American yoga instructor Hilaria Hayward-Thomas began her yoga journey at 20. She was struggling with health issues at the time and searching for a gentle physical activity to benefit her body. What she found was much more: her life’s calling. In addition to founding the New York-based “Yoga Vida” network of studios, recording exercise DVDs, and publishing health books, Hilaria is well-known for her marriage to Hollywood actor Alec Baldwin. Learn more about this extraordinary woman’s life at newyorka.
Early Life
Hilaria Lynn Hayward-Thomas was born on January 6, 1984, in Boston, Massachusetts. Her parents were Kathryn Hayward and David Thomas Jr. Their ancestry is a true tapestry of nationalities, including English, Irish, Canadian, German, and even Slovak.
The family, which included Hilaria’s brother Jeremy, was Spanish-speaking. They traveled to Spain every year. This was largely due to the influence of her grandfather, David Lloyd Thomas Sr. Although born in Ames, Iowa, he spent much of his life working in Argentina but always considered himself a true American. He also introduced his children to world culture and encouraged them to learn Spanish.
As a result of this upbringing, David Thomas Jr. earned a bachelor’s degree in Spanish literature from Haverford College, followed by a law degree from Georgetown University. He worked as an attorney.
Hilaria’s mother grew up in Massachusetts and earned a medical degree. She began her career as an associate physician at a local general hospital and later became a faculty member at Harvard Medical School. She left this position in 2012, moved to Spain with her husband, and co-founded “International Integrators,” an integrative health organization. Hilaria’s parents have lived in Mallorca since 2011.
As for Hilaria herself, she was educated at the private Weston School. She then enrolled at New York University. During this time, she practiced ballroom dancing and dreamed about her future, though she wasn’t sure what it would hold.
Yoga in Hilaria Baldwin’s Life
Yoga came into Hilaria’s life when she was around 20 years old. According to her, she was looking for a healthy approach to exercise at the time. This search was prompted by an eating disorder and intense workouts, which had led to significant weight loss and deteriorating health.
During that period of her life, Hilaria believed that physical exercise was necessary just to be slim and look good. But when she attended a yoga class, she was surprised by the emphasis on body awareness and mental well-being. It was the complete opposite of what she was used to, and at the same time, exactly what she had been looking for.
Hilaria began practicing yoga regularly, and a short time later, she decided to become an instructor. To do this, she completed a 200-hour training program, and in 2009, she co-founded her own yoga studio, “Yoga Vida,” in the West Village with Michael Patton. Studio branches later opened in New York neighborhoods like Noho, Dumbo, and Tribeca. They became a successful project and her life’s work.
It’s worth noting that Hilaria connects with the philosophy of yoga not just as a form of exercise, but as a philosophical path. She has been interested in vegetarianism since childhood and currently follows pescetarianism—she doesn’t eat meat, but does eat fish and seafood.
Other Projects and Activities
In 2012, Hilaria began working as a lifestyle correspondent for the entertainment show “Extra.” Two years later, she and her colleagues from the show won a Daytime Emmy Award for the program.
Her other projects went on to include:
- A prenatal yoga DVD titled “Home with Hilaria Baldwin: Fit Mommy-to-Be Prenatal Yoga” (2013),
- Publishing the lifestyle book “The Living Clearly Method: 5 Principles for a Fit Body, Healthy Mind & Joyful Life” (2016) and launching its companion website,
- A parenting podcast, “Mom Brain,” co-hosted with Daphne Oz (2018).
In the fall of 2018, the hosts appeared on the “Rachael Ray Show” to talk about the project, and later appeared on the “Today” show. The podcast was active until 2020. She later created two more podcasts: “What’s One More?” with her husband Alec Baldwin, and “Witches Anonymous,” co-hosted with jewelry designer Michelle Campbell.
Hilaria can also often be seen on the covers of glossy magazines, such as “Hello!”, “Fit Pregnancy,” “Parents,” and “Télépro.” In 2017, she received the Wellness Foundation’s “Illumination Award.”
Currently, she continues to promote a healthy lifestyle, with support from her husband. For example, in 2019, the couple spoke before a United Nations panel about food choices and planetary sustainability.
Personal Life
Hilaria met Hollywood actor Alec Baldwin in the winter of 2011. This fateful meeting took place at the “Pure Food and Wine” restaurant in New York City. By the end of the summer, the pair began dating, and Hilaria’s quiet life came to an end.
Her relationship with Alec progressed smoothly. They moved to Greenwich Village. However, Hilaria initially didn’t grasp the extent of his popularity; she didn’t fully realize how famous he was. Suddenly, journalists started calling, her phone number was widely circulated, and she was being followed by cameras.
This situation initially caused Hilaria great anxiety. While the media attention still bothers her, back then she completely withdrew and tried to hide from the world. As time passed, she decided she no longer wanted to be afraid or hide her life. She realized that posting photos herself was the perfect solution. This way, media companies had no incentive to pay paparazzi to follow her, as all the pictures were already on her social media. She used this tool to make her life more relaxed. It also sparked connections with other moms, turning her personal Instagram page into a genuine community.
As for her relationship with Baldwin, the couple got engaged in the spring of 2012. They celebrated their wedding on June 30, 2012, in a Catholic ceremony at St. Patrick’s Old Cathedral in New York City. On the inside of their wedding rings, the newlyweds had the Spanish phrase “Somos un buen equipo” engraved, which translates to “We are a great team.” And indeed, they are. Over the next decade, Alec and Hilaria had seven children. They are happy together, share similar outlooks on life, and remain a harmonious couple.
Hilaria also continues to develop her own projects. She speaks openly about her struggles with anorexia nervosa and bulimia during high school and college. In her book, she described her health problems and how unhappy she was. This, in fact, is what motivated her career as an advocate for a healthy lifestyle and yoga.
In the fall of 2025, a 41-year-old Hilaria Baldwin became a contestant on season 34 of “Dancing with the Stars.” Her partner is professional dancer Gleb Savchenko. She continues to lead an active life, managing to care for her family and pursue her passions.