Today we’d like to introduce you to Laura Croyt.
Laura, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
My story began in my childhood and early adolescence when I experienced a number of health issues, both mental and physical. At age six, I was diagnosed with ADHD and an “at-the-time” rare body-focused repetitive behavior disorder (BFRBD) that triggered severe emotional distress, skin rashes, and chronic systemic infections. As I grew older, I struggled with anxiety and aggression that I felt I’d never overcome despite the various medications and therapies I tried. As a result, my immune system was extremely suppressed and I was very energetically and chemically sensitive. Like most Americans, I didn’t grow up in a health-conscious household and (despite my parent’s best intentions) I was fed a diet that was heavy in processed foods which unfortunately only made matters worse. I remember being frustrated by the conventional treatment approach and how I kept feeling more and more disconnected to my body and mind. It wasn’t until my teens that something shifted and I started to spend more time in nature, becoming fascinated with the natural world of healing and learning about personal growth by reading library books on spirituality and alternative health. I started to take better care of myself by exercising, practicing yoga, and cooking my own food. I fell in love with the idea of healing my ailments naturally and embodying health by just being more in touch with myself.
In 2012, my oldest sister began seeing an Ayurvedic physician. After witnessing the health transformation she’d undergone by the use of herbal medicines, lifestyle adjustments, and a healthier diet – I knew I needed to learn more about Ayurveda. So over the next several years, I began self-studying Ayurvedic medicine, Western herbal medicine, and holistic ancestral nutrition. After implementing these practices in my life, my mood shifted. I felt lighter in my body and mind and more connected to myself than ever before. In 2015, I started tribal fusion belly dance classes which built up my self-esteem by strengthening my mind-body connection and also made me feel more at home in my body. I knew then that I wanted to help others heal themselves by bringing together natural healing and embodied movement practices. The following year, I began a Wise Woman herbalism course and apprenticed under a curandera/healer and herbalist who helped me early in developing my healing gifts. At the time, I was working as a vitamin clerk at a local health food store where I would suggest various supplements to people who came in looking for detox pills, natural pain killers, and the like. Many came in with the same frustrations surrounding the conventional approach to their health conditions, just as I had as a young girl.
So instead of just walking them to the product they were searching for, I would sometimes suggest adjuvant herbs and educate them about the ways to shift their diet, lifestyle, and mindset to heal themselves. After a while, the customers would come back, often bringing with them friends or family members, and would line up in the aisles to talk with me. I even began preparing customized herbal preparations for some of them. I basically built my clientele within the aisles of a health food store, which was probably a conflict of interest for the store, but at the time prepared me for the clinical practice I have today. All in all, I found so much joy in being of service to my community and guiding people to be their own healers. The following year I decided to enroll at Southern California University of Health Sciences to formally study Ayurveda, complete my Clinical Internship, and become certified.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
There have definitely been some challenges along the way. Most notably, in the beginning of my studies at the university, my mother was given a diagnosis of colorectal cancer stage II. I started to care for her while studying and working full time. Despite her early diagnosis, a successful pre-surgical chemo/radiation treatment, and the surgery itself, my mother went through a slew of different chemotherapy complications and we almost lost her. Unfortunately, she had been over-prescribed infusion chemotherapy post-op. This resulted in anemia, severe emaciation and malnutrition, blood clots, ulcers, seizures, internal bleeding, as well as renal failure. She was in and out of ICU and recovery centers for months with little to no dietary recommendations to help her heal. She eventually recovered, learned to walk again, and has since been regaining her strength. Although it was an extremely stressful time seeing my mother go through it all, it gave me more motivation to study and promote Ayurveda’s preventative, curative, and holistic approach to health.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
My business, Lantana Wellness was birthed through a commitment to providing authentic, decolonized, and integrative Ayurvedic healthcare while taking into account the unique makeup of each individual by seeking to restore balance to the mind, body, and soul. The name “Lantana” comes from a common flowering plant of the Verbenaceae family which was used medicinally by my indigenous ancestors (the Toba people) in Argentina. So it’s like my ode to preserving and duly respecting the ancient healing wisdom carried down by cultures around the world. For those that do not know, Ayurveda is a complete and time-tested system of healing that originated over 5,000 years ago in India and is still as relevant as ever. Ayurveda can be embraced by anyone, at any age, anywhere in the world because the principles are universal and timeless. Ayurveda teaches us how to live in harmony with nature around us and our own individual nature by understanding what makes us sick and what makes us healthy – in terms of the food we eat, the environment we live in, our daily routine, and our mindset. Ayurvedic medicine is inherently against the “one-size-fits-all” approach to health. Ayurveda believes every person is unique and therefore, what is beneficial for one may be harmful to another. Ayurveda is largely a preventative system but it’s also curative. When we are sick, we can get better by: dietary adjustments, body therapies, use of herbal medicines, and lifestyle changes that support harmony of the body and mind. That’s where Ayurvedic physicians and practitioners come in.
As an Ayurvedic practitioner, I specialize in women’s health and common internal disturbances such as: stress, anxiety, and insomnia, digestive issues, constipation, sluggishness and chronic fatigue. What I feel sets me apart from other healthcare practitioners is that I integrate movement medicine and ancestral nutrition. For every client I see, I will often recommend a diet based on their unique body type as well as the cultural foods they grew up eating. It’s important to me that my offerings are culturally inclusive and, for that reason, I do not recommend eating a pure Indian style diet – especially if that client grew up with an entirely different background. I create food and drink recipes for them with all of that in mind. Additionally, I suggest specific movement practices like dance moves or yoga asanas that I feel could benefit the client based on what they are going through.
We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
Success to me is less about acquiring wealth and fame – and more about following one’s heart and honoring one’s truth. It’s about walking your path and doing inner healing work, but also knowing your worth and when to say no to what doesn’t feel right. When you can selflessly be of service to others by simply being your genuine self and doing what you love to do, success is inevitable.
Pricing:
- Initial Ayurvedic consultation – $120
- Initial & Follow-Up Combo – $195
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: www.lantanawellness.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/lauritabotanika
Image Credits
Angel Origgi, Laura Croyt
