Hi, I’m Priya!

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, 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, Deep Tissue, Thai Massage, Abhyanga Ayurvedic Massage, Prenatal & Postpartum Massage, Reiki Energy Healing, Pranic Healing and Cupping.

The interest in focusing on women’s wellness 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 postpartum 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 BirthWise Doula training at Twin Lakes College of Healing Arts in 2009 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 postpartum doula in June of 2023 after attending the Nourished Mother Postpartum 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 postpartum 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 and postpartum, I have been steeped in the exploration and practice of Vedic teachings and wisdom since the age of 21. This has led me to take a deep dive into the study of Ayurveda and Sanskrit. Additionally, I have maintained an Iyengar Yoga asana and pranayama practice since 2006. These concepts and philosophies comprise the foundation which greatly informs the way I serve mothers and their families, as they are based on service to others, exercising compassion and kindness for oneself and all living beings, while also providing me with a sharper lens through which to view life’s cosmic dance.

Check out this article about my journey and work here!