CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) - As mental health and wellness continue to grow in societal importance, a South Side salon has become an integral part of its community.
The Haji Healing Salon has been in business since 2018, and owner Aya-Nikole Cook says, if there’s anything she’s learned in her seven years of operating the salon, it's flexibility.
“The most consistent thing in life is change, and everything is always changing…as we encounter change in our lives and the world, the needs for our healing change as well,” Cook said recently on the Noon Business Hour.
“I just find that I have to stay really plugged into my community and really willing to adapt and continue to provide what’s needed.”
Located in Bronzeville (4448 South Cottage Ave.), the Haji Healing Salon is a wellness space that offers a variety of healing options, including meditation, yoga and herbalism. The business plans on expanding its curated wellness sessions for small groups such as friends, co-workers and more.
Cook told WBBM herbalism in particular has become quite popular.
“I’m also seeing a lot of folks moving toward working with herbs as a way of calming the nervous system,” said Cook. “Really beautiful and simple approachable herbs like lemon balm, metal and oatstraw, these are herbs that are more like whole foods that really help take care of the nervous system.”
Haji is Cook’s passion project. She considers inspiring and supporting a life of healing as her mission.
“It feels really important to maintain a space, especially in the Black community, where folks can come and learn about how to engage more healing practices in their lives and really how to center their wellness and let everything else happen around that,” Cook said.
To many, Cook told the Noon Business Hour, the Haji Healing Salon, has become a sanctuary and safe space, and that brings her great satisfaction.
“It’s a space that people feel like, ‘Ok, I’m on break from lunch, let me go and do a little vibe check, come to Haji and have a little tea and breathe deep, take in the healing vibes and get back into my day.’”
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