My name is Natalie Ventura, and I am a 275-hour Certified Yoga teacher and Certified Holistic Practitioner and Garden of Awareness is a project I initiated in Spring 2023 to help people reconnect with their bodies and the Earth. Inspired by the longevity practices of ancient cultures and the teachings of yoga, I established Garden of Awareness to share holistic nutrition, yoga, and healing techniques with my community. My approach centers on optimizing gut and nervous system health, honoring the bodies energy and the menstrual cycle, and living in sync with nature’s seasonal rhythms. This approach, rooted in both ancient wisdom and modern science, empowers people to live fulfilling lives from a place of inner harmony. When we cultivate inner peace, we are better equipped to extend love and compassion to our communities and work towards a more sustainable world. Body, self, and Earth awareness can transform lives. 

 

My personal journey of healing and inner work began after experiencing years of challenges with my mental and emotional health that affected my quality of life. The pandemic years of 2020 and 2021 provided a unique opportunity for self-introspection. As the external noise of the world faded into silence, I learned to sit with stillness and discomfort. A quiet voice developed inside me, guiding me toward hidden corners of the psyche. While the pandemic forced a global pause, it illuminated the depth of our collective unconsciousness. I recognized myself drifting through life, unaware and navigating each day on autopilot. Our survival-oriented mindset is a consequence of the past and has become deeply ingrained in our nervous systems, making it difficult to fully experience the present moment and have healthy relationships and lives. In stillness, I witnessed this disconnection that manifested itself in the world and in myself. 

 

My first step in uncovering the roots of my truth involved learning outside of the traditional education system and leaving the cocoon of my family home to travel the world alone. My heart was my navigation system, guiding me to moments of solitude abroad, volunteering on organic farms, studying holistic nutrition, immersing in the wisdom of Yoga from traditional Indian masters, and moments of silent meditation. Every destination was like a sweet remembrance of reconnecting with the parts of myself that lay unseen. As I journeyed alone, the shadows of my unhealed wounds rose to the surface. By unveiling the layers of my unconscious mind, I got to see beyond them. The hidden parts of ourselves can create obstacles in our lives and obscure our reality. By illuminating my awareness, I empowered myself to choose my path and embrace life’s dualities. The ancient practices and trips that I have had the privilege of experiencing has deepened my understanding of the systemic issues that damage the health of our Earth and our collective health and well-being. By reclaiming our presence and prioritizing self-healing, we can break free from this harmful paradigm.