Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Sherine Aubert. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Sherine, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. It’s always helpful to hear about times when someone’s had to take a risk – how did they think through the decision, why did they take the risk, and what ended up happening. We’d love to hear about a risk you’ve taken.

I sometimes feel like my entire career path can be thought of as “risky”, but starting a private practice and co founding a suppository wellness company while expanding my family all in about a year feels like the risk-est (and wildest) ride. Here’s the longer version of the story- I have always been fascinated by the pelvis, whether I was shaking my pelvis in dance class as a kid, amazed by the complex anatomy in undergrad and grad school and personally experiencing the pleasure and confidence a happy pelvis can yield. When I was in my physical therapy doctorate program, I remember being told by some health professionals, family members and even a few professors, to “stay general” and “don’t tunnel yourself into a speciality too early” when I said I wanted to specialize in pelvic floor physical therapy. However, I learned to trust my gut and pursued my education in pelvic floor, taking extra courses while getting my doctorate, eventually landing an incredible pelvic floor physical therapy internship as my last clinical experience in grad school, which turned into my first professional job as a Doctor of Physical Therapy, specializing in pelvic floor. I was surrounded by extraordinary mentors, exposed to many diagnoses and continued to learn about all things pelvic related, this was validating as I enjoyed spending my work days talking about complex pelvic pain, pleasure, pain with intimacy, period pain, peeing/pooping, pregnancy, post partum and prolapse problems. About a year into working at this clinic, the company was bought out by a large hospital and I had the opportunity to join, which I took, and was exposed to a hospital based pelvic physical therapy setting, which was great at the time. A while after, I was offered a position at another clinic in Orange County which would mean I would be back in a smaller physical therapy clinic setting, I took this opportunity and switched back to a private practice setting, probably because it had a similar feel to the office where I received training. A few years into working there, my visions were not aligning with the company’s values and the voice in my head was starting to get louder to start a private practice in Long Beach, CA. Simultaneously, in my years of treating and working with so many patients, I was starting to see how CBD, specifically in suppository form, was helping people with pelvic pain, but was disappointed with the formulas on the market. So in response to a need for excellent quality, high potency, and clean pelvic wellness products, Kunda Wellness was born, a suppository company dedicated to improving pleasure and decreasing pelvic pain. I gave notice at the clinic I worked at and my last day was May 19th 2022, the next day I found out I was pregnant. Wow, I was growing a wellness company, private practice and most important- a baby all at the same time. This is was risky on an energetic, physical, emotional, financial, and personal level. Would I be successful? What does success mean to me? Can I juggle all this? It is worth the time and energy? As I reflect back on the last 2 years leaving the infancy stages of all three babies, I feel proud, humbled and motivated more than ever to continue to spread joy in pelvises- whether that is with Kunda Drops (suppositories) and/or working one on one with people and their pelvises in my treatment room at Akasha Physiotherapy. The risk of starting all three “babies” was definitely worth it to me, I am reminded when I hear about how the Kunda Drops and pelvic physical therapy are helping people access more pleasure in life, improve pelvic pain and “feel more themselves”.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I like to think I spread pelvic love and education with Kunda Wellness Drops and working one on one with clients at my office, Akasha Physiotherapy.

The “OG” Kunda Wellness Drop, Blossom, was born with an appreciation for the powerful healing, pain relieving, and anti-inflammatory properties of the cannabis plant combined with the super-hydrating effects of hyaluronic acid. From there each product in the line was tailored for a specific aspect of pelvic wellness in mind—including a cannabis free option for those who don’t want CBD/CBG in their systems.

I am a Pelvic, Abdominal and Breast Physical Therapist who grew up dancing (ballet, jazz, and tap) and from a young age I quickly learned the importance of movement, flexibility and strength along with a profound love for anatomy. As a young dancer, I experienced my own pelvic journey and was able to treat myself with my anatomy and movement education which was incredibly empowering.

I can honestly say, I deeply understand how pelvic floor dysfunction can impact many avenues of ones life along with the vulnerability and growth it takes to heal. This journey lead me to focus my undergraduate at Cal State Long Beach (go Beach!), graduate studies with Doctorate in Physical Therapy at Western University of Health Sciences and entire career to the pelvis and center of the body. I love empowering, educating, and treating anyone with a pelvis. I was one of the first cohorts to pass the PRPC (Pelvic Rehabilitation Practitioner Certification) in 2015 and have continued to take courses from Herman and Wallace, APTA, John Barnes, and many others. The furthest I have traveled was Berlin, Germany to the International Fascia Conference in 2017- loads of fellow fascia nerds like me. I work with a lot of people who experience pelvic pain, period pain, prolapse, bladder/bowel issues, pain with intimacy/penetration and pre/post operative pelvic surgeries. What sets me apart from many pelvic PTs is my understanding of the fascial and nervous systems. I see people as a big fascial network with MANY attachments to the pelvis. So yes, I treat the pelvis, but often my hands are treating other body parts like the neck and sternum (breast bone) etc.

My style of therapy is mostly manual therapy or “hands on” approach, with myofascial release, connective tissue mobilization, trigger point release, soft tissue mobilization, nervous system down training along with guidance of therapeutic and breathing exercises. I use a shared responsibility model when working with people and appreciate being a part of people’s wellness programs. I love and appreciate collaborating with other providers including integrative nutritionists, naturopaths, doulas, midwives, physicians, PAs, psychotherapists, acupuncturists, and other highly skilled providers. I deeply believe as a pelvic rehabilitation specialist, pelvic, abdominal and breast physical therapy should be gold standard to anyone pregnant, post partum, pre and post urogynolgical, colorectal, and top/bottom surgeries along with wellness visits to support all phases of life in puberty, reproductive, menopause, and beyond.

Teaching is another professional passion of mine. I have had the honor of representing Herman and Wallace and taught the first cohort of Pelvic PTs in Kenya in 2019. I have also taught the Doctoral Physical Therapy students at Chapman and West Coast University along with multiple community lectures all over Southern California. Like I say to students and patients all the time- I feel like I am sharing the best secrets…. Improving bedroom, bathroom, birthing and so much more!

Out of the office, I love enjoying nature, yoga, live music, and adventuring with my partner and kiddo.

We’d love to hear about how you met your business partner.

I met my Kunda Wellness business partner is Dr. Casie Danenhauer Humble, PT, DPT in the clinic in 2016 and became quick pelvic besties as we shared a love for helping people better their lives- from their pelvic floors up. As Doctors of Physical therapy we have extensive training in the physical anatomy and evidence-based approach to treatment, but shared a passion for treating the whole person and appreciating the spiritual and alternative side of healing, particularly in the pelvis. With more than 2 decades of experience combined in caring for people with pelvic concerns we both confidently believe a happy pelvis is a happy person. In the clinic we specialize in caring for people w/ complex pelvic pain, pain with intimacy, period pain, peeing and pooping, and prolapse problems. We also love supporting mamas in all stages from pre-conception, pregnancy, to postpartum.

Long weekends taking courses together and years of sharing patients and supporting each other’s private practices led to many vagina-centric brainstorming sessions about how we could better serve patients. Kunda Wellness was born from these sessions identifying areas of opportunity to support their pelvic floor physical therapy care. Many of our patients were prescribed Valium suppositories and estrogen, or used cannabis to manage their vaginal or pelvic pain. We decided we could make better, higher dose, cleaner products specifically catering to the people we loved to care for. We wanted a natural product to facilitate pelvic juiciness, hydration, excellent range of motion and mobility, and happy healthy pelvic tissues.

If you could go back in time, do you think you would have chosen a different profession or specialty?

Absolutely, I love my job! I feel like I am sharing the best secrets ever so people can live with happier pelvises and a happier life.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.kundawellness.com, www.akashapt.com
• Instagram: @kunda_wellness @akashaphysio @drpelvicwhisperer

Image Credits
@chrystalstarrproducts