Our Practitioners

The women who hold space at Ritual. Each brings years of devoted practice and a shared belief that care should feel intimate, unhurried, and deeply personal.

MEET OUR FOUNDER

Michelle Srih

Founder & Integrative Guide

A clinical counsellor and integrative guide, Michelle created Ritual as a place to set down what you’ve been carrying alone. Her work weaves depth psychology, somatic practice, and Ayurveda to support women through life’s transitions.

Experience Michelle at Ritual

  • Private Integrative Consultations — a personal space for reflection, clarity, and navigating meaningful life transitions

  • Yoga & Mindful Movement Classes — movement, breath, and meditation to help you settle and feel grounded

  • Michelle is the founder of Ritual, a clinical counsellor, and an integrative practitioner with many years supporting individuals through life transitions, emotional healing, and personal growth. Her work bridges the depth of contemporary psychology with the wisdom of traditional healing practices, offering a thoughtful, compassionate approach to the connection between mind, body, and spirit.

    With a master’s-level education in clinical counselling and extensive training in trauma-informed and somatic approaches, Michelle draws upon depth psychology, Internal Family Systems (IFS), EMDR, Ayurveda, yoga, breathwork, subtle energy practices, and nature-based healing traditions. Her approach recognizes that meaningful change extends beyond intellectual understanding, inviting individuals to explore the relationship between their emotional experiences, physical sensations, daily rhythms, and inner lives.

    Central to Michelle’s work is a deep respect for the body’s innate intelligence. In session, she listens beyond words, noticing subtle shifts in breath, posture, and movement, and gently inviting individuals to become curious about what is unfolding within. Through compassionate inquiry and embodied awareness, she creates space to explore long-held patterns, reconnect with neglected parts of the self, and cultivate a greater sense of inner safety, clarity, and resilience.

    Michelle’s approach is both grounded and intuitive, honoring the complexity of the human experience while recognizing the importance of slowing down, listening inward, and reconnecting with what matters most. She believes that periods of transition, while often challenging, can also become meaningful opportunities for reflection, growth, and renewal.

    Ritual is an expression of this philosophy and Michelle’s vision for a different kind of wellness experience. Created as a sanctuary for connection, restoration, and intentional living, Ritual brings together experienced practitioners and complementary healing traditions in a space where individuals can feel genuinely cared for and supported.

    At its heart, Ritual is Michelle’s invitation to this community: to step away from the demands of everyday life, release the expectation of carrying everything alone, and remember what it feels like to be resourced, rooted, and at home within yourself.

BODYWORK & ENERGY

Rosemary JaQuay

Certified Massage Therapist & Somatic Bodyworker

With more than 25 years in massage, somatic work, breathwork, and hypnotherapy, Rosemary meets each body with warmth and steadiness, making room to slow down and listen inward.

Experience Rosemary at Ritual

  • Grounding, Soothing & Energizing Massage Rituals — drawing on decades of integrative bodywork to meet what your body needs that day

  • The Nourishing Ritual — an energy-balancing experience for deep rest and restoration

  • Qi Gong — a gentle weekly practice of movement, breath, and awareness

  • The Sound Ritual — a weekly immersion in therapeutic sound and vibration

  • Rosemary is a holistic wellness practitioner, educator, and guide with more than 25 years of experience supporting individuals in reconnecting with themselves, restoring balance, and cultivating greater wellbeing. Her work is rooted in the understanding that true wellbeing emerges when the body, mind, and spirit are approached as an interconnected whole.

    Drawing from an extensive background in massage therapy, clinical hypnotherapy, somatic practices, energy healing, mindfulness, nutrition, breathwork, and movement, Rosemary brings a deeply integrative approach to her work. She blends decades of knowledge with compassionate presence, honoring the individuality of each person and creating space for the body’s own wisdom to emerge.

    Whether through touch, movement, breath, or mindful awareness, Rosemary meets each person with warmth, steadiness, and genuine care. Her presence invites clients to slow down, listen deeply, and reconnect with the innate wisdom of their body.

BODYWORK & ENERGY

Maricel Balanza

Certified Massage Therapist & Somatic Bodyworker

Trained in Ayurvedic bodywork at the Chopra Center, Maricel brings 14 years of intuitive, heart-centered touch to every session, inviting the nervous system to settle and the body to soften.

Experience Maricel at Ritual

  • Grounding, Soothing & Energizing Massage Rituals — shaped by her Ayurvedic training and attuned to your constitution

  • The Nourishing Ritual — heart-centered energy balancing for emotional ease and reconnection

  • With over 14 years of experience in therapeutic bodywork and holistic healing, Maricel brings a nurturing and intuitive approach to supporting the wellbeing of the mind, body, and spirit. Her work is rooted in a deep calling to help individuals restore balance, release tension, and reconnect with themselves through the healing power of touch.

    Maricel trained and practiced Ayurvedic bodywork and traditional treatments at the renowned Chopra Center for Wellbeing at La Costa Resort, founded by Dr. David Simon and Deepak Chopra. This experience deepened her understanding of Ayurveda and the relationship between physical wellbeing, energetic balance, and inner harmony.

    Drawing upon her extensive experience in therapeutic massage, somatic bodywork, and Ayurvedic practices, Maricel approaches each session with compassionate presence and an intuitive understanding of the body’s unique needs. Her treatments invite the nervous system to settle, the body to soften, and a greater sense of ease and connection to emerge.

    Central to Maricel’s philosophy is the cultivation of heart radiance, a practice of nurturing compassion, openness, and connection with oneself. She believes that when we create space to slow down and reconnect with the heart, we invite a deeper experience of peace, balance, and wellbeing.

YOGA & MOVEMENT

Shauna Piscitello

Yoga Therapist & Mindfulness Teacher

A yoga therapist and occupational therapist who taught at UC San Diego’s Center for Mindfulness, Shauna offers trauma-informed, somatic practices that help you feel safe and at home in your body.

Experience Shauna at Ritual

  • Neurogenic Yoga — a gentle weekly somatic class to support nervous system regulation and release held tension

  • Private 1:1 Yoga Therapy — an individualized practice of movement, breath, and mindfulness

  • The Sound Ritual — a weekly immersion in therapeutic sound and vibration

  • Shauna has devoted her personal and professional life to the exploration of healing, self-discovery, and the connection between mind, body, and spirit. Guided by a deep curiosity about the human experience, she supports individuals in cultivating greater trust in their bodies, reconnecting with their intuition, and discovering a sense of freedom, resilience, and inner peace.

    As both a yoga therapist and occupational therapist, Shauna brings an integrative, trauma-informed approach to emotional and physical wellbeing. Her work draws upon yoga, somatic movement, meditation, sound healing, breathwork, and Tension & Trauma Releasing Exercises (TRE®) to support nervous system regulation, embodied awareness, and the body’s natural capacity for restoration.

    Shauna has worked alongside multidisciplinary healthcare teams and previously taught mindfulness and self-compassion at UC San Diego’s Center for Mindfulness. She has facilitated classes and group programs for women’s communities, schools, healthcare organizations, and corporate audiences, helping individuals develop practical tools for navigating stress, cultivating resilience, and reconnecting with themselves.

    At the heart of Shauna’s work is the belief that wholeness is not something we must achieve, but something we can learn to reconnect with. Through compassionate presence and gentle guidance, she creates a supportive space for individuals to feel safe in their bodies, connected to their hearts, and empowered in their own healing journey.

YOGA & MOVEMENT

Amanda La Londe

Yoga Therapist & Movement Educator

With a background in kinesiology and exercise science, Amanda bridges science and spirit, guiding movement that builds strength and resilience with curiosity rather than judgment.

Experience Amanda at Ritual

  • Awaken Yoga — a mindful weekly practice to cultivate strength, flexibility, and renewed vitality

  • Private 1:1 Yoga Therapy — a personalized practice to explore movement with curiosity and build resilience

  • With a background in kinesiology and yoga therapy, Amanda brings a deep appreciation for the complexity, intelligence, and innate wisdom of the human body. Inspired by the intersection of science and spirit, her approach to yoga is dynamic, contemplative, and educational, inviting individuals to explore movement as a pathway toward greater self-awareness, resilience, and wholeness.

    Amanda’s professional experience spans academia, mental health, and yoga education. As a college educator in exercise science, she draws upon her understanding of human movement, physiology, and the body’s remarkable capacity for adaptation. Through her work in mental health, she integrates yoga and mindfulness practices that support emotional wellbeing, nervous system regulation, and a deeper connection between mind and body. Amanda also guides aspiring teachers in yoga teacher training to deepen their understanding of yoga and the development of an authentic teaching practice.

    Rooted in a commitment to lifelong learning, Amanda believes that yoga is both a practice of self-discovery and a powerful tool for cultivating inner resilience. Her teaching encourages individuals to approach their bodies with curiosity rather than judgment, creating space for strength, awareness, and meaningful growth.

    Outside of her professional work, Amanda finds joy in the ocean chasing waves, dancing to live music, and exploring creative projects that inspire her own sense of curiosity and connection.

NOURISHMENT

Tara Middleton

Holistic Chef, Ayurvedic Nutrition & Lifestyle Consultant

A Le Cordon Bleu–trained chef who studied Ayurveda in California and Kerala, Tara helps you understand your digestion and constitution, then brings seasonal nourishment to life in Ritual’s kitchen.

Experience Tara at Ritual

  • Ayurvedic Nutrition & Lifestyle Consultations — personalized guidance on your constitution, digestion, and daily rhythms

  • Ritual’s Ayurvedic Chef — seasonal, nourishing food and culinary experiences

  • Bringing together the art of cooking, the wisdom of Ayurveda, and a deep appreciation for the healing potential of food, Tara offers a thoughtful and nourishing approach to holistic wellbeing. As a professionally trained chef, holistic nutrition consultant, and founder of Source to Fork, she is passionate about helping individuals reconnect with their bodies, understand their unique nutritional needs, and cultivate a more intuitive relationship with food.

    Tara’s approach is rooted in the understanding that nourishment extends beyond what we eat. It encompasses how we eat, the rhythms of our daily lives, our relationship with nature, and the changing needs of our bodies through different seasons and stages of life.

    A graduate of the renowned Le Cordon Bleu culinary institute, Tara combines her professional culinary training with studies in Ayurveda at the California College of Ayurveda. She has further deepened her understanding through firsthand learning and experiences in Kerala, India, a region celebrated for its rich Ayurvedic traditions.

    Through personalized nutritional education, Ayurvedic lifestyle guidance, and practical culinary wisdom, Tara supports individuals in developing a deeper understanding of their digestion, constitution, and overall wellbeing. Her approach emphasizes accessible, sustainable practices that can be integrated naturally into everyday life, bringing greater intention and awareness to how we nourish ourselves.

    At the heart of Tara’s work is a simple philosophy: when we reconnect with the source of our food, the rhythms of nature, and the wisdom of our bodies, nourishment becomes more than what is on our plates. It becomes a way of living.