Nicola Turner Ayurveda and Massage

05/09/2025

If you have ever been curious about the Pancha Karma process, listen in to a podcast in which I was just interviewed

Podcast Episode · The Architecture of Health · 05/09/2025 · 46m

05/07/2025

On Sunday May 25th, 2-4 pm, I shall be holding a workshop about Ayurveda at Santa Cruz Yoga on the Westside.
Bring your questions along with your open and curious minds. This will not be an ayurvedic lecture. After a little introductory sharing, I shall be opening the floor to that which is arising and relevant to you, and responding through both an ayurvedic and yogic lense. I find this to be a wonderful way to explore these concepts and keep it relevant and useful.
I look forward to seeing you there.
Here is a sign up link.
https://nicolaturnerayurveda.as.me/?appointmentType=77145099

09/15/2024

So here's the thing.... I suck at self promotion and thankfully I have not had to do too much of it... I have never chosen jobs/ career that required me to pitch myself. I can talk about things I am interested in and have faith in...that begs the question...am I interested in myself? Not sure how to answer that one. Do I have faith in myself? Well yes I do, so why is it so hard, actually painful. I have avoided the newsletter circulation about my work, as honestly I never read anyone else's newsletter and frankly I find them annoying filling my 'inbox' and somewhat presumptuous of my time... a little harsh I know. I don't want to impose that on others.
I think my childhood in the north of England squelched any comfort of self acknowledgement let alone self promotion...it was not a culturally acceptable thing, then I came to the US and encountered many situations in which I may have done better (?) IF I was more skilled and or versed in selling myself. I never got wired or programmed that way. I try here and there to speak about my work just a little (because I DO believe in the power of Ayurveda and Yoga, actually not just believe but KNOW), but honestly that is more a credit to that which I have learned about, the lineages, the time tested art and science of these realms AND my teachers. None of it is mine. I just happen to have been in the right place at the right time to get the transmissions (concerning new agey word but seems appropriate here). I LOVE my work and for many years now, word of mouth has brought me plenty clients and work. This is both humbling and fortunate.
I have at times shared my upcoming cleanses and/or a 'special' on social media, as I highly encourage people to fully experience how they 'might' feel and of course I want to honor the work I do and share it where I comfortably can. I am also a person of political, moral, social and environmental conviction who is happy to share those kind of thoughts...they are just one of many opinions and we all know the analogy for that one (like as****es and everyone has one) and honestly when I have felt pi**ed off (kind of a lot in the last years as our world order seems to be devolving) I have wanted to chime in for the love of and aspirations for a better world , a free world of a compassionate nature.
However, the algorithms do not like free speech and for the last few years, my posts do not distribute well...ahhh well ok...maybe better to just not bother and retreat from social media more...a good thing...but now get this...
I AM running a business and unless you are up in the faces of those distracted minds out there, you get forgotten about.... you are not playing the game...sigh.... times are feeling uncertain, pocketbooks have gotten a tighter hold on them and it has revealed itself that I must 'put myself out there'.. sigh!
so now for the rather disappointing culmination of this rant (!)
I am just a rather lowly business woman/practitioner based in Ben Lomond who happens to love people in all their messy humanity. I have studied for many years in different eastern philosophies, medicines, practices but mostly my clients have taught me how to sit with them, hold space for them, listen to them and explore what is best needed to soothe their nervous systems so that they may feel seen, heard and validated in their often confusing human experiences. It is an honor and a privilege each time! I love each of my clients...no kidding....
Anyway here it is, my website AND a reminder that the Winter is coming and it is cleanse time (starts September 30th) and cleansing is THE best way to set yourself up for a healthy winter season. Thanks for taking the time and I hope I get to keep serving the community I love for many years to come AND keep learning from y'all.

NAMA certified ayurvedic practitioner in Santa Cruz CA. Offering diet and lifestyle consultations, ayurvedic treatments, bodywork, massage, herbal formulas, cleanses and Pancha Karma. Rural mountain studio setting for abhyangha, shirodhara, swedana, basti, yoga, pranayama and meditation.

09/01/2024

The 'August Special' of offering a facial with each abhyanga/ hot oil massage was such a tremendous success with comments from regular clients as it being the best treatment yet, and from new clients such reports as having 'been turned inside out'.... has led me to make a few changes in my booking formats. I shall be including the facial treatments as an automatic when you book an ayurvedic abhyanga from now on, and also I have tweaked how to schedule extra counseling time with me.....my appointment types were a tad confusing before. Hope all easier to navigate now AND I look forward to seeing y'all.
Psssttt, btw I may or may not believing for India in November, for a whole month.....actually I AM....I shall be doing a little traveling with Duane, my partner, AND we shall be undergoing a three week Pancha Karma ourselves at an ayurvedic center. I can't wait to experience personally and bring back the learning received to share.

Ayurvedic bodywork uses a variety of medicated oils according to individual constitution and respective imbalance. Oiling is an integral practice of ayurvedic health as it nourishes the skin’s microbiome especially in and around any bodily orifices where a concentrated biome of health exists. All ...

08/05/2024

What is an ayurvedic facial?
Come find out...
It includes a medicated oil with saffron and rose massaged gently with a kanse wand into the facial soft tissues and marma points (medicinal/healing junctions), your eyes will be bathed in ghee and/or rose water (no contact lenses please), hot towels and red light therapy....yum! This will be followed by Nasya , a warm oil applied into the sinuses to activate the sagittal plane of the head to encourage glymphatic drainage.
If you schedule a bodywork session with me for the month of August. I am offering a free 'add-on' facial treatment so you can experience the pampering Ayurveda has to offer.
Use the following link to schedule this August special, whether you are an established client or not.
Appointment is 110 minutes.

Schedule your appointment online Nicola Turner Ayurveda

01/28/2024

The retreat to Guatemala to explore Ayurveda and Yoga was full but we just had one person drop out. A single room is available.
The group we have is amazing and things are looking to be real juicy AND deeply restorative. We shall practice and explore our individual needs in yoga as well as learn to cook together in an ayurvedic kitchen. Our retreat 'home' is a delightful house with a separate yoga studio 20 minutes outside Antigua. The dates are 2/17-2/25, flights are relatively cheap still.
Reach out if you might be interested.

01/23/2024

I received this review from a client who recently finished a 10 day Pancha Karma with me, aka PK. PK is a little know or understood process in this country and culture, maybe this review will give you a greater feel of its purpose. I am also attaching a 'before' and 'after' image taken by the client herself who has gracefully given me the green light to post on here. Take a look.....

"Nicola and my Panchakarma cleanse gave me my life back!

I was in a state of desperation when I came to her, having ignored gluten and dairy sensitivities, and indulging in caffeine and sugar and too many happy hours, I was depressed with low to no energy, a bad case of brain fog, and a chronic stagnant toxic block of energy gripping my spine causing pain that no massage could even touch. Having worked with her a number of years earlier, I knew that what she and Ayurveda had to offer me was what I needed to heal, as long as I would commit to whatever she instructed me to do. I cleared my schedule and made Panchakarma my priority. I’m not typically a disciplined person, but I stayed focused and kept showing up, never straying from Nicola’s instructions.

Nicola with her knowledge and experience of the wisdom and truths of Ayurveda, sat with me at the beginning of each session and listened with complete presence, recognizing and encouraging me in the areas where my work was…namely to remain “here and now.” Not a new concept to me but in today’s chaotic world and caught in the grip of technology, media, and a toxic body and mind, I was everywhere but present. Today I am free of that craziness and enjoying living each moment with peaceful awareness and gratitude.

Nicola is very astute at reading the tongue and pulse. She was great at discerning how my body was responding to the treatments, and when and how something needed to be adjusted. I especially appreciated the way she administered the body work while I was on her table. She was always very generous with the application of the highest quality of oils and herbs, and I could feel her loving intention and presence as she worked the miracles to clear toxins from my body, so that I would return to a state of balanced health and presence.

My spine and the stagnant energy began to soften and clear, the brain fog vanished, my heart opened and I found myself releasing long held feelings of anger and resentments, my digestion and elimination improved dramatically, and I now have a better understanding of how my body responds to foods, both harming and healing.

In the end, the process was so much more than a cleanse… it was completely transformative. For me it became an inner pilgrimage back “home” to who I truly am, here and now.

This Panchakarma cleanse with Nicola truly gave me my life back and I cannot recommend it enough!!!"

01/12/2024

January is a month for me to regather my presence and perspective. I step away from my habits, and explore my relationships with them. It is a month for me to be more silent, listen and notice what is arising. I change my diet, and simplify all my commitments.
One of the things which becomes slowly more accessible is the loss of the compulsion to distract and just 'be'...less words, less everything.
I am still teaching this month at Ease in Ben Lomond on Tuesdays at 5.15pm and Thursdays at 9.30am, though with less words. If you would like to join in a more meditative practice, come.
In February I shall be taking a small group to Guatemala for a yoga and Ayurveda retreat, there are still a couple spots available, let me know if you would like more information.
At the end of March, into April, I shall be running a supported group spring cleanse. The commitment will be for two weeks. Be amazed at how different you can feel. Let me know if you are interested.
In loving support to my community, let us recognize the changes we bring into the world starting with ourselves.
Thank you

01/02/2024

Over the years I have worked with a number of teenagers and increasingly since the Pandemic. Their mental health and anxiety has reached a crisis point in the face of such an overwhelming world. Fear of what the future holds, and in some cases, the trauma of past life events in an overwhelming world, leaves them feeling both fearful, powerless and in some cases lacking hope and/or optimism for the future. They are consumed in a digital world constantly irritating their nervous system and leaving them feeling isolated and maybe even inadequate and low in self esteem and worth.
Yoga and Ayurveda both hold amazing philosophies and tools to help bring them back to presence. Having raised four children and now young adults through many crises in our own lives, I learned a lot of what helps and what does not, both by trial and error (sorry kids!).
I have always claimed to love teenagers, so much fertile ground, and therefore it is no surprise to me that they are fast becoming my favorite clients. I see them for just one hour at a time, unlike my adult clients, as I find it important not to dwell or overwhelm.
As with all my clients, I learn so much from them. They inspire me and inform me of their current world...all fascinating.
Looking forward to evolving and expanding this branch of my practice. Let me know if you have questions. Cheers to a new year in which we get to learn to use our voices and speak up for a greater time of peace for all. Let's start by empowering our youth so that they may bring about a more balanced world.
Cheers and with warmth and hope, let's move forward into more faithful times.

12/18/2023

Ok....lots of indulgence coming up.....
In an effort to support a little balance, here is my holiday schedule at Ease Mountain Yoga for yoga classes, $25 drop in is fine or class passes available, 6 for $130.
Tuesday 12/19 at 5.15pm
Thursday 12/21 at 9.30am
(NO CLASS 12/26)
Thursday 12/28 at 9.30am
Tuesday 01/02 at 5.15pm
Thursday 01/04 at 9.30am and so forth....
Happy Holidays and consider kicking off you New Year with balanced intentions.

10/15/2023

Group Yoga Therapy starting up again, after a European visit hiatus.
Tuesdays at 5.15pm (starts 10/24)
and Thursdays at 9.30am (starts 11/2)

We gather at Ease Mountain Yoga in Ben Lomond, Studio A.
Limited spots available, follow the link below to sign up.

https://nicolaturnerayurvedaandbodywork.as.me/

Class punchcards will be available, 6 classes for $130 (valid for 4 months), or drop in is $25.
Cash, check or Venmo, punchcards available at class.

Schedule your appointment online Nicola Turner Ayurveda

09/12/2023

If you are curious about how best to support your mental and physical health, consider joining this angel , Susanna Sumner, and I in Guatemala for an Ayurveda and Yoga Therapy Retreat. February 17-25 2024. We have found an oasis to retreat to and we shall cook, practice, explore and take care of ourselves. Did I mention fun???? Yes that indeed!