A good friend, kind soul, and devoted member of the Kriya Yoga community in Southern California is in dire need due to the economic fallout from the coronavirus pandemic.
Laurel Felice is a 63-year-old licensed massage therapist who has been self-employed as an independent contractor since graduating from the Santa Barbara Body Therapy Institute in 1999. Having struggled financially as both a single mother to a young daughter and a caretaker to her own mother with Alzheimer’s, Laurel found her true calling and avocation as a therapeutic bodyworker.
For almost 18 years, she offered massage therapy at the spiritual retreat center La Casa de Maria in Montecito, California, working there as lead therapist and massage coordinator until the devastating mudslide of January 2018 destroyed La Casa de Maria. Since then, Laurel has gone back to school for training in oncology massage and rebuilt her massage practice with private clients, bringing her massage table directly to many of those who are elderly and fragile. She also has clients at three spas in Ojai, where she resides, and one in Summerland.
Since 2009, Laurel has volunteered as a bedside singer with the Threshold Hospice Choir, the Visiting Nurses Association, and Hospice of Santa Barbara, bringing comfort and joy with her beautiful voice to those nearing the end of life. In addition, she provides oncology massage free of charge at OjaiCARES (a cancer resource center) and supports a brilliant young woman's high school education in Bali.
This February 2020, many of Laurel’s at-risk elderly clients went into isolation because of COVID-19, followed in short order by her private and spa clients, and all of her work income abruptly ceased. After paying rent for the past two months, her savings are now depleted.
Laurel is always ready with her bright smile, loving demeanor, and spirit of generosity to assist others in need, but now she is the one in need of assistance. Please give what you can to help support her through this crisis.
“I know how to live very frugally, trusting in God, and I derive great hope and joy from my spiritual path, sharing and paying forward any resources of time, food, caregiving and community-building that I am privileged to have. Thank you for your consideration, and may God bless you.” — Laurel Felice
Laurel Felice is a 63-year-old licensed massage therapist who has been self-employed as an independent contractor since graduating from the Santa Barbara Body Therapy Institute in 1999. Having struggled financially as both a single mother to a young daughter and a caretaker to her own mother with Alzheimer’s, Laurel found her true calling and avocation as a therapeutic bodyworker.
For almost 18 years, she offered massage therapy at the spiritual retreat center La Casa de Maria in Montecito, California, working there as lead therapist and massage coordinator until the devastating mudslide of January 2018 destroyed La Casa de Maria. Since then, Laurel has gone back to school for training in oncology massage and rebuilt her massage practice with private clients, bringing her massage table directly to many of those who are elderly and fragile. She also has clients at three spas in Ojai, where she resides, and one in Summerland.
Since 2009, Laurel has volunteered as a bedside singer with the Threshold Hospice Choir, the Visiting Nurses Association, and Hospice of Santa Barbara, bringing comfort and joy with her beautiful voice to those nearing the end of life. In addition, she provides oncology massage free of charge at OjaiCARES (a cancer resource center) and supports a brilliant young woman's high school education in Bali.
This February 2020, many of Laurel’s at-risk elderly clients went into isolation because of COVID-19, followed in short order by her private and spa clients, and all of her work income abruptly ceased. After paying rent for the past two months, her savings are now depleted.
Laurel is always ready with her bright smile, loving demeanor, and spirit of generosity to assist others in need, but now she is the one in need of assistance. Please give what you can to help support her through this crisis.
“I know how to live very frugally, trusting in God, and I derive great hope and joy from my spiritual path, sharing and paying forward any resources of time, food, caregiving and community-building that I am privileged to have. Thank you for your consideration, and may God bless you.” — Laurel Felice
Organizer and beneficiary
Laurel Felice
Beneficiary