Āyurveda
The Science of Life
Āyurveda is a 5000 year old system of healing that has roots in ancient India. The Sanskrit term is often translated as "the science of life" and "the art of longevity."
The Āyurvedic approach to health and healing takes the totality of one's being into account: the environment in which they live, the food consumed, their sense of purpose, their habits and lifestyle, their physical and emotional state, and more. More than just a healing system, Āyurveda is a guṇa shastra, or way of seeing all life through the qualities of the five great elements: Space, Air, Fire, Water, and Earth. A skilled Āyurvedic practitioner is able to assess the state of the elements within us by interpreting these guṇa (qualities), and seeks to restore equilibrium by using the natural opposites of the qualities that are insufficient or are present in excess. Holistic therapies like herbs and adjustments to diet and lifestyle are used to guide the body, mind, and spirit towards a state of balance.
Jyotish (Sidereal Astrology)
The Science of Light
A sister science to Āyurveda, Jyotish is the astrology of the Indian subcontinent (and beyond). It can provide us with information on the deeper meanings behind the events of our lives and on our journey through time from the perspective of the cosmos.
Astrology has been used to help people to understand their place in and responsibilities to the world for thousands of years. My teacher says that Jyotish is not an end point, but a place from where you can make an informed start. Astrology tells a story about us, it paints a picture of the many roles that we play throughout our lives and provides an objective perspective on our personal and collective history so that we can understand our experience from the perspective of the cosmos. Imagine all of the potential that they see in us?
When we are able to see our experience as an integral piece of the universal order, we can move through life with purpose, grace, and confidence.
Hi, I'm Danielle.
An eternal student of the human condition, be it through culture, philosophy, or studying spiritual traditions, I have, for as long as I can remember, sought to understand the many ways that we exist in relationship with the world around us. I love learning about people as individual and collective beings, and have often found myself immersed in the search for knowledge about the influence of overaching systems on a person's sense of self, identity, and health. In Āyurveda, it is said that you are the microcosm of the macrocosm, and as such, the systems under which we grow up and come into ourselves inform our identites, behaviors, sense of self, health, wellbeing, relationships, and more.
In my practice with clients, I look to connect these dots with those of the natural order through the lens of Āyurveda and Jyotish. I believe that it is possible to grow and thrive in alignment with the natural and cosmic order in a way that is practical to our lived reality. You don't have to reject society, the people around you, your culture or religion to connect with nature, truth, and the divine. In fact, I myself do this everyday while living in a city, raising a family, and navigating the inner and outer worlds.
In my personal life, I am a mother and a homemaker. I enjoy gardening, cooking, riding bikes, watching movies, writing, and learning (languages, philosophy, culture... I love to do the deep dive). I have also done various speaking engagements at colleges and universities on subjects ranging from film (specific to Japan & India), to individual and cultural identity (in Japan), to the foundations of Āyurveda, and more. I am also a seeker (Vedic, Yogic, and Tantric traditions), a certified Āyurvedic Practitioner, and a Jyotishi (Vedic Astrologer) in training.
Education, Certification, & Background
