Rooted in a rich lineage of midwives, herbalists, and women deeply attuned to the rhythms of the body and the earth, Penelope Vargas carries forward ancestral wisdom through every touch and breath. As a licensed massage therapist, yoga instructor, lactation coach, and sound practitioner, her journey into the healing arts began with a deeply personal awakening: witnessing her mother turn to alternative healing in the face of a terminal diagnosis. That moment sparked a lifelong devotion to care.
Now, as a mother herself, Penelope’s work is both ancestral and intuitive, blending bodywork, energy healing, and sound therapy with the wisdom of her roots and the lived realities of modern motherhood. Her sessions are not one-size-fits-all—they are sacred containers, shaped by intuition and guided by the needs of each body and spirit that enters her space.
In our interview, Penelope shares the inspirations behind her journey, the power of embodiment, and the quiet revolution of helping women reclaim their strength—one breath, one touch, one moment of stillness at a time.
The desert is home. It’s a powerful place with beautiful scenery, mountains, and a lot of nature. There’s a certain quiet here that holds space for healing.
Penelope Vargas
Coachella Magazine: Your work is rooted in a lineage of healers—how have your mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother influenced your path?
Penelope Vargas: On my maternal side, my great-grandmother was a midwife and herbalist, and my grandmother had a deep understanding of food and natural healing. Her sister, my great-aunt, is also a healer and bodyworker. There’s a lot of wisdom on that side of my family. I also spent many summers in Mexico City with my paternal family, which helped me feel even more connected to my roots and culture. All of that has stayed with me.
CM: What was the turning point in your life when you knew this was your calling?
Penelope: It happened slowly over time. I didn’t just wake up knowing. But once I started learning and practicing, I felt something click. It felt natural and purposeful. I started helping more women, especially new mothers, and I realized this was part of why I’m here.
CM: How would you describe your approach to bodywork and energy healing?
Penelope: My approach is intuitive and depends on the person. I use different techniques I’ve been trained in and adjust based on what someone’s body needs that day. No session is exactly the same. I focus on meeting people where they are and helping them feel more connected and at ease.
CM: What role does intuition play in your healing sessions?
Penelope: A big one. I don’t just go in with a set plan. I feel into what the person needs, whether that’s deeper physical work, more gentle support, or space to release. I listen to their body more than their words sometimes.
CM: Can you walk us through a typical experience or session with you—from bodywork to sound therapy?
Penelope: Every session is different depending on the person and what they’re going through. I usually begin with bodywork and incorporate breath, movement, or energy work as needed. I often end with sound, singing bowls, chimes, or other instruments that help settle the body and mind, helping people drop into themselves.
CM: How do you integrate your Indigenous roots and ancestral wisdom into your modern practice?
Penelope: I carry a deep respect for where I come from and what’s been passed down to me. That lives in everything I do. It shows up in how I hold space, how I approach healing, and in the ways I honor nature and the body. Growing up between cultures gave me a mix of tradition and modern tools, and I let them guide me together.
CM: You’ve shared that your work is deeply tied to women’s health—what drives that devotion?
Penelope: Women are the center of so much. We carry so much. I’ve seen how easy it is for women to forget themselves while giving to everyone else. My devotion comes from wanting to help them come back to their bodies and their own inner strength. Especially during times like postpartum when support is most needed and often missing.
CM: As a mother yourself and a postpartum doula in training, how do you support new mothers in reconnecting with their bodies?
Penelope: As a lactation coach, I’ve worked closely with postpartum women through those early, tender stages. I offer bodywork, emotional support, and practical care to help them feel held. A lot of what I do is about reminding women they deserve care too, that their healing matters. I want mothers to feel nourished in every sense, not just physically.
CM: What advice would you give to women who are struggling with burnout or disconnection?
Penelope: Start small. Don’t wait for the perfect moment or for everything to calm down. Just find a few minutes to breathe, stretch, or be in silence. Let your body speak. Ask for help if you can. You are not meant to do it all alone. And you don’t have to be fully healed to be worthy of care.
CM: Your yoga and dance practices focus on embodiment—what does “embodiment” mean to you?
Penelope: To me, embodiment is about being in your body with presence. Feeling it, listening to it, moving with it. It doesn’t have to look a certain way. It’s about coming home to yourself, especially when life pulls you in a million directions. Yoga and dance help me land back in my body and feel what’s true.
CM: How do movement and breathwork help unlock healing and empowerment, especially for women?
Penelope: Movement and breath let us release what we hold onto. Women often carry things that aren’t even theirs—stories, expectations, emotions. Moving and breathing with awareness creates space. It helps clear old patterns and brings you into your power again.
CM: You describe manifestation as a daily practice—what does that look like in your life?
Penelope: For me, manifestation looks like speaking with intention, trusting what is unfolding, and showing up for myself. Even when things are uncertain, I ask for what I want. I stay grateful and I stay open. I don’t have it all figured out. I’m still learning and growing. One quote that really resonates with me is from Abraham Hicks: “The entire universe is conspiring to give you everything you want.” That helps me stay aligned when things feel unclear.
CM: What rituals or self-care practices do you personally rely on to stay grounded and aligned?
Penelope: Spending time outside is a big one for me. Movement, stretching, breathwork, drinking my Kangen water, and staying hydrated. I also check in with myself often—asking how I feel, what I need, and being honest about it. These little things help me come back to center.
CM: You also express your work through photography—how does that medium connect to your healing mission?
Penelope: I don’t practice photography often, but when the moment feels right, especially when women are in nature, I love capturing them in a raw and natural way. There’s something powerful about honoring women as they are. It’s not about posing, just about presence and beauty in real life.
CM: What does community healing mean to you, and how do you foster that in your work?
Penelope: Community healing means not doing it all alone. It means being seen and supported by others who are also growing and learning. I try to create that through the spaces I hold, whether it’s a group class, a sound session, or just connecting in conversation. When we’re honest and open, healing feels less heavy.
CM: How has the Coachella Valley shaped your journey as a healer, mother, and artist?
Penelope: The desert is home. It’s a powerful place with beautiful scenery, mountains, and a lot of nature. There’s a certain quiet here that holds space for healing. I think that’s why a lot of people are drawn to it. Being here has shaped me in many ways it’s helped me slow down, listen deeper, and stay rooted.
CM: What are you currently dreaming into being? Any upcoming projects or offerings you’d like to share?
Penelope: I’d love to host more retreats. I’m currently learning how to create those kinds of spaces starting in Phuket, Thailand and hopefully expand to different parts of the world. I’m also working toward becoming a postpartum doula and continuing to grow in all the ways I can support women and families. One dream of mine is to have two homes and more freedom to travel while still doing this work.
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