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

Sanja, appreciate you joining us today. Was there a defining moment in your professional career? A moment that changed the trajectory of your career?

I don’t think I’ve publicly shared this story before, but it was a moment that truly changed the trajectory of my career. I was 26 years old, preparing to transfer into the psychology program at CSULB, when my mother had a life-threatening reaction to a mental health medication prescribed by her doctor. It was an incredibly frightening time for our family, and it made me realize that I didn’t want to be part of a field where such scenarios could be initiated for others.
That experience opened my eyes to the need for alternative ways to support mental and physical health—ways that were natural and without such harmful side effects. Not more than two months later, I came across an ad in a local magazine for a massage school. At that point, I had never even had a massage and knew very little about holistic healing, but something about it felt right. I knew deep down that I was meant to explore this path.
I called the school, sat in on some classes, and enrolled in the program just two weeks later. That was in 2000. By 2003, I discovered Ayurveda, and it felt like coming home. It wasn’t just a career shift; it was the beginning of a journey toward a more meaningful way of living and healing.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

creating a safe space for myself and other practitioners has always been so important to me. Early in my career, I worked with chiropractors, both during my externship and after graduation. Unfortunately, many of these environments were unsafe and left me feeling vulnerable. I’ve been “lined up” to be chosen, denied protection from clients who behaved inappropriately, and subjected to experiences that made me feel unsafe, used, and disrespected by both employers and clients.

In 2006, I worked for a major chain, but the same troubling behavior continued, especially with clients. I also witnessed clients facing discrimination, hearing firsthand stories about being mistreated because of their race, body size, or sexual orientation. These experiences made it clear to me that something needed to change.

Being naturally independent, it wasn’t a surprise that I would eventually become an entrepreneur. However, these early experiences shaped my mission and fueled my commitment to advocate for a safe and nurturing space where bodyworkers can grow and thrive. At Kevala, I take on the role of the “mother hen,” ensuring that everyone who works here or receives services feels safe, respected, and valued. My goal is to provide a harmonious environment where healing, relaxation, and rejuvenation can truly take place.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

Yes, before opening Kevala, I ran a wellness center in the City of Orange from 2007 to 2016. Those nine years were a profound learning experience, and while I achieved many things, I also made mistakes that ultimately led to the center’s closure. This was a deeply challenging time for me. I had poured my heart, soul, and even my health into that business, only to find myself overwhelmed by chronic stress. Looking back, I probably should have closed the doors three years earlier, but my stubbornness kept me pushing forward. Yet, the universe was sending me clear messages all along, gently urging me to let go.

Eventually, I reached a point where I couldn’t push through anymore, and I made the difficult decision to close the center. It felt like a personal failure, and I fell into a period of deep sadness and depression. But in that darkness, I allowed myself the space to grieve, to heal, and to slowly pick myself back up. During this time of reflection, I realized that the business was no longer serving me or aligning with my true vision. Trying to keep it alive had led me astray from my original purpose, and the universe had been trying to show me this. The signs were clear: floods, break-ins, and the loss of my best employees to new opportunities—each event was a nudge towards a new path.

I came to understand that I hadn’t failed; rather, it was simply time to move on to something greater. I’ve lived in Long Beach for 33 years and always dreamed of having a business rooted in my own community. A place where I could encounter clients and colleagues at the market, in local restaurants, or at community events—experiencing that close-knit, small-town feeling.

The journey taught me not to fear change but to embrace it. When all signs point towards a new direction, it’s essential to listen. Change can be hard and messy in the middle, but it’s also the pathway to something beautiful. Trusting in the universe and being open to pivots allows us to align more closely with our true purpose.

What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?

Honestly, this is the part that comes most naturally to me! Even before I began massage school, I understood that touch is a powerful way to build trust and bring ease to someone’s body and mind. I recognized this during my time as a server when I would encounter a particularly difficult customer. Two things made all the difference: compassion and touch. We can never truly know what someone else is going through, so approaching them with genuine compassion and offering a gentle touch—like a reassuring hand on the shoulder—could instantly transform not only their day but mine as well. This approach has been a guiding intention throughout my life and career. I seek out practitioners who share this understanding, who align with these values of compassion and the healing power of touch.

At Kevala, four key factors have been essential for building and nurturing our clientele: environment, services, passion, and compassion. The environment and our unique services capture initial interest. We’ve transformed a warm, welcoming home into a sacred space for healing, offering unique Ayurvedic, Ayurvedic-inspired, and holistic services that you can’t find elsewhere. But it’s passion and compassion that keep clients coming back. When clients feel truly heard and cared for, they form a genuine connection with our practitioners, who are deeply passionate about what they do. We pour our love and positive energy into every interaction because we love our work and we understand what it means to undertake the journey of healing. We strive to create a space where every person feels valued, nurtured, and supported on their path to wellness.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://kevalawellness.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kevalawellnessandayurveda/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@KevalaWellnessandAyurveda
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/kevala-wellness-and-ayurveda-long-beach-2

Image Credits

Tiffaney Ann Photography & Claire Morgan Photography