Ariana Vincent, CEO, and founder of the Ariana Institute, gives readers a glimpse into her personal life in the spotlight article “The Real Wives of Lake Austin” published in the June, 2015 issue of Lake Austin Lifestyle Magazine. In the June 2015 issue of Lake Austin Lifestyle magazine, Ariana Vincent gives a glimpse into the life of a “Real Wife of Lake Austin.” The article paints a personal portrait of Ariana, including her background, the place she calls home, what she does recreationally and professionally, as well as her dreams and aspirations. Ariana is honored to be featured in the Lake Austin Lifestyle Magazine.
For more information about “The Real Wives of Lake Austin” article,  read on below for featured selections of the article or refer to the June 2015 publication of Lake Austin Lifestyle magazine at http://www.lakeaustinlifestyle.com/2015/05/29/introducing-ariana-vincent/. Enjoy!

REAL WIVES OF LAKE AUSTIN – ARIANA VINCENT

WHO/WHAT LIVES IN YOUR HOUSE?

Our recently renovated home was originally owned by the Grace family, some early pioneers of this area. According to local lore, they owned much of the property between Hwy. 71 and Barton Creek Blvd. off of Bee Cave Road. I live in our quiet abode with my wonderful husband, Michael. We have many residents outside of the home including a wide variety of wild birds who come to one of the three bird feeders we’ve installed right outside the picture window. The birds include lesser goldfinch, sparrows, cardinals and an occasional curious dove who can’t quite understand how to access the feed from the feeders but are usually content with the plentiful seeds that are on the ground. We also have hummingbirds who come to our lovely glass and brass hummingbird feeder. There’s the occasional deer, a copious supply of cottontails, some coyotes in the distance and a family of roadrunners who escort us down the drive. It’s a good life, filled with grace.

NATIVE TO AUSTIN OR TRANSPLANTED?

I moved to Austin in 1966 to attend the University of Texas. I grew up in Houston and then went to high school and business college in San Antonio before I moved to Austin. I love the people and the ecosystem of Central Texas. I feel very much at home here. My best friend of over 30 years lives just seven minutes from me in the Cuernavaca area off of Bee Cave Road and I’m very grateful for that.

FAVORITE “PAMPER YOURSELF” OR SPLURGE ITEM?

I love receiving facials and massages as part of my focus on good health and well-being. There are many wonderful choices among the many extraordinary estheticians and massage therapists in the Lake Austin area. I especially enjoy going to Westlake Dermatology on Bee Cave Road, Yoga Yoga Spa on 360, and Carol O’Neil at the Carriage House Skin Care on 360 and Westlake Drive.

ORGANIZATION THAT GETS MOST OF YOUR VOLUNTEER TIME?

The way I give back to the community is to offer scholarships to people who could not otherwise afford the classes that I offer through my company, The Ariana Institute for Wellness Education.

BEST VACATION EVER?

The first vacation my husband and I took together as husband and wife were to Costa Rica near the town of Esparza. We stayed at a lovely B&B that a friend from Austin recommended. The couple who owned the B&B guided us to many of the most interesting places in Costa Rica where we boated, went horseback riding, snorkeled, visited spas, hiked, went to butterfly sanctuaries, participated in excursions led by ecologically enlightened guides and even celebrated New Year’s Eve listening to the Pavarotti with our hosts at the B&B. It was a magical experience that set a good foundation for our relationship.

FAVORITE DATE NIGHT RESTAURANT?

We enjoy dining on the porch at The Grove on 620, Gumbo’s in Bee Cave and at Truluck’s Seafood Restaurant near the Arboretum. We like to eat out before we go to the symphony or to an event at One World Theatre. For an informal meal, we frequently enjoy a tasty and delicious meal at Whole Foods in the Galleria or at The Grove on Bee Cave Road near 360.

WHAT DO YOU RECORD ON THE DVR?

We actually enjoy movies on the big screen at the Cinemark at the Hill Country Galleria and we are a Netflix family. Movies that we particularly enjoy are romantic dramas like Ms. Potter, starring Reese Witherspoon and Ewan McGregor, and nature movies, like Planet Earth by David Attenborough.

FAVORITE SPORTS TEAM?

My favorite sports team is the UT football team. When I was a university student, Earl Campbell won the Heisman Trophy and UT was No. 1. It was a very exciting time to be a senior at the University! I studied photography with Garry Winogrand at UT and I was fortunate enough to get to photograph football games from the sidelines and that deepened my love of the sport. My husband played football and lacrosse for Yale, so he likes watching the occasional New England Patriots football game.

FAVORITE GADGET OR GIZMO?

I love technology and I’m an Apple girl through and through from iPhone to laptop! I also love our GPS. That saved our marriage!

UNIQUE OR INTERESTING FACT ABOUT YOURSELF?

I have many facets to the jewel of myself: I’m a photographer, an art aficionado, a writer, an educator, a wife, a mother, a dancer and a lover of life.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PLACE TO EXERCISE IN THE LAKE AUSTIN AREA?

I love to participate in personal training and exercise classes at Gold’s Gym in the Westlake Village and at the Hills Fitness Center on Bee Cave Road. I enjoy Pilates, Zumba, core conditioning, body pump muscle conditioning, body step aerobics and yoga. I also love to participate in yoga classes at Yoga Yoga Westlake on 360.

WHAT DO YOU DO PROFESSIONALLY?

I have been an educator for over 16 years and I enjoy that career very much. I have been featured in the Spotlight feature of the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork and I was honored to be included in the Massage Therapy Hall of Fame. I’m also a writer who has seven books available at my author’s page on Amazon. I’ve previously been a professional photographer and a legal assistant, and I was a massage therapist for over 34 years. My husband is a Certified Advanced Rolfer who studied directly with Dr. Ida Rolf, and he’s been in that profession for over 42 years. We make a good team with our shared focus on healthy living and helping others live their best lives.

WHAT IS IT LIKE IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD?

It is peaceful and quiet in our community. My closest neighbor is the principle bass player for the Austin Symphony Orchestra and he and his wife welcomed me warmly to the neighborhood when we initially moved here and we have been friends throughout the years. My best friend of over 30 years lives close by and she is a woman of many facets like I am. She’s a world traveler, a Gestalt therapist, a tai chi instructor, a yoga instructor and a tango dancer. We have taken many a tango class together. I live between One World Theatre and the Laura Library and feel very fortunate to be living a secluded life with access to all of the amenities of cultured urban living. It is definitely the best of all worlds.

WHAT ARE YOUR DREAMS AND GOALS FOR THE FUTURE?

I would love to remain in the property that I’m living in right now. I feel like a steward of the land and it is sacred to me. I’d love to build more walking trails on our property and establish a wildlife sanctuary here. I’d love to see the gardens that we have planted continue to grow and flourish. It would be fabulous to see our two grandsons go to school at the University of Texas at Austin. I can envision them loving the Austin lifestyle and Central Texas experience as much as I have throughout the course of my lifetime. I’d like to see progress in our community evolve with consideration for the fragility of the environment and with consideration for the people inhabiting these beautiful hills of the greater Lake Austin community.