DENISE Meinster

Like many children of the late sixties, I grew up on what we now know was a nutritionally empty diet—sugary breakfast cereals, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches with a side of Tasty Cakes, Oreos and milk after school, and “healthy” dinners always followed by dessert. Sugar was the norm, not the exception, and it wreaked havoc on my energy and immune system. I remember feeling so tired as a child that I wished someone would invent a moving sidewalk to carry me home from school—I was that exhausted.

But it wasn’t just the sugar. Antibiotics were prescribed for every sore throat, tonsillitis, and even mild acne. By high school and into college, my health had begun to unravel: chronic sinus infections, skin rashes and hives, ovarian cysts, and eventually, severe acid reflux. By my mid-forties, I was told I had the cervical spine of a seventy-year-old. I was later diagnosed with gluten intolerance—something I had unknowingly suffered from for years. Despite numerous visits to doctors, I rarely felt truly well. Each visit ended the same way: with a prescription. And while I believe in the life-saving power of Western medicine, I also came to see its limitations. Chronic, lifestyle-driven illness needs a deeper investigation—something most conventional practitioners simply don’t have the time (or training) to provide.

Fortunately, my path took a turn. I found a few holistic practitioners who helped me begin to heal—deeply and from within. They offered not only treatments, but education, empowerment, and practical tools like recipes and daily rituals. For the first time in my life, I started to feel vibrant, energized, and truly well. I was so inspired that I felt called to share what I had learned. But how? I wasn’t a doctor, and I knew from experience that not everyone is ready to commit to lasting lifestyle change. I also recognized that healing isn’t one-size-fits-all. So I stayed the course on my personal journey, continuing to learn, heal, and evolve.

That’s when I rediscovered Ayurveda.

In truth, Ayurveda had been whispering to me for years. Even during my early studies in massage therapy and esthetics in London, England, I was drawn to alternative therapies—aromatherapy, reflexology, Chinese herbal medicine, and holistic skin care practices that were still decades away from mainstream popularity in the U.S. I studied yoga and learned to meditate. But what truly planted a seed in me was reading Quantum Healing by Dr. Deepak Chopra. That book awakened something profound. It opened my eyes to the power of mind-body medicine and sparked a dream: I envisioned a holistic wellness spa back in the U.S., complete with a café, yoga, meditation, and healing treatments.

But life had other plans. I returned home and pursued a successful career in finance. Still, my passion for healing never left. I remained a devoted student—reading, practicing, exploring every spiritual and holistic path that called to me. Reiki and meditation became cornerstones of my life, opening doors to deep healing and spiritual awareness that transformed not just how I felt, but how I viewed life and death.

Eventually, all the paths I’d walked converged. And standing at that intersection was Ayurveda—the system that brought everything I believed about health, healing, and consciousness together. It felt like coming home.

Today, I’m honored to be a Certified Chopra Health Instructor and a Certified Chopra Yoga Instructor, trained to share the timeless wisdom of Ayurveda and yoga with those ready to experience true, lasting wellness. These ancient, complementary sciences bring everything I believe about healing, balance, and conscious living together in a practical, powerful way.

Ayurveda is not just a healing system—it’s a way of life. It’s practical, personalized, and rooted in the profound understanding that we are all unique expressions of nature. By aligning with our individual mind-body constitution and living in rhythm with the natural world, we unlock the body’s innate capacity to heal and thrive. Through the integration of yoga, breathwork, meditation, and Ayurvedic lifestyle practices, we return to our natural state of vitality, peace, and purpose.

I’m deeply grateful to share this wisdom with you through my Ayurvedic Wellness Classes. Whether you're seeking more energy, clarity, spiritual connection, or a deeper understanding of your unique self, this journey can transform your life—just as it has transformed mine.

With light and love,
Denise