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Valerie Hwang

Ayurvedic Practitioner, Yoga Nidra Teacher, CMT

“As we embrace our passions and delve into the mystery of life, we unite with the majestic complexity of nature;  and if we follow the signs, this can help us understand who we really are.” - Sebastian Pole

Hello! My name is Valerie Hwang and I am a board-certified Ayurvedic Practitioner and the founder of Intrepid Ayurveda. I service clients locally here in Long Beach, California, as well as virtually all over the USA. My mission as an Ayurvedic practitioner is to provide my patients and students with the tools and guidance necessary for bringing the body and mind back into a state of harmony - the optimal state for the body to heal itself! 

When I graduated from the California College of Ayurveda in 2020, I set out to create a holistic health practice that makes Ayurvedic healthcare and education approachable and accessible to all. I believe that with loving care, guidance, and dedication, we all have the potential to overcome our obstacles and live a thriving life of vitality. 

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I grew up in suburban Long Island in a town with very little connection to the spiritual traditions of my ancestors. As a first-generation American with immigrant parents whose language and culture were very different from that of my peers, I spent a lot of time alone as a young child watching other people, navigating the differences in expectations and behaviors from one environment to another. It became second nature for me to observe and question the human condition - Why do people attach themselves to certain identities? Why do people treat each other so badly? What can  I do to make the world a more peaceful place? My desire to understand the world always led me down many interesting paths - as a school teacher in Japan, as a professional hip hop dance artist, international exchange and travel guide, and other roles where I hoped to use my talents and drive to heal others through connection and exploration.


As time moved on, I came to realize how much of other's suffering I was trying to bear on my own two shoulders. I also realized that no matter how flashy the fame, how delicious the meal, how exotic the destination - no glory or indulgence was ever going to heal that suffering. One day, while I was soaking in a luxurious hot spring in the beautiful mountains of Japan, looking out at the view, I found myself sobbing, empty, and miserable. I returned to the States knowing that it was time to make a change. Inspired by my close friends, I started practicing meditation and Ashtanga yoga to search for answers from within. As Paulo Coelho wrote in The Alchemist, "When you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it." One serendipitous day, I was introduced to Ayurveda - the knowledge and wisdom of life, providing all who follow its path with access to peace, health, and inner harmony. Ayurveda not only helped me realize the true value of Self-love, but it also revived within me the joy of being of service to others. 

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It is an honor to be a messenger for the wisdom of Ayurveda. And to every single person who comes under my care, thank you from the bottom of my heart for your trust and faith.

More about Valerie

To hear more about my personal journey of self-healing, tune into this featured episode of Love+Live+Life hosted by Yuko Kudo. Love+Live+Life is a podcast that features the stories of artists and healers with a mission to promote social good. 

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You can also check out my feature on Voyage LA: Exploring Life & Business with Valerie Hwang of Intrepid Ayurveda.

Certifications & Memberships

Education

  • National Ayurvedic Medical Association Certified Ayurvedic Practitioner, Health Counselor

  • Classical Yoga Nidra Instructor 

  • Ayurvedic Nutrition & Culinary Training Foundations - Bhagavat Life

  • California Association of Ayurvedic Medicine Professional Member

  • CAMTC Certified Massage Therapist #93582

  • Southern California University of Health Sciences

    • Ayurvedic Practitioner​

  • California College of Ayurveda

    • Ayurvedic Health Counselor​

    • Yoga Nidra Teacher Training

  • New York University

    • M.A. in International Education​

  • Northwestern University

    • B.S. in Human Development & Psychological Services​

  • Panacea Holistic Institute​

    • Bodywork + Healing Arts Program​

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Testimonials

Testimonials

"Valerie has been a positive force since the first day we started talking, so I was more than happy to experience her yoga sessions. The first one in particular being the Yoga Nidra session, which lasted about 45 minutes. I can't believe how quickly time passed, as I completely lost track while I was being guided deeper into the meditative state by her soothing voice. All the stress and fatigue I'd been feeling from changes in my life were lifted completely as I reached an utterly peaceful state; I no longer felt like anything was wrong! So I honestly couldn't have had a better experience. You can tell she is a fun, free spirit from her aura, and is definitely someone you'd enjoy sharing moments with both on and off the mat." - Vikash J.

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"I will continue to apply the ayurvedic diet and practice to my lifestyle. I was able to reduce inflammation, hives, and the general feeling of not feeling good. My bowel movements improved immensely in the past month. I have also been practicing yoga everyday for the past 2 weeks and have lost about 8 lbs since mid-October. I feel much stronger and the place to start was understanding my DOSHA and mindfully applying the right food to my diet. Thank you for helping me become more aware of what I was putting into my body." - Judy K.

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