May is Mental Health Awareness Month, so there’s no better time to explore the healing practices at Kuya Wellness, located in Austin, that empower restoration and a deeper sense of connection to oneself and the world around you. The name “Kuya” means love in the Quechuan language, which perfectly reflects their mission to nurture mental health, self-connection, and overall well-being.

Kuya Wellness is all about promoting evidence-based practices to help heal your body, regulate your nervous system, and help you discover a deeper sense of overall well-being. Sometimes we need that push to dive further into life-altering positive changes to our physical, mental, and spiritual health, and Kuya does just that through transformational medicines and therapeutics.

As soon as you step foot into Kuya, you’re invited to slow down and step into a space that feels completely different from what you’re used to – one that is centered around healing, connection, and transformation. The first thing you’ll do is take off your shoes to make yourself feel more at home. This sets the tone for relaxation. The environment downstairs is so lush and calming with greenery filling every corner – giving that nature-inspired haven that others might dream of replicating in their own homes (including myself). 

“Nature isn’t just beautiful — it’s biologically regulated. Studies show that simply being around greenery can lower cortisol levels, reduce blood pressure, and shift the nervous system into a parasympathetic, rest-and-repair state, “ states Kuya’s President Megan Butler. “We intentionally weave the natural world into the architecture of the space — soft curves, natural light, plant life, earthy textures — because the body remembers how to heal when it feels connected to nature.”

After settling in, explore the Tea & Tonic Bar, where a curated menu of adaptogenic lattes, herbal teas, and tonics helps you ease into relaxation. Whether you’re seeking to hydrate, energize, or calm your mind, each drink is crafted to support your wellness journey from the inside out.

We live in a fast-paced society, but here at Kuya, you’re able to slow down, recalibrate, and come back into rhythm. “Our space mirrors the intelligence of nature — balanced, alive, and deeply restorative — so that even when life outside feels chaotic, your internal landscape has a chance to return to harmony.”

Kuya offers a comprehensive range of clinically proven wellness services — from IV therapy, cedarwood sauna, and cold plunges to sensory deprivation floats and SoundBed meditations. 

I highly recommend utilizing the Sensory Deprivation Floats. With 2,000 pounds of sodium magnesium in the tank, the water supports deep muscle recovery — perfect for athletes or anyone who trains hard. During my own session, I found myself drifting in and out of sleep, deeply relaxed the entire time.

I especially loved the SoundBed meditation — the flowing water audio made me feel like I was resting at the bottom of a riverbed, completely relaxed as streams passed over me.

Red light therapy is another one of Kuya’s standout offerings. Known for its benefits to mitochondrial function, skin health, and cellular rejuvenation, the high-quality red lights here go far beyond your average at-home mask. It’s especially popular among women looking to boost their skin glow and overall vitality.

Other offerings also include advanced diagnostics and functional medicine, guided ketamine therapy, Stellate Ganglion Blocks, and a growing Functional Health Program, all designed to support deep healing and holistic well-being.

Kuya is intentionally designed not to feel like work or home — it’s meant to feel like your third space, your home away from home. Even those who own wellness equipment at home choose to come here. Many are drawn to Kuya by the community, ambiance, and a chance to meet like-minded people. At Kuya, they believe humans are not meant to heal alone. Being part of a community is essential to human health and purpose. “As a social wellness and longevity club, Kuya places connection at the center of everything we do. Because when we come together, we don’t just feel better — we live better. “

After all, they offer many events for community-building, such as yoga classes, singles events, and even a “Sister Sweat” women-only event they host once a month. What’s even more exciting — Kuya plans to open additional locations beyond Austin as soon as 2026!

Kuya’s President Megan Butler offered more insight as to why people love it here, what to expect, and tips for first timers. As for Megan’s favorite spaces, she loves to cozy up in a heated recliner at the IV lounge situated behind the giant salt wall — benefiting from hydration and a signature vitamin IV infusions.

How do you want people to feel when they walk into this space?

The facility has been built to bring safety to the nervous system, allowing each guest to feel relaxed, regulated, and seen by other like-minded community members. Our center is far from a ‘clinical’ setting and we take pride in welcoming people to an enjoyable healing experience rather than treating health as a chore. From IV infusions to deeper explorations like guided ketamine therapy and functional medicine, every modality is curated and deeply supported. 

Whether you’re here for an inward reflection in a sensory deprivation float or community connection in the sauna, we want you to feel fully held and supported here — not just physically, but emotionally and energetically too.

What’s the best way for a first-time visitor to experience Kuya?

Our Recovery Day Pass is the perfect entry point into the Kuya experience — a thoughtfully curated journey through restoration and reconnection. You’ll begin with a SoundBed meditation, where sound frequencies and gentle vibrations guide the nervous system into deep relaxation. Then, receive a Hydrabalance IV infusion — designed to replenish minerals and cellular hydration — paired with a complimentary adaptogenic latte from our Tea & Tonic Bar.

From there, settle into the rhythm of hot and cold therapy with our sauna and cold plunge. You’re then welcome to linger in our community space afterward — read, rest, connect, or simply be. At Kuya, we invite you to slow down and remember what it feels like to be fully supported.

Are there other special events or retreats coming up that you’re excited about?

I’m really excited about Kuya’s newest addition: a community-based cedar dry sauna built for connection, ceremony, and sweat.

This space will be designed for breathwork events, towel-waving sessions, guided meditation, and guided breathwork drop-ins—from early-morning to late-night hangs. Whether you’re craving silent solitude or a more social sweat, we’ll have two saunas on-site, allowing for freedom to choose a reflective or communal rhythm.

What else does Kuya offer?

Kuya has a full Functional Health Program that brings a science-backed, whole-human approach to healing. Kuya uses advanced diagnostics to explore what’s really going on in the body — with focuses on key areas like hormone health, metabolic function, gut integrity, autoimmune conditions, stress, sleep, and mental well-being. Our goal is to uncover root causes and support the body’s natural ability to heal, rather than managing symptoms in isolation.

This is for those ready to move beyond quick fixes — toward clarity, resilience, and a deeper relationship with their health.

Learn more on their website. 

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Cover photo Kuya Wellness

Leean Vargas is the Lone Star Low Down newsletter editor at Texas Lifestyle Magazine and an honors graduate of Texas State University with a bachelor’s degree in Public Relations. She is a concert enthusiast who loves traveling, photography, good food, and discovering new hangout spots in her beloved city, Austin, Texas.