Guiding you back to health

Hi! I'm so glad you are here! My name is Jana Kilgore, a clinical nutritionist, herbalist, and board-certified Ayurvedic practitioner with over 20 years as a wellness coach. I am a passionate plant enthusiast and lover of trails, books, animals, and the natural world and have been working in the healing arts for decades. Early on I learned that food is either medicine or dis-ease and have dedicated my life to the transformative power of daily healing rooted in kitchen wisdom. Growing up I learned that the kitchen was the hub and healing center of my home, bringing nourishment, comfort and stories to life.  I have been cooking professionally since 1992 blending herbal and culinary medicine into my coaching practice and teaching people how to nourish themselves and their families. In 1999 I dove into the power of traditional yoga and have been studying, teaching and evolving ever since. Along the way I became a licensed massage therapist, Reiki Master and rooted myself in traditional shamanic practices from my Celtic ancestry and years of study with Hawaiian shamanic teachers. My aim is to blend ancient nature based wisdom with modern functional science to meet clients where they are and guide them to deeper states of health and happiness.

Kauai Ayurveda
Kauai Ayurveda

My Philosophy

At the core of my philosophy is the belief in the innate capacity of every individual for healing, joy, and wisdom, with love, joy, and peace as fundamental birthrights. Achieving our full potential often requires guidance from those who have embraced these qualities within themselves. Together in community, we can collectively learn, heal, and grow. Throughout my journey, I've been shaped by dedicated practitioners—chiropractors, physical therapists, trainers, nutritionists, herbalists, massage therapists, and yoga instructors—since the age of 15. Through my personal healing experiences, I've grasped the essence of genuine, balanced health. My practice is dedicated to sharing this wisdom, fostering transformation, acknowledging the beauty and truth of existence, and offering consciousness and compassion to individuals wherever they may be on their journey.

My Approach

I strive to create a healing space for the soul to unfurl and express its inner beauty through functional movement, yoga, breathwork, meditation, integrative massage, Ayurvedic medicine, holistic nutrition, and Reiki. My specialties include yoga therapy, prenatal through postpartum nutrition, detoxification, addiction recovery, and empowering women to awaken their inner truth and connection to nature.

Kauai Ayurveda
Kauai Ayurveda

My Path to Eastern Medicine

My path has led me through diverse journeys that integrate diet, herbal medicine, lifestyle modifications, stress reduction techniques, circadian rhythm alignment, and body therapy. These experiences enable me to empower individuals to take ownership of their lives. I am dedicated to guiding people back to healthy routines, and helping them navigate their lives with renewed vitality and purpose. My journey into Eastern philosophy and medicine began with a deep love for mythology and nature. I immersed myself in meditation at 12 after moving to Michigan, discovering a sanctuary within myself that I would carry forever. By 15, enduring injuries and chronic pain led me to seek healing through massage, chiropractic, and nutrition.

Finding Solace in Yoga

After earning degrees in sustainable agriculture and community development from Michigan State University, I worked with small farms and schools in Washington State. It was during this time that I found solace and healing through yoga and meditation. Years of practice with a Soto Zen community allowed me to confront and heal from long-standing physical and emotional pain. Devoting myself entirely to healing practices, I undertook my first yoga teacher training in 2002 in Seattle with Theresa Elliott. This journey eventually brought me back to Michigan, where I embraced a new life in the healing arts.

Kauai Ayurveda
Kauai Ayurveda

My Journey in the Healing Arts

In Grand Rapids, MI, I dedicated myself to teaching yoga, building a vibrant community, and advancing my expertise as a clinical nutritionist, herbal medicine practitioner, and medical massage therapist. In early 2009, I returned to the West Coast, driven by a desire to deepen my studies in Ayurvedic medicine, yoga, and Kashmiri Shaiva philosophy. Alongside my beloved partner, Patrick Bremser—a skilled Qi Chef, surfer, and photographer—I continued my life's adventure.

Shaped By Great Teachers

My journey has been shaped by the wisdom of many influential teachers, including Desiree Rumbaugh, Sianna Sherman, Noah Maze, Abby Tucker, Behnje Masson, Rick Powell, Douglas Brooks, Giselle Mari, Jennifer Prugh, and Erika Abrahamian. My initial practice began with Kundalini yoga under the guidance of Ray Grace in Olympia, WA. Over the next decade, I immersed myself in Anusara yoga and Tantric philosophy, teaching in Grand Rapids, MI, and the San Francisco Bay Area, CA. Recently, I developed a profound love for Ashtanga yoga, and I practice in the San Jose area. I weave the essence of these practices with my lifelong study of Tantric, Buddhist, and Shamanic non-dual philosophy, along with my deep devotion to the Great Mother Earth.

Kauai Ayurveda
Kauai Ayurveda

My Education

Over the years, I have attained degrees and certifications in cultural anthropology, sustainable development, yoga, clinical nutrition, herbal medicine, medical massage therapy, and ayurvedic medicine, reflecting my commitment to holistic healing and personal growth.

  • 1999: Michigan State University B.S. Environmental Policy, B.S. Cultural Anthropology, Sustainable Development.
  • 2002: Pacific Yoga: Year-long Teacher Training with Theresa Elliott & Kathryn Smith.
  • 2003: Shiva Rea Teacher Training
  • 2003: Anusara ®Teacher Training Desiree Rumbaugh
  • 2003: Anusara ®Therapy Training John Friend
  • 2003: Certified Clinical Nutrition. Blue Heron Academy of Healing Arts, Grand Rapids, Mi
  • 2003-2008: Ayurvedic Medicine Apprenticeship with Sonam Targee
  • 2003-Present: Reiki Levels 3 with Beth Townsend & Christopher Campbell.
  • 2004: Master Herbalist. Blue Heron Academy of Healing Arts, Grand Rapids, MI.
  • 2005: Anusara ®Inspired Yoga Teacher.
  • 2005: Anusara ® Teacher Training, John Friend: Miami.
  • 2006: Certified Medical Massage Therapist. Blue Heron Academy of Healing Arts, Grand Rapids, MI
  • 2005: Anusara ® Yoga Immersion, Behnje Masson.
  • 2007: Anusara ® Yoga Teacher Training, John Friend & Sianna Sherman: Cincinnati.
  • 2007: Anusara ® Yoga Immersion, Behnje Masson.
  • 2009: Assisted Anusara ® Yoga Teacher Training & Immersion, Sianna Sherman & Noah Maze
  • 2005-Present: Tantric Philosophy: Douglas Brooks.
  • 2012: Thai Massage Therapy, Saul David Raye.
  • 2013–2016: Advanced Shamanic Healing with Hank Wesselman & Jill Kuykendall.

Certifications

  • 500 E-RYT with Yoga Alliance.
  • 2003: Certified Clinical Nutrition. Blue Heron Academy of Healing Arts, Grand Rapids, Mi
  • 2004: Master Herbalist. Blue Heron Academy of Healing Arts, Grand Rapids, MI. Taught both programs
  • 2005–2006: Licensed Medical Massage Therapist, Blue Heron Academy Healing Arts, GR, MI.
  • 2014: Certified Ayurvedic Practitioner. Mount Madonna Institute College of Ayurveda, CA
  • 2019: Re-Attunement and Certified Reiki Master, Usui Method.
  • 2019: Certified Ayurvedic Postpartum Doula, Ayurmama, CA.
  • 2021: Intermediate Herbal Course, The Herbal Academy.
Kauai Ayurveda

Let's Heal Together

Learn more about how we can work together to achieve your health and wellness goals. Explore my services below.