We recently connected with Kim Kinjo and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Kim thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. If you had a defining moment that you feel really changed the trajectory of your career, we’d love to hear the story and details.
I was in an herbal apprenticeship course when a guest teacher came in to be with us for the weekend. She taught Western herbs, Chinese herbs and Ayurvedic herbs all under the umbrella of Ayurveda. I loved her so much and decided, when this apprenticeship is over, I have no idea what Ayurveda is, but I don’t care, I want to study with her! And that I did.
Kim, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
I found my way into the world of Ayurveda through herbs. Ayurveda is vast, I will spend the rest of my life learning and studying, and I will only be scratching the surface.
I offered over a dozen different Ayurvedic body therapies at my office, as well as Ayurvedic consultations. After 32 years of doing bodywork, half of those years exclusively offering the Ayurvedic body therapies, I retired from that branch of work. Now I am proud to be teaching the body therapies at the California College of Ayurveda.
My focus moving forward in my career is on teaching, health consultations and my herbal apothecary. I prepare formulas for my clients and I am slowly creating my online store of Western and Ayurvedic products for sale.
I work with everyone who comes to me both in person and online, meaning, I do not have a niche, I currently work with all health concerns.
Ayurveda is very comprehensive, helping a person to cleanse, correct their digestion, help to relieve symptoms, and then boost immunity and overall health.
After spending most of my career one on one, it is wonderful to be working with groups.
I’m still so excited to be working with herbs after all of these years, making formulas for my clients and products for my online store.
Other than training/knowledge, what do you think is most helpful for succeeding in your field?
Being a good listener. Being genuinely interested in their life story without judgement. Allowing my sessions to be lead with heart and love.
How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?
As a bodyworker, I knew it had a shelf life. Part of my exit strategy was to be able to segue into continuing to work with people holistically, as an Ayurvedic practitioner. Even after I was certified as a Clinical Ayurvedic Specialist, I mainly continued offering Ayurvedic bodywork. I had invested in thousands of dollars worth of equipment and supplies and had regular clients that had been with me for many years. We all loved each other and I couldn’t walk away!
A couple of years ago I took a special trip to India and worked with a doctor there receiving the many body therapies that I spent all my time giving. It was wonderful. One day after he took my pulse, he said to me, “you have to stop doing bodywork, and focus on teaching now.” I said, I know, I know. I came home and carried on with my business as usual. Then my husband and I took a trip to France to visit his family. While there, I saw a healer. During my session, the healer asked what I did for a living? Bodywork I replied. “You have to stop!” he said adamantly. I burst into tears. I came home from that trip and within 3 months, I finally switched gears and let my body therapies practice go. Now I am doing what I had dreamed of for so many years, yet was too afraid to make the change because business was good. My body and the Universe required a change however, and I wondered why I had waited so long!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://KimKinjo.com
- Instagram: @kimkinjoayurveda
- Facebook: Kim Kinjo Ayurveda
- Linkedin: Kim Kinjo Ayurveda
- Youtube: Kim Kinjo Ayurveda
- Other: TikTok@kimkinjo
