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Behind an ordinary office door tucked inside Victory Medical Lounge sits a haven for those seeking trauma-informed bodywork and holistic healing.
What it is
Sol Solace Studio, a wellness practice in West Lake Hills, offers clients massage therapy that draws upon Mesoamerican healing practices to address both physical pain and emotional well-being.
Meet the owner
Owner Monica Castillo has several years of experience as a licensed massage therapist specializing in deep tissue and pain management. While her work helped many people, she said noticed several of her clients routinely returned with the same problems.
“I saw a rotating door of people just coming back with the same issues,” Castillo said. “I found that by talking through a story with people, their pain would decrease or go away.”
During her pregnancy, Monica said her intuitive awareness deepened, prompting her to explore trauma-informed bodywork—the ways emotional experiences can manifest physically. She sought out additional training and began learning from teachers rooted in Mesoamerican indigenous healing practices that align with her ancestry.
“I started seeing stories that they had stored in their body. ... I started learning that I could no longer just do the physical massage,” Monica said. “The only way I found that I could really help people was merging both.”
How it works
Sol Solace Studio began as a solo practice in South Austin before growing organically through word-of-mouth referrals. Today, the studio at 3811 Bee Caves Road, Ste. 209, Austin, is home to a small team of practitioners, each specializing in a blend of clinical massage and intuitive bodywork.
However, no matter the specialist, the studio places emphasis on the importance of its work being a safe space for patients.
“It’s always led by the client,” Castillo explains. “If at any time they don't feel comfortable, they don't want to continue talking about or addressing something, we stop.”
What’s next
The studio serves clients of all ages, from newborns to seniors, and often works in coordination with therapists and doctors as part of a broader health care team.
In addition to one-on-one sessions, Sol Solace Studio offers educational newsletters, community book circles and is planning a community cultural healing trip to Oaxaca, Mexico.
More information about services and scheduling can be found at www.solsolacestudio.com.
