My decision to study Ayurveda evolved out of a family trauma. My son, Jacob, and his family were visiting me and my husband in the summer of 2005 when Jacob became severely ill. After 11 days in the critical-care unit, Jacob came home and began his recovery with us. Today, we are blessed to have him well.

When my son drove away with his family after three months, I felt a deep emptiness overcome me. In the next weeks, I experienced dark moments of depression.

When the Kripalu catalog arrived in the mail one day, I remembered the solace  I had found during my visits there. I read about the Kripalu School of Ayurveda, and felt hope spring up inside me.

My first career was as a surgical technologist. The healing process has always fascinated me, and I was intrigued by the philosophy of Ayurveda. In the fall of 2005, I signed up for the training.

My experience of the training was of being cradled within a sense of oneness. I learned and practiced ways to balance my constitution, or dosha, using specific foods, asanas, and meditation practices. My focus cleared, I began to sleep soundly, and I found myself laughing again.

After I graduated, I opened Five Elements Healing Center in my small town of Colchester, Connecticut. My practice focuses on women challenged by postpartum, menstrual, and pre- and post-menopausal transitions. Knowing how deeply my clients will be affected by this, I can see the reality of change right in front of me. I am so grateful to be able to do this.