Cassandra Strunk, Massage + Ayurveda

Do you resonate with one dosha more than the others?

Each person is born with a unique combination of Vata, Pitta & Kapha, giving us our prakruti (natural constitution).

This constitution is determined at conception and influences our body type, personality, and health tendencies.

While all 3 doshas exist in everyone, one or two are usually more dominant, shaping our strengths, challenges, and how we respond to the world.

Follow to learn more about your dosha and how to apply the knowledge of what your prakruti is to find greater nuance in how you treat and heal yourself.

I came to Ayurveda through struggles with my health.

I just wasn't getting any answers from my doctors and was really suffering.

Learning Ayurvedic principles lead to me becoming my own healer through diet, optimizing rest & stress, the RIGHT type of exercise for me, and how to use herbs therapeutically.

I felt empowered knowing that I didn't need to rely on anyone else to give me the care I needed.

Today, when I see people for massage or Ayurvedic consultations I focus on educating my clients about these principles so they also can heal THEMSELVES.

This shift in perspective (becoming a self-healer) also helps us to move beyond a feeling of victimhood over our sufferings.

And even though sometimes we may find that we did not cause our ailments, we ARE responsible for addressing them.

Ayurveda gives us the framework to understand the HOW in addressing our ailments whether they be physical, mental, emotional or spiritual.

FAQ:
Q: Does Ayurveda teach any religious practices?
A: No, Ayurveda simply encourages a connection with a higher power. Your religion is your personal choice.

Q: Do I have to be vegan to practice Ayurveda?
A: No, Ayurveda does not require a vegan diet. There are no "bad" foods—only foods that are beneficial at the right time and foods that may be harmful at the wrong time.

What questions do you have?

Emotions and organs are deeply connected through the mind-body relationship. In Ayurveda, each organ stores and processes specific emotional energies. Here’s how these connections work:

Brain – Shock, Curiosity & Confusion
Shock and confusion overstimulate the nervous system, causing insomnia and fatigue. Adaptogenic herbs (like Brahmi) and calming routines soothe the mind.

Thyroid – Miscommunication & Guilt
Suppressed emotions and guilt cause fatigue and throat tension. Open communication, journaling, and iodine-rich foods support thyroid health.

Lungs – Grief, Sighing & Sorrow
Unprocessed grief weakens lung function, causing shallow breathing. Breathwork (Pranayama) and emotional release practices support lung health.

Heart – Worry, Abandonment, Lack of love & Rejection
Heartbreak causes palpitations and restlessness. Meditation and heart-supportive herbs (like hawthorn) promote emotional balance.

Liver & Gallbladder – Anger, Hatred, Frustration, Agony & Envy
Suppressed anger creates heat and tension, causing inflammation. Cooling herbs (like dandelion root) release emotional stagnation.

Spleen – Attachment, Greed, Hopelessness & Pride
Attachment and hopelessness deplete spleen energy, causing fatigue. Nourishing foods (like root vegetables) restore balance.

Stomach – Nervousness, Depression, Disgusting & Annoyance
Nervousness weakens digestion, causing nausea and bloating. Warming herbs (like ginger) and calming rituals support digestion.

Kidneys – Fear, anxiety & insecurity
Chronic fear drains kidney energy, causing exhaustion. Mineral-rich foods (like bone broth) and restorative practices replenish energy.

S*x Organs – Embarrassment, Lust & perversion
Emotional imbalance affects hormones. Herbs (like shatavari) and nurturing intimacy restore harmony.

Understanding these connections supports physical and emotional well-being through self-care.

Brain fog, mental fatigue, forgetfulness, scatter-brained, overwhelmed, sluggish...

We all feel like this sometimes.

If you find this interferes with your ability to show up in life as the present and clear person you want to be there are some things in your control that will help.

Focus on 1 thing at a time, like cleaning up your diet, getting enough sleep, or stepping outside everyday for a brisk walk and add in more habits over time.

You've got this.

Hey...

Did you sign up for my Mental Clarity & Focus Masterclass on 12/8 yet?

We are diving into some of the deeper causes you may be relating to these slides.

See you then, don't forget. In fact, reserve your spot before you do!

Relatable?

Don't forget to book your spot for the Mental Clarity & Focus Masterclass I'm teaching on 12/8 @ 4pm.

See you there!

SAVE THE DATE
Sunday, December 7th, 4pm
in Boise

In this class, discover practical strategies to sharpen your focus, boost mental clarity, and improve memory with Ayurvedic and functional medicine insights. You'll gain simple, effective tools to help you feel more energized and clear-headed.

What You'll Learn:

🌟 Key causes of mental fog and how to address them

🌟 Brain-supportive foods, herbs, and supplements

🌟 Breathwork and gentle movements to enhance focus

🌟 Daily habits to maintain lasting mental clarity and calm

$25
or
$40 for 2 people. - bring a friend!

Link to purchase tickets coming soon!

Comment TICKETS, and I'll dm you a link to the booking page.

You'll definitely want to jump on this event because space is limited.

Can't wait to see you there!

From an Ayurvedic perspective, eating seasonal foods aligns the body systems with Nature's cycles, promoting balance and overall well-being.

Seasonal foods are believed to offer the right nutrients and energy that our bodies need to adapt to the changing environmental conditions.

Warm, nourishing foods in the Autumn help to balance out our Vata element, the elements of air and ether which cause more dryness, cold, and airiness in our bodies.

Eating these seasonal produces, preferrably warm and cooked with some warming spices, can help balance out the tendencies that come with the time of year.

Are you ready to clear your acne from within by harnessing your body's natural healing processes?

My signature program, The Resilient Skin Acne Solution is a self-paced virtual program that gives you a straight-forward plan of action to get clear, glowing skin naturally.

Registration opens Monday, January 29th at 9am MST at a rate discounted for a limited time--don't miss this!

Ready to conquer acne from within? 🌟 

Click the link in my bio for a FREE 7-day meal plan! 

Discover delicious recipes designed to keep your blood sugar stable and promote clear, resilient skin. Your journey to radiant skin starts with nourishing your body. 💚🥑 

Are you an esthetician?

My new virtual program, the Resilient Skin Acne Solution, is coming so soon!

It's designed to be used in conjunction with seeing an esthetician who can provide regular expert services and customized product recommendation

In this online program, your client will learn:

🌟 How what they eat impacts their acne
🌟 Blood sugar regulation strategies
🌟 The Gut-Skin connection
🌟 How to balance hormones
🌟 Optional functional labs (for gut, hormones & food sensitivities)

All of this will be done virtually at their own time to compliment their schedules and appointments with you and includes:

🌟 The Resilient Skin Nutrition Plan
🌟 Online, on-demand videos
🌟 Online (not Facebook) Resilient Skin Community
🌟 Shopping lists, menu plans, recipes
🌟 Weekly mindset & Q&A group calls to keep them motivated and on-track

AND you'll earn a commission on your referrals!

DM me the word "ESTO" to get on the waitlist and learn more!

🌼 Hi, I'm Cassandra! 🌟

🌿 I'm a Functional Diagnostic Nutrition Practitioner and board-certified Holistic Health Practitioner on a mission to help adults struggling with acne achieve clear, radiant skin from the inside out. 🌟

💡 Through education and functional labs, I uncover the root causes of acne and guide you on a journey to your dream complexion. It's all about nutritional therapy, balancing your gut and hormone health, balancing your blood sugar levels, and embracing a holistic lifestyle. ✨

🌱 I'm also the founder of .form, a line of practitioner-grade functional supplements designed to foster resilience from within. 🌅

🌟 RESILIENCE is at the heart of what I stand for. Life's full of ups and downs, and while we can't dodge problems, we can build resilience in our body and mind. 🌈 It's how we transform life's challenges into growth opportunities rather than setbacks. 💪

💑 On a personal note, I've been with my husband since I was 19, and together we're raising 4 amazing kids. 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦

🌍 Born and raised in a small town just north of Seattle, WA, I made the leap to Boise, ID in 2020. ✈️

🌎 I've been fortunate to explore 13 different countries so far, and there's so much more travel excitement on the horizon. 🌏

🎶 Music moves my soul, sharing meals with friends warms my heart, and my ultimate happy place is lounging in a hammock with my nose buried in a good book. 📚

📸 Follow me for skin-clearing wisdom and stay as I share bits of my life's journey. Let's embrace the beauty of resilience together! 💖

Photo credit .photography

✨ Sip Your Way to Clear Skin with Tea! 🍵⁣

Did you know that certain teas can be powerful allies in your acne-fighting journey? Here's a breakdown of why each tea is a skin superhero:

🌿 Spearmint Tea: Balances hormones and calms inflammation.

🌼 Milk Thistle Tea: Supports liver detox for clearer skin.

🌱 Dandelion Root Tea: Cleanses your system, promoting skin health.

🌼 Chamomile Tea: Soothes irritated skin and reduces redness.

🍵 Green Tea: Fights inflammation and regulates sebum production.

🌺 Hibiscus Tea: Packed with antioxidants for skin vitality.

Sip on these teas to nourish your skin from within and complement your holistic acne-care routine. Your skin will thank you! Remember, small changes lead to progress. 🌟

Could your skin problems be connected to your drainage pathways?

Your body is so efficient at releasing waste products, but our lifestyle today looks so much different than it did for our ancestors.

We are constantly assaulted with:
SAD diet
Pesticides/Herbicides
Phthalate & Parabens
Bacterial & Yeast overgrowths
Chronic stress
Underhydration
Lack of sleep
Mold
VOCs
Heavy metals
BPAs
EMFs

No wonder our bodies struggle to keep up with taking out the trash!

The message here is that while we can't always 100% control our exposures, we CAN support our body's ability to eliminate these wastes by keeping drainage pathways open.

FOLLOW ME FOR MORE on holistic and nutritional approaches to clearing your skin from acne and eczema!

HIGH PROTEIN YOGURT PARFAIT
Follow for more recipes, wellness tips, and parenting inspo.

This is my favorite way to satisfy a sweet tooth while meeting my protein goals.

Yogurt Parfait deets:

Plain unsweetened Greek yogurt
Handful of berries
Drizzle of raw local honey
Sprinkle h**p hearts on top (for extra protein and healthy fats)

If you liked this, give me a follow!

Sometimes, we get stuck in the thinking that if we don't have an hour for self-care that we have no time.

Here are 14 ideas you can use to go from STRESSED to REFRESHED in 10 minutes.

This could be the difference between having a good day or struggling.

Share your favorite 10-minute technique in the comments!

Strep throat keeps going around, and it can be absolutely miserable!

Here are some ideas to help your body fight this nasty infection to get you feeling your best FAST!

All of these suggestions are safe and effective for kids as well as adults.

Of course, please note that this is not intended as medical advice. Please speak with your provider.

🌱 Gargle with salt and turmeric water

🌱 It is always best to get your vitamins and minerals straight from food. However, when it's hard to swallow, supplementation can be helpful. "Immune Assist Daily" from Resilient Form includes all these and more!

🌱 Biocidin Throat Spray is a favorite for Strep! It is also easy to take traveling with you. Available on my store at www.resilientform.com

🌱 Throat massage. A very gentle massage with essential oils Luke eucalyptus and lavender that promote lymphatic drainage prevent stagnation and promote clearing.

🌱 Electrolyte popsicles are ridiculously easy to make. I use LMNT electrolyte and pour them into silicone popsicle molds found on Amazon. LMNT is also available at www.resilientform.com

🌱 Olive Leaf Extract has a really bitter taste, but I use this to really target an infection when it begins.

🌱 Have you ever tried the wet sock treatment? When your blood flushes throughout the night, your liver and kidneys can really filter and detoxify the blood. Many find that fevers are gone by morning when using this method.

🌱 I love the Feel Better Fast formula from , and it is appropriate for anyone aged 6 months +

On days when I work out hard, I drink tart cherry juice in the evening.

Not only does it help to reduce muscle breakdown, ease muscle soreness, and speed up recovery...

It also contains melatonin and tryptophan, making it an excellent sleep aid.

I picked this up at Trader Joe's, but you can find it in the juice isle in many grocery stores these days.

It's not as tart as you may expect, definitely not like unsweetened cranbery. It tastes really nice on its own, but you can mix in some magnesium if you'd like as well.