Holistic Healer
Alicia Le Van
Born in New England, daughter of the American revolution, eldest of six….
I grew up in a humble family, climbing granite boulders and talking to fairies in the woods around Mt Monadnock. I have always been fascinated with the mystical in nature, I could feel a metaphysical presence there. Over time, this interest led me to Eastern philosophy, and eventually the study of energy healing.
I can trace my first exposure to Eastern thought to a totally random event when I was 12. My mother took me to Manhattan, to see Maharishi. I don’t remember his words- but I remember the energy was alive, vibrant, joyful, warm. Soon after, I began what has become a life of study of healing modalities- most informed by ancient India.
As a teen, I struggled to process trauma and intense pain. I felt like dying from turmoil and despair, yet I could feel my soul awareness, distinct from the damaging events that had occurred. It is a feeling of wholeness and purity. A seed of light within.
It gave me strength.
It was hard to relate to other kids. I floundered in school. Possessing an inherent degree of clairsentience I could not share, I was a loner. I searched in books for guidance, for healing from my suffering. I loved New Age book stores, and they helped me, a lot.
When I discovered books on human energy systems; chakras kundalini, it was an epiphany, illustrating a road map for developing things I could feel but did not understand. It gave me a healing framework to begin my journey into healing.
When I turned 18 I moved to Boston to attend art school and the university. I studied philosophy, mythology, the sacred in art and ritual- Indian art called to me- with it’s sensual expressions, undulating earth goddesses.
I excelled in higher education, where I could devote myself to my interests.
I graduated in 1998, but my studies continued as I immersed myself in oriental culture- Middle Eastern dancing and devotional singing.
I worked supporting women survivors of abuse. I danced with women in healing circles, doing rites for the seasons, we moved our bodies in sacred forms and expressed the beauty of our femininity, free and unashamed. Healing ourselves with dance.
It was what’s now called “dance movement therapy.”
Sacred women’s dance.
I loved it. For two decades I performed professionally and taught, working with prominent modern world musicians.
By age 27, my calling to help others heal had expanded. I practiced Yoga and Reiki. I went back to school, for holistic bodywork. It was a time when Ayurveda was unheard of, this school was a special gem- that’s where I first learned the holistic healing of
Ayurveda.
I graduated a holistic massage therapist and energy worker and moved away to pursue inspiring opportunities. Miraculously, I ended up in an upscale Ayurvedic day spa, in exactly the town I had dreamed of. I taught classes in the Yoga studio, and workd as a spa therapist. I received advanced training in Ayurvedic herbs, body treatments & skin care. I went back to school for esthetics, and I began
Healing people’s skin…
Until the burn.
It was a slow burn, but by my forties, I was burnt out.
Burnt out on giving myself to others, and burnt out literally on multiple wild fire losses.
By then I had branched out on my own- I owned and operated a holistic health sanctuary in Santa Barbara and an overnight wellness retreat in the Ojai mountains. They were expensive operations, it was a big job with many roles, and I gave from the heart. I had touched thousands of people, had thousands of followers, and a loyal clientelle. We were doing some very cool things- but I was depleted from the demand of responsibilities, the management, from giving too much- and my precious medicine garden was scorched to embers.
Time for change- I needed balance, needed to retreat and restore.
I gave up everything I had built- even social media.
I found a perch in a primal place, on the edge of a bluff on the remote coast of Northern California, away from people, and among the ancient redwoods.
I immersed myself in peace- in solitude in nature, living in silence most of the time- only the sounds of the wind, the birds, the ocean waves and singing to my dog Bindi.
I lavished in a time suspended in forever.
No schedule, just going with the flow, always open to chance, and in tune with the cycles of the earth. Communing with the wisdom of the trees, the plants, and the wild... I focused on intimacy with myself, healing myself with the forces of nature.
Mother Nature has always been the ultimate healer in my life, for as long as I can remember.
It is where I feel one with the divine.
Connecting with source.
ConnectinG with Spirit.
This is why I love Ayurveda, and I always come back to it as my primary modality. It’s methods harness the powers of nature and the way nature expresses through us as unique human ecosystems- we are a universe unto ourselves, every one of us.
To customize this healing system for each person. is to master the right proportions of the elements- fire, earth, water, air- for alchemy of healing through balance.
It takes time, as well as personal and practical experience to perform this sacred art.
After a long hiatus of dedicated self work and communing with nature, I have come back to civilization, and have moved back to New England, my homeland, to offer you a new version of my practice,
A life of Healing
Wellness practitioner
I was living my dream
The Practice
Holistic
Everything we do treats you as a dynamic whole- a sentient being composed of synergistic network systems- both seen and unseen. We can dig up the root of the imbalance; bringing awareness to the solution so the symptoms can be cleared.
skin
Skin health is addressed through the holistic lense of Ayurveda, using dosha’s, subdosha’s , kosha’s lymphatic drainage and energy channels. It is treated not just topically, through lifestyle choices for optimal body chemistry, and herbal products from our organic apothecary of both native and non native plants.
energetics
Real energy work happens here, with modalities that aim to move energy inside you, not just transmit energy. We work with the flow of the life force energy, or Prana. We must enter a place of altered awareness so this flow state can occur. this energy is accessible to everyone, and it can be taught ot those who want to learn.
Compassion
Kindness, compassion and non-judgment are at the core of this practice. All therapists see from the heart, and lead from the heart. This is the hallmark of a true healer. They are healers with their #1 motivation is to care for and help you, not serving their ego. You will feel that intent in the sensitivity and giving essence of every touch and communication.
personal
This work was developed from personal experience, awareness born from personal transformation through a lifetime of soul searching and deep inner healing, This brings integrity to this work that is real and authentic, no certified course can replace.
Educated
All therapists at The Priestess possess an extensive holistic embodied education in their background, in addition to practical hands on experience. Continued learning is a prerequisite to working as a Priestess therapist, they are apprentices to The Priestess practice, devoted to learning The Priestess path.
Evolving
We are not stagnant beings- ever adapting, changing... Above are the core pillars of my practice, yet as I grow and evolve, expanding skills so will the scope of my practice. You are dynamically alive, so am I, and so is this unique dynamic practice! Dance with me! So mote it be.
mind
Mindful awareness is based on balance and wholeness. Mind Yoga unites the mind through techniques that subdue overactive parts and stimulate under active parts. Our state of mind is linked to homeostasis in our bodies and quality of life. All sessions relax the mind through soothing the nervous system.
body
Body work is Ayurveda based, using Indian herb infused oils for your Dosha and special Ayurvedic therapies. Bodywork sessions include aromatherapy, skin healing oils, energy work, nervous system relaxation techniques and lymph stimulation and wellness pointers.
professional
All therapists have professional experience of at least ten years, required to perform their work according to strict etiquette standards set forth by five diamond spas, in the most exclusive resorts. You will receive this level of customer service and beyond, as our services are filled with healing hearts and hands that give.
Ethics
Working in close proximity with others’ bodies and the stories they carry requires vulnerability and trust. This work is sacred, and we protect this space with confidentiality. All are safe here, including in all our business practices- built on kindness to the earth and all creatures throughout our entirely traceable network.
Spiritual
A reverence for all life on earth, and the sacredness of the natural world is inherent in our work. We teach techniques to open awareness to your true essence- a feeling of divine bliss. We respect this experience to be up for individual interpretation, and believe it is not determined by religion. Words of prayer and mantra bless our space and create an intentional, meaningful experience for good.
NaturE
All aspects of this practice are rooted in nature; balancing the five elements within us and using natural preventative solutions for health and wellbeing. we us only 100% organic products for healing skin, body and mind.
Credentials:
Ayurvedic Specialist
Certified Traditional Naturopath,
Licensed Esthetician
Licensed Massage Therapist
Certified Herbalist
Certified Skin Care Formulator
Certified Polarity Energy Balancing
Certified Reiki Practitioner
Certified Aromatherapist
Bachelor of Fine Arts
Current study:
Continuing education is a tenet of any good holistic health practice. Currently I am pursuing certification as an Ayurvedic Mental Health coach in a European Ayurvedic Academy and a PHd in Energetic Healing at an International University. Recently I have taken up interest in Theta Healing as a new modality I may offer in the future.
