Woman meditating in seated pose with hands in prayer position.

Hi! I’m Paula Tursi

I’m a hypnotherapist, spiritual counselor, and movement instructor. I blend ancient wisdom, modern practice, and deep work with the unconscious to help individuals break free from self-sabotaging patterns—so their inner world can lead their outer expression. This is how we design a life worth living.

A group of people practicing yoga indoors, performing a standing stretch pose. They are using yoga mats and blocks, wearing casual workout attire. The room has hardwood floors, a potted plant, and a large window.

For over 30 years, I’ve guided thousands of students through my original blend of hypno-meditation, movement, and transpersonal counseling—helping them dismantle old programming and create lives that feel true.

I founded A Perfect Little Salon Healing Center, the former Reflections Center for Conscious Living & Yoga, and the internationally renowned Reflections Yoga Teacher Training Program. I am also the creator of Life Design, a multidimensional approach to healing and transformation.

My Journey: From Checking Boxes to Choosing Myself

Woman meditating on grass, eyes closed, hands on chest, wearing a white shirt and brown pants, with an orange bracelet and a necklace.

At 30, I had everything I thought I was supposed to want—a career as the head of a special needs department in a public school, a marriage, a Ph.D. program at Columbia University, and two master’s degrees. But something was missing.

Rodney Yee, one of my teachers, once asked me, “Is that making you happy?” When I hesitated, he added, “Then why in the world would you do it?”

That question shattered everything. I realized I had spent my life checking boxes—marriage, degrees, job security—not for myself, but because it was what I had been taught to value. Instead of feeling fulfilled, I felt trapped.

One day, something shifted. I left my marriage, dropped out of my Ph.D. program, and quit my tenured job. To many, it looked like a breakdown. To me, it was I needed to do to discover myself.

The Path to Rebuilding: Life Design

A person with long hair wrapped in a white shawl with red floral patterns, standing near dry grass in an outdoor setting.

I didn’t know what was next, but I knew I had to unlearn everything that wasn’t mine and rebuild from a place of truth.

I had practiced yoga for years, but it wasn’t until I hit rock bottom that I understood its deeper purpose. It wasn’t about postures—it was about creating space for possibility.

Through study, practice, and deep inquiry, I designed a way of living that didn’t require me to fit into someone else’s mold. This became the foundation for Life Design, a structured yet fluid approach to breaking patterns, rewiring the mind, and fully embodying our unique path, from the inside out.

Life Design: The Three Pillars

Close-up of a dried leaf held by a person's hand against the sunlight, with a blurred natural background.

1. Soul: Deep Self Study and/or Counseling

Break free from conditioned patterns, trauma, and self-sabotage while creating a life aligned with your true self. Identify and clear what isn’t yours, so you can live with intention, freedom, and passion.

2. Mind: Hypno-Meditation & Repatterning

Insight alone isn’t enough—lasting change happens when you rewire both mind and body. Through hypno-meditation giving the deep unconscious a voice, we release subconscious patterns and create new pathways for clarity, ease, and transformation by uniting the conscious with the unconscious so that we can finally be “SELF”-led.

3. Body: Loving YOU Yoga

Your body isn’t something to fix or force—it’s the key to wholeness. Loving YOU Yoga is a movement practice that strengthens, restores, and reconnects you with your body in a way that that understands how the body works and what it needs for balance. You’ll leaving feeling naturally stronger, at home in your body and deeply connected to oneness within you.

What my Life Looks Like Now

Family smiling outdoors in a wooded area, adult wearing sunglasses and cap, child in colorful shirt.

I’m all about the truth, so I won’t tell you my life is without struggle—of course, it has its hard moments. But what’s different today from twenty years ago? A lot.

Imagine a canvas, its background painted pink—the color of joy. Over it, life unfolds—good things, hard things, even painful things. They come and go, shifting like brushstrokes. But the background, that foundation of joy, remains steady.

There was a time when the backdrop of my life was darker—fear, anger, shame. But not anymore. Today, I have space. And into that space, incredible things arrive—things that, in the past, I might have unknowingly blocked.

I let in love, especially the love of my family. I see beauty everywhere—in my home, in the mountains where we chose to live. And I enjoy success, because I found the courage to follow what brings me joy.

This is what I want for every seeker who feels ready—to open your mind and heart to a process that is nothing short of extraordinary.

Let’s Work Together

  • "I thought I had seen it all when it came to self-help, but this experience has given me an entirely new perspective—and a whole new toolbox."

    I have been in therapy for many years and have certainly made progress and felt "better." However, after a significant relationship ended, I realized I needed a different kind of support—my existing tools weren’t enough to get me through it. That’s when I was referred to Paula, and she has truly helped me transform on what feels like a cellular level.

    I have never felt more like myself—I finally understand who I am. Paula is like a tutor; she sits with you and helps untangle the thoughts and emotions you once believed were just the way things had to be. I feel incredibly fortunate to have her in my life, and I cannot express enough gratitude for her work.

    I thought I had seen it all when it came to self-help, but this experience has given me an entirely new perspective—and a whole new toolbox. In fact, this work doesn’t feel like self-help; it feels like having someone guide you to truly understand yourself and what you want from your time on this earth.

    — M.C.

  • "The ‘aha’ moments felt natural and guided—without the usual pressure of “Why isn’t this changing?” Instead, I’ve started to trust myself more."

    I met Paula at one of the most challenging moments of my life—because isn’t that when the biggest changes happen? Traditional therapy wasn’t working anymore, and the critical voice that had always pushed me forward was now paralyzing me with anxiety.

    Working with Paula for the past six months has felt like fast-tracking my personal growth. Her words resonate deeply, the way she reframes things just makes so much sense (which I need! ), and I can truly feel the shifts happening. She encourages me, pushes me when necessary, and calls me out with the utmost compassion. For the first time in my life, I feel truly seen and heard for who I am.

    What amazed me most was how quickly Paula understood the patterns in my personality and life that were holding me back. The ‘aha’ moments felt natural and guided—without the usual pressure of “Why isn’t this changing?” Instead, I’ve started to trust myself more.

    I wholeheartedly recommend Paula to anyone ready to change their life in the most meaningful and transformative way.

    — M.A.

  • “She shined a light on a path I couldn’t see for myself,”

    My life would be drastically different had I not met Paula. She shined a light on a path I couldn’t see for myself, and with her penetrating wisdom and boundless support, helped guide me towards a life that is authentic, magical, and uniquely my own.

    — R. R.

  • "Paula has offered such a bright star and compass point in my development as both a human and a psychologist."

    “I have been so lucky to work with Paula for the last 20 years in a variety of capacities - yoga teacher, meditation teacher, individual counselor/coach, and satsang leader. Paula’s incredible clarity, pragmatism and grounded positivity around some of the most nuanced, complex, and life-affirming physical, psychological and spiritual principles have truly offered such a bright star and compass point in my development as both a human and a psychologist. I would be so excited for anyone who can find their way into her orbit and have her guidance in making sense of things on all levels.”

    — G.O.

  • "She literally brought me back to life, to love and to myself!"

    "I met Paula when I was in a very dark place in my life, and she literally brought me back to life, to love and to myself! Since then, Paula has been coaching me through some very big transitions in my personal and professional life and I could not have navigated through these changes with as much honesty, grace and love without her help."

    — N. H.

  • "Paula is richly intuitive and at the same time, pragmatic in her guidance."

    "Paula is richly intuitive and at the same time, pragmatic in her guidance. The depth of her tremendous presence helps me explore the patterns of my conscious and unconscious mind, but also speaks to the heart of the matter. I leave our sessions feeling heard, grounded and clear."

    — R. M.

  • "Her wisdom, compassion, guidance and love saved me in so many ways."

    Paula was a gift to me from the universe. Working with her WILL change you in big ways or small ways. But always in what matters on your journey. I don’t know where I would be without her. Her wisdom, compassion, guidance and love saved me in so many ways. I owe lifetimes of gratitude. I hope and imagine you will feel the same.

    — M.B.

  • "She has skillfully distilled the essence of my thoughts, often revealing insightful truths that, while challenging, are fundamental to understanding myself."

    I have had the privilege of working with Paula in several capacities, and each experience has been enriching. As a counselor, Paula is an exceptional listener, carefully considering my words on multiple levels. She has skillfully distilled the essence of my thoughts, often revealing insightful truths that, while challenging, are fundamental to understanding myself.

    Beyond counseling, we have also collaborated in yoga and meditation. Paula consistently brings thought-provoking philosophical perspectives to these disciplines, enhancing my practice and deepening my understanding. She has the ability to bring together diverse concepts and practices in a unique and thoughtful way.

    I look forward to continuing our work together and exploring her other offerings, further insights and growth that her guidance generously provides.

    — A.R.

My Certifications & Experience

  • Master’s Degree in Education (Hunter College)

  • Psychology studies (Columbia University)

  • Post-graduate training at the Milton H. Erickson Society for Psychotherapy and Hypnosis

  • Generative Trance Hypnosis with Stephen Gilligan

  • 500-hour certified Yoga Teacher with Yoga Alliance

  • Named one of Well + Good’s Top 5 Meditation Teachers

  • Contributing author to Happy Gut with Dr. Vincent Pedre