The obvious question here is why would a beauty school send students to India for a study abroad experience? Let’s back up a bit…

Aveda: The Art and Science of Pure Plant and Flower Essences. Rooted, in Ayurveda, Aveda has been a pioneer in blending the world of beauty with the environment to create inner and outer beauty, balanced in wellness. It was Aveda’s founder, Horst Rechelbacher, that had the vision to change the world by changing the way we do business. After his passing a few years ago, he left a legacy of love behind, reminding us all that love is all there is. Love for the planet and people.

Today, Aveda is able to showcase that it’s rooted in a holistic, healing practice known as Ayurveda, because it’s becoming more understood in the West. Ayurveda has been around for 5,ooo plus years and originated in India as a medical practice focused on energy of the mind, body and being. We are all made of energy and the idea is to create balance through understanding energy. Ayurveda breaks down energy into three categories or doshas known as Vata (Air, Infinity) Pitta (Fire, Water) and Kapaha (Water, Earth). We are all born with a unique dosha blend and through nutrition, yoga, meditation and daily routing (dinacharya), we each have the power to use the medicines of the Earth (plants, herbs) to heal ourselves.

We may know Ayurveda more commonly in the West as “alternative medicine.” Horst spent many years in India studying Ayurveda and realized the great need in bridging the gap聽between the wellness and聽beauty industries. Most cosmetics, perfumes, and products were then and are still petroleum-based, synthetic, tested on animals or have toxic ingredients. His vision was clear. The products that make us beautiful should also be healthy for us.聽Ayurveda is the root of Aveda. In Sanskrit, Aveda translates to mean “knowledge of all things.”

In 1978, the Aveda journey began with the聽Aveda Mission and the idea that Ayurveda would be an influence in all our聽products and services. We see this today through our rituals like an energizing scalp massage or relaxing sensory experience. We see it through the plant-powered products and ingredient sourcing from the Earth. We experience聽it in how our guests FEEL when they leave our salons and spas. We see it in our curriculum and education.

Since 1978, we have worked with Ayurvedic consultants from India to ensure quality and performance of all our products and services. We celebrate that we can offer a Study Abroad Experience to India for our team and students as it brings them in contact with our roots.

One of our esthiology and massage therapy graduates, Grace Henniger, attended as a student along with classmates and members of the Aveda network. Travelers were guided by聽Inspire Greatness Aveda Institute Operations Director, Karling Cosca, and Aveda tribal elder Helga Hefner, and Sumit and Navneeta Badola. Below, Grace shares some of her thoughts on this life-changing experience.

Q: Why did you apply for this opportunity?

A: I saw what a huge opportunity this would be to learn about Aveda and Ayurveda from where it all began.

Q: What was your favorite part of the experience?

A: Gaining聽a connection with so many people who started off as strangers and left being a family. We had an amazing group of people. I became good friends with many of them and have a deep love and appreciation for all of them, especially our amazing guides, Helga Hefner, and Sumit and Navneeta Badola. Being with Helga was certainly life changing. She is one of the most beautiful souls I have had the pleasure of meeting, and her wisdom and kindness has changed my life forever. Sumit and Navneeta have become my family, and I will forever appreciate their teachings and blessings.

Q: What was something you didn’t expect to experience?

A: I learned many things about myself on this trip. Mainly I learned that I have control over everything I feel, and any situation can be made into a learning experience; so now I choose to see everything through rose-colored glasses. That’s how I saw the culture in India- everyone lives their lives through their hearts. There’s lots of gratitude and love in their everyday lives, doing daily prayers and blessings. It’s similar to America in the sense that everyone is busy with their work and families, but in India everyone is more present in what they do. That’s one thing that I have brought back with me and hope to share with many people.

Q: What did you learn most during this trip?

A: If you can be in the moment with every moment, then there is more room for joy and appreciation. Especially at the beginning and end of every day. 聽Each day I now try to sit in silence and be grateful. Overall, this was such a life changing and enlightening experience. I feel so blessed to have gone through this as a student, so that as I go into my career I can bring this insight and wisdom to my guests and help transform their lives with light and love.

In the picture shared here from Grace’s Instagram, the caption reads,聽“Words cannot describe how grateful I am. Watching the sunrise over the Himalayan mountains gave me the deepest feeling of purpose and serenity. I will never forget how magical this moment was. Thank you to everyone who made this happen… namaste.”

Later, an article would be shared about this Study Abroad Experience, telling the story of how the students and Aveda team members re-connected back to the same roots Horst himself started. It was Swami Rama, founder of the Himalayan non-profit hospital who introduced the Indian heritage of yoga and Ayurveda to Aveda founder, Horst. The students learned a deeper understanding of Ayurvedic treatments like Panchkarma, yoga, meditation and the basic principles of Ayurveda.

Another Aveda network聽member, Naomi Dove (@avedaitgirl) shared her experience through a video she created.

“Six months ago Sue Trondson at came to Phoenix and told me that I was going to have my best year ever! Five months later, the opportunity came up to apply to study in India with Helga Hefner of AVEDA. I wish the emotion I feel right now could translate to words. Exactly six months later, I’m having my best year ever. Everything in this video is so authentic and relatable to this journey. From the music, the emotion, the creativity, the picture of Horst…the music you hear is a recording from our celebration dinner; the videos you watch are real people from the , and the photos you see are original pictures I was able to take on a real life experience at the original ashram Horst studied at with Swami Rama… I’m so humble.”

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Madison Wade working on her NAHA application.

As the deadline to apply for Beacon 2016 nears, we caught up with our graduate, Madison Wade to shed some light on how she got her start to success in this industry. Ironically, it all began with her application to Beacon.*

淢y advice to students currently enrolled at Inspire Greatness Institutes is to apply yourself. Just try. Sometimes it檚 intimidating but if you don檛 try, youl never have the chance,� � Madison Wade.

Though she didn’t move along through the Beacon process back in 2014, she didn檛 get discouraged or give up. It was the beginning of a journey where she learned to never give up. Madison eventually went on to take Editorial ReMix in Denver, London Study Abroad and eventually applied for NAHA, all while she was a student at Aveda Institute Denver.

Madison credits her NAHA experience in teaching her how to work with a team, and more importantly how important having a team is.

淚 would never be able to do this without Brad. He檚 been my mentor, my teacher and inspiration,� says Madison as she mixes color. She檚 working with Brad Van Dyke, Education Director for Inspire Greatness Institutes as she prepares her next application for NAHA. Brad is coaching Madison and overseeing her finished looks.

Each Inspire Greatness Institute had one student finalist for the NAHA 2015 Student Hair Stylist of the Year!

Brad shares, 淢adison being here today working with us in our Institute is a representation of how once you graduate from IG, you檙e always a part of our family.�

She applied for NAHA 2015 in the category of Student Hairstylist of the Year. Madison, along with students from our sister locations in Tucson, Phoenix and Provo became a finalist for the competition. The winner was Dustin Villa from Aveda Institute Tucson but all four nominees, including Madison, were recognized at Aveda Congress this past fall and were able to be backstage working with the industry professionals, including the Aveda Institutes section which was formatted by our Creative Director, Heggy Gonzalez.

淏eing a part of the NAHA experience has opened so many doors for me in this industry. I檓 building an incredible network, sharing talent, meeting so many inspiring people and working more and more to build my career. NAHA was just the beginning,� says Madison.

Currently Madison is working at Matthew Morris salon but she shared it wouldn檛 surprise her if becoming an educator is in her future, maybe even here at Aveda Institute Denver.

淔oundation is everything, it檚 who you are. My foundation is here at Aveda Institute Denver.�

Madison Wade’s collection for NAHA 2015 Student Hairstylist of the Year

聽*NAHA, North American Hairstyling Awards, is a globally recognized opportunity to receive recognition in our industry for our technical skill. Our NAHA Experience continues to be a significant Point of Difference for our Inspire Greatness Institutes. We were excited to celebrate NAHA finalist from each of our Inspire Greatness locations in 2015 in the category of Student Hairstylist of the Year.

*The Professional Beauty Association檚 Beacon program is a renowned program designed to encourage and inspire beauty industry students to effectively and aggressively prepare for successful careers. This program provides the nation檚 most promising cosmetology students with education and opportunities to network with the industry檚 highest profile salon owners, professionals, and stylists during PBA Beauty Week.

To learn more about Madison Wade, visit her or book an appointment with her at Matthew Morris Salon in Denver, Colo.

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