Ayurvedic Medicine: Patients & Professionals
Dr. Gutierrez provided the guidance I needed to unlock my full potential. She was patient, had clear boundaries, and the expectations necessary for me to embody the wisdom of Ayurveda, and offer it in a clear and organized way to my patients. Her guidance kept me on my toes in the most perfect way, as it made me show up fully for myself, my patients, and for her as my mentor which led me on the path to excelling as a Doctor of Ayurvedic Medicine.
– Dr. M, Graduate Doctor of Ayurvedic Medicine
I began seeing Dr. Gutierrez in March of 2016. I had been practicing yoga for about 4 years, and was always interested in the practice of Ayurveda. I came to her because I wanted to feel better. My digestion was irregular, I was exhausted all the time, I was not sleeping properly, my mind was always busy, I did not really know how to take care of myself and I felt lots of feeling of anger, overwhelm and melancholy. Dr. Gutierrez completed a comprehensive history with me during my first visit, and during our second visit, gave me the results of the exam with my first Ayurvedic practice to help support my body and mind; hot lemon water every morning. Over the next few months, Dr. Gutierrez instructed me on numerous different practices such as; sleeping schedules and personal sleeping routine, eating times and proper foods appropriate for my constitution, herb supplements to support my digestion and mind clarity, correct techniques for proper chewing and digestion, and a wide range of other practices that helped to balance my life. I was a client of Dr. Gutierrez for 18 months and since the very first day she and I began this journey together, my life is not the same. My digestion has become an integral part of how I choose to eat, I sleep better, my mind is much clearer, and I have practices, routines and rituals that allow me to have stable and strong energy. Of course, these things are not present all the time, however the main practice in Ayurveda is not about clinging madly to one way of being, but learning how to adjust your choices so you can bring yourself back into balance. With the support of Dr. Gutierrez and her amazing knowledge of the practice of Ayurveda, I have learned how to take care of myself well.
S. H, Yogi & Single Mother of Three
Finding Dr. Gutierrez
I sought out Ayurveda and Dr. Gutierrez out of desperation. My digestive issues were overtaking my life, and seeping into my everyday thoughts. I experienced this pain like a bloated knot in my body for almost a decade and managed it in various ways, including working out, dieting, even getting a degree in nutrition! I constantly made decisions based on how my tummy felt, how bloated I was, what I ate and the side effect. It was a constant cycle of spinning around myself. I never felt grounded, and I could feel my light being dimmed. I felt it inside me, and in my skin. I felt the lack of fire in my digestion. I was determined to finally get some different kind of help.
To me, Dr. Gutierrez represents feminine wisdom, abundance, and order. These qualities all seemed very far away from my own self when I started, but her presence was like a guiding light to possibility and hope that I could heal.
All my expectations were completely absolved from our first meeting. I thought I would get an eating plan right from the beginning, and I would be on my way to vibrancy. I wanted to know immediately what I needed to do to get better.
Instead, Dr. Gutierrez taught me how to “be” in between the weeks we would see each other. She took the time to tailor, curate, and put together a plan for me with her. Each time I saw her, she added a new and tangible practice to my life that would build on the previous week. I felt an urgency to move quicker, and she always would reel me back in and put me in an unexpected direction.
My mind was hesitant to change. I had to trust Dr. Gutierrez, and trust myself outside of my own thoughts. She taught me how to be more aware of my body, and to show up, stay vulnerable, and stay accountable. As the weeks went by, I was practicing doing daily oil massages, meditating, drinking lemon water, cleaning my tongue, avoided overbooking my schedule, said daily affirmations, and slowed down. There were so many small shifts that Dr. Gutierrez added very delicately that slowly started to awaken my inner fire, calm my thoughts and energy, and ground me in my body.
Dr. Gutierrez reflected back to me details about my energy, my strengths, and my tendencies toward imbalance. These skills allowed me to observe my own body, and create healing moments throughout my day so I did not accumulate too much, do too much, and burn out. She taught me rhythms, and healthy routines to stay in flow with myself. Dr. Gutierrez taught me to add spices, herbs, and ghee to my meals. All these wonderful tastes were supporting me in new ways. I was excited to learn how to use herbs and spices to help heal. This wisdom is an amazing gift that I am eternally grateful for.
I’m not sure when I stopped feeling so much pain in my tummy, but it was a gradual process that shifted the focus away from my digestion all together. Now, it’s been almost two years since our first meeting and I still have virtually no digestive pain. I don’t even think about it. I am more in rhythm with myself. I do not worry about what I am eating or not eating, and all the unknowns of the next meal. I enjoy working out, but I do not work out out of desperation to avoid chronic pain. My body feels more fluid, soft, and feminine. This has created space in my life to focus on new things, and approach new challenges within me, and out in the world.
Dr. Gutierrez is the reason I can truly say I trust in myself. I am enough. And, I have what it takes to heal inside of me. What an incredible journey it has been to bring Ayurveda to my life, and I could not wish for a better person than Dr. Gutierrez to be my guide.
Working with Dr. Gutierrez has made such an incredible impact upon my life and my well being. I first met Dr. Gutierrez when she was teaching yoga at the studio I began taking classes at. She quickly became one of my favorite teachers who always lead the most amazing classes that left me feeling nourished and revitalized. When she began her journey into healing through Ayurveda and hosted an informational workshop, I was intrigued to learn more. I was excited and curious, but also a little nervous for my first appointment, however she made me feel comfortable and relaxed right away. Throughout my experience with Dr. Gutierrez, she has shown so much patience and support, encouraging me to become my best self. She has encouraged me to advocate for myself and find my voice in seeking a better work/life balance, and as a result, one of the greatest improvements to my life has been a big career transition from a high-stress job that left me drained physically and emotionally. I felt like a great weight had been lifted off of me from the moment I had the plan in motion. Throughout the transition, Dr. Gutierrez was there with the tools and advice I needed to keep me balanced and supported. Her wisdom and intuition is remarkable, and she always seems to know exactly what I need at exactly the right time. Her recommendations such as Abhyanga, baths, and nourishing foods and herbs, have given me a wonderful toolbox for self care that has helped me manage anxiety and live a much more balanced life. She is refreshingly open, honest and authentic, which in turn inspires me to look at my own thoughts and actions to improve those qualities in myself. I am so grateful for the amazing support and guidance she has given me, she is phenomenal!
– A. R, Yogini
Dr. Gutierrez has opened me up to living in balance. Before working with Dr. Gutierrez I was never aware of how off balance I was. Often I would make desperate decisions and would ignore my senses. My body, mind and soul were crying out for support. She has gently guided me to healthier living through ayurvedic practices. I keep track of my progress though journaling which has been a revelation to me and how I feel and react to situations. She has suggested herbs and foods to use daily to better support my body.
I am making better healthier choices now. Sometimes I find it hard to maintain these practices, but Dr. Gutierrez is always quietly there in support. She has introduced me to a new way of nurturing and supporting myself. She has also introduced me to ways to soothe and pacify my nerves and anxiety such as abhyanga. I am beginning to feel the world around me more fully and am more present in everything I do. I can feel the transition coming as I become a new and healthier me. Thank you Dr. Gutierrez, you are amazingly magical!
-R. M, Teacher
Dr. Gutierrez’s presence brings feelings of love and non-judgment. I sense a deep, genuine passion she has for me and the work she’s doing. I even noticed a special feeling I experienced when I would touch, hold and feel the effects of the herbs Dr. Gutierrez made herself, for me. A sense of gentle love, fuzzy and warm! Ayurveda has shifted my perspective in many ways such as my eating habits: feeling a deeper connection and understanding of the foods I’m choosing to put in my body and how it affects my body. In my most recent visit with Dr. Gutierrez I realized that in all that I do, what really matters is “the journey”. I’d heard this before and for some reason it struck big this time in my life. I’ve noticed no matter what I’m doing, inside there has always been this sense of anxiety, a rushing sense to finish this or get that done. Always rushing to get to the finish line. The ebbs and flow of the journey and how we CHOOSE to LIVE it, TEACH it, and pass it on are what matter most. Overall I’m happier, I feel more connected to myself and the people around me. I’ve noticed, the more I’ve opened up to myself, the more life continues to open up to me.
I’m so thankful to be practicing and learning Ayurveda with Dr. Gutierrez. I have a deep love for what she does. Her work is truly magical!
-A.S, Mother of Two
I highly recommend Dr. Sandra Gutierrez, Ayurveda Practitioner/Healer. I recommend her without reservation. Dr. Gutierrez guided my body and mind back to wellness after my having suffered two years of debilitating illness. She gave me her skillful attention and evaluated my body and mind using Ayurveda knowledge & Principles. I was surprised to realize that I never ate on time, and that I always ate in front of the television. I learned that to sit and eat at 8am, noon, and 6pm is how to honor my body & give thanks. I learned to openly appreciate the fragrant and good cumin rice, mung beans, kale salad, wild salmon I’d prepare. What a different world! How much less stress when my body had the right food to function, on time. I have a colon that works now, and a relationship to my food that is more holy than recreational. I credit Sandra with helping me to achieve a healthy balanced relationship with my body. Thank you Dr. Gutierrez!
– I.B, Artist & Yogini
Yoga
I sought out a yoga studio where I could learn yoga as an adjunct to my meditation. That is how I met Sandra. I was new to a formal yoga practice, I am 58, and I am a curvy round lady–yoga terrified me. Sandra saw my struggles, and we talked about them. She explained that yoga and meditation are about being here now right where I am, and that could be different each day. She explained the inward focus of yoga, and how combined with mindfulness it is also a meditation. She was patient, not judgmental, and very engaging. It was so easy to connect with her, and she gave me the confidence to stay with yoga. She saw my fears and connected with them but helped me face them. Her voice is a wonderful voice. She is a gifted teacher in terms of how she explains the breath, the movements, and their interactions. I can honestly say that I stayed with yoga because of her guidance and teaching.
– K.M, Retired Executive