"Authenticity is the daily practice of letting go of who we think we´re supposed to be and embracing who we actually are" - Brene Brown
La Vera Natura
THE PROJECT
La Vera Natura means “The True Nature.”
The name Lavera, a feminine Slavic name, also signifies “truth” or “faith.” I wanted to create a brand dedicated to guiding people back to their authentic selves. True power lies in embracing who you are with your whole heart and unwavering in your truth, even if it means disappointing those around you.
The unique story behind my business name came to be when I had a radical awakening in my mid-30’s. I realized I was living a life that did not align with who I really was. I started on a journey back to myself and my true nature. I began following my intuition again, which led me to amazing teachers, women's circles, and healing opportunities. I began connecting back to my body through embodiment practices, spending more time in nature, breathwork, journaling, and prayer. As I gradually reconnected with my inner self, I started living more fully and in harmony with my authentic self.
THE FOUNDER
Sylvia Birnbaum
I am a Polish-American from New Jersey. My family immigrated to the U.S. but maintained a strong connection with their Polish community. My mother was a singer and homemaker, while my father worked in real estate but had a true passion for music. My upbringing was filled with music, dancing, home-cooked meals, natural remedies, and a family environment grounded in honesty and transparency.
I began taking ballroom dancing classes at 13 and soon started competing across the US. As I grew older, I ventured into modeling and participated in Polish beauty pageants, eventually becoming Miss New Jersey USA in 2005 at 19. Witnessing the impact of the beauty industry on many girls and women, I realized that the innate beauty we all have truly comes from within.
I eventually left competitive dancing and transitioned to modeling while pursuing a degree in business marketing at Berkeley College NYC in the evenings. Despite this, I felt unfulfilled and lacked passion for that work. When my mother was diagnosed with breast cancer for the second time at the age of 22, it set me on a new path focused on health and wellness.
I received my holistic health certification from the Institute of Integrative Nutrition (IIN) in 2009 and pursued further education at the Natural Gourmet Institute for Health & Culinary Arts in 2010. After completing my internship at Blue Hill in New York City, I began working as a private chef and teaching clients how to cook at home. In 2016, I trained in an Iyengar-based yoga approach with Colleen Saidman and Rodney Yee at Yoga Shanti, earning my 200-hour teacher certification. In 2022, I expanded my practice to the water by getting certified in SUP Yoga with Nancy Kid in Tulum, MX. My journey in holistic health and wellness eventually led me to Breathwork, which profoundly impacted my life. In 2023, I became a certified Breathwork facilitator under Neelou Malekpour.
While facilitating Breathwork, I recognized the need for a more fluid method to help clients release stagnant energy in their bodies. In 2024, I became a facilitator of The Movement Experience, created by Erika Linae. This modality helps you connect with deeper layers of your body through dance, yoga, barre, and somatic embodiment exercises.
I currently split my time between Sea Cliff, NY and Tulum, MX.
