Nature has been my saving grace, my refuge, and my inspiration for as long as I remember myself.
My first memory of a special encounter with plants comes from my early childhood in St. Petersburg, Russia. Back then, winters used to be long, cold and full of snow. Towards the end of March, as the days grew warmer, the sun would start melting the snow bit by bit. And all of a sudden, surrounded by the white mounds of snow, I could spot bright yellow flowers of colts foot peeking from the ground. It felt like an absolute miracle, and a sure sign that the spring was on her way. Later that summer I would discover and make friends with the marsh orchids, fireweed, plantain, dandelion, clovers, yarrow, lupines... Forest became a whole new, fascinating and magical world to explore. I remember sitting on the grass and marveling at the emerald moss, white daisies, yellow buttercups, blue bells and wild strawberries, breathing in the hot summer aromas of the earth and listening to the constant buzzing of the bees. I was home.
Fast forward to 2006, I started studying herbal medicine with with Peeka Trenkle at the New York's Open Center, and took every other program and apprenticeship she offered. Just two short years later I was calling on the healing powers of plants to help me recover from a devastating traffic accident. Lovingly and patiently, plants helped me restore my physical body and held space for the much needed emotional healing while grieving loss of a loved one. As time went by, the green beings kept on guiding me on a long and windy journey of healing and self-discovery.
Many significant life changes had to be embraced along the way, including quitting my convenient yet no longer inspiring work in finance, moving out of the city, and re-visiting some of my important relationships. On a sunny spring equinox of 2010, as I was trekking the spectacular Cordillera Blanca mountains of the Peruvian Andes, I sat down by the sparkling blue waters of a mountain lake. As I was admiring the white snow-covered mountain tops, I suddenly felt a sense of deep, overwhelming peace and commitment to fully embrace my life-long journey with plants.
Years of herbal studies, adventures and work have followed. Plants have taken me around the US, South America and Europe – growing herbal medicine, making remedies, working with private clients, and holding plant medicine circles and retreats.
Along this amazing journey I received many precious healing gifts and met my beautiful tribe for which I am eternally grateful.
In my private practice with clients I use dynamic kinesiology to uncover the deepest roots of physical or energetic imbalances. I rely on the healing powers of Western herbs, precious teachings of TCM and Ayurveda, and magical gifts of the Amazonian plant medicine. When the work calls for shifts in the non-physical realms of being I frequently use flower essences, gem elixirs, guided meditation, inner child work, ritual and ceremony.
I hold plant walks, host women’s circles, and teach plant medicine workshops & retreats in NYC, the Hudson Valley, the Andes and the Amazon.
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Click HERE to learn about my private wellness consultations.
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My herbal education includes Chartered Herbalist Program from the Dominion Herbal College; Green Medicine, Practical Homeopathy, Herbs through the Growing Season and garden apprenticeships with Peeka Trenkle; flower essence trainings with Kate Gilday & Pam Montgomery, Farm to Pharmacy intensive trainings and farm work at Goldthread Herbal Farm in Conway MA, and a diploma in naturopathy from the CENATHO College of Naturopathic Medicine in Paris, France.
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“And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom.” ~ Anais Nin.