As I sit here in my Orange Corner of the world where it all began I am overwhelmed with emotion. To think that 10 years ago this month I had this wonderfully scary idea to build a business that surrounds itself with Community, Empowerment, and Empathic Wellness. I followed this deep rooted calling to journey within myself, to help others heal themselves in a quiet but safe seclusion. The Sacred Orange Space. My business being rooted in Virgo rising and Venus conjunct the Ascendent. Venus placing an emphasis on relationships and well being of each individual person.
Thera’s sun, north node, and mercury all sit within the 12th house of Leo indicating a spiritual emphasis around healing, retreat, and private transformation. Thera is not a company that chases the spotlight but draws it’s true nature from seclusion, reconnection, and storytelling. There is much to share in the orange room as we have evolved the last decade. We started out in an orange corner of the world, emphasizing meditation and the spiritual practice of Buddhist teachings surrounding samsara, meditation, and compassion for the self. We fused the inner workings of the mind and transcended those emotions though the body. We began with movement outdoors.
The 8 fold path guided us in our humble beginnings
Right View - Right Intention - Right Speech - Right Action - Right Livelihood - Right Effort - Right Mindfulness - Right Concentration
The first few years of the business were filled with stumbles, tumbles, and scattered thoughts. Who was I to start a business? I knew nothing about business. But.. Mental Health I knew about that. And.. I knew about the Buddhist teachings . That would be enough right? Well, not exactly. I spent the next several years trying to get a handle on the nuts and bolts of the business. Majority of our movement took place outside, booths, retreats, classes, and get togethers with quiet seclusion in 1:1 sessions. I somehow secured a morning show spot on the news once a week! Morning meditation with Candace!
In year 3 we moved from outdoors to indoors and outdoors. More certifications, more visibility, and a brand new website!
The orange room was expanding, growing, building, and becoming more of a well oiled business. With the refinement of aesthetics and nuts and bolts formulating I was finally ready to put the company into a Brick and Mortar space in the lovely tree area. Big windows surrounding the studio on a second floor with a garden of flowers outside. The big orange room was materialized.
Buddhist teachings and seminars began. Aerial Yoga was realized in Thera and Sound Healing took shape! We were reaching a wider audience, we were meeting new people, and expanding our soulful horizons. Within all of the expansion we also were met with challenge, drama, internal chaos, and needing to learn to set boundaries within a business. Then the Pandemic happened. We weathered the storm and our online platform was born. Changes surrounded Thera and relationships within Thera. This was first moment that I realized that not everyone is cheering for me behind the scenes. The Pandemic actually brought on a quieting within the direction Thera was moving. A year later Thera was off on another adventure. From indoors to outdoors once again with a little bit of traveling around in between. The online sector presented it’s own challenges as I was once again navigating the beautiful unraveling of Thera.
6 years in and the retreats got bigger, content creation unfolded, photo shoots took place, and Ayurveda entered into Thera’s world. The company evolved from the buddhist teachings to a bolder reflection on our TheraCommunity. The Rebuild program was born and took on a life of it’s own for several years. TheraCommunity was born. Ambassadors were put into place and we were getting ready to begin again slowly into a new big orange room. The new Orange room was in the downtown district but it took time and patience to get the second location realized. Construction and contemplations.
8 Years in I became more deeply ingrained in my spiritual practice as it helped me to stay grounded, focused, and balanced. I was getting ready to embark on our first international retreat trip to Bali and becoming a Mayor of a town. Taking on two full time jobs created a challenge all on it’s own. Navigating two worlds that had nothing to do with one another. The bali trip was an experience I will never forget. It was a spiritual awakening , a coming home to deep roots within spirituality once again. The Buddhist teachings were ever present in the company, in our roots, and in the empowerment of Nirvana. The shaman in Bali gave me clarity and focus. She helped guide me on my path forward. International retreats were born. Content creation became bigger and OM your Mental Health sister company began.
The company was expanding. We had made it through big glow up moments, clothing lines, international retreats, bigger productions, seminars, educational speaking engagements, magazines came calling, and the infinite tripod was born. The Thera OM your Mental Health App was built. I took the company national and international. We leveled up in this moment and created a bigger and bolder community. The confidence was present. The Community was established. The company was finally transcending at a patient pace.
Through the 10 years it has remained that the business is grounded in empowerment, community, love, inclusion, support, and guidance. Every year I have grown and healed my past lives. I have witnessed the love and embrace that others give themselves. I have grown fond of the slow burn of patience and compassion. This tenth year has been met with collaborations, content creation, international retreat trips, Everest Base Camp trek, health, fitness, wellness, and rebranding process. There is so many moments that will forever live on in my memory. For now I will quietly sit back and reflect in seclusion once again before the epic adventures begin once again. With love XOXO
Candace Machado
Owner Theraexpressions Meditation
Theraexpressions.com
