Today we’d like to introduce you to Enereya Salazar.
Hi Enereya, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
My name is Enereya Salazar, also known as Energy. I’m a Licensed Massage Therapist, Curandera, and the founder of Houston Aztec Massage, where anatomy meets Indigenous traditions for wellness.
My path into this work began long before I ever entered massage school. I was raised in a household where Curanderismo, traditional knowledge, and cultural pride were simply a part of everyday life. It was something we lived within our family, and much of that came from my mother, who carried those traditions and passed them down in her own way. It wasn’t something we questioned growing up—it was just part of who we were. As I got older, I began to understand that not everyone shared or openly acknowledged these practices, even though they have quietly existed within many Hispanic and Latino families for generations, rooted in our Indigenous ancestry. Now, through my work, I’ve been able to reconnect not only with my own roots, but also with others in the community who recognize that these traditions have always been there.
In 2009, I entered massage therapy school, which marked the beginning of my formal path into bodywork. The deeper reason behind that decision came from a very personal experience. There was a time in my life when I was dealing with severe sciatica pain that completely disrupted my daily life. I could barely move the way I once did, and even simple things became difficult. That moment pushed me to take my wellness seriously and find a way to regain control of my body. Over the course of about three years, I worked on healing myself through different approaches, including bodywork, chiropractic care, and reconnecting with traditional practices. During that time, I made a promise to myself that if I could restore my body naturally, I would dedicate my life to helping others do the same.
As a mother of two, I knew I wanted a career that was not only stable, but meaningful and heart-driven. Massage therapy gave me that path, allowing me to combine my personal healing experience with hands-on work and professional training, and I later became a Licensed Massage Therapist in the state of Texas.
In 2013, I became involved in an Aztec traditional dance group known as Taxcayolotl. That was my first real step into community work and activism. Through that experience, I began to reconnect more deeply with my Indigenous roots, and it played a major role in shaping my direction and strengthening my understanding of the work I was meant to do. It was also during this time that I stepped into my role as a Sahumadora, or firekeeper, helping tend to the ceremonial fire and support the well-being of those participating.
In 2015, during a time of deeper connection to my roots, I attended a traditional gathering where I encountered a curandera who shared a message with me that stayed with me—that while I was learning and doing the work, there was a deeper level I was meant to step into. That moment became a turning point that helped guide me forward.
Over the years, I developed a strong clinical understanding of the body through anatomy, kinesiology, pathology, and hands-on experience, allowing me to assess the body as a whole, identify patterns of tension and dysfunction, and approach each session with intention, structure, and long-term results in mind.
In 2019, through my involvement in community and activism, I connected with a space that allowed me to begin putting my work into practice. That is where Houston Aztec Massage first came to life. Shortly after, during the COVID-19 pandemic, I continued offering services on a donation basis, working with people from all walks of life, including those who had limited access to care. I worked with elders, individuals dealing with chronic pain, and people who otherwise may not have had access to wellness services. That experience became the foundation of my practice and helped shape the way I serve my community today.
In 2021, I transitioned into my current location in Pasadena, where Houston Aztec Massage continued to grow into a more established and structured practice.
In 2023, I founded Calpulli TecuanCoyotl, where I serve as Primera Palabra. In this leadership role, I help guide and uphold the community through ceremony, traditional dance, and shared responsibility, continuing the same teachings and responsibilities that were passed down to me. I have also continued my role as a Sahumadora within our ceremonies, carrying the responsibility of tending to the fire and supporting those who participate.
Houston Aztec Massage continues to reflect both my professional training and my personal journey reconnecting with my Indigenous roots. That vision has shaped the way I integrate traditional practices such as sobadas, limpias, and womb work into my services, offering patients an approach to wellness that is both results-driven and culturally rooted.
Today, I continue to expand my work through hands-on care, mentorship, and teaching, creating opportunities for others to learn and carry these practices forward in a responsible and professional way.
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?
It definitely has not been a smooth road, but every challenge has played a role in shaping the work I do today.
One of the biggest challenges has been building everything from the ground up, entirely out of pocket. I haven’t relied on grants or business loans, so every step of growth has come from my own investment, time, and effort. That came with financial pressure, but it also taught me discipline, resilience, and how to truly value the work I provide.
Another challenge has been learning how to balance my role as a practitioner with my own personal well-being. This work is very hands-on and requires a lot, not just physically, but mentally and emotionally. Over time, I had to learn how to take care of myself while still showing up for others. At the same time, I was navigating being a mother, becoming a grandmother, and taking on the responsibility of caring for my own mother. Learning how to carry all of those roles while continuing to grow my business was not easy, but it pushed me to become stronger and more grounded.
A major part of my journey has also been learning how to balance and integrate two worlds—my clinical training as a Licensed Massage Therapist and my background in Curanderismo. While both focus on wellness, they are often understood very differently. I’ve had to learn how to bring them together in a way that is structured, professional, and accessible, while still staying true to their roots. Helping people understand that this work is both results-driven bodywork and culturally rooted practice has been an ongoing process of education and trust-building.
Even within my own community, there have been moments of resistance and differing perspectives on what it means to carry these traditions into a professional space. That hasn’t always been easy, but I’ve learned to see it as part of the responsibility that comes with this path. It’s pushed me to stand more firmly in what I do and to help create space for these practices to be respected not only culturally, but also as a valid and structured form of wellness. For me, this work is not just a career—it’s something I live and carry forward for my family, my community, and future generations.
Another challenge has been navigating the technical and business side of things. Technology was never something I was naturally drawn to, so learning how to manage scheduling systems, licensing requirements, finances, and all the responsibilities that come with running a business was something I had to teach myself over time. Without having a strong mentor to guide me, I had to learn through experience, mistakes, and consistency. While it hasn’t always been easy, it’s been a major part of my growth and has helped me become more independent and confident as a business owner.
Like many small business owners, I’ve also faced challenges with growth, visibility, and building trust with new patients. But through consistency, education, and the results of my work, I’ve been able to continue moving forward and build something that truly serves my community.
Overall, the journey has come with many challenges, but each one has strengthened my purpose and helped me grow, both personally and professionally.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Houston Aztec Massage?
Houston Aztec Massage is a wellness practice built on the foundation that true care comes from understanding the body as a whole. My approach is guided by my core philosophy: where anatomy meets Indigenous traditions for wellness, creating space for balance not only physically, but mentally and emotionally as well.
As a Licensed Massage Therapist, I specialize in services such as deep tissue massage, Swedish massage, fire cupping, and targeted bodywork for specific areas of discomfort. My work is intentional and results-driven, with a strong focus on relieving pain, improving movement, and supporting long-term physical wellness.
What sets my practice apart is the way I integrate my clinical training with my background in Curanderismo. While my work is grounded in anatomy and structured bodywork, I also carry traditional practices such as sobadas and womb work, which support a more complete approach to wellness. This allows me to help patients not only address physical discomfort, but also bring balance to the body, mind, and emotional state.
Houston Aztec Massage is open to people from all walks of life, all backgrounds, and all ages. While my work is deeply rooted in my culture, it is not limited to one community. I work with a wide range of patients, from women preparing their bodies for pregnancy, to supporting them through prenatal and postpartum care, to working with children, teens, and adults navigating both physical and emotional challenges at different stages of life.
I am known for creating a space where patients feel safe, comfortable, and genuinely cared for. My approach goes beyond just providing a service—I focus on building trust, connection, and long-term relationships with the people I work with. I also believe in the importance of working alongside other forms of care, and I am open to referring patients to medical professionals, therapists, and other specialists when additional support is needed.
One of the things I am most proud of is being able to build a practice that stays true to my roots while also maintaining a strong professional standard. My goal has always been to create a space where traditional knowledge can exist alongside modern wellness in a way that is respected, structured, and accessible.
Overall, I want people to know that Houston Aztec Massage is not just a place to relax, but a place where they can feel supported, understood, and receive intentional, results-driven care that promotes long-term wellness and balance.
What makes you happy?
What makes me happy is being able to see the impact of the work I do on other people’s lives.
Whether it’s someone coming in with pain and leaving with relief, a patient feeling more comfortable in their body, or someone simply feeling seen and supported, those moments remind me why I chose this path. Knowing that I can help someone feel better physically, emotionally, and mentally brings a lot of fulfillment to what I do. I often see people leave not only with less pain, but with a sense of clarity and a shift in how they feel within themselves.
My family is also a big part of what brings me happiness. Being a mother and a grandmother has given me a deeper sense of purpose, and everything I do is not only for myself, but for them as well. They are a big reason why I continue to grow, stay focused, and keep building something meaningful.
I also find happiness in staying connected to my culture and continuing to carry forward the traditions that were passed down to me. Being able to live that in my everyday life and share it with others gives my work a deeper meaning.
Overall, what makes me happy is knowing that I am living in alignment with my purpose, while creating something that supports both my family and my community.
Pricing:
- • One-hour Massage Therapy Sessions (Swedish or Deep Tissue): starting at $75–$130
- • Fire Cupping Sessions: starting at $65
- • Womb Work (Matriz Wellness): starting at $65
- • Additional wellness and specialty services: starting at $30
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.aztecmassage.net
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/houston_aztec_massage
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/houstonaztecmassage
- Other: https://www.aztecmassage.net/book
Image Credits
Enereya Salazar
