Inspired by nature's profound healing wisdom, and the desire to know this wisdom, Lilavati began to pursue her dharma in the field of the ancient healing arts in the early 80’s.
After becoming certified and licensed in skin care, she began her journey as a much sought after Aesthetician and body therapist in spas in Philadelphia and New Jersey. She enhanced her stateside therapy training by traveling to Europe and receiving international certification (ITEC) in massage and body therapy. Her relentless pursuit of “knowing” the plants lead her to studies with brilliant international Aromatherapy teachers which inspired her to create her own perfumes and aromatic healing remedies.
She went on to receive two separate certifications in reflexology while pursuing her interest in Shiatsu and macrobiotics. Her studies led her to certification in Chi Kung body therapy, carpal tunnel and LaStone therapy.
After the birth of her child Zephyr, Lilavati’s professional, personal and spiritual life shifted dramatically. She realized that wellness and vibrancy cannot be fragmented. She began making pilgrimages to Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health to become certified in chakra Yoga therapy, becoming immersed in the ancient Tantric teachings of Yoga.
In 1999 Lilavati had the divine privilege of meeting her precious teacher and guide, Parvathi Nanda Nath Saraswati - a blessed being, a Yogini adept and lineage holder of ancient Tantric practices.
Through Lilavati’s relationship with Parvathi, her awareness was awakened into a new consciousness. Lilavati was accepted into Parvathi’s Saraswati River Yoga Teacher Training apprenticeship, where her mind and heart was blown open. In March 2000, Parvathi told Lilavati to start teaching and she opened Sivam Yoga, her first Yoga studio in Haddonfield NJ that April.
She continued her Tantric Studies in the Maha Bhairavi Yoga tradition with Parvathi, receiving her Lilavati initiation in 2005, and Yogini Breath initiation in spring 2006. Shortly there after she became immersed in the study of Ayurveda. Studying Pancha Karma in New Mexico with Dr. Lad, Shirodhara therapy with Melanie Sachs, and body therapy with Kripalu's head of Ayurveda, Hilary Garivaltis.
Lilavati traveled to the Motherland – India – studying at the International Academy of Ayurved, where she received her Ayurvedic Herbology Certification. Ayurvedic cooking and pancha karma were part of the practicum as well as ayurvedic yoga. She also had the divine privilege of studying with senior BKS Iyengar teachers in the Shiva temple mountains at Kare Ayurveda.
In 2007 she enhanced and deepened her ayurvedic asana training with Mukunda Stiles, through his ayurvedic training.
In January 2008 Lilavati immerse herself in the wisdom of Tantra, Ayurveda and Yoga at the Sivananda Ashram in Nassau Bahamas with masters David Frawely, Vamadeva Shastra, and Shambhavi Chopra Vedanet.
In 2008 Lilavati received her Ayurvedic Yoga Therapy certification through Marc Halpern, president of the California College of Ayurveda and Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centre in the Bahamas.
Returning to south India in 2008 she deepened her study in Ayurvedic Aromatherapy and Ayurvedic herbal preparation theory at Rasa Ayurveda under the tutelage of Master Herbalist David Crow and Ayurvedic Yogini Niika Quistgard. In 2010 she received additional certification through the Floracopiea school of Aromatherapy in California.
Lilavati was blessed to study Moon Center Theory and Therapy with Hari Kaur Khalsa, and integrates these practices in her Goddess Yogini Ritual classes. In 2010 she deepened her Tantric Herbology studies with the great Pandit Rajmani Tiqunait, who gifted her with a Himalayan image and encouraged her to persue her dream of opening a Shakti Temple in Philly.
In 2010, Lilavati opened the beautiful Temple of the Lotus, Philadelphia's Ayurvedic altier and healing center.
It is there she can be found in Sadhana, studying Vedic Astrology, procuring Aromabliss infusions, teaching ayurvedic Yoga, Yogini lotus practices, giving Ayurvedic therapies and consultations to awaken health, beauty and consciousness in all the gorgeous beings that call upon her service.
She began studying Jyotisha with Sam Geppi in 2013 and continues to explore healing aspects of Vedic Astrology as she integrates Planetary mantra, Nitya (lunation fields of consciousness) Sadhana into all potions created & the essence of all Yogic practices.
सत्यं शिवं सुन्दरम्
Satyam Shivam Sundaram
Truth Auspiciousness Beauty