The story of my life... I was born and raised in southern Sweden by parents who were deeply involved with food: my father was a baker and my mother was a world cuisine chef. Growing up in Sweden provided me with a wholesome childhood and a deep connection to the elements of nature. My brother and I spent our afternoons and summers playing in all-edible gardens, adventuring in the woods and exploring the beaches.

I have always had a taste for fitness, an in-born physical strength and a passion for vital living. As a young teenager I became a vegetarian, learned about juice fasts, ran marathons, raced bicycles, practiced gymnastics, horse riding, and running after boys.

In my later teens, I dreamt of traveling. With four languages, (Swedish, English, German and French) I left Sweden for Paris when I was seventeen years old. I became an international fashion and fitness model (represented by Elite Model Agency) and I've been on the road ever since.

Modeling is both demanding and rewarding. I had the chance to travel to exotic and wonderful parts of the world, to experience a rich and glamorous life, but there was also the daily pressure of false ideals of beauty and self worth. There was yo-yo dieting, bulimia, and the fact that I was both desired and rejected only what I appeared to be, for looking a certain way.

After a devastating boyfriend break-up and a mid-twenties identity crisis, I decided to get back in touch with the natural being inside myself. A major skin and hormonal imbalance, led me to leave the modeling scene.

Thus I embarked on Ninaya’s Healing Journey. I spent three years in Australia and Asia exploring various natural health remedies, cleansing, eating a raw food diet, practicing yoga, dance, and rebirthing. I deepened my life-long respect for our natural healing abilities: the power of breath, healthy nourishment, cleansing, movement, faith in what the earth provides, trust in the self, and a commitment to love.

Ninaya means: to follow the path of my laughing heart and in the early nineties, I decided to devote myself completely to the healing arts. I moved to California where I became certified in holistic health. Soon thereafter I met colon therapist and healer Connie Allred at the Internal Environment Institute and immediately knew I wanted to study and work with her. What I learned from Connie changed my life from deep inside.

Colonics and cleansing were the single most important aspect of my journey toward a full and wholesome life. It is transformational work and continues to be the heart of my practice and services.

Renewed, Hawaii and her dolphins called to me. I found myself increasingly drawn to various forms of aquatic bodywork. For many years, I co-produced Maui Rhythm Village retreats and co-directed the Rhythm Ranch -- a center for watsu, healing and creative arts -- in Riverside, California. Our “Angel of Water Wellness Days” were incredibly popular and grew into my now three week program called the -- The Raw Cleanse.

I learned a lot more about facilitating health for big crowds, while directing the wellness clinic, of self-empowerment guru Anthony Robbins Namale resort in Fiji. It was an impactful and enlightening experience.

Clean nourishing food, cleansing with water, moving in and like water, are the foundations of the work I do.

I am continuously renewing myself, seeking to deepen my relationships, to be at peace, and to be able to be of service. Since 2003 I have resided in the beautiful town of Santa Barbara where I live with my sweet husband Daniel Laub and our two home-grown, naturally birthed sons Kaj and Jonah.

Namaste'

www.ninaya.com