Holistic Soul Health & Wellness Is Redefining What Self-Care Can Look Like

Thanks to decades of direct clinical practice, Afrika Parks knows the importance of traditional medicine. She also believes, however, that there is more to wellness than just what happens inside a doctor’s office.

During the business’ early years, services like body sculpting and reiki were offered right from Park’s home. From the very beginning, she says her goal was to introduce people to alternative therapies that she felt were often overlooked or considered inaccessible.

“I wanted to create a space that either I couldn’t find, or that, in my mind, was unattainable for me from a pricing standpoint, [and] from a demographic standpoint,” Parks said.

Over time, Holistic Soul expanded its offerings to handmade massage oils using high-quality essential oils and, during the COVID-19 pandemic, hand sanitizers and sprays made with ingredients including vitamin E, aloe, and other essential oils. She also created wellness shots and tonics with powerful health-boosting ingredients like turmeric and ginger.

Parks emphasizes that Holistic Soul does not aim to replace traditional medicine, but aims to help people incorporate new approaches to wellness into their lives.

Creating a Space for the Whole Person

The name Holistic Soul reflects Parks’ philosophy.

“Holistic” represents caring for the whole person, while “soul” represents the heart and the deeper connections people make with themselves and others.

That philosophy is reflected in the atmosphere the wellness studio has created.

“I want them to feel like it’s a safe space,” she said.

All services provided by Holistic Soul consider the clients’ mental and physical well-being and are designed to help them better understand their bodies.

Holistic Soul currently has two massage therapists, an esthetician and a wellness nurse. Parks said building a team with different specialties was important, but so was finding people who shared the same philosophy.

“Anyone can give you a massage,” Parks said. “But when you have someone that’s in tune with your body, and can give you that feedback and give you recommendations, that’s truly a gift.”

The same approach extends to skincare, where lymphatic facial treatments go beyond the traditional facial, with every step being uniquely tailored to each skin profile. 

Making Wellness More Accessible

One of Parks’ biggest goals is changing the perception that wellness is something only reserved for those who can afford it.

To combat this, Holistic Soul offers membership programs and specials designed to make its services more accessible, regardless of lifestyle.

She also wants people to rethink what self-care means.

To her, self-care isn’t simply getting a facial or having a spa day. It includes healthy eating, exercise, understanding your health needs and paying attention to what is happening inside the body.

“It’s not a fad. It’s not a luxury,” she said. “It should be a lifestyle.”

Building a Community

For Parks, building Holistic Soul has also meant creating opportunities for other women of color.

The business’ current team is made up predominantly of women of color—staff who Parks prioritized giving a stake in the business, rather than the usual transactional working relationship at most large companies.

“It’s not about my success; it’s about a collective success,” she said.

The community response has encouraged Parks to keep growing. Clients have praised the space, returned for additional services and asked the business to expand its hours.

Looking ahead, Parks hopes to eventually make Holistic Soul an all-inclusive wellness destination where people can receive treatments, access healthy food and learn more about taking care of themselves.

She also hopes to launch an educational series by 2027 focused on topics such as mental health, healthy eating and the relationship between what people put into their bodies and how they feel.

Ultimately, Parks wants Holistic Soul to help people become more proactive about their health.

“We’re proactive wellness,” she said. “We’re trying to prevent the body from going down with our lab work, with all of the therapies that we do.”

For Parks, wellness isn’t about chasing a trend. It’s about returning to practices and knowledge that have long been part of communities while making them accessible to people today.

Holistic Soul Health & Wellness is her effort to create a space where people can learn, heal and make caring for themselves part of their everyday lives.

This story is part of NJ Urban News’ Business of the Month series, highlighting outstanding businesses making an impact across New Jersey. Know a business we should feature? Email us at editorial@njurbannews.com