WHAT TYPE(S) OF HOLISTIC MEDICINE OR WELLNESS HAVE YOU STUDIED AND WHAT DO YOU SPECIALIZE IN?

The sister sciences of Ayurveda + Yoga. I’m an Ayurvedic Health Counselor that specializes in making holistic health cozy–not clinical.

TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT YOU. WHAT’S YOUR BACKSTORY, AND HOW DID YOU GET INTO HOLISTIC WELLNESS?

I have dabbled in yoga my entire adult life, but like many people who come to holistic wellness, I was fully immersed into it when faced with a family health scare. My oldest child ended up in the Emergency Room with blood sugars in the 400’s, and after many tests, we found out he has a rare form of diabetes that has been with him since birth (called MODY: maturity-onset diabetes of the young.)

When the doctor mentioned it’s possible to control this particular form of diabetes with diet and lifestyle without the need of daily medication, I was 100% on board. I took the cold turkey approach and rid our kitchen of anything processed, anything with added sugars or ingredients that are clearly made in a factory, and focused on building a kitchen stocked only with fresh and organic veggies, fruits, legumes, and whole grains.

His endocrinologist couldn’t believe the turn around his health took by simply adapting his diet, and noted how wonderful it would be if this way of eating could be the norm with all her patients.

This was the moment a little light sparked on in my mind: this way of eating and taking our health into our own hands COULD be the norm. Perhaps we simply need people to show us, baby step by baby step, how to proceed. I felt deeply that, what worked for me, was not looking at this shift in lifestyle as deprivation, and instead leaning into it as nourishing. Instead of mourning the cookies we will no longer eat as a family, why not find a way to create a healthy alternative, that tastes delicious and makes us feel our best?

Fast forward a few months, and I was enrolled in the first cohort of Angela Perger’s Simple Ayurveda “Ayurveda Health Counseling” program. How thrilling to be able to help people access holistic health that’s cozy–not clinical.

WHAT’S YOUR PREFERRED STYLE OF WORK?

Ayurveda Health Counselor (1:1 service provider)

I also lead an online group, the Hygge Yoga Community, which connects members with like-minded cozy holistic health lovers worldwide, and provides monthly connection. Because, as we all know, one of the staples of health is having strong and supportive relationships.

WHAT IS SOMETHING YOU’RE MOST PROUD OF IN YOUR WORK?

Our little Hygge Yoga Community, that’s been running strong since the early days of the pandemic! We have been meeting for virtual candlelight chats once a month to discuss books, engage in workshops led by fellow members (such as how to make the perfect chai tea!), and have themed discussions (how to get hygge in the winter, for instance!) We have members worldwide–Canada, Germany, California–so there’s always fresh perspective and plenty of cozy connection.

WHERE DO YOU GET MOST OF YOUR HEALTH INFO FROM (OUTSIDE OF YOUR TRADITIONAL STUDY). ARE THERE ANY PODCASTS YOU LOVE, BOOKS YOU’D RECOMMEND, OR NEWSLETTERS YOU ENJOY GETTING?

Oh, just love this question! Four podcasts I adore are Simple Ayurveda, The Doctor’s Kitchen Podcast, Feel Better Live More, and Heal Thy Self.

A book to read if you’re just starting to dip your toes into the holistic health world is “Feel Better in 5: Your Daily Plan to Feel Great for Life“–I’ve purchased this for many people in my life!

And if you’re looking for a simple cookbook that will launch you into a really beautiful way of nourishing yourself, I recommend “The Self-Care Cookbook: Easy Healing Plant-Based Recipes.”

Oh! And because holistic health is about nurturing the whole self, I also suggest “Think Like A Monk”–there’s lots of good food for thought, which will meet you exactly where you are.

An Instagram account that is 100% worth a follow is Food Babe–she does a deep dive on the food industry and gives you the scoop on the actual best brands to be stocking your kitchen with.

WHERE DO YOU MEET MOST OF YOUR CLIENTS?

Funny enough–AirBnB Experiences! Pre-pandemic I hosted live yoga sessions in Central Park, and it was SUCH a fun way to connect with an array of people from all different backgrounds, and at different points in their holistic health journey. Sometimes it would be a person’s very first yoga class ever, and other times, I’d meet holistic health practitioners from the other side of the world who had been into Ayurveda and yoga since childhood!

IF YOU COULD GIVE ONE PIECE OF ADVICE TO A NEW HOLISTIC PRACTITIONER, WHAT WOULD IT BE?

Find your niche! The internet is flooded with holistic health practitioners, so don’t try to be everything to everybody. Take a deep dive into what sparks a fire within you, and become an expert in that area–then spend time building your presence and email list. Your tribe will find you!

WHERE CAN PEOPLE FIND YOU?

• Website: https://www.hygge.yoga/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hygge.yoga/
• Substack: https://hyggeyoga.substack.com/subscribe