Spa are fully trained in the services offered, including a professional cryotech and licensed massage therapist, Summer Duffy. 
“And we are always learning and doing research on other things that can help clients with learning how to help themselves in between going to their doctors. Whether it’s for the body or for the mind or all of it, I want you to be able to come into a friendly atmosphere and leave all your troubles and stress at the door. I do not diagnose anything. I just help you help yourself and help you learn to relax and reduce overall stress,” said Holtquist.
Holtquist also wants the spa to be known for helping people reduce pain, saying, “I love being able to help people be pain free or close to being pain free.” 
Serenity Bliss Wellness Spa will be open year-round. Currently, it is open Tuesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., with plans to expand hours as the business grows. Visitors can receive tours of the different services at any time. Walk-ins are welcome, but appointments are recommended. Some liability paperwork is required before using different services. 
Anyone coming in for more than one service will receive a robe, terry wrap slippers and a bag to put personal items in so they can go from room to room. The spa is primarily for adults, although some high school athletes use the services as well. Every person who walks through the doors will be welcomed and cared for as friends rather than clients.
“Just come in and relax,” said Holtquist. “Everybody deserves to feel better.”
More information about Serenity Bliss Wellness Spa can be found on Facebook, and a website will be launching in January. To make an appointment, call 605-673-2162.