Why Yoga & Ayurveda (Extended Bio)

When I think about how I came to learn and study these healing arts, it’s hard to not go all the way back to childhood and my initial introduction to yoga and meditation. Both of my parents followed eastern spiritual traditions and I was fortunate to grow up in a household that valued a fairly healthy and wholesome lifestyle. I have early memories of curling up with my mom on her meditation cushion, and my dad sharing with me yoga asanas from his teacher. Although it may not have felt like it sunk in then, it became clear later on the impact of these experiences.

Aside from some kids yoga classes and learning from friends and family, I wouldn’t say I really started to practice yoga on my own until high school. I knew at that point there was more to explore, and an immense depth was drawing me in. This turned into more study in college, and eventually in 2009 learning from Shiva Rea, who I continue to study with today. 
 
After graduating college during a recession and planning to go into Public Health research, I took a journey to Asia where I was introduced to Ayurveda. I remember the distinct moment of reaching the most southern point of India and someone handed me Dr. Lad’s book, Ayurveda; The Science of Self-Healing. After reading the first few pages, I felt my heart swing open and something sparked within me. This was an entry point to another uncovering of my own healing, and what felt like a drawing together of many years of exploring various holistic modalities. 
 
At the time, I was struggling with severe digestive disturbances due to many years of suppressed emotions, culturally imposed body image distortions, and a long-term recovery of eating imbalances. I didn’t know the mess my system was truly in until I started feeling better and had days without pain or discomfort after going through Ayurvedic treatments. This felt like a miracle, and I was hooked! I continued to travel onward through India and studied along the way - determined to uncover more of what created the imbalance in the first place. I’m sure at some point I’ll share more about this process prior to, and during this trip.  
 
Upon returning to California, I knew I must continue on this path. Down the rabbit hole I went through a three-year program at the California College of Ayurveda, including various Ayurvedic trainings in specific areas of clinical study.
 
Then, the integration process. Oh boy. It wasn't so easy. I started my business in the spring of 2013, very gung-ho about beginning my own practice. There were many highs and lows and off-shoots of sharing these teachings though one-on-one health consultations, Ayurvedic body therapies, co-creating retreats, Ayurvedic cooking, assisting others on their retreats, selling Ayurvedic products and books, teaching workshops, leading Wellness Hikes and practicing Ayurveda at an ashram in the Bahamas. These years we packed with so many incredible experiences that I am incredibly grateful for! The richness is still infiltrating.
 
During that time period, I was also teaching yoga and providing services for employee wellness programs of small companies. These experiences led me to teach at larger companies in San Francisco such as Pinterest, Tishman Speyer, Wix, and WeWork. I loved working in these environments and introducing yoga, meditation, and stress-reduction practices to people for the very first time.

In August 2020, I took a full-time job with Exubrancy as the Community Wellness Manager for Dropbox’s Headquarters in SF. Initially, I was part of helping run a new Wellness Center and teaching yoga and meditation classes on campus. Since COVID-19, we have transitioned into a virtual wellness program that now extends to the entire global Dropbox community. This workspace brings me joy as I continue to share daily mindful stretching, meditation, and yoga nidra with employees. And now we're up to current date. :) 
 
The teachings of Ayurveda are with me every day and it’s a lens through which I see the world and apply my own self-care practices. The well is deep and only gets deeper. Each month I still see several private Ayurvedic Consultations and 1:1 yoga and meditation sessions so feel free to reach out to find out my current availability. I also will continue to host weekend retreats and more online offerings as we move through this new era of healthcare and collective healing.
 
The journey continues and I look forward to sharing more someday. Thank you for reading this [yes, very long] intro and perhaps our paths will cross soon!
 
In Peace,
Camina