under construction, thank you for your patience. KEEP SCROLLING DOWN…

Greetings all and welcome to my new site. I am overjoyed to take this step so that I can share a bit more about myself and the services I am offering to the Santa Barbara/Goleta, California communities.                                                                                                                                                                     

For most of my life I have been drawn to natural healing and holistic health arts. The joy of helping people feel good in their bodies started at the tender age of 7, massaging my mother’s sore feet and walking on my father’s back to relieve his stress. Motivated by my father’s encouragement and enthusiasm, I completed my first bodywork training at the Acupressure Institute in Berkeley, California in 1994 and immediately started working at Sunset Sauna in San Francisco, California. I learned a lot during my time there which created the framework for the next couple of decades working in the spa industry in various settings including California, Hawaii and Mexico. In 2016 I left the spa world and started my private practice in Santa Barbara, California.

Over the years I have received training in various bodywork modalities including: Jin Shin Do Acupressure, Shiatsu, Tui Na Chinese Massage, Thai Massage, Abhyanga Ayurvedic Massage, Reiki Energy Healing, Pranic Healing, Cupping and Prenatal & Post Partum Massage. I incorporate aspects of these modalities along with my keen intuition, while addressing specific ailments and client goals to tailor each bodywork session.

The interest in focusing bodywork/healing toward women arose from my awe and reverence of the female body. I absolutely love serving and caring for women’s well being through the use of my gifts, I see it as a blessed honor and dharma (sacred duty). My decision to specialize in prenatal and post partum bodywork slowly but steadily grew from a spark into a blazing fire, after experiencing the compassionate and individualized midwifery model of care when I was pregnant with my daughter in 1999. This desire was solidified after completing my labor doula training at Twin Lakes College of Healing Arts in 2008 while living in Santa Cruz, California, which opened up a beautiful new way of serving and caring for women. I also became certified as a post partum doula in June of 2023 after attending the Nourished Mother Post Partum Doula training facilitated by renowned Southern California midwives Aleksandra Evanguelidi and Meaghan Snider. In November of 2023 I had the great privilege and honor to learn some traditional midwifery and post partum practices in the spirit of sacred birthkeeping, from the profoundly wise Andean Midwife Maria Paola De La Torre (Mapu) and her amazing apprentice Natalie Yazmin.

Besides my passion for healing and all things bellies, birth & post partum, I have been steeped in the exploration and practice of Vedic teachings and wisdom coming from the Gaudiya Vaishnava lineage since my formal diksa (initiation) in Navadwip, India in February of 1996. My profound appreciation for the Vedic culture has also led me to take a deep dive into the study of Ayurveda and Sanskrit. Additionally I have maintained an Iyengar Yoga asana & pranayama practice since 2006. These concepts and philosophies comprise the foundation which profoundly informs the way I serve mothers & their families and show up in the world.

MASSAGE THERAPY/BODYWORK {prenatal, post partum, therapeutic, induction, cupping and energy work}, LABOR DOULA CARE {2-3 prenatal visits to get to know the expectant mother, assistance in the creation of a birth plan, consistent physical, emotional and informational support during the labor & delivery process, providing support in processing the labor & birth experience, connecting mamas to local resources to support her and/or the newborn(s) and placenta encapsulation} and POST PARTUM DOULA CARE {preparing nourishing and nutrient dense organic meals, snacks & beverages to support a mama’s well being and lactation, caring for the newborn(s) so that mama can rest, providing emotional support related to pregnancy/birth/post partum experiences, connecting mamas to local resources to support her and/or the newborn(s), light household tidying, errand running as well as offering an assortment of exceptional and sublime à la carte rituals & treatments to aid in healing and nurturing mama’s body after the birth of baby}.

As this site is under construction, you are welcome to contact me via email or phone with any questions, for rates and further description of services. For the time being please call or text me to book your appointment, as I am working on finding an online scheduling system. I very much look forward to connecting with and serving you!

¡Tambien hablo Español!

With love, Priya

matra devo bhava ~ Serve the mother as a goddess

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Priya Alvarez LMT, LD

priya.alvarez108@gmail.com

805.705.1042