I love people & I love food.
I have always been fascinated with health, the human body & food. For more than twelve years, I have studied all three, not only as an Ayurvedic Practitioner, Nutrition and Health Counselor, but also as a Massage Therapist, Anatomy Teacher, Yoga Student and Certified Yoga Instructor.

I've struggled with my own health.
I was diagnosed with psoriasis at the age of 12, and suffered for years from cracked itchy skin. I was told repeatedly by doctors, "there is no cure and there's no known cause". I just had to live with it. Aspiring to be model-beautiful, I also suffered from eating disorders throughout most of my college years. The stress eventually took its toll on my body.

By the time I was 21, my health had weakened. I suffered from poor digestion, emotional instability, and an irregular menstrual cycle. I didn't want to take medications, creams or pills. The times that I did, they didn't work and only made my symptoms worsen. I knew there was another way. I decided to take charge of my own health.

I got help & began to heal.
I read books about eating disorders and put their healing advice into practice. I began to practice yoga regularly. I found therapy in self-examination, clearing up past relationships and focusing on what I really wanted... more and more I began to prioritize my own well-being.

Folowing my intuition, I became a yoga instructor in 2001 and delved wholeheartedly into Ayurveda where my lifelong passion for health, food and cooking was fully & finally met. I have cooked my own food, based in Ayurvedic principals, for the past 7 years. Within the first 6 months of adapting Ayurvedic nutrition, most of my physical ailments healed. Psoriasis that had debilitated me for nearly 20 years practically disappeared. My emotions evened out, my mind was clearer and I was able to access passion for life in a way I never had before. I was completely struck by the power of eating well & its connection to feeling great in my life.

I live a Blessed Life.
I still feel stronger and healthier than ever before. As I grow and mature, life keeps getting better!

I became a Certified Ayurvedic Practitioner at the Dhyana School of Therapeutics in Sebastopol in 2003. I was the first Ayurvedic Chef at DeAnna Batdorff's Pancha Karma Center, where I spent one year helping transform the lives of clients & students by sharing cooking skills, nutritional know-how, personalized Ayurvedic education and coping strategies to foster a healthier relationship with food. I also trained in the ancient art of Pancha Karma, Ayurvedic Aromatherapy and Massage.

I'd love to support you on your healing path.
I have lived in Santa Cruz for 12 years and am excited to be in this area sharing Incredible Food, Cooking Classes, Ayurvedic Bodywork and Nutritional Education. Please call or email me to schedule a consultation*. I look forward to supporting you on your path to health. Email me or call 408-529-6842 to schedule a consultation today.  Love, Talya

*Ask about how to receive your first consultation for free!