Yoga | Tanmatra Chikitsa | Ayurvedic Acupressure (Marma) & Sound Healing

Welcome! I am Kay Toye, the founder of Luminecta. I am an E-RYT® 200, and YACEP® Yoga instructor, certified in Ayurvedic Acupressure (Marma Healing) which includes applied sound vibration. I am fortunate to have studied and completed a marma healing practicum under the guidance of Dr. Vasant Lad. Dr. Lad’s knowledge of traditional Vedic healing is such a gift. I hope to carry forward his incredible teachings and compassionate approach in all I do through Luminecta.

I have a master’s degree in Emergency and Disaster Management and also work as an environmental consultant in compliance, community engagement, and climate change, honoring the environmental work and teachings of His Holiness the 17th Gyalwang Karmapa, my refuge Lama, and teacher. I currently live in Santa Fe, NM with my wonderful husband and two adorable rescue llamas.

Story

I practiced Yoga asana and meditation from a young age, but it was under a Tibetan Buddhist teacher, that I began to open to the depth and breadth of the mind and the power of self-healing that could be experienced through the ancient traditions found throughout India and much of Asia. This realization sent me first to the Himalayas of northern India for study and later to southern India. I primarily studied Buddhism and Ashtanga Yoga, and was also introduced to Ayurveda as a self-healing aspect of Yoga (versus being a separate science). I have studied and practiced traditional Ayurveda from this yogic perspective.

I completed yoga teacher training with Vijay Amar, in McLeod Ganj, India, while volunteering to teach English to Tibetan Buddhist Monks and Nuns through the Lha Charitable Trust. Some of the most memorable and educational moments on my path were the conversations I had through friendships made in the monastic community where I taught English.  Many of these conversations stayed with me and reshaped my life and path.

After returning from India for the first time, several events brought a tremendous amount of stress into my life. During this time, I came to understand the true beneficial impact of yogic and ayurvedic-based practices on my well-being. These events formed the basis of my decision to continue down the path of learning Vedic-based healing sciences and eventually to open a studio and wellness space. Luminecta has less of a focus on fitness and more of a focus on holistic wellbeing rooted in the yogic tradition, including Ayurveda.

My approach to healing utilizes the application of Himalayan and Vedic healing techniques and principles to engage the sacred senses and work to awaken cellular communication and intelligence within the body, providing rejuvenation and nourishment to the mind, body, and consciousness. Tanmatra Chikitsa (sensory/energetic therapies), including sound healing, warm or cold applications (such as warm stones), and Ayurvedic acupressure (primarily using sound vibration), are used to activate inner awareness and the body’s natural ability to self-heal. Like asana, these practices can also help to prepare the mind and body for deeper concentration and meditation.

My Teachers

I am grateful to all the wonderful teachers that I have been blessed to receive teachings from in India and in the United States, who have guided and influenced my practice. Those most influential on my path have been Vijay Amar Sen, Geshe Kalsang Rapgyal, His Holiness the 17th Karmapa Ogyen Trinley Dorje, and Dr. Vasant Lad.

I also closely follow the scholarly works of Sir James Mallinson and Dr. Christopher Wallis, who have enriched my understanding of history and many yogic practices.