About Me

My name is Durga and I am grateful to serve my Santa Cruz community. I have been in Santa Cruz and the surrounding mountains for over a decade now. The magic, vibrancy, and beauty of this community and town never cease to amaze me.

My aim in life is to help expand consciousness and relieve suffering. I believe somatic and holistic healing practices, like massage therapy and Ayurvedic bodywork, cultivate a deep, embodied awareness that facilitates personal transformation and growth. These approaches help us deepen our connection to both our inner and outer worlds, guiding us toward a sense of wholeness. The body, in harmony with nature, provides endless possibilities for expansion and alignment with our true selves.

I feel fortunate to have spent several years living in an intentional community (Mount Madonna Center), surrounded by magical redwoods and wise beings dedicated to self-evolution. I completed my Bachelors in Psychology in 2012 and I am currently pursuing my Masters in Counseling Psychology. My studies that influence my offerings include Humanistic & Existential Psychology, Eastern Mysticism, Classical Ashtanga & Hatha Yoga (as taught by Baba Hari Dass), Ayurveda, Kundalini Yoga, Swedish Massage, Deep Tissue Massage, Trigger Point Therapy, Myofascial Release, Lomi Lomi, Polarity, Somatic Experiencing, Astrology and Herbalism. I humbly bow to my teachers that have imparted their wisdom and gifts upon me.

I believe in the intuitive wisdom of the body and I find somatic, yogic and holistic practices to be a highly effective way to facilitate healing within. I view healing as a symbiosis of body, mind and spirit in alignment with Truth/Love/Self. I would be honored to support you in your healing journey.

in love,

Durga

my education and experience

  • University of Michigan – Bachelor of Arts, Psychology (2012)

  • Karma Yoga – Yoga Teacher Training Program 200 hours (2012)

  • Kundalini Teacher Training – Sat Santokh Singh & Prabha Nam Kaur (2013)

  • Mount Madonna Institute – Yoga Teacher Training Program 200 hours (2013-15)

  • Mount Madonna Institute – Yoga Teacher Training 200HR Teacher (2014-15)

  • Mount Madonna Center – Yoga Teacher (2013-15, 2016-19)

  • Pacific Cultural Center – Yoga Teacher (2016-19)

  • Pure HealthyBack Physical Therapy – Yoga Therapist (2015-16)

  • Monterey Institute of Touch – Certified Massage Therapy Program 500 hours (2016)

  • Mount Madonna Institute – Ayurvedic Bodywork Program (2018)

  • Kaya Kalpa Wellness Center – Spa Manager & Lead Massage Therapist (2017-19)

  • Pebble Beach Spa – Massage Therapist (2019-20)

  • Sage Float Spa – Lead Massage Therapist (2019-2022)

  • California College of Ayurveda – Ayurvedic Facials Course (2022)

  • Sofia University – Master’s in Counseling Psychology (2023 – Present)

    along with years of ongoing self-study in Yoga, Eastern & Western Esoteric Mysticism, Herbalism, Holistic Health, Ayurveda, Psychology, Tarot and Astrology.