Today we’d like to introduce you to Calli Brooks.
Hi Calli, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
We could go as far back as when I was a child. I would “wash” my mom’s hair and “put on” her makeup. I would massage my mother’s head by pretending to be washing it like you would get a salon. When I put on her makeup, this would be a massage technique I still use today. Using my fingers as the applicators to the imagery blush and eye shadow. Now with over two decades in my massage career, this facial massage technique is great for acupressure relief for different areas all over the body.
My career began in Santee, CA 2005, when my parents’ massage therapist inspired me to go to the school where she trained with a promise to hire me at her private office. After finishing my associate degree in Holistic Health from the now-closed International Professional School of Bodywork in San Diego, I worked in a shared office with other massage professionals. I would later work all over San Diego from high-end hotel spas, women-owned day spas, mobile massage companies, an airport spa, and my own private practice.
From 2018-2020 I became a mom, moved out of state, moved back to California, and did not think I would go back to massage after the pandemic. Then my old clients started to reach out, and an old manager did as well. I came back to massage therapy at the beautiful hidden gem The Hideaway inside the Marriott Marina in Downtown San Diego. There I reconnected with my love for the career I have built. Being able to provide a serves for people in the form of self-care brings me so much joy.
Now this year, May 2023, I have relaunched my own private practice. Celestial Self Care Body & Mind Therapy brings my many years experience of massage therapy and just finished an associate’s degree of yoga studies together in one space. I believe massage therapy and yoga practices are great for self-care and healing.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The road has been many things, often rough but often smooth. This is my third go to make this business idea a success. I offer something different than anyone else. My style and work does not fit in one box. I feel like the more unique your skills or business is the crazier the road will be.
Some of the struggles are what the economy looks like. My field of work is often called a luxury, it will be the first to get cut in the budget. My last job before starting back on my own closed their doors. I have often thought about quitting and find something else. I know this is a great deal of growth when there is a struggle. So, these days I see everything as a lesson, a chance to learn and pivot.
I went back to school January 2022 to combine my love for movement, self-care, and something more to be a tool for massage as well. Being in school, mom to a toddler, and opening a business has been both very challenging and filled with joy!
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next, you can tell us a bit more about your business.
Celestial Self-Care is the time and space for all things self-care. Calli shows up with her unique style, skilled hands, and yogic knowledge to hold space for you. Taking an hour or more to get out of the busy mind and in tune with the whole body. Sharing movement, breath work, meditation, and the practice of stillness. Creating a space for healing, evolving, and community. Calli will guide you through a one-on-one yoga class customized to the client’s needs. They can offer guided breath work and mediation in a private one on one or group setting. Self-care is the power to care for and heal ourselves.
Celestial Self Care creating time and space for massage therapies ranging from prenatal, energy clearing, deep tissue, and spa-like add-ons for that extra treat.
What sets Calli apart from the other massage therapist out there. She can see and feel where you are holding tension in your body. Her touch is knowledge both anatomically as well as the emotional bodies.
I am very proud of how I have mastered my own style over these years. I take a really slow approach with my deep tissue as well blending it with energetic work with the body. This style will give the best of both worlds, relaxing out of the busy mind and reconnecting to the body as a whole. The mind-body connection is so powerful.
Are there any books, apps, podcasts, or blogs that help you do your best?
House of Herby is the current podcast I have been listening to. The musician Qveen Herby and her husband Jedi Nick, do a podcast to help creatives. I have been listening on my way into the studio, and it’s been really inspiring for the days of struggle.
The Underbelly and Yoga Dog apps have been my current at-home yoga practice. They both offer meditations which I often use to sleep.
Pricing:
- $108 Monthly Membership One 60 Min Massage & yoga
- $85 Monthly Membership 90 Min Massage
- $88 Non-Member 60 Min Massage
- $111 Non-Member 90 Min Massage
- $20-$300 Gift Cards
Contact Info:
- Website: www.celestialselfcarebycalli.com
- Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/celestialselfcarebycalli
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CelestialSelfCare/
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@celestialselfcarebycalli
Image Credits
Chris Wojdak
