A New Approach to Relaxation and Recovery Comes to the Energy Corridor District
After a 24-hour flight from Malaysia, Clyde Smith was exhausted. But a visit to beem Light Sauna’s headquarters in North Carolina left him feeling so refreshed that he had a name for the experience: “sauna drunk.”
That first visit helped convince Smith that beem’s combination of infrared sauna and light therapy was something he wanted to bring to the Energy Corridor. Now, he and his wife, Denia, have opened a locally owned studio at 1560 Eldridge Parkway, offering residents a place to slow down, relax and explore new approaches to personal wellness.
“We want to help the community feel better,” Smith said. “If you’ve had a bad day at work or at home, we want you to come in, relax and feel better.”
A private space to unwind
At beem Light Sauna, guests can choose between private infrared sauna sessions and specialized light therapy beds. The experience is designed to give visitors time to unwind while exploring wellness services often associated with relaxation, skin care and post-workout recovery.
The individual saunas use infrared heat to warm the body, with temperatures reaching approximately 130 degrees. Guests can also enjoy chromotherapy, which uses colored light, during a 40-minute session.
For those who prefer to share the experience, the studio offers “social saunas” that accommodate two to three people. Bluetooth speakers and iPads let guests listen to music or watch programming while they relax.
Studio Manager Kayla De Leon emphasizes the importance of hydration before a session. She said guests seek out the sauna for a variety of reasons, including relaxation, temporary pain relief and recovery following physical activity.
The studio also features two light therapy rooms equipped with beds similar in appearance to tanning beds. These sessions last 15 minutes and offer red, green and blue light options.
“Red light therapy rejuvenates your cells’ batteries,” said De Leon. “It gets deep in the skin and has anti-aging benefits, like eliminating fine lines and wrinkles. It gets into the muscles and cells to produce collagen.” Green light therapy is useful for athletic recovery and temporary pain relief, while blue light therapy has been shown to benefit skin care and offer relief from inflammation
A personal investment in the neighborhood
For the Smiths, opening the studio was about more than finding a business opportunity. After researching entrepreneurial and franchising options, Clyde said his own experience with beem convinced him of its potential.
The couple has lived and worked in the Energy Corridor area for years, giving them a familiarity with the neighborhood and the people who live and work there.
Smith believes the studio is a natural fit for a community whose residents value health and wellness. He said referrals from friends and neighbors have already helped introduce beem to the area.
“This is a great location with lots of traffic and great neighbors,” he said.
Beyond the sauna and light therapy services, the studio has a retail section featuring beem-branded merchandise, Epsom salts, protein and electrolyte supplements, and topical pain-relief products.
Making wellness approachable
Smith said he wants guests to find the services and membership options that best suit their needs, without feeling pressured to purchase more than they want.
The studio offers a range of membership plans based on the number of sessions per month, as well as packages for those who prefer to visit on their own schedule. Memberships are month-to-month and can be canceled at any time.
“We won’t upsell you,” Smith said. “We want to provide the best plan for you.”
For people curious about infrared sauna or light therapy, the studio offers an opportunity to experience the services firsthand. First-time clients can register for two complimentary sessions.
Learn more about services, hours and membership options at beem Light Sauna Energy Corridor.