We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Sistah Yaya a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Sistah, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Was there a defining moment in your professional career? A moment that changed the trajectory of your career?

It was late Summer of 2021, typical raining season for New Orleans, Her name was Hurricane Ida and she tore through the Southern Louisiana in the same manner as her distance cousin Katrina on the same day August 29. I wasn’t familiar with the Hurricane but my husband who is a native to New Orleans knew we needed to evacuate. So we did, not knowing if we would return. And we did not return, We lost all our home and business supplies and about a month later had a one way ticket to Mexico. Before this, I was struggling in my post partum, without family support, barely hanging on from the Covid burnout along with the stresses of running a business full time!

I was starting to remember who I was. This person I am today could not have been developed in the US. And it took a hurricane and losing eveything to teach me the power of me.

Sistah, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

Sistah Yaya is a Caribbean Traditional Shaman and Herbalist, specializing in Maroon & Arawak Indigenous Spiritual and Herbal medicine and practices. Born into a family of Spiritualists and Healers, Sistah Yaya has taken the rich Indigenouns culture of Jamaica and Haiti in addition to the herbal wisdom of her Ancestors to help others heal themselves. With a Degree in Human Services, Education and Public Policy from the University of Delaware and Graduate Studies in Public Health from Emory University in Atlanta, Sistah Yaya has married modern healing modalities with ancient Ancestral healing sciences, creating a multi-faceted approach to wellness. As a Medical Empath, Sistah Yaya uses Ancestral wisdom to determine the source of spiritual, emotional and physical illnesses – a talent developed while learning from Spirit, Indigenous Healers, Spiritualists, Shamans, Curanderas, Sobadores, Oracles and Teachers from the Caribbean, Central & South America, Africa & Asia whilst living in the US and abroad.

Sistah Yaya has traveled and studied in countries such as Brazil, Belize, Panama and now Mexico in search of other healing traditions that are steeped in the beautiful Earth Based Cultures of Indigenous People Worldwide. Many of which are similar to her own, further deepening her love for our Common Ancestor – The Great Mother. Sistah Yaya speaks several languages from Spanish and Brazilian Portuguese in addition to several dialects and is now learning Mayan. Sistah Yaya currently holds the position of Traditional Caribbean Master Herbalist & Healer, Reiki Master, Shaman, Spiritual Guide, Spirit Medium, Oracle, Light Bearer, Doula, Life Coach, and Holistic Esthetician. Initiated into the Craft by her Elders, Sistah Yaya continues to uphold the sacred healing practices of Maroon and Arawak Healing as her Ancestors did centuries before her.

While Sistah Yaya’s labor of love, predominantly focuses on Ancestral Healing, she is also an Inner Child Energy Healer, offering compassion based solutions for people of all ages. She now practices her healing arts in Mexico where she hosts personal and group retreats for learning and healing such as her flagship Certification Training: Indigenous Womb Healing, Herbalism & Ceremony Training Retreat in addition to Inner Child Healing Retreats, Personalized Ancestral Healing Ceremonies. She is also a Certified Mayan Sobada and serves as an apprentice to a local Mayan Midwife & Curandera. Her healing work was featured in the February’s 2023 Women’s Edition of Yucatan Magazine.

Sistah Yaya’s Organization, Soul Tribe Heals, currently serves as a platform for sharing Ancestral wisdom and helping to heal with others while serving to preserve the Maroon & Taino & Arawak cultural values. The power of Plants, Prayers, Intention and Divine Love continue to remain at the heart and soul of her work. Learn more about her work and products at www.soultribeheals.com.

Putting training and knowledge aside, what else do you think really matters in terms of succeeding in your field?

I would definitely say being your authentic self!

Its really a superpower! In a world where everyone wants to be like someone else, its so important that you shine the way the Universe made you to shine.

Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?

The most effective strategy is to always do good, ethical and effective work from your heart. This has led to many many referrals over the years. A reputation for being honest and loving is better than money, gold or silver. I grew my business from work of mouth from people that have had much success as a result of working together.

Contact Info:

• Website: soultribeheals.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/soultribeheals
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/soultribeheals/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCANbaf6pcwNPs0NZoIXAj8g
• Other: patreon.com/SistahYaya