Discover Inner Peace and Vibrance with Anya Kuzmina
Bridging nutrition and mental health to create lasting harmony within
Discover Inner Peace and Vibrance with Anya Kuzmina
Bridging nutrition and mental health to create lasting harmony within
About Anya Kuzmina
About Me
Hi, I’m Anya Kuzmina (legally known as Anna Vishnyakova). I come from Yakutsk, a city in the Siberian region of Russia, known as the coldest city on earth. We’re talking temperatures that can make your eyelashes freeze! Growing up in such a unique (and chilly!) environment taught me resilience, adaptability, and the importance of warmth—not just the kind that keeps you from freezing, but emotional warmth, connection, and care, which I bring into my work with clients.
Although I’ve always had a deep connection to the arts, my early professional life led me down a corporate path. Over time, I realized that my true passion lies in creative expression, and today, that shines through in my love for dance, photography, and spending time in nature. These aspects of my life ground me and reflect the beauty of living in harmony with both the world around us and within ourselves.
As a Certified Holistic Nutritionist with a Master’s degree in Counseling Psychology, specializing in Somatic (body-oriented) Psychology, I take an integrative approach to health that supports both physical and emotional well-being. My active practice in the mental health field as a Bodymind Oriented Psychotherapist allows me to understand the deep connection between mind and body, and I use that understanding to help my clients explore the emotional patterns that influence their overall health.
I currently reside in San Francisco, CA, where I bring my experience and passion for holistic healing to those seeking a more balanced, connected life. I believe that healing happens in the space where body, mind, and spirit meet. My goal is to walk alongside you as you discover a more balanced, connected way of living, helping you explore the deeper relationships between nutrition, emotional health, and the body’s wisdom.
When I’m not working with clients, you’ll likely find me dancing, capturing moments through photography, or spending time outdoors with my children. I’m excited to help guide you on your path toward well-being and harmony, inside and out.
My Mission
My mission is to walk alongside you on your journey to well-being, supporting both your body and mind. Through personalized nutrition, compassionate care, and fostering a deeper sense of embodiment, I aim to help you reconnect with yourself, find balance, and heal from the inside out. Together, we will explore how to nourish not only your body but also your emotional and mental well-being, creating lasting resilience and harmony in your life. As Ram Dass beautifully said, “We’re all just walking each other home”—and I am here to walk with you on your path to wholeness and embodied healing.
Holistic Nutrition Services
Transform Your Life with Anya Kuzmina Counseling
At the core of my holistic nutrition services is the belief that nourishing the body means also addressing the emotional and mental aspects of well-being. As a Certified Holistic Nutritionist, I offer an integrative approach to nutrition that considers not only what you eat but also how your relationship with food is influenced by emotional patterns, stress, and mental health.
What I Offer (Online Service):
Personalized Nutrition Plans:
I develop customized nutrition plans tailored to your unique needs, whether you're looking to address digestive issues, balance hormones, manage weight, or improve overall wellness. If you are female, I take into consideration your cycle to ensure your plan supports you throughout each phase, enhancing energy, hormonal balance, and overall well-being. Additionally, I offer herbal and nutraceutical guidance, integrating natural supplements and remedies to further support your health goals and promote lasting wellness.
Psychobiotic Nutrition:
I specialize in psychobiotic nutrition, which supports the gut-brain connection. This approach helps regulate mood, reduce anxiety, and improve gut health by focusing on foods that promote a healthy microbiome.
Exploring Your Relationship with Food:
Together, we will explore the emotional connections you have with food—whether it’s stress eating, emotional eating, or food-related anxieties. I help you build awareness around these patterns and develop healthier, more mindful habits.
Internal Family Systems (IFS) Informed Approach:
IFS is a therapeutic model that helps you explore different parts of yourself, uncovering how these parts interact and influence your emotions and behaviors. This approach promotes healing by fostering self-compassion and understanding, which can transform your relationship with food and body.
Nervous System and Digestive Health Education:
I provide education on how the nervous system directly impacts digestive health, explaining the role stress and emotional states play in gut function. You’ll learn how to support your digestion by managing your body’s stress responses and calming the nervous system.
Polyvagal Theory Awareness:
Polyvagal Theory helps explain how your nervous system responds to stress, anxiety, and safety cues. By understanding your emotional and physical responses to stress, we can work together to regulate your nervous system for better mental and physical well-being.
Somatic Tools for Mindful Eating and stress management:
Using my extended knowledge of somatic tools, I guide you in cultivating a deeper sense of embodiment, helping you become more attuned to your body’s signals of hunger, fullness, and stress. This approach is about listening to your body with awareness and compassion, allowing you to respond to its needs in a more balanced and mindful way. By integrating somatic techniques, we foster a healthier relationship with food, reduce stress, and support long-term emotional and physical wellness through effective stress management
Who This is For:
My holistic nutrition services are for anyone looking to:
- Improve digestive health and address gut-related issues
- Balance emotional eating or reduce stress-related cravingsHeal their relationship with food and develop sustainable eating habits
- Integrate mental and physical wellness through a whole-body approach
How It Works:
Initial Consultation:We begin with an in-depth consultation to explore your current health, relationship with food, and goals. Together, we will create a roadmap for your healing journey.
Ongoing Support: Throughout our work together, I provide continuous guidance and support, helping you adjust and refine your nutrition plan as your needs evolve.
If you’re ready to take the next step in transforming your health from the inside out, I’m here to help. My holistic nutrition services offer a compassionate, integrative approach that supports you in achieving balance in both body and mind.
Schedule an Appointment Today
Are you ready to take the first step towards a happier and healthier life? Schedule an appointment with one of our experienced counselors today.
My Approach: In-Depth Explanation
As a Certified Holistic Nutritionist with a Master’s degree in Counseling Psychology, specializing in Somatic (body-oriented) Psychology, I take a collaborative, holistic approach that addresses both your physical and emotional well-being. While nutrition is at the heart of our work together, my active present practice in the mental health field as an Associate Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist allows me to go deeper, helping you explore the emotional patterns that often influence your relationship with food and overall health. Together, we’ll use modalities like Internal Family Systems (IFS), psychobiotic nutrition, somatic tools, and Polyvagal Theory to create a personalized plan that supports lasting change and wholeness.
It’s important to have professional support in this process because it gives you a safe, trusted space to navigate the complexities of both body and mind. As we work together, I provide the guidance and accountability needed to help you stay connected to your goals, make meaningful progress, and overcome obstacles along the way. Having someone alongside you in this journey makes a big difference, not just for immediate change but for creating sustainable, lifelong well-being.
Below is a deeper look at the modalities we’ll integrate into our work:
Internal Family Systems (IFS): Healing Emotional Parts of Ourselves
Internal Family Systems (IFS) is grounded in the understanding of the multiplicity of the mind—the concept that we all have various parts within us that influence our thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. These parts include aspects of ourselves that manage daily tasks, respond to stress, or carry unresolved emotional pain. For example, you may have a part that seeks comfort through food or another that tries to control your diet to reduce anxiety.
IFS works to heal these parts by recognizing that each one has a positive intention, even if its actions are unhelpful. At the core of IFS is the Self, a calm, compassionate center that can heal and integrate these parts. By exploring and understanding these different aspects of yourself, IFS helps you find balance and create more harmony in your emotional life and behaviors.
In the context of holistic nutrition, IFS is especially valuable for understanding your relationship with food. It allows us to explore how different emotional parts may be influencing your eating habits—whether it’s a part that uses food for comfort or another that pushes for strict control over your diet. By identifying and healing these parts, we can create a more balanced, mindful relationship with food, supporting both your emotional well-being and physical health.
Psychobiotic Nutrition: Nourishing the Gut and Brain Connection
Psychobiotic nutrition focuses on the powerful relationship between the gut and the brain. Did you know that your gut health plays a key role in how you feel emotionally? The trillions of bacteria in your gut (called the microbiome) help produce important chemicals like serotonin, which regulates mood. By improving your gut health through specific foods like probiotics and prebiotics, you can experience reduced anxiety, better mood balance, and improved digestion.
In my holistic nutrition practice, I incorporate psychobiotic nutrition into personalized plans to support both your physical health and emotional well-being. By improving your gut-brain connection, we not only address issues like anxiety and digestive discomfort but also explore how your relationship with food is influenced by emotional states. Together, we’ll work on a plan that nurtures your gut microbiome while also supporting mental clarity and emotional balance. This integrated approach creates a strong foundation for both nutritional and emotional health.
Somatic Tools: Reconnecting with Your Body’s Signals
Somatic tools are techniques that help you listen to your body more closely. Our bodies often signal stress, hunger, or emotional tension, but in our fast-paced lives, we can become disconnected from these signals. Through practices like mindful eating, body scanning, and breathwork, I guide you in recognizing how your body responds to stress and emotions.
In the context of holistic nutrition, somatic tools are invaluable for helping you build a healthier relationship with food. By tuning in to your body’s natural signals, you can become more aware of how emotions influence your eating habits, allowing you to make mindful choices that align with both your physical and emotional needs. This approach supports long-term wellness by helping you reconnect with your body and make more intuitive food choices that enhance both digestion and emotional well-being.
Polyvagal Theory: Understanding and Calming the Nervous System
Polyvagal Theory helps explain how our nervous system reacts to stress and emotions. It shows us that when we feel stressed, anxious, or overwhelmed, our nervous system responds in ways that can affect our digestion, mood, and energy. I use this model to help you learn how to calm your body’s stress responses and activate a state of rest and healing.
In my holistic nutrition practice, understanding how the nervous system influences digestion is essential. When your body is in a state of stress, it can disrupt digestion and increase emotional eating. By incorporating deep breathing and mindfulness exercises, I help you manage anxiety and improve your digestive health. This regulation of the nervous system creates a strong foundation for better digestion, balanced energy levels, and emotional calm, allowing you to make better nutritional and lifestyle choices.
Tailoring Nutrition for Women: Aligning with Your Cycle
For women, I take into account the natural phases of your menstrual cycle when creating nutrition plans. Hormonal changes throughout the month affect energy, mood, and digestion, so it’s important to adjust nutrition to support these fluctuations. Whether you’re dealing with hormonal imbalances, PMS, or simply want to optimize your health, we’ll create a plan that works with your body’s rhythm, helping you feel more balanced and energized.
Citations:
- Gut-brain connection: Cryan, J.F., & Dinan, T.G. (2012). Mind-altering microorganisms: the impact of the gut microbiota on brain and behaviour. Nature Reviews Neuroscience, 13(10), 701-712.
- Female cycle and nutrition: Barron, M.L., & Bishop, J.H. (2009). Nutrition and women's health: a practical guide. Cambridge University Press.
- Polyvagal Theory and digestion: Porges, S.W. (2011). The Polyvagal Theory: Neurophysiological Foundations of Emotions, Attachment, Communication, and Self-regulation. W.W. Norton & Company.
- Internal Family Systems (IFS): Schwartz, R. (1995). Internal Family Systems Therapy. The Guilford Press.