Today we’d like to introduce you to Hillary Vadhera.
Hillary, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Yoga in the Garden
It all started when seeking some escape, but really just wanted connection. I had moved to Central Florida from Indiana months earlier. I was new to the state, new to young married life & was finding my footing with my work.
I searched Google for “gardens” & Mead Botanical Garden is where I found myself on a Sunday evening. Magical. I had no idea it was just what I was looking for — a place so secluded, yet you felt such a deep connection. It took me a short walk to around imagine yoga there— I knew where it would be perfect. I had been teaching yoga for some years anyway — outdoor when the weather allowed it in Indiana. But this was the sunshine state where outdoor was possible so often.
I signed up on the volunteer link on Mead’s website before even leaving that evening & started emailing about my first chance to volunteer. I showed up to the garden & immediately met the volunteer & program coordinator. I couldn’t help but share my experience in years of teaching yoga & sharing my vision for starting a yoga program. They loved the idea & the energy I had behind it!
We spent time meeting & coordinating details & plans. We began to promote and our first-class took place within 2 months & then consistently since then for nearly 4 years. Within these years, I also studied & obtained my Master’s Degree studying AyurVeda (Ancient Indian herbs & lifestyle) & Integrative Medicine.
My mission is to connect people to nature & support nature in that process When we grow that awareness & appreciation towards nature, we can realize the nature’s element’s role in our own physiologies & our own lives. Every class costs – half the proceeds go directly to the non-profit of the garden. This helps special nature projects around & education programming so we can all learn & support more.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Consistency is key. Collaboration & support must be a primary focus & always be creating opportunities & building trust towards it. Communication is really huge with anything, but especially when you’re building something—- I’m still strengthening this muscle.
Consistency was really important in my mind when starting this program. I wanted it to become a habit for people who wanted it to be. I also did not want it to be difficult or require much thought & have the capability also of passerby on the garden to just join yoga if they wanted.
Collaboration – totally from the I knew right away I had to put things into place to ensure that — so I had already befriended another yoga teacher & she had my back.
The day before the first class— I was volunteering at Mead Garden & “weeding.” I eventually noticed my ankles & started to see all the itching & when I got around people, they were noticing I looked like a red balloon. I had to rush into emergency care & they confirmed I had anaphylactic shock— likely the ant bites everywhere. I thought wow how timely – first class is tomorrow. My yoga teacher friend was on board to help. Somehow with the meds the doctors gave and going to bed early—- I persevered got up the next morning & taught class okay— with some redness. Ha
Collaboration & communication are so key— I put things into place & communicated with people I trusted & conducted pieces for the program to continue smoothly for 2 months while I was physically in India. —- I knew this was a great sign & felt super encouraged. =)
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I work in the operations side of a real estate team called ThinkLiveBe based in downtown Orlando. My team is amazing & very community-driven. I’m fact, my team owner came up with an initiative called ThinkLiveBreathe that she offers as a perk client can choose & they can partake in Yoga in the Garden at Mead Garden.
I have been teaching yoga for over 8 years in a multitude of ways and have created courses businesses use, workshops & community events also. I worked for my university some & I spent 3 years studying AyurVeda. I would like to continue to be able to create herb, yoga & lifestyle programming within the community.
What sort of changes are you expecting over the next 5-10 years?
Real estate – people definitely need a place to live. Quality in life starts in your living scenario. So many people are moving to Central Florida— looks like a positive outlook.
Nature / Yoga & AyurVeda/lifestyle – people are searching for connection. People are searching health & wholeness. I see this as vital today & people are waking up to realize what nature has to offer once we connect.
Pricing:
- $10 per class (Half of the proceeds go directly to the Non-profit the Garden has)
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.meadgarden.org/
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/meadgarden?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
Image Credits
Emily Smith
Louisa Cisneros
