RAVEN OLAY

HOLISTIC HEALTH PRACTICITIONER

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AYURVEDA 

(Ayur=life, Veda=knowledge)

Ayurveda is an ancient science whose origins date back more than 6,000 years in India. This traditional health science bridges the mind-body connection through a sophisticated mapping system, leading individuals into a deeply attuned relationship with their inner terrain, health and well-being.

 

With a foundation based on elemental theory (similar to Chinese medicine), Ayurveda recognizes our body’s constitutional health through the Doshas:

 

Vata (air/ether), Pitta (fire), and Kapha (earth/water).

 

When these elements work harmoniously within our bodies we experience well-being. When one or more of these elements fall out of balance, we become vulnerable to dis-ease.

 

Through the practice of Ayurveda we balance 

the body-mind-spirit connection by working with these elements through food, plant medicine, and bodywork. By bringing balance to the body we build a greater capacity for all systems to move with ease.

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What is Ayurvedic Lymphatic Massage:

— When we care for our lymphatic system, we're caring for all systems in our body --

 

The lymphatic system is a gorgeous system that carries water throughout our entire body. 

Having healthy, moving lymph is foundational to our health, yet it is too often overlooked.

In traditional Ayurvedic medicine our lymph is considered the saltwater system of our body (think oceans and seas). In Chinese medicine lymph is located within the yin channels. In contrast, cerebrospinal fluid is considered the "sweet waters" of the body (think lakes and rivers). Because the lymphatic system is considered the waterway (yin channel) which moves throughout our entire body, it becomes the pathway, which feeds our lifeblood, in turn nourishing all other systems in our body.

When we look at how one system is fed by another, it all starts with lymph. Lymph feeds blood, blood feeds muscle, muscle feeds fat, fat feeds bone & marrow, and marrow feeds the nervous system. 

When the lymph is stuck or stagnant, none of the other systems in our body are properly fed or supported.

 

For these channels to function correctly, lymph must be mobilized through movement. It’s the only system in our body that doesn’t have its own pump. Walking, running, jumping or any form of bodywork becomes profoundly supportive.

 

Yet, for any number of reasons, lymph all too often stagnates, gets stuck, dries up, or hardens. Think of a cracked riverbed with no water moving through it.

In order to move stagnant lymph we need to deeply soften and warm up the tissues to reopen the channels. Regular massage therapy often skips this crucial step. RMTs are typically trained to avoid the yin channels altogether. These areas include our armpits, upper-inner thighs, behind the knees, inner hips, breasts and stomach.

 The yin channels move through the inner meridians of the body, which is where lymph resides. The thoracic ducts and subclavian veins are also located in the water channels and are the main ports where lymph drains. 

 

Session Outline: Currently at

Raven Song Dome, Cumberland BC- Spring & Summer Sessions- 2026

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-The focus during the first part of the session will be warming up the tissues. You will first enjoy a 15-minute sauna in a gorgeous cedar sauna over-looking Comox Lake. You’ll then be led to the dome for further bodywork.

 

-The first 30-40 minutes will focus on softening the tissues by warming up the body with warm-wet towels and hot river stones. Ayurvedic treatments use at least 1-2 cups of medicated oil infused with high-grade aromatherapy, which is applied as an additional layer of hydration to soften the tissues- so be prepared to be deeply saturated during the session.

 

-Once your tissues are softened we focus on the areas where your body is calling for the most attention within the yin channels. This includes inner arms, armpits, around the breasts, inner thighs, behind the knees inner hips and stomach. We will be working with massage tools which include gentle sliding cupping, Guasha (traditional Chinese Medicine tool), traditional Hawaiian tools and deep intuitive touch.

 

-Visionary Craniosacral will be brought in at the end to nourish the nervous system.

 

By supporting both the sweet and salt water (yin) channels in the body, we create space for all other systems within our embodiment to be deeply nourished.

 

Sauna & warm shower- 20 minutes

bodywork- 1.75 hours

$245 per session

 

Package of 4 sessions:

$230 per session​

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BIO

 

Raven Olay is a holistic health practitioner specializing in the integration of traditional Ayurveda within the lymphatic system. She works deeply with Feminine Somatic Embodiment, which focuses on the water (yin) channels throughout all systems of our embodiment.

In 2008, a soul-searching journey led Raven through Bali and India, where she was honored to work with master teachers in the Vedic, Ayurvedic traditions and the left-hand path of Tantra. 

 

She also worked closely for over 10 years in Arizona and California with a Diné (Navajo) family who practice within their matriarchal healing traditions.

In addition to being initiated by Chief Alex Turtle and his wife Chenoa Egawa, 

Raven travelled to India to study with 

Bhagavan Shanmukha Anantha Natha at Shri Kali Ashram and Dr. Vasant Lad, founder of The Ayurvedic Institute. 

 

In 2010, Raven dedicated four additional years of formal study at the Dhyana Center in Sebastopol, CA, focusing on Ayurveda and the lymphatic system.

 Her studies continued at the Milne Institute in Berkeley, CA, where she was trained in Visionary Craniosacral by Hugh Milne.

Raven received additional training at the Acupressure Institute in Berkeley, CA, studying the mapping system of the meridians, and at The Ayurvedic Institute in Albuquerque, NM. 

In 2015, she was mentored in Los Angeles by Prashanti de Jager, founder of Organic India, learning principles of the Vedic sciences in relation to Ayurveda.

 

Raven recently completed a diploma at the Orca Institute and ‘Opening to Grace’ with Maria Moser in Relational Somatic Therapy (2025).

 She currently maintains an active practice as a Registered Therapeutic Counsellor, where her focus is Shadow Work. In this capacity, she offers guidance to her clients, as they care for and take responsibility for their inner children.