Entry No. 46 — the Charlotte file — filed under: sound bath
Palestra Spa & Studio
Palestra Spa & Studio is a holistic wellness destination in SouthPark known for its weekly Friday night sound baths. Guests immerse themselves in waves of therapeutic sound from crystal singing bowls, gongs, and chimes to quiet the mind and regulate the nervous system.
The story
Palestra isn't a slick pop-up from Charlotte's recent real estate boom. The business was established back in 1995, long before SouthPark grew into a dense grid of mixed-use developments. Today, it operates out of Suite 101 at Apex SouthPark, tucked directly beneath the Hyatt Centric hotel.
Inside the spa wing, seven distinct treatment rooms are each styled after a different country and culture—a surprisingly specific design commitment in a commercial corridor dominated by standard chain aesthetics. On the studio side, the schedule skips high-intensity workout trends in favor of slow-frequency recovery work like Candlelight Yoga Nidra and Deep Stretch.
The signature draw takes place every Friday evening at 6:00 PM, when the studio fills for an hour-long sound bath. Instructors ring crystal singing bowls, strike gongs, and swing chimes over participants lying motionless on the floor. You didn't hear it from us, but if you live or stay in SouthPark, you can hitch a ride directly to their front door for free using the neighborhood's microtransit shuttle, The Skipper.
What it's like
Head into Suite 101 at 3100 Apex Drive and leave the bright retail center lighting at the door. For the Friday 6:00 PM sound bath, arrive at least ten minutes early to claim floor space. Bring your own yoga mat if you want extra padding, though the studio provides mats and bolsters on site. Dress in warm, comfortable layers—lying quiet on a hard floor in supported savasana for an hour lowers your heart rate and drops your body temperature fast.
The move: Attend their Friday evening guided sound bath together, resting in supported savasana while the vibrations wash over you, then grab dinner at SouthPark.
- 📍 SouthPark
- 💸 $$
- ⚡ Low-key
- 🌗 Indoor or outdoor
Where: 3100 Apex Dr, Suite 101, Charlotte, NC 28211
Hours: Added 2026-07-21 — confirm current hours before you go.
Pair it with
- Sauna Culture — Follow up an acoustic floor session in SouthPark with traditional Finnish sauna heat and cold plunges two miles away in Cotswold.
- Jeff's Bucket Shop — Pivot from crystal sound bowl frequencies straight to windowless basement karaoke under a Montford strip mall.
- Botanica Baron del Cementerio — Trade SouthPark's studio setting for raw spiritual herbs and votive candles down on South Boulevard.
- Sleepy Poet Antique Mall — Pair an hour of sensory stillness with a trip through 60,000 square feet of taxidermy, quack medical devices, and antique oddities.
Good to know
When is the weekly sound bath scheduled?
Sound baths run every Friday evening from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM.
How long has Palestra been open in Charlotte?
Palestra was originally established in 1995 before settling into its current Apex SouthPark space.
Do I need to bring my own yoga mat?
No, studio mats, blocks, and bolsters are available on site, though you are welcome to bring your own.
Where is Palestra located and how do I get there?
It is located at 3100 Apex Dr, Suite 101, next to the Hyatt Centric in SouthPark. Deck parking is available at Apex SouthPark, or you can ride the free local microtransit shuttle, The Skipper, if you are within SouthPark.
Plan a visit & invite your people →
Further reading: Official site · apexsouthpark.com
last checked: 2026-07-21