For over 25 years, Serena Marie Licastro has been transforming lives through intentional touch and holistic bodywork. As a renowned Licensed Massage Therapist and licensed aesthetician, she utilizes the transformative techniques of The Feldenkrais Method and Myofascial Release to help clients reconnect with their body's natural wisdom, releasing harmful movement patterns and unnecessary tension. What sets Serena apart is her personalized approach—each session becomes a journey of re-education that extends beyond the treatment room, empowering clients with practical tools for maintaining alignment and vitality in their daily lives. Serena shares her story with Red Flower, and explores her belief that true transformation happens when we approach our bodies with mindful attention and intentional care.
My journey into the spa and wellness industry began when I was 19 years old. I started working in skincare, and from that moment I realized how powerful touch, care, and connection could be in helping people feel better. That passion led me back to school to pursue massage therapy. I began practicing aesthetics in 1997 and massage therapy in 1999, and I’ve been dedicated to the craft ever since.
Interestingly, my very first interests were quite different. At one point I wanted to work in autopsies, and later I even considered embalming. Eventually I realized that while I was fascinated by the human body, I wanted to work with the living. I wanted to help people feel better, move better, and reconnect with themselves. That realization truly shaped my path and gave me a sense of purpose that I still carry today.
For me, wellness has always been about more than a treatment—it’s an experience. Every session I provide is designed to help the body release tension and restore movement. I focus on creating an environment where clients feel heard and understood. Listening is a huge part of the work. You have to listen to people’s pain, their concerns, their stresses, and the difficulties they carry. Every person is different, and learning how to understand those differences has taken patience and years of experience.
Over time, my philosophy on wellness has deepened. It’s not only about techniques or products—it’s about the entire sensory experience and the connection between practitioner and client. One brand that truly embodies this philosophy for me is Red Flower...I worked at Shibui Spa at The Greenwich Hotel for seven and a half years. The scents and sensory experience of Red Flower products are deeply integrated into that space, and I saw firsthand how powerfully they help people relax and let go.
When I began working with the line more closely, I realized how much it resonated with me. The brand feels clean, grounded, and authentic. It smells incredible, it feels beautiful on the body, and most importantly—it works. It brings together luxury, earthiness, and calmness in a way that perfectly supports the kind of sensory wellness experience I strive to create for my clients.
Today I practice in two spaces that allow me to serve my clients in different ways. In Staten Island, I have my own studio, which I consider my hub—the place where my practice is rooted and where I’ve built my foundation. I also work out of a shared space at the Erika Bloom Wellness Collective in Tribeca, which allows me to connect with clients in the city and collaborate within a beautiful wellness-focused environment. Eventually, after years of learning and growing in some incredible spaces, opening my own practice became the natural next step. It represented the culmination of decades of dedication to helping people feel better in their bodies and in their lives.
Throughout my career, one of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that you must always ask yourself what makes your work unique. Your work has to resonate with people. But more importantly, you must truly understand the person in front of you. You have to listen to their pain, their concerns, their stresses, and the challenges they carry. That human connection is what transforms a treatment into something meaningful. For women who are afraid to step forward or pursue their vision, my advice is simple: you have to get out of your shell and make it happen. If you have a vision and you truly believe it can come to life, you must pursue it. You cannot look back. Even if you fail, you get up, dust it off your shoulders, learn from it, and keep moving forward. I feel incredibly grateful to say that I love what I do. I’ve dedicated my life to helping others, and every day I’m reminded that this work is truly my purpose.
Red Flower Connection & Rituals
One of the things I love most about Red Flower is how ritualistic the products feel. They transform simple self-care into a sensory experience. My favorite scent is Palo Santo. To me, it’s just heaven. It creates an atmosphere instantly—it’s grounding, calming, and it sh
ifts the energy of the space. It’s definitely a vibe that I love working with and sharing with my clients.
There’s something very special about the way Red Flower combines purity, beautiful scents, and products that truly work. The brand resonates with me because it feels clean, natural, and intentional. When you incorporate those elements into a treatment or even a personal ritual, it elevates the experience completely.
In my own routine, there are a few Red Flower rituals I always come back to. I love the Hammam Moroccan Mint Tea Silt Purifier—it’s such a refreshing and grounding experience for the skin. The Orange Quince Steam Mist is another favorite of mine, and I absolutely adore the Lemon Coffee Blossom Olive Stone Scrub. Ohana Gingergrass Bamboo Scrub is also incredible and feels amazing on the body. At night, I love finishing with the Illuminating Rose Collagen Renewal Face Serum. It feels nourishing, restorative, and is the perfect way to close out the day.
The Spa & Wellness Industry
What excites me most about the wellness industry today is the growing awareness that wellness is not just about beauty—it’s about how we feel, how we move, and how we live in our bodies. People are becoming more conscious of caring for themselves in deeper ways.
When it comes to creating an immersive and memorable spa experience, I always say it comes down to four things: knowledge, presence, presentation, and preservation. You have to bring all of those elements to the table. Knowledge allows you to truly understand what your client needs. Presence means being fully there with them during the session. Presentation creates the sensory environment that allows them to relax. And preservation means helping them maintain that sense of well-being long after they leave the treatment room.
Holistic Well-being & Inspiration
One wellness practice I believe more people should incorporate into their daily lives is simply taking a moment to shut out the noise. Look around you. Look at yourself in the mirror. Learn to become your own friend and truly love yourself. When you build that relationship with yourself, the best version of you starts to come out. Life will always have challenges, but you have to learn to move forward and not stay stuck. Just keep moving.
Maintaining balance is something I’m personally working on right now. It takes a lot to build something on your own, and my journey has required a lot of dedication and hard work. I truly built my career from the ground up. Because of that, I’m learning to make more time for myself. It’s not always easy—especially when you work in wellness—but listening to yourself is essential, and I’m doing that now more than ever.
I’ve always loved listening and learning from others, but honestly my own story and career journey have had the biggest impact on me. I’m proud of the path I’ve created. I’m also a guest artist at Paul Mitchell, where I share my story with students and professionals in the industry. I hope it inspires them to pursue their own path. One day I would love to have a podcast because my journey has been full of experiences that I believe could really help and inspire others.
Book your next Red Flower ritual with Serena at serenalicastro.com.