“Seva as an act of compassion and caring for others without attachment or expectation, yet taking care of your basic needs first in order to be of service , & to give freely. Seva, selfless service, is the fastest way to clear samskara (karmic impressions from the past)”
In the early 90’s I moved to San Diego and soon found a position at The Chopra Center for Well Being. I began in the kitchen helping to prepare special meals for guests in the Pancha Karma program, until my heart led me to become an apprentice to the therapists. I was pleased to learn that methods I was being taught were from Dr. John Douilliard who was the former director, and came from the Maharishi lineage where Dr. Douilliard also was a director. Dr. Chopra was on site often back in those days and would hold Satsangs once a month, teaching us about Ayurveda and spirituality. This experience sparked the beginning of my path as a healer.
I enrolled in a 1000 Hr Holistic Health Practitioner program where I was trained in several massage modalities as well as Herbs and Nutrition (Ayurvedic Body Therapy classes were not available then). Upon completing I became an Intern at The Optimum Health Institute, and gained more experience facilitating guests that were undergoing intense cleansing and regaining their health and vitality and eventually became staff for 2 years.
Soon following, I managed a private practice of holistic massage and teaching Yoga classes for 16 years in San Diego. I also trained and practiced as a Holistic Midwife for 10 of those years and acquired more skills such as organic farming of vegetables and medicinal herbs, which I used to create a pharmacy for my clients and myself. During that time I also raised two beautiful sons.
I moved to Nevada City, Ca in the spring of 2016 to return full circle to my path in Ayurveda. I have been trained at the California College of Ayurveda in all the classical Ayurvedic Body Therapies for Pancha Karma and for Day Spa. I quickly joined the team at The Ayurvedic Healthcare Center becoming the lead therapist for Pancha Karma and Day Spa therapies until opening my own practice in 2019. As well as providing therapies, I am an experienced Ayurvedic chef, & educator.
During 2016-2024, as well as being a Licensed Massage Therapist, I received the following certifications:
- Pre/Post Natal Massage
- Abhyanga (Ayurvedic Lymphatic Massage)
- Shirodhara
- Swedena
- Ayurvedic Facial Rejuvenation
- Dough Basti - Chakra Basti - Enema Basti
- Nasyam
- Pancha Karma Therapist & Cook - Ayurvedic Chef Training with Divya Alter
Marmani & Pranic Healing + Tuning Forks - 200+ Hours - Traditionally taught from David Frawley, Avinesh Lele, Dr Vasant Lad, Anisha Durve, Amadea Morningstar, Cory Tixier, Indu Arora
Ayurvedic Wellness Practitioner
Ayurvedic Obstetrics and Fertility from Arya Ayurveda in Pune, Maharashtra India
Foundational Integrated Herbology of Western & Eastern herbs with a speciality course in Ayurvedic Herbs for Women from KP Khalsa of the International Integrative Educational Institute
Medical Cannabis Clinician - The Medical Cannabis Institute
200 Hr Registered Yoga Teacher
The Art & Science of Vedic Counseling - Dr. Frawley
Author of “The Ayurveda Spa Therapy Manual” - “Dough Basti: The Ancient Healing Art of Ayurveda” - “Savor the Flavor - Ayurvedic Recipes for Tea and Spice Blends”
I have held staff positions at The Chopra Center for Well Being, The Optimum Health Institute, California College of Ayurveda, and currently the Ayurveda Body Therapy instructor for several US Ayurveda schools, and serving as the Education manager for Ayurvedic professionals at the National Ayurvedic Medical Association (NAMA), and the Certification Manager at the National Ayurvedic Medical Association Certification Board.
I continue to take Ayurvedic courses in women's health related issues and autoimmune diseases from Mary Thompson, Dr. Vasant Lad, Dr. Frawley, Dr. Svoboda, and Claudia Welch. Last but not least, I am pursuing Jyotish, Vedic Astrology, to further assist clients in understanding their health.
Ayurveda is my passion and I feel the vastness of Ayurveda is something you can spend several lifetimes learning. It is Divinity and Science perfectly balanced. I find an Ayurvedic lifestyle to be fulfilling physically, spiritually, emotionally, and intellectually.
My heart is to spread this Divine Science of preventative health and longevity to all who are seeking to provide gentle guidance and resources for you to be your own healer. Ayurveda has the solutions for everything because it treats the individual--you, as your unique self.
Please reach out if there is anything you are inspired about. I would love to hear from you and help you, or refer you to someone who can. Blessings and grace.
Seva
