She’s Bringing Ancient Wellness Traditions to Louisville
Meet the wellness advocate behind Bodhi Salt Center, Dasha Grankina, who's helping Louisville slow down, breathe deeper, and prioritize self-care. (The center’s resident pup, Ozzy, might just become your favorite wellness treatment!) Image: Daniel Warren
As a yoga instructor and former educator, Dasha Grankina‘s passion has always been rooted in teaching. Today, as the founder and managing partner of Bodhi Salt Center, she’s applying that same passion to helping others prioritize wellness. By blending ancient traditions with modern science, this Russian-born advocate is giving people the tools they need to feel their best. We caught up with Dasha to chat about her journey, her daily rituals, and why self-care is a non-negotiable.
What led you to open Bodhi Salt Center?
I’ve always been very interested in holistic medicine — though I want to be clear that I’m not against traditional medicine at all. One of our founders is an MD, so every service we offer is backed by research and has a medical foundation. I believe there’s a place for medication and medical intervention when necessary, but I also think our bodies are incredibly capable of healing when we support them correctly.
Everything we offer comes from my own experiences and practices. The Siberian cedar barrels, for example, are imported from Russia, and I’m the only person in Kentucky who has them. I really wanted to create a place where wellness becomes part of your routine, rather than something you only do occasionally as a treat.
When did you realize that you wanted to do something in the wellness space?
I’ve been teaching yoga for about 20 years, but my career has taken many different directions. Before moving to the United States, I owned several businesses in Russia. Then, after moving to Louisville, I became the principal of the Russian School of Mathematics.
When my children left for college, I suddenly realized I could finally do something for myself. I’ve always been entrepreneurial, and my husband encouraged me to think about what I truly wanted to do. The answer was simple: I wanted to help people. That’s really where Bodhi Salt Center began.
Can you describe a typical day in your shoes?
I always try to start my day with meditation. Sometimes it’s sitting meditation, but more often it’s walking or running meditation because movement helps me clear my head and get grounded. After that, I do red light therapy and salt therapy at the Center. It only takes about 15 minutes, but it completely resets me.
From there, every day looks a little different. Some days, I’m working with clients to help them build wellness routines. Other days, I’m teaching yoga, managing the business, or researching therapies and wellness practices.
I also try to incorporate different treatments into my own routine. I do the cedar barrels weekly. Once a month, I do Shirodhara, which is an ancient therapy where warm oil streams onto the forehead. It’s incredibly calming.
You’re a mom of twins. How did parenthood affect your approach to wellness?
My twins were born in Russia when I was 26, and at the time, people acted like I was “too old” to become a mother, which sounds wild now. There was also very little acknowledgment of postpartum depression back then. You were expected to just push through it and be grateful and happy all the time, but I struggled deeply after having my children.
I had moments where I didn’t recognize myself anymore. I felt like I had stopped being a person and had become a machine that existed only to care for others.
Hiring help changed everything for me. At first, I thought the nanny was there for the babies, but honestly, she was there for me. She helped me reconnect with myself as a human being. That experience shaped everything I now believe about wellness and self-care.
You cannot pour from an empty cup. If you aren’t okay, you cannot truly care for anyone else — including your children. Even now, as adults, my kids still need me emotionally. They need me to be healthy and happy, and that realization changed the way I treat myself.
What’s one ritual or practice you refuse to give up, even on your busiest days?
Meditation. Always. Even if it’s just a short walk outside to clear my mind, I need that moment to reconnect with myself before the day takes over. And honestly, red light therapy and salt therapy are non-negotiables for me, too. Fifteen minutes can completely shift your energy and mindset.
Louisville is very different from Russia. What do you like most about living in Derby City?
I truly love Louisville, and I’m proud to call it home. My children grew up here, and this city gave us a community. People in Louisville are incredibly curious in the best possible way. They’re open-minded, want to learn, and will ask questions and give you the opportunity to explain what you’re passionate about. That curiosity has meant so much to me as someone introducing wellness concepts that might feel unfamiliar to some people.
Are there any common wellness misconceptions that you’d like to debunk?
So many! The word “holistic” unfortunately has a stigma sometimes. People assume it means something unscientific or unrealistic. But every therapy we offer has research to back it up. I can explain how these treatments work at the biological and molecular levels.
I think in the United States especially, there’s such a strong pharmaceutical culture that people sometimes forget how powerful the body can be when supported properly — but natural therapies are not witchcraft. These practices have been used for centuries all over the world. At Bodhi, we use very advanced equipment and evidence-based therapies. This isn’t about rejecting medicine; it’s about giving people additional tools to feel better.
If you weren’t running Bodhi Salt Center, what would you be doing?
I would absolutely still be teaching. I’ve taught for more than 20 years, and education is such a huge part of who I am. I actually still dream about opening a school or daycare one day — something wellness-focused and education-centered.
If you could offer one piece of advice, what would it be?
Prioritize yourself! I know women hear that all the time, but I truly mean it. You cannot take care of everyone else if you are emotionally and physically depleted. You deserve peace, and you deserve to feel healthy and connected to your body. Self-care isn’t selfish; it’s necessary.
What’s something people might be surprised to learn about you?
People are usually very surprised to learn that I’m a sailing captain. I’ve been sailing for more than 20 years and used to compete in races. I don’t compete anymore, but I still love being on the water.
What are your favorite places to eat, shop, and play around town?
I love consignment shopping, so one of my favorite places is Belle Monde Boutique.
As for restaurants, Louisville’s food scene is incredible. We have such a rich mix of cuisines here. Lately, I’ve been obsessed with Sake A GoGo and MeeshMeesh, and I always love a good dinner at Repeal.
For relaxing, I love Cherokee Park because it’s very meaningful to me. My husband actually proposed to me there!
What is the best advice you’ve ever received?
It’s the same advice I try to live by every day: Take care of yourself first. We all have a purpose in this life, but you can’t fulfill that purpose if your health is suffering and you’re completely disconnected from yourself. Your body deserves care and respect.
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Lennie Omalza
Originally from Hawaii, Lennie Omalza is a Louisville-based freelance writer of over 18 years. Lennie is a yoga-loving foodie who travels as often as she can and enjoys writing about food, homes, and weddings. You can find more of Lennie's work at Eater, Hawaii Home & Remodeling, and The Louisville Courier-Journal.