Meet Pilar Chandler | Doctor of Ayurveda & Holistic Women’s Health Specialist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Pilar Chandler and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Pilar, Let’s talk about principles and values – what matters to you most?
Honesty and Integrity. I really strive to bring my best self to my work each day, and this process begins at home with my self care and responsibility in how I live my life. Each day that may look completely different, but it’s how I show up that matters most. As a health practitioner it is important for me to practice what I preach, of course with compassion and tolerance. My clinical practice requires me to be fiercely honest with myself. I have to be willing to ask myself the hard questions if I’m going to ask that of my clients. Am I honest with myself in how I move through the world? I use self-reflection practices to support me in this. Honesty and integrity are super important for everyone when they are looking to heal any type of imbalance. We need to be honest with what and how we’re feeling and what we are willing to do or change to create that balance. We also need integrity with our compliance and follow through. Making any changes in our body, mind and health takes real self-reflection, honesty and integrity. Working in this industry there are a LOT of quick trends and buzz words and sometimes there is some value to that, but what I find works the best are the simple truths and values of living in harmony as a being of Earth. We have a saying around our shop… “We’re not new to this. We’re true to this.” It means we’re not going to recommend something or someone that we don’t have experience with. Also, we’ve been at this for a very long time! This principle is super important with the practitioners we have on staff, the referrals we make and the vendors we choose to stock in our store. Our core values are important to us, so we look for people, vendors and affiliates that resonate with that too.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My work as a Holistic Women’s Health Specialist and Doctor of Ayurveda has developed over decades of practice, study and research. I work with women to help them heal from metabolic or hormonal irregularities, digestive or reproductive issues. I have helped thousands of women with menstrual difficulties, natural fertility, prenatal care, postpartum support, menopausal issues, breast care, pelvic pain and more. I use my skills as a master massage therapist, herbalist, counsellor, full spectrum doula, and teacher to guide each client to uncover the cause of the imbalance that is the source of the issue.

I have developed a product line of natural organic herbal teas, elixirs and body care to support your harmonious living. I have developed specialty bodywork treatments for prenatal care, infant massage, fertility and abdominal massage, scar tissue dissolution, and more. I teach and mentor students in Ayurvedic Postpartum Care and healing, in Ayurvedic Prenatal Care, Breast Care and Pelvic Steaming.

We have Orange County’s only organic herbal apothecary with over 250 loose leaf, medicinal herbs, mushrooms and clays for you to make your own medicine.
I also manage our Wellness Collective, which is a group of dedicated and skilled practitioners that come together to support our community healing. We offer massage therapy, acupuncture, community acupuncture, pelvic steaming, herbal consults, classes, plant walks and other community events.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Costa Mesa is such a great place to live! We have easy access to many great spots to walk, paddle, bike and TONS of great restaurants!

Some of my favorite activities are paddle boarding around the back bay. It’s a great time to be on the water and in nature. The Newport Aquatic Center has everything you need for rentals (kayaks, paddle boards, etc.).
Laguna Beach has my favorite beaches and Crystal Cove State Beach is also one to see!

Biking along the Santa Ana river trail to the beach, then you can head south towards Newport Beach or north towards Huntington Beach for lunch.

Walking through our favorite parks and nature preserves like Fairview Park, Talbert Nature Preserve and Canyon Park are a great way to spend an afternoon.

Favorite places to eat are Seabirds Kitchen for amazing vegan food. Maizano has THE best Mexican food and really you can’t go wrong with anything at the Northgate Market food court!
I love to eat out for breakfast and some of my favorite spots are Hautecakes, Alta Cafe and Oeb.

The OCMA is a fun new art museum that has great events each week and during the summer the Segerstom Center has free concerts in the courtyard with some fun music!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
To my family, for being my biggest support. For holding me up and reminding me to keep going when it feels hopeless. Believing in me when I didn’t and reminding me of what I am capable of. To all my teachers, guides and mentors who I have been graced with the opportunity to learn from. A deep bow of gratitude for trusting me and supporting me.
To all my clients and customers, past, present and future. You are my inspiration and drive to keep learning and showing up. I am forever grateful for the trust you put into me for your health and wellbeing.

Website: www.PilarsWellnessCollective.com, www.shri-alchemy.com

Instagram: @PilarsWellnessCollective

Image Credits
Danielle Cohen Eric Stoner Gordon Dooley