Today we’d like to introduce you to Kelé Self.
Hi Kelé, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
My interest in bodywork started as an interest in movement and kinesiology. I was an avid dancer, rock climber, and fitness enthusiast in my 20s and 30s. This gave me a good understanding of how the human body works as well as how it hurts and can benefit from regular bodywork and consistent care. As I came to the end of my first career, I decided to follow my love of movement, the desire to help others, and a love of working with my hands to massage school in Los Angeles, California where I completed a 550 hour program in massage therapy.
After completing school and obtaining my certification in California, I worked for a high end hotel spa for several years while building a small private practice in LA. Towards the end of 2025, I decided to make the cross country move to Texas, landing just outside of Austin in Dripping Springs, Texas.
In March of this year, I opened Kelé Bodyworks to serve the community in the Texas Hill Country.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Massage school was abruptly halted in 2020 with the COVID pandemic. Classes stopped and I had to navigate what to do with a profession that requires face-to-face attention during a time when that was not possible. I continued to pursue my studies, taking online classes to learn about business, ethics and best practices within massage therapy, physiology, and anatomy, plus any other learning opportunities via books and videos that was accessible and relevant.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Kelé Bodyworks?
Kelé Bodyworks is a place where you can come home to yourself and your body. My work is aimed at aiding relaxation, pain relief/management, increasing mobility, and helping my clients develop better self-awareness in their own bodies.
I use a combination of techniques from deep tissue, myofascial release, relaxation therapies, energy work, and nervous system balancing. In addition, I offer manual lymphatic drainage to assist with recovery after surgeries, aid in hormonal balance, and detoxification. Pregnant mamas can also find relief on my table during their entire pregnancy journey.
Each session is tailored to each client based on their specific needs for that day, no cookie cutter treatments. We check in each session, set regular goals for the work together, and clients go home with practices they can do to support the work we do on the massage table.
I love what I do and find it endlessly fascinating! I am also beginning to study equine bodywork and will be adding that to my offerings soon!
Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
Growing up I was always making something or getting into something and was friendly with just about anyone. I have always loved working with my hands and had a great love of arts and crafts. I also loved the outdoors so could be found playing in the garden or the open space behind my house.
Pricing:
- $135 for 60 minute combination massage, $175 for 90 minutes
- $145 for 60 minute prenatal massage, $185 for 90 minutes
- $155 for 60 minutes Manual Lymphatic Drainage, $195 for 90 minutes
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.kelebodyworks.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kele.bodyworks/
