About

The story that describes where Rainer is today, isn't necessarily starting at birth, or conception - this would require a moderate read with a few dozen chapters. Instead, this starts in an elective course called "Positive Psychology" in year three of Rainer's Kinesiology degree. So far, the main message of her undergraduate program was exercise is medicine, and for the most part will reduce the likelihood of most of the leading causes of disease today. However, sitting in her Positive Psychology lecture, the professor shared "Mindfulness Meditation" lead by Jon Kabat-Zinn, and for the first time another method to reduce the cause of disease (and suffering) was brought to the forefront; meditation.

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This new discovery lead Rainer into a new pool of life to explore. She started "practising" meditation, dabbling in yoga, and became attuned to learn more. With this new alignment, a gentle unfolding began that can only be likened to grace. Within three months, she met the soon to be Co-founder of Anuttara Ashram & School whilst tree-planting in Northern Ontario, and found herself leaving home to go practice Karma Yoga at the Ashram in Northern British Colombia.

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From there, her compassionate and generous teachers taught her how to "open her eyes with awareness" and unlock the doors of the heart. Rooted in nature and simplicity, Anuttara Ashram offered a full immersion into life centred around meditation, asana (postures), Atma Vichara (self-inquiry), Tantra and Bhakti (devotion). Within the past ten years, Rainer has been integrating these teachings into her life by living them everyday. She continues to deepen in her practice with traditional Tantra through sadhana (spiritual practice) with Guruji Maharaj of Shivoham Ashram in India, along with her sangha and teachers Artemis and Bhairav.

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With Rainer's love for nature and sustenance through nourishing food, she was asked to run the Anuttara kitchen and provide Ayurvedic meals for the community. This was the turning point from which Rainer oriented her life into studying Ayurveda with Hale Pule and integrate the teachings into her life completely. Through Divine grace, she eventually met her mentor Tiffany Nicholson-Smith (Ayurvedic Practitioner & International teacher), who is currently providing guidance and profound support along this path.

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Presently, Rainer lives on one of the Northern Gulf Islands of British Colombia, where she openly holds space and leads Kirtan (chanting), teaches asana, facilitates Ayurvedic Cooking Workshops, and is beginning to offer Ayurvedic Health Advisor Consultations for her community. 

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It is with a heart full of gratitude that Rainer offers to all of her teachers, guides, mentors, Sangha, family and community members for their support and love they have shared. May this path be walked with intention and humility and the utmost reverence to the beauty in all Beings.