Some moments in life are like lightning–they shock you awake and illuminate a new path.
AYURVEDA IS
LIKE LIGHTNING.
An ancient tool that can illuminate the darkness and guide you through uncharted territory. A map of your heart, head, and health that can support your greatest purpose, your Dharma.
I was first shocked awake in my teenage years.
I grew up in Highland Park, Illinois, surrounded by passionate and creative high-achievers. I was equally as affected by the positive aspects of this community as I was the challenging ones. As pressures started to weigh more heavily on me and my family structure was subtly unraveling, I felt a loss of agency over my life. I didn’t understand what I was feeling, but my body knew something wasn’t right. Then, at 14, I was diagnosed with anorexia nervosa.
After five years of struggling, I was hospitalized for two months at UCLA's Neuropsychiatric Institute. This was a huge wake-up call for me. I was literally at death's door. I could keep going or take a leap and try something radically different. I chose life, to begin again, and dedicated myself to recovery.
Years later, after many failed attempts to achieve more balance through Western medicine, I found an Ayurvedic practitioner that changed the course of my life.
I learned about my constitution, what rituals work for me, what foods nourished me, what herbs to take, and how spirituality was key to my overall health. I discovered that Ayurveda isn’t a buzzword–as, unfortunately, many make it out to be–it’s a comprehensive medical system that’s thousands of years old.
Since then, I’ve committed to living my Dharma and helping others find theirs. I’m grateful to have studied under some of the nation’s best teachers and continuously humbled and honored to be chosen to guide others. After logging 6,000+ clinical hours, what I can say for certain is that knowing yourself more deeply makes way for your best health to emerge.
And living your best health makes way for your most authentic Self.
Good health is your birthright.
And the good news is that there are ancient, time-tested protocols that look at you as a unique individual. Instead of treating the symptom, Ayurveda looks at your whole being and how all these systems interact. This way, every recommendation is as unique as you are.
I proudly work with creatives, caretakers, and passionate humans who need to get as much as they give. We can work to shift your health–and your life–through ongoing consultations, our membership program, and seasonal retreats.
Many Blessings,
Leah
Prononuced “L-AY-uh”
TRAINED &
CERTIFIED
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We’ve studied with some of the nation’s best. Since 2015, our founder Leah has been a professional member of NAMA and logged over 6,000 clinical hours.
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Our practice is built on wisdom rooted in tradition. Ayurveda is a holistic medical system from India and South Asia. We honor these cultures and share our abundance by donating a portion of our profits to the Ayurvedic Institute in Asheville, NC every quarter.
We also prioritize and study the classic texts and use Sanskrit terms, as well as English, to bring Ayurveda’s original culture into our modern day approach.
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We love creating community through Ayurveda. Our programs are designed to foster connection and encourage sharing resources and knowledge. We are one!
What sets us apart.
Education & Experience
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Northwestern University - Evanston, IL
B.S, summa cum laude, 2005
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California College of Ayurveda - Nevada City, CA
Clinical Ayurvedic Specialist, 2014
Teachers: Dr. Marc Halpern, Mary Thompson, Sandhiya Ramaswamy, Laksma Das, Mary Alice Quin
Mary Thompson Ayurveda - advanced mentorship and additional post-graduate training in clinical approaches to Menopause, Anxiety and Depression, Insomnia, and Menstrual Cycle.
National Ayurvedic Medical Association - Professional Member since 2015
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YogaWorks - Santa Monica, CA & New York City
500 Hour Teacher Training, 2010 & 2012
Teachers: Jenny Aurthur, Carrie Owerko, Jillian Pransky
Post-Certification Yoga Training - Carrie Owerko, Matt Phippen, Tony Briggs
Where Science Meets Spirit
Our mission is to see Ayurveda thrive in the modern world. We manifest this vision through vibrant and abundant free resources, accessible and high quality community learning opportunities, and empowering, personalized Ayurvedic protocols.
Meet the Thunderbolt Team
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Head of Recipe Development & IT
Mike (he/him) was formerly a software engineer for several years and has more recently begun a second path as a chef. Working with Leah is a perfect environment to utilize both his older and newer skill sets, and he loves the opportunity to keep all those different muscles fresh! In tech, Mike worked his way up, from healthcare to finance, from large corporations to freelancing for startups. While his passion for technology never diminished, he wanted to feel like he was contributing more directly to the wellbeing of others, and so dropped everything to pursue a new career in the culinary world. Having obtained his associates degree in culinary arts from Kendall College in Chicago, Mike is currently absorbing all he can about food, working in restaurants and for caterers and even cooking private events from time to time. He may have initially joined up with Leah to help with all things IT, but Mike is thrilled to bring his love of food to Thunderbolt Ayurveda as well!
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Instructional Designer
Lina Jurkunas (she/her) is an educator, instructional designer, and all-around academic enthusiast who has been working with learners from around the globe since 2013. She is currently the Academic Director of the Intercultural Institute of California, a non-profit English language school based in San Francisco. Prior to her current leadership role, she completed two U.S. Department of State Fellowships in Turkey. She earned her M.A. in English with a concentration in TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) from San Francisco State University and her B.A. in Mathematics and Economics from the University of California, Santa Cruz. Her greatest professional joy is sharing her love of education by building creative and engaging learning solutions with her collaborators.
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Apothecary Manager
From a young age, Alanna's compassion and sense of justice drove her to advocate for the voices that are unheard. Raised in under-served communities, she witnessed injustices driven by race and gender disparities, fueling her determination to stand up for the unheard. Initially drawn to law enforcement, she recognized systemic flaws, leading her on a different path.
After college, Alanna's journey of self-discovery took her across Canada and into a small British Columbia mountain town, connecting her with nature and herself. Backpacking through South America, she embraced simplicity, cultural immersion, and spiritual practices.
Seeking personal growth, she pursued Yoga Teacher Training back in Canada, making yoga a core of her life. Settling in Petaluma, CA, she delved into Western Herbalism, establishing a business with locally sourced plant medicine.
Passionate about supporting postpartum mothers, Alanna developed a transformative program from her training and personal experiences. As a mother of two, she nurtures their curiosity, instilling values of community care and compassion.
Throughout her journey, Alanna remains a role model, embodying love, service, and interconnectedness. Her commitment to justice, nature, and service makes her an inspiring figure dedicated to improving the world for all living beings.
As animals, we walk the earth. As bearers of divine essence, we are among the stars. As human beings, we are caught in the middle, seeking to reconcile the paradox of how to make our way upon earth while striving for something more permanent and more profound.
B.K.S. Iyengar
Good health is your birthright.
I would be honored to guide you toward discovering your highest truth and greatest purpose.