The sea has always been my balm. I’ve never lived more than 40 minutes from the ocean. My life is woven with memories - full moon ceremonies on the sand with friends and children, camping on the beach, mornings paddling out in the sunrise. Building a life by the sea felt inevitable; building a sanctuary by the sea felt like dharma when the time came.

I discovered the location August 2024.  The dream felt impossible but it kept calling. I scraped together a down payment, wrote a 40-page business plan, pitched to funders, filled out grant applications, launched an Indiegogo. I furnished the entire 2,400-square-foot space for $1,600, driving a U-Haul by myself across New Jersey to pick up second-hand treasures from Princeton to Manahawkin, Rumson to Point Pleasant. When money was tight, I gave up my car and rode my bike all summer. Through it all, I kept believing - leaning on friends for their help and holding close a prayer to stay true to what my heart was guiding me toward.

Now, Sanctuary by the Sea is becoming what I dreamed: a refuge where ancient wisdom meets modern healing. We offer a full Ayurvedic spa, prenatal and postpartum massage, end-of-life care, support for dementia, oncology, heart disease, injury, and surgery recovery. We empower each person in their own healing process, walking beside them with the tools of yoga therapy, Thai massage, Ayurvedic bodywork, and life rituals. And we don’t do this work alone - we collaborate with an incredible community of in house practitioner members, local chiropractors, acupuncturists, and holistic providers, weaving together a circle of care.

Sanctuary is evolving every day, but its essence and gifts from this community's presence is clear: joy, mantra, strength, compassion, fluidity, and peace. It is blessed space. Thank you for being part of it.