Yoga with a million dollar view

Hilary Anderson, a therapeutic level yoga teacher, stands next to her unique Inhale Exhale Move yoga studio near Waterford.

Brenda Moser

Advocate Correspondent

Many would say exercise is a four-letter word… unless you’ve discovered one of the newest additions to your workout options.

Located at 127 Woodley Road is a very interesting structure that catches your attention the instant you see it. Inhale Exhale Move is the brain child of Hilary Anderson, a therapeutic level yoga teacher whose studio is a one-of-a kind Geodome.

“We love Waterford and wanted to find the right spot,” said Anderson. “We looked for years and found this small farm.”

Anderson started her yoga journey in 2009, when she fell in love with the exercise after a free two-week pass to a hot yoga studio. In 2014, while on maternity leave, Anderson completed the first 200 hours of training and earned her diploma. In 2021 she completed an additional 300 hours of training to earn her Registered Yoga Teacher certification.

Since then, she has been busy teaching yoga to men and women of all ages. She has held classes at Waterford United Church and Wellings of Waterford but owning her own studio space was a dream come true for her.

Living in the country on a small farm, just a short distance outside of Waterford, she recognized the potential for the perfect studio… without leaving home. Not only did it offer the space needed but it is the perfect setting with a breathtaking view… all just steps away. The process for bringing her dream to reality began with the construction of a large wooden deck. From there the dome would take form, but only after some hard work and the help of friends and family.

“We knew when we started building it that we had to finish it. Our friends and family helped us build it over a weekend. It took one day to put the metal rods together and six hours and a lot of co-ordination to pull the cover over the frame. Under the deck we had an R40 spray foam insulation added so I could hold yoga classes all year long. We’re adding heat, then we will be good to go for the winter,” adds Hilary.

Their property is about 30 acres in size with seven acres of bush at the back of the property. There is a Long Point wetland on the property and beyond that land for a cash crop. There is a beautiful nature trail around the perimeter of the property that is available for all to walk, weather permitting. There are free range chickens and hand-fed penned turkeys… all the makings of a relaxing one of a kind experience.

“Healthy aging is our goal to ensure that my classes find that feeling they get without feeling defeated. My yoga is more traditional and I show them how to adapt. They can use a chair if they can’t get down onto the floor. While yoga is internal and not physical, there are a lot of physical aspects. We focus on finding the ‘present moment’ and if today’s not the day, then it’s not today. We want it to feel like you’re getting more out of your yoga classes… like a one-on-one experience within a community.

“Bedtime yoga is like charging your phone… it’s a body recharge. Different poses help the body to rest and at the end of class is a meditation. Meditation is nice and helps to nurture your body. There are only four students per class and maybe someone might even fall asleep… but that’s okay.

"My Farm Fitness incorporates 20 minutes of weighted vest yoga inside, followed by 20 to 25 minutes walking the trails. It creates new brain cells and is a little bit different. It would be nice if they could do this three days a week."

Statistics show that 3-5 per cent of muscle is lost when you reach 40, so Anderson suggests you perform some type of fitness three days a week.

“It’s all about the wellness... I see a need for our seniors especially in movement. I want them to feel the independence and feel elevated.”

Anderson has a lot of regulars coming back as well as a lot of new people and you can check out what Inhale Exhale Move offers by visiting her website at www.inhaleexhalemove.com . Classes, times and cost can be found there.

Hilary does what she does because, “It fills my bucket.”

Take a drive by her studio, stop in to check it out and say ‘Hi.’ Besides… the view will be breathtaking.