Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Kim Valeri Povey. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Hi Kim Valeri, really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?
Finding my purpose has been a journey woven with moments of clarity, challenges, and deep introspection. It began in my early days as a yoga practitioner, where I was first introduced to the transformative power of movement, breath, and mindfulness. But the seeds of this journey were planted much earlier, in a life filled with profound challenges, moments of surrender, and the courage to follow a path very different from the one I was raised to pursue.
I grew up in a family of business owners immersed in the entrepreneurial spirit of the automobile industry, insurance, and real estate. Practicality, success, and financial stability were the cornerstones of my upbringing. My decision to delve into yoga and healing—a path that didn’t promise material wealth—was met with confusion and resistance. My family couldn’t understand why I didn’t want to take a more lucrative route, and my spiritual awakening was something they couldn’t relate to. But this disconnect helped me develop independence and the courage to follow my heart.
My life took an unexpected turn in my early 20s when I endured a series of car accidents, including a severe crash caused by a drunk driver that left me unconscious for three days. Over the next nine years, I lived with chronic pain, unable to imagine a future free from its grip. Doctors told me I would need pain medication for the rest of my life and warned of inevitable arthritis. But I resisted. I wanted a different path.
My healing journey began when I met an osteopathic doctor who introduced me to yoga and meditation. It was a revelation. I learned to meditate before I could even attempt physical poses, using my breath to down-regulate the sensations of pain. Slowly, I extended the time between the waves of excruciating pain until they became tolerable, and eventually, those sensations transformed into what I could label as “non-painful.”
A pivotal moment occurred during a session with this doctor when she spoke about fascia and the pranic lifeforce. At first, I couldn’t comprehend what she meant, but I experienced it firsthand through practice. I gained awareness of my body and began to heal in ways I never thought possible. Despite the immense physical and emotional toll, I found a spark of hope. I remember one particularly low moment, crying out to the universe, asking why I had to endure so much pain. In that moment of surrender, I felt an inexplicable sense of being “heard” and realized that it would have meaning if my pain could help just one other person. That realization became my guiding light.
What happened next felt miraculous. My pain began to subside, and my purpose crystallized: to help others heal through yoga. This was 40 years ago, long before yoga was mainstream. I became a pioneer, founding Yogaspirit Studios, one of the first schools registered by the National Yoga Alliance.
My journey with Ayurveda unfolded during the years I was building Yogaspirit. I had limited resources to travel to India or take additional training at the time. I even placed deposits on a couple of retreats to India but had to cancel each time due to other responsibilities and being a single mom. Many of the students and teachers I trained traveled there, and I lived vicariously through their journeys. I recall telling myself, “One day, I’ll get to India, and when I do, I’ll be an invited guest.”
As the years went by, I became well known as a trainer of teachers and a healer of healers, and my Sacred Life Course, part of the Yogaspirit 200-hour teacher training, was sought by hundreds of teachers throughout Maine, NH, CT, and RI, MA, and WA. I invited many Ayurvedic practitioners to my studio to lead workshops so that I could learn about Ayurveda. A renowned Ayurvedic Doctor who was also a famous Vedic astrologer, Dr. Suhas, would visit a nearby studio annually. Many of my students went to see him, but during those weekends, I was often teaching or traveling and couldn’t make time for a session.
In 2012, the studio owner called me and said Dr. Suhas requested to meet me. When I met him, he told me that he would see clients and look at their charts every year, and he noticed a pivotal, transformative period in their spiritual lives. He said that when he asked these clients what they did during those periods, they often replied, “I took Kim Valeri’s program.” Dr. Suhas said he wanted to meet the woman changing the lives of all his Northeast clients. After looking at my chart, he said that people in India would like to meet someone with a chart like mine and that I had a history with Ayurveda in my chart. Within 30 days, I was connected with Kerala Ayurveda Academy, where I became the CEO for several years, running the U.S. Academy and teaching faculty. While there, I led retreats to Kerala’s Ayurvedagram, where I was an “invited guest.”
I continued my studies at Kerala Ayurveda Academy, becoming a certified Health Counselor and Practitioner. I eventually left my role as CEO because my passion was helping people directly. I continued to study at Kerala Ayurveda Academy for the highest certification in the U.S. as an Ayurvedic Doctor. My purpose became clear: training teachers through Yogaspirit, healing through Veda Vita Family Health & Wellness, and empowering the next generation of professionals as a preceptor and clinical supervisor through KV Institute of Health & Wellness. These roles positioned me to give people purpose, healing, hope, and inspiration.
One of the most defining chapters in my journey was during my advanced studies in Ayurveda in India. Immersing myself in its teachings while balancing the cultural and educational challenges of being far from home tested my resolve. Yet, in these moments of discomfort and learning, I uncovered deeper layers of my purpose—to specialize in Satvavajaya (Ayurvedic psychology) and mental resilience. I realized that addressing emotional well-being is as vital as physical health, especially today.
My purpose continues to evolve. Today, it involves integrating my decades of experience in Yoga and Ayurveda with evidence-based health practices. I also want to teach others that aging can be graceful, healing is possible, and resilience can be cultivated. I’ve learned that purpose isn’t a destination but a journey. For me, that journey involves inspiring others to find their light, live in harmony with nature, and embrace the beauty of renewal.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
Professionally, I am dedicated to empowering individuals and communities through yoga, Ayurveda, and mental resilience practices. As the founder of Yogaspirit Studios, Veda Vita Family Health & Wellness, and the KV Institute of Health & Wellness, my work spans teaching, healing, and mentoring.
Integrating ancient wisdom with modern health practices excites me most. Through Yogaspirit, I train yoga teachers in the transformative principles of the Sacred Life Course, emphasizing the connection between mind, body, and spirit. With Veda Vita, I focus on holistic health, helping individuals uncover the root causes of imbalance and guiding them toward vibrant wellness. At KV Institute, I support the next generation of professionals as a clinical supervisor, nurturing their growth and preparing them to become leaders in holistic health.
A recent highlight in my journey was the culmination of my advanced studies in Ayurveda. After years of working toward the highest certification as an Ayurvedic Doctor, I now specialize in Satvavajaya (Ayurvedic psychology), focusing on mental resilience. This specialization allows me to offer unique insights into how emotional balance and spiritual growth can enhance physical healing.
In early 2025, I’m excited to share my expertise at The Two-Eyed Seeing Conference, where I’ll discuss integrating Ayurvedic psychology and Western approaches to fibromyalgia, and at leadership group Tomrrow’s Women Today panel on The Demystification of Menopause. Additionally, I am developing new offerings through KV Institute to support clinical training and mentorship for Ayurveda practitioners.
My purpose remains clear: to help people embrace their inner light, find balance, and live harmoniously with nature. Whether through teaching, healing, or mentoring, I aim to inspire resilience, foster hope, and empower others to live meaningful lives.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
1. Resiliency and Adaptability:
Life tested me early with challenges, from chronic pain after multiple car accidents to navigating the demands of building a career and raising a family as a single mom. Resilience became my cornerstone. Each setback was an opportunity to find inner strength and adapt to the circumstances.
My advice: Life will throw challenges your way, but resilience is a muscle you can strengthen. Practice self-compassion, seek lessons in adversity, and remember that discomfort often precedes growth.
2. Lifelong Learning and Curiosity:
I’ve always believed that learning never stops. Whether it was studying yoga, Ayurveda, or the wisdom of others who crossed my path, I embraced every opportunity to expand my knowledge as a student and as a teacher. Even when I couldn’t travel to India early on, I learned vicariously through the experiences of my students and teachers.
My advice: Stay curious and open to learning from all sources, even when direct opportunities feel out of reach. Knowledge builds over time and will guide you where you need to be.
3. Vision and Purpose:
Finding my purpose became my anchor. From the moment I realized that my pain could help others, I knew my path was to bring healing and hope through yoga and Ayurveda. This vision kept me focused through the toughest times and gave meaning to my efforts.
My advice: Reflect deeply on what drives you. Purpose isn’t always clear from the start, but listening to your heart and observing where your actions create impact will help you uncover it. Once you do, let it guide your decisions.
How can folks who want to work with you connect?
As I look forward, I am actively seeking to collaborate with like-minded individuals, organizations, and potential business partners. Whether you are a wellness educator, a clinical professional, a community leader, or someone with a vision for expanding holistic health initiatives, I am excited to explore opportunities for growth and impact. Together, we can create transformative programs, foster resilience, and inspire a healthier, more balanced world. If you share this vision, I invite you to connect with me at[email protected] Let’s work together to bring purpose, healing, and hope to those who need it most.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.kvinstitute.org | www.vvwiselife.com | www.yogaspiritstudios.com
- Instagram: kimvaleripovey; yogaspirit_stsudios; kv_institute; vedavita_wiselife
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kimsyogaspirit
- Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/ kim-valeri-povey-1ba155b
Image Credits
Group photo of a Yogaspirit training at Sangha, New Bedford, MA
Photos by Kristen Zannella Photography, Peabody, MA
