Rising Stars: Meet Karina Rodriguez of Los Angeles

Today we’d like to introduce you to Karina Rodriguez.

Hi Karina, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
My journey with La Estrella Tlahuia really began with the Luna Circle, a monthly women’s circle that came into my life during a time when I needed it most. That space helped me reconnect with myself, love myself more deeply, and begin healing in ways I didn’t even realize I needed. Being surrounded by other women in such a sacred and supportive space reminded me that I wasn’t alone. That we truly need each other, and that healing doesn’t have to happen alone. It was incredibly empowering.
As a mother, it helped me realize that taking care of myself isn’t selfish. It’s necessary. When I make time for my own healing, I show up more fully for the people I love.
Those monthly circles became my therapy. I looked forward to them every single month. Through them, I found friendship, community, support, and honestly…I found myself. I knew deep down that these were the kinds of spaces I wanted to continue being part of.
As I continued on my healing journey and experienced different healing modalities, I felt called to learn them for myself. The first time I experienced Reiki and a Sound Bath, I was mind-blown. I remember leaving and thinking, what was that? I felt lighter, calmer, and more connected to myself. I remember thinking, I need to learn this.
My now Maestra was the one who really planted the seed for me. She believed in me before I fully believed in myself. For a Luna Circle retreat day, she encouraged all of us to create something to add to the goodie bags, and she encouraged me to make something too. So I did. That moment ended up being the beginning of everything.

La Estrella Tlahuia was created when I needed to name my Instagram page, and I wanted to be intentional with it.
La Estrella comes from The Star. I was drawn to it because it represents the idea that even through the good and the hard times, there is always a sense of faith and guidance.
Tlahuia is a Nahuatl word meaning to illuminate, to light the path for others.
Together, La Estrella Tlahuia became a name that reflects my intention: to share light, stay grounded in faith, and create spaces that support others on their own journey.

At some point, I did take about a year off. Life happens, and I needed to step away. When I finally came back, it was to join the Ohtli Yollotl Curanderismo Apprenticeship. I was reunited with my Maestras, who hosted the Luna Circles that started it all. They come from a lineage of curanderas. During the Luna Circles, they would teach us different modalities, and I always knew I wanted to learn from them. I am so grateful they opened up the space and opportunity to learn from them and reconnect with my ancestors’ medicine. These last 2 years in the apprenticeship have truly been life changing. So much growth, healing, crying, and empowerment. It has only made me stronger and expanded my vision for La Estrella Tlahuia. I have met so many amazing people on this journey, which leads me to where I am today.
La Estrella Tlahuia has continued to evolve over time, but at its core it’s still the same for me. It’s about creating the kind of healing spaces that supported me so deeply, and hopefully doing that for someone else too, planting that small seed for them to begin their own journey.
I’m really grateful to walk this camino florido, this beautiful path, and for everyone I’ve met along the way who has supported me. Because of that, I now get to be that same support for others. To plant seeds, hold space, and help someone else begin their own beautiful journey.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It has not been a smooth road. But honestly, I don’t think anything meaningful in life is. We need the rain to be able to see the rainbow.
Social media can really glamorize healing spaces, but in reality healing isn’t linear. There are a lot of highs, but also a lot of lows in between.
Some of my biggest struggles have been learning how to forgive people. Not necessarily because they deserved it, but because I needed it for my own healing. I’ve learned that when we forgive, we create more peace within ourselves, peace in our mind and in our life. That also included learning to forgive myself.
A big part of my journey has also been working through generational trauma. Recognizing what I carry, understanding it, and learning how to navigate it in a healthier way. Along with that, reminding myself to fill my own cup first, even when it feels hard.
There have also been moments where I’ve had to remind myself that I do have the tools to get through difficult days, even when I forget. Learning to set boundaries with toxic people, including family, has also been part of that process. And at the center of it all, learning how to truly love myself.
It’s also been a struggle not to compare myself to others. Everyone has their own beautiful medicine, and that’s what makes each and
And through it all, I’ve learned that every challenge is something I can move through, and something that helps me grow stronger.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
My work centers on Sound Baths, Reiki, Limpias, Sobadas, Drum Circles, intentional sprays and oils, and other Curanderismo modalities.

I’m most known for my sound baths, limpias, and the tea blends I create and offer during my sound baths.

What sets my work apart is the intention behind everything I do. I don’t just offer a session, I create an experience.

I currently facilitate two monthly sound baths, each with its own unique energy and offering.
For Wellness Wednesday Sound Bath (every second Wednesday of the month) at the Ohtli Yollotl Cultural Center, I co-create with one of my spirit sisters. We offer two different experiences.
In our Limpia + Sound offering, the experience begins with a limpia, which helps cleanse and clear stagnant energy so you can arrive more grounded and open. From there, you’re invited to slow down, grab tea, choose an oracle card, reflect with a worksheet, and settle in with an eye mask as we wait for your sound experience to begin.
In our Flow + Sound offering, you are gently guided through light yoga movement and stretches. The intention is to intentionally move the body, release stored energy, and prepare yourself to receive. From there, we transition into a guided drum meditation and then into the sound journey.

For Sunday Sound Baths (every last Sunday of the month) at Colectivo Cihuateotl, the space opens with oracle cards and quiet reflection. We begin by sharing our names, intentions, and anything we feel called to bring into the space. It really feels like a mini healing circle, a beautiful way to be in community and start your Sunday grounded and intentional. We then move into a guided drum meditation, followed by the sound journey. We close by coming back together to share our experiences and how our oracle cards resonated.

One of my favorite parts of the sound bath is hearing everyone’s beautiful journeys afterward. Where they traveled, what they saw, what came up for them, and how they experienced the space in their own unique way. It’s always so special to witness.

What I’m most proud of is creating spaces that feel intentional, safe, and deeply personal. Where people can slow down, release, and reconnect with themselves. I’m also really proud of recently bringing these offerings into my home community, and being able to hold space for the people and places that raised me.

Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
Books: The Four Agreements and The 5 Love Languages: The Secret to Love that Lasts

For podcasts, I’m drawn to anything with deep conversations, insightful topics, connection, and learning. I don’t stick to specific titles. I more so follow themes that help me reflect, grow, and stay inspired.

I also really love learning and being in community, so I often attend workshops, classes, and events. Both online and in person, especially around mental health, healing, and personal growth. I’m always open to learning and expanding.

On a daily basis, what really helps me the most is connecting with nature. We live in such a technology-driven world that we often forget how important it is to simply be present. Taking time to notice the small things. The beauty of a flower, the birds chirping, the shade provided by trees, the warmth of the sun that feels like a hug, the breeze on your skin. It’s grounding. Being able to take time to disconnect and be present is what helps me most.

I have found it important to nurture my mind, body, and soul so I can continue becoming the best version of myself.

Pricing:

• Sprays&Oils $15
• Sound Bath $44
• Limpias $88
• Sobadas $88-$111

Contact Info:

• Website: https://linktr.ee/LaEstrellaTlahuia
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laestrellatlahuia/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/laestrellatlahuia/
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@laestrellatlahuia

Image Credits
Image of me in white ceremonial attire was taken by @julymoonphotography