hilot

Hilot is a filipino healing tradition that restores balance through:

✷ Ancestral Diagnostics
✷ Spiritual Cleansing
✷ Energy Alignment
✷ Bodywork

Each session incorporates a blend of hands-on restorative bodywork, energy work, guided breathwork, meditation, and healing plants.

What does a Hilot session look like?

  • what’s included:

    Pagsasala is the traditional spiritual diagnostic method practiced by Filipino ancestors in determining the nature of dis-ease and ill-being. They understood that the physical manifestation of dis-ease is deeply woven with the spiritual.

    We’ll begin our session with spiritual & energetic diagnostics to aid us in locating what we’ll focus on in the session.


    optional $18 add-on:

    Panghihila Ritual [Leaf Scanning]—we’ll work with banana leaves to detect and repel negative energy from the body.

    disclaimer: this is not a physical or medical diagnosis. it is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any medical conditions or replace medical care—consult a healthcare professional for medical concerns.

  • what’s included:

    We’ll send off any forms of spiritual & energetic disturbances, blockages, or imbalances to your life force.

    When other beings, unknown entities, or negative energies are negatively affecting our energetic body, we call this “usog”. When we take actions not aligned with our higher selves and our bad actions bounce back to us, this is called “gaba”.

    Orasyon—Words have the power to heal. Written or spoken, words are spells that create images in your mind, shift your energy, and affect your well being. A bulong [prayer or incantation] is usually whispered during the healing.

    optional $8 upgrade — Pagpag-Taboy Ritual

    This ritual utilizes plants to both absorb negative energies that we’re driving out and release healing energies to be absorbed in their place.

  • Through guided meditation and breathwork accompanied by hands-on restorative bodywork, we’ll bring harmony and balance back to the body.

    Starting from the crown and working our way down, the bodywork concludes with Dagdagay (optional), a traditional Filipino foot care practice authentic to Igorot/Cordilleran communities, where two bamboo or rattan sticks are used to stimulate the soles.

    This has been practiced by Igorot communities for centuries with the young often providing this care for the elders. Ancestrally, it has been known to apply pressure to the meridians on the feet to restore the natural flow of energy.

  • We will protect the space, and we’ll open and close our session with gratitude offerings and breath. You will have time at the end for integration of this healing work.

  • optional $22 upgrade:

    Tawas is a Filipino ancestral divinatory practice that uses traditional tools such as paper, lana (blessed medicinal oil), and/or a candle.

    Baybayin Mystic Oracle is a divinatory practice that uses the Indigenous writing script, Baybayin.

    If you’re seeking spiritual/energetic guidance, add-on Tawas Divination, and book a 120 min session.

    disclaimer: this is not a physical or medical diagnosis. it is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any medical conditions or replace medical care—consult a healthcare professional for medical concerns.

Go beyond the physical to release inner tension & awaken

your body’s own natural wisdom and processes to heal itself.

i deserve care

Sessions by appointment available on Sundays at Well Within Collective.

See available times.

I recommend at least a 90 or 120 minutes to get the most benefit, but 60 minute sessions are also available.

Hilot works with the following to promote your well-being.


Halaman [ plants ]
Init [ heat ]
Liwanag [ light ]
Orasyon [ prayer & time ]
Tubig [ water ]

Pricing listed below.


Sliding scale energy exchange option available if needed—identify your tier or contact me to discuss potential non-monetary exchange or work-trade.

Save $5 on any service above when you pay in cash [does not apply to add-ons].
book a session

2SQTBIPOC to the front



Healing and Hilot is for everybody. Come as you are. AND…

It is also important to me to note that this is a space that prioritizes & affirms 2SQTBIPOC–Two Spirit, Queer, Trans, Black/Brown, Indigenous, People Of Color. We celebrate the natural biodiversity of our bodies, minds, & souls and welcome genuine expression.

DIVE DEEPER

the ancient art + science of Filipino healing

Rooted in Indigenous wisdom, Hilot is a whole time-honored system of care built on generational knowledge–passed down by oral tradition from community healers or manghihilot.

Hilot embodies a wholistic, intuitive, element-based approach to wellness that integrates the physical, emotional, spiritual, social, and environmental facets of an individual and their community.

One of the tenets of Hilot is the concept of ginhawa, which refers to the state of being in harmony with one’s mind, body and spirit.

  • since ancient times, babaylan have been our spiritual leaders, our shamans. they are called by various names among our native peoples: babaylan, balian, baylan, mumbaki, katalonan, among others.

    throughout history it has been natural to have medicine women/men/gender non-conforming/genderfluid/transgender people, maestros, curanderas, or shamans tending to health of the community.

    these caretakers worked with the energies of unseen worlds to help folks heal, to find balance in their lives & with our Grand Mother, Earth.

    we are all indigenous if we go back far enough & all indigenous cultures believe we are connected to nature & energies outside of our ordinary existence.

    it's not a religion or spiritual doctrine, but a way of connecting to the natural world & the energies that affect us. this has always been a natural part of the human experience. these healers bring individuals & communities back into balance by removing energies that are not beneficial & restoring the power that is needed.

    visit Lutiang Aghama or Center for Babaylan Studies to learn more.

  • i come from lineages of powerful healers on both my matrilineal & patrilineal sides. i was called by ancestors to bring these practices back after being lost through colonization & assimilation. after years searching for my own relief & healing from chronic pain & chronic illness, I found my way back.

    in honor of & in gratitude to them & this ninunong gamot [ancestral medicine], I intend to share this ancient wisdom with my pamilya & my community.

  • a babaylan is someone with the ability to travel to the spirit world or non-ordinary states of reality to mediate with spirits. given gifts of healing, foretelling, &/or insight, they may be a ritualist, a diviner, & may also have knowledge of healing therapies such as hilot.


    as a binabaylan, i am a lifelong student of the babaylan, Hilot, & Filipino Indigenous Spirituality.

This is for you if you feel...

  • heavy or stuck energy

  • exhaustion, burnout, overwhelm 

  • chronic stress

  • restlessness

  • chaotic or “monkey” mind

  • anxiety, fear

  • depression, grief

  • anger + rage [& unsure how to process or release it]

  • difficulty letting go

  • you are part of a targeted & traumatized community

  • you have a hard time resting/relaxing

book a session

***Disclaimer***

This is NOT massage therapy. This is medicine. It is not intended to diagnose or treat physical medical conditions, pain, or injury. This is not for you if you..

  • have a specific or acute injury requiring focused medical intervention

  • need chronic pain support

  • are an athlete needing sports performance enhancement

  • have a fever or flu

  • have open wounds or skin conditions

  • have blood clots or recent surgeries [always check with your doctor]

✴ If you are living with chronic pain and seeking support, learn more about my chronic pain doula programs coming soon. Sign up for updates.

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energy exchange

✿ Pick some flowers to get an idea of how many you can give. ✿

Sliding scale available for accessibility–not as a “cheaper” option. The highest dollar amount reflects the true cost of service—the cost that would be charged to all in the absence of a sliding scale.

Want to learn more about sliding scale?

Find out which Tier you’re in:

  • Financial Privilege

    ✿ I may have some debt but I am comfortably able to meet all of my *basic needs like food, housing, transportation.

    ✿ I own my home or property or I rent a higher-end property.

    ✿ I own or lease a car.

    ✿ I own commercial or rental properties.

    ✿ I am employed and able to access healthcare.

    ✿ I have a master’s degree or PhD.

    ✿ I do not need to work to meet my needs, or I am able to work part-time by choice.

    ✿ I have access to savings and financial safety nets.

    ✿ I have investments, inherited money, and/or retirement accounts.

    ✿ I have **expendable income to buy new items.

    ✿ I can afford a vacation, taking time off work, or traveling recreationally.

    ✿ I have more possible earning power [even if not using it right now] from: being able bodied, social networks, family connections, gender, race, etc.

    **expendable income means you are able to buy coffee or tea at a shop, go to the movies or a concert, buy new clothes, books, and similar items each month, etc
    [    source]

    If this sounds like you, you’re in Tier 1 and do not qualify for sliding scale services.

    Your monetary support and contribution allows this work to be made more accessible to those in other tiers with less access.

  • Moderate Financial Stability

    ✿ I may stress about meeting my basic* needs and I may have some debt, but it does not prohibit the attainment of basic needs.

    ✿ I own or lease a car.

    ✿ I rent a house or apartment.

    ✿ I am employed, and I might have access to financial savings.

    ✿ I have access to healthcare.

    ✿ I have a college degree.

    ✿ I have some expendable** income, and I am able to buy some new items & thrift others.

    ✿ I can take a vacation annually or time off work multiple times a year without financial burden.

    ✿ I can ask people in my life for money in times of need.

    **expendable income means you are able to buy coffee or tea at a shop, go to the movies or a concert, buy new clothes, books, and similar items each month, etc
    [    source]

  • Limited Financial Resources

    ✿ I frequently stress about meeting basic* needs & don’t always achieve them. I have debt and it sometimes prohibits me from meeting my basic needs.

    ✿ I support dependents [children, parents, &/or anyone else relying on your money].

    ✿ I rent lower-end properties or have unstable housing. I do not have a car and/or have limited access to a car, but I am not always able to afford gas.

    ✿ I am unemployed or underemployed, have no savings, &/or I qualify for public assistance including food stamps & healthcare.

    ✿ I have no access to savings, and I have no or very limited expendable** income.

    ✿ I rarely buy new items because I am unable to afford them, and I cannot afford a vacation or have the ability to take time off without financial burden.

    ✿ I am formerly incarcerated &/or do illegal work for survival, have immigration-related expenses, are an elder with limited financial support, have less access to money because of abuse, chronic illness or disability.

I will not require proof of income & I use the honor system. The energy you give will return back to you so be mindful. If you’re able to pay for "wants" and spend little time worried about securing *basic needs in your life, you have more economic privilege and power than me & many others in our community so I encourage you to use your dollars to create a more equitable reality for others today & in the future.


*basic needs = food, housing, transportation

See pricing:

  • This can be general full body care or be more focused on a specific area of your request.

    Energy Exchange:

    ✿✿✿✿✿ Tier 1: Abundant – $99
    ✿✿ Tier 2: Stable – $88
    ✿ Tier 3: Limited – $77



    Open to discuss alternate/non-monetary exchange if Tier 3 is not accessible to you [this could be sharing my workshops/programs, admin/tech support, etc]. Contact me.

    If you believe this offering is worth more, I'm open to receiving :) you can edit the price on Stripe or send additional blessings to me on venmo. Maraming salamat po–thank you!

  • Body work focused on specific areas of your choosing. A great option if you want to include add-ons.

    Energy Exchange:

    ✿✿✿✿✿ Tier 1: Abundant – $138
    ✿✿ Tier 2: Stable – $128
    ✿ Tier 3: Limited – $118

    Open to discuss alternate/non-monetary exchange if Tier 3 is not accessible to you [this could be sharing my workshops/programs, admin/tech support, etc]. Contact me.

    If you believe this offering is worth more, I'm open to receiving :) you can edit the price on Stripe or send additional blessings to me on venmo. Maraming salamat po–thank you!

  • Full body care with extra focus on specific area(s) of your choosing. A great option if you want to include add-ons.

    Energy Exchange:

    ✿✿✿✿✿ Tier 1: Abundant – $188
    ✿✿ Tier 2: Stable – $178
    ✿ Tier 3: Limited – $158



    Open to discuss alternate/non-monetary exchange if Tier 3 is not accessible to you [this could be sharing my workshops/programs, admin/tech support, etc]. Contact me.

    If you believe this offering is worth more, I'm open to receiving :) you can edit the price on Stripe or send additional blessings to me on venmo. Maraming salamat po–thank you!

book Hilot

venmo: @ale-luya

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venmo: @ale-luya ✷

Policies

  • Cancellations and rescheduled apointments must be made 24 hours in advance. Missed appointments or cancellations within 24 hours will be charged in full.

  • Please self-monitor for any Covid-like symptoms and reach out to reschedule if necessary. I will do the same.

    If you would like me to be masked during your session, please don’t hesitate to ask. I respect your boundaries and needs to feel safe, comfy, and protected in my space.

“Hilot is a legacy of our health culture. Mixing science and tradition, it continues to heal in ways modern medicine is only just starting to study.”

— Dr. Esperanza Cabral, former Philippine Health Secretary

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