Malky Kertis
There is always more to the story,
but this is a good place to begin -
Let's not make you cry with the details of how I battled cancer and underwent a bone marrow transplant; instead, join the ride as I travel my Hero’s Journey.
Born in the desert during a sandstorm, I appeared out of nowhere.
Well, not exactly. I grew up in Israel and studied at the School of Communication Arts in London, England. I settled in Los Angeles, CA, in the mid-'90s. I love to travel, am not afraid of the dark, and music is my heartbeat.
I am a meditation and mindfulness teacher and an artist specializing in printmaking. Both are hands-on practices rooted in ancient traditions that remain deeply relevant in today's digital world.
I am very proud to be a mother to twins (another reason to practice mindfulness). I love to create and am an accomplished artist and Arts Education Fellow with ACTIVATE LA. I’m making art with heart in mind, saying yes to adventure, no to roller coasters, and always going for a good laugh.
My creative outlook and curiosity provide me with a wide-angle perspective to observe situations that might be perceived as obstacles as opportunities. This propelled me to a successful career as a corporate executive in the communication industry before life presented me with a challenge by the name of cancer, which resulted in my finding, once again, my true passion and purpose: living a mindful life through meditation and art.
"Even if you are not ready for day
it cannot always be night."
Gwendolyn Brooks
I have practiced meditation in different forms for the past two decades, yet my meditation and mindfulness practice deepened in 2010, when I was challenged with a life-threatening illness. Since then, with regained health, I have been dedicated to learning from esteemed teachers, spending many weeks in silent retreats, which I love, and obtaining the knowledge to develop practices that improve the quality of life for cancer patients and anyone who is challenged by life in any capacity or who wants to cultivate greater well-being.
I am devoted and always enthusiastic about sharing my passion for mindfulness with individuals and communities, with the belief that it contributes to the greater good.
It is an honor to know that my teachings have helped many through my work with various organizations and institutes, including the Los Angeles Department of Recreation, Stand By Me, a cancer support nonprofit, The Wellness Community, and Goodlife Academy, among others.
Having the capacity to relate to the challenges and trauma experienced by cancer patients enables me to work with individuals to develop resilience, self-compassion, and a greater ability to face the difficulties of pain and distress, resulting in less stress and a better quality of life.
My calling is to empower others with the ability and freedom to choose how to respond to whatever may arise as life unfolds.
Related Training & Certifications
Mindfulness teacher - UCLA’s Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior’s Mindfulness Awareness Research Center
Training in Mindfulness and Awareness Teaching - UCLA Health Mindfulness Awareness Research Center
MBCR - Mindfulness-Based Cancer Recovery