There are moments in life that leave a lasting impact, moments we later recognize as pivotal to the course our lives take.
After completing my studies in Psychology, I made the decision to move from Los Angeles to San Francisco. I quickly fell in love with the city, its vibrant atmosphere, and the warmth of its people. I took my first yoga class and embraced the change. It felt like true freedom — living in a new place, experiencing new things, and starting fresh.
But like all new experiences, it eventually settled into a routine.
One rainy day, feeling a bit low, I wandered into a charming bookstore on Haight Street. A book caught my attention — “Wherever You Go, There You Are” by Jon Kabat-Zinn. The title alone struck a chord, and I bought it immediately. While I don’t recall if I ever read it cover to cover, the message lingered: no matter where I go, no matter how wonderful a place might be, I bring myself — along with my unresolved issues and patterns — with me.
It was 1995, and I had never even heard the term “Mindfulness.”
In 1997, I followed my heart to Tel Aviv, leaving behind everything familiar. Adapting to a new language and culture was both exciting and challenging. Soon after, I began a Master’s program at Lesley College, where I completed my degree in Expressive Arts Therapy. The birth of my eldest son coincided with the completion of my thesis, marking the beginning of a profound new chapter in my life. But that’s a story for another time.
Motherhood became my main focus, and it was all-consuming and quite intense. As I navigated this new role, I found myself drawn to supporting other mothers. This eventually led me to become a certified lactation consultant.
At the same time, my personal meditation practice deepened. I attended retreats and courses, studying under wonderful teachers in Israel and abroad, exploring my connection to Buddhism. During a trip to India, I had a moment of clarity: I realized I could integrate mindfulness into the groups I was already facilitating. It was one of those moments where everything just clicks, and you know what aligns with your true self.
After guiding meditation for a few years, I decided to become a certified Mindfulness Teacher. Part of the certification involved creating and teaching a course. Initially, I was nervous, thinking it was just a one-time requirement. But when the course ended, participants asked for more. Hesitant at first, I eventually put together another course. With their encouragement and my growing passion, I continue teaching to this day. In truth, the learning I receive through teaching is invaluable.
Around this time, I returned to my therapeutic roots and began studying Somatic Experiencing (SE), a gentle and powerful approach to trauma healing developed by Peter Levine. The integration of SE with mindfulness has been incredibly enriching in both my personal life and in my work with others.
My approach is also deeply influenced by the study and practice of compassion. Compassion has become a guiding light for me, and I often call myself, half-jokingly, a “preacher of compassion.” My deepest wish is for all of us to access the compassion we hold within and remember that we, too, are deserving of the same kindness we extend to others. I hope we can learn to open our hearts to ourselves and treat ourselves with gentleness and care.