Renee Rivera RN, DAS, E-RYT, CLYL is an Ayurvedic Practitioner in San Francisco and the founder of Chitta Happens Ayurveda. She is a graduate of the Ayurvedic Institute of America, and has studied under several different masters, including world renowned Ayurvedic physician Dr. Vasant Lad, Swamini Mayatitananda and Sri Swami Dayananda.
She is a Vedic Master Educator, a certification received from the Chopra University. She is also a teacher of Primordial Sound Meditation, the Perfect Health Program and the Seven Spiritual Laws of Yoga, all certifications awarded at the Chopra Center for Wellness in Carlsbad, California.
Before embarking on her career as an Ayurvedic Practitioner in San Francisco, Renee worked for many years as a Registered Nurse in Home Health care. She has assisted thousands of people dealing with conditions ranging from surgical wounds to end-stage cancer. Her experience as a nurse has developed her ability to appreciate and connect with people from all walks of life.
Ayurveda, awakened Renee to a whole realm of more gentle and more effective approaches to health than the allopathic western medicine. She decided to follow her heart’s desire to create a healing center that would radiate the wisdom and power of Ayurveda. Thus Chitta Happens Ayurveda was born. Connect with Renee on DaoCloud: The Social Network for Wellness.
Renee Rivera RN, DAS, E-RYT, CLYL and Deepak Chopra, MD. Deepak is the co-founder of the Chopra Center for Well-being. He is the preeminent teacher of Eastern philosophy to the Western world, his books have appeared on every bestseller list in the US, and his writings have sold millions of copies. Author of “The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success”.
Testimonials
“I have had digestive and arthritic issues for many many years. Being a skeptic, I wasn’t sure if this ayurvedic type of healing would really help me. I tried western allopathic medicine – vicodin, bioflex gel, cortisone shots and ice/heat treatments, however, it didn’t help over the long term. Even the medical marijuana gel and smoke made my joints worse. I was at my wit’s end and in a lot of pain when I walked so I was willing to try anything. I heard about Renee through the grapevine and decided to give it a try.
The initial consultation was very informative about changing my daily routine and what I needed to do in order to feel better. I feel much better now after changing my diet and using some oils and herbs. I am so happy not to use narcotics which made me feel fuzzy-headed!
Renee’s understanding of my condition, lifestyle and her experience as an RN made me feel more comfortable in following her recommendations. To this day, I am a believer in ayurveda now and so glad that I have found this way of healing. I would recommend her to anyone wanting a natural way of healing without all those side effects.”
“Renee has such a great energy and her massage is powerful! Abhyanga with the right amount of oil – a lot! Very comforting, relaxing and spiritual!”
“Back in February of 2010, I got really sick. I could not sleep nor eat much food or drink anything. It got even worse. I got nightmares and panic attacks. Overall, I was in really bad shape. Then I went to Renee, within a few weeks I got better. Everything that she said to do has helped me out a lot.”
“I have had a series of consultations with Renee, and have found working with her to be a highly enjoyable and informative Ayurvedic experience. A nascent student of Ayurveda myself, I have read numerous books on the subject, attended Ayurvedic conferences, and have been a patient of two other renown Ayurvedic doctors in California (including a couple of week-long panchakarmas with one of them).
I find my consultations with Renee have been the most valuable yet. Perhaps her experiences as an RN, as well as the time she spent seeing hundreds of patients a day in India, are a reason for her reassuring manner and low-drama perspective on my “conditions” . Unlike numerous other health consultations I’ve had, Ayurvedic and not, she did not pressure me to buy copious amounts of expensive, very special herbs and potions that are available only through her special connections; the products she does have available are very high-quality and I have definitely benefited from using all of them. Her recommendations were not overly expensive or time-consuming, and she was forthcoming and well-informed about where to buy things online or in the Bay Area.
I found that she listens intently and well, and was generous with her time and ideas; she even dropped by my home one day when I was on my way out of town and wanted to do a mini-consultation with her/get some oils and herbs, but was scrambling for time before my departure.
After the consultations, she emailed me with a very useful, detailed set of recommendations for food selection, daily routines, and practices we had discussed in the consultation, and even included hyperlinks to illustrative videos on YouTube. I thought this follow-up was fantastic; its many pages were full of so much useful information that I am still referring to it and learning from it almost a year later. The recommendations included in it, also discussed in person, definitely helped some of the conditions bothering me, such as knee tendinitis and sluggish digestion (weight loss wasn’t a top priority for me, but improving my digestion and eating habits as well as being more consistent with yogic breathwork has allowed me to have lost over twenty pounds since I saw her last year).
I look forward to furthering and maintaining a vibrant state of health for my mind and body, and feel that I have a good ally in my quest to do so with Ren�e as my Ayurvedic practitioner.”
“I am so happy I found an excellent Ayurvedic Practitioner in San Francisco! Renee is a wealth of Ayurveda knowledge, a patient teacher and a gifted healer. I highly recommend Renee to anyone that wants to learn more about Ayurveda or is otherwise seeking improve to their health, prevent disease, better manage stress, live a more balanced life, etc. Renee offers a wide range of consultation services and treatments at Chitta Happens. In addition to her consultation services, I especially recommend the shirodhara treatment. Even if you have no interest in Ayurveda and could care less about improving your health or life – get the shirodhara treatment! Not only was the treatment absolutely wonderful, but I felt more relaxed and peaceful for days after than in as long as I can remember.”
“When I started seeing Renee I was having bad insomnia. Nothing I tried seemed to help much. The Ayurvedic herbs that she recommended helped immensely, as well as the shirodhara oil treatment. The oil treatment was like returning to the womb, and I slept like a baby afterwords (a good baby, that it). Since then, my sleep has been much better, and Renee has also succeeded in helping improve my digestion.”
“The hot oil treatment massage Abhyanga, followed by steam therapy Swedana to further extend the appropriate ayurvedic oils, left me feeling exceptionally relaxed, grounded and radiant . Renee naturally embraces a great sense of healing, patience and care. Her insight and sensitivity allows you to feel well taken care of, nourished and inspired. This treatment is subtle and effective. And it greatly supports a wholesome mind and body balance. Truly a gem!!!
Calming and rejuvenating!! Renee shares great compassion with you and the treatment. I felt well taken care of and relaxed. She has great sense of flow and understanding. Abhyanga: hot oil treatment is basic yet efficient. Used appropriately to your constitution and present needs. Followed with chant and other vibrational assistance. I left the lovely office with a soft skin, illuminating!!”
“I take Renee’s yoga class at lunch time. Renee works on specific request from each person in the class; as the result, the discomforts I brought into the class went away when I left. I came back to work rejuvenated and more productive.”
“I went to Renee in desperation, after having averaged 3 hours of sleep nightly for a week. I was truly a mess, and my brain and body were fried.
Renee is wonderful! She was kind enough to book me last minute (hearing the desperation in my voice), and is such a compassionate healer!
I had the Abhyanga massage with facial massage, was able to finally sleep that night, and awoke the next morning feeling my normal, positive, joyful self. Renee is so warm and thoughtful, and I am so grateful to have found her!”
THANK YOU SOOOO MUCH, RENEE!!!!!!!!!!”
“Renee has a genuine gift for healing and I feel lucky to have been fortunate enough to have chosen her out of the many options available in San Francisco for an ayurvedic massage. I am definitely going back. I admit, it was a little challenging, during these economically challenging times, to justify getting a massage – it felt indulgent. But in truth, it’s much more than just a “massage.” After the session I felt more grounded, had greater clarity and felt more generous and positive. So, now I am a believer that during times of great transition, it’s even important to get grounded and prioritize personal healing. It makes it easier to face what’s out there!”
”I went to Renee for a face and head massage to alleviate migraine headaches. The experience was wonderful and after the session I felt completely relaxed. Renee is a wonderful and compassionate healer! Thanks a lot.”