Meet Kayla Renner

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

Kayla, thank you so much for taking the time to share your lessons learned with us and we’re sure your wisdom will help many. So, one question that comes up often and that we’re hoping you can shed some light on is keeping creativity alive over long stretches – how do you keep your creativity alive?

Creativity ebbs and flows, much like all parts of ourselves, and I always trust there is a reason when my creativity sometimes flies out the window. It use to bring me down, but now I see it as an opportunity to turn inwards and clear out what is blocking my flow of creativity. Here are a few of my staple rituals and practices I lean on:
1) Nature! Spending copious amounts of time in nature, being quiet, watching the birds, bees, and creatures allows me the space to really be still. Being amongst the trees encourages me to open my ears and my heart, and perspective to what I might not be seeing because I am too busy doing things. Whether it be in my own backyard, or off on a trail, quiet time in Nature is essential for my creative inspiration, It’s like a total recalibration.
2) Receiving! Moments when I’m lacking creativity, it’s likely because I’m busy working on clients or projects, and not taking time to receive bodywork myself. I love getting massages, Facials from other Estheticians or body treatments at Ricari Studios. As someone who gives a lot with my hands, it is so important to me to receive this same medicine from another practitioner. Feeling their art and expression through their hands while supporting my body helps to clear out stagnation so creativity can flow again!
3)Meditation! I try my best to meditate every morning before I get out of bed as it really helps me tune inwards to myself, before I jump into a day of clients, projects, and life tasks. While meditating I can see where I might have blockages, see what my physical body or emotional body might be needing, as well as welcoming in the creativity! It keeps me grounded and feeling centered in my body so that I can show up fully for my clients and my loved ones.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

My business started as a passion many many years ago when I started getting Acne at 12 years old. For most of my life, I’ve been on a journey to heal my acne through my teens and into my 20’s. I grew up in Northern California, started my career in Beauty at 19, and moved down to Los Angeles when I was 24. By the time I moved to LA I had tried every skincare product, prescriptions from Dermatologists, and DIY remedy that you could think of, and nothing was helping my Acne. The type of Acne I had was resistant, sometimes it would fade and then come back with a vengeance, but I was determined to find the root cause. This desire to “fix” my skin brought me into the world of Holistic Wellness, Herbalism and healing, where I made huge life adjustments and eventually by 28 found Harmony in my skin. I dove deepy into myself, working on my unprocessed emotions from my childhood, my Nervous System dysregulation, and reconnecting with the Earth and plants. When my acne finally cleared up, I realized that the Acne showing up on my skin was a reflection of the disharmony in my emotional well-being. This is where IN HARMONY Holistic Skin Therapy was born. My practice has evolved as I have evolved over the last 12+ years working in the skincare world. My sessions are deeply focused on Facial Massage like Lymphatic Drainage and releasing tension, as well as Nervous System regulation and rejuvenation. I call it skin Therapy because It’s more than just a facial, we go on a meditative journey together through massage by opening up the tissues, the Craniosacral pathways, and the Heart. Every session is different, we talk about plants and Holistic skincare at times, but my intention is to always create a unique experience where clients can go on an inward journey into the self.
My sessions are held in my beautiful home studio located in Studio City, which is an extension of my backyard fairy garden where I grow herbs and medicinal plants. I love making my clients herbal remedies to help support them at home wherever they are at on their journey. Plants have been my biggest teacher, and always remind me that I am a Forever Student of Nature. Everyday I’m creating fun herbal potions, teas, and elixirs, that my clients can purchase in my studio!
This year I launched a NEW service called Craniosacral Therapy that works on the entire body. It’s a wonderful addition to facials, or as stand alone session to help create harmony in the whole person, not just the face. Craniosacral Therapy is a light-touch approach to bodywork. We use gentle manipulation techniques that feel for restrictions or imbalances in the Craniosacral Rhythm that flows within the Cerebral Spinal Fluid composed within the spine, and cranial sutures in the head and neck. I know that’s a mouthful, but basically this means we’re working on the deepest layers of our bodies where emotions are stored, fascial patterns, and even old traumas or injuries. Craniosacral Therapy is great for anyone who suffers with pain like headaches, migraines, back pain. spinal injuries, old car accident whiplash, and even things like brain fog, depression, insomnia, stress, or emotional blockages. Even though CST is a very light touch, it’s very powerful and restorative. My intention with CST is to listen to your body and allow it to self correct through these beautiful techniques.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

The 3 most valuable skills or areas of knowledge for me was:
1) The Art of Surrender- I add this one in the list because in life, twists and turns happen, people leave and doors close, but when you trust and surrender into life’s unfolding, more doors open and creates more amazing people to flow in. When I stopped trying to control things, even my emotions, and surrendered into them-so much magic happens..every single time. So much healing and expansion occurs when we really learn how to let go and become a student of life. When we integrate into our life to surrender, it becomes wisdom.
2) Herbalism- This has been such an exciting part of my life! Connecting with plants feels ancestral, it does for most people because it’s where we as humans started. It runs in our blood and our intuition to work with herbal medicines. Herbalism has impacted my life and body in more ways that I can share. I have taken many courses, apprenticeships, workshops and events and as those are all valuable, the most memorable moments are the quiet 1 on 1 moments with a plant. Whether you sign up for a course or start with just Lavender in your backyard, I’d suggest picking a local plant that you have nearby, and go sit with that plant and meditate. Open yourself up to the plant and say Hello…and see where it takes you.
3) Facial Massage trainings- If you’re an Esthetician, Bodyworker or even someone who values self-love rituals and beauty…take a course and learn Facial Massage. We carry so many emotions in our face from micro expressions we express, or hold back, throughout the day. And just like the body, if these tissues don’t get worked out-then it gets stuck! Facial massage not only feels amazing, but helps our skin vitality and health. I’ve taken dozens of courses over the last 12+ years and highly recommend finding a practitioner that you resonate with. I also offer Facial Massage trainings for professionals and have some online courses that anyone can take online.

Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?

This last year I have been more interested in partnering with someone to host retreats, or even offering my services at retreats! It’s a dream of mine to travel the world and offer Facial Massage to people outside of LA! I love to experience new countries and cities and feel my services like Facial Massage, CST, and Herbalism could flow really beautifully at a retreat where people are diving into their healing, learning new skillsets, and connecting with others through wellness. If you’re hosting a retreat and looking for a practitioner for your members to indulge in delicious bodywork and botanical elixirs, I’d love to chat! For inquiries, please email me at [email protected]

Contact Info:

• Website: https://KaylaRenner.com
• Instagram: @KaylaRenner

Image Credits

Anastasia Bachykala