Our Sea Soul Community interviews are conversations with people who love the sea as much as we do. And for our eighteenth Sea Soul interview, we’re talking to yogini Helen Faliveno of hmfyoga.
Helen recently made a wonderful sea yoga video using Sea Soul Blessings as a guide, which we loved! And now we’re getting the chance to find out a little more about her and her love for the sea.
Tell us a little bit about you: (Your name, age, where you live, and anything else you’d like to tell us about your life…)
My name is Helen and I’m an Essex girl, but have lived in London for about 12 years. I teach yoga to a wide range of people across the city and have been doing so for around 4 years.
What does nature, and the sea in particular, mean to you?
I grew up near Clacton-on-Sea and spent a lot of time at the beach in the summer.
“Living most of my adult life in London now, fresh, sea air always brings me a sense of calm and clarity no matter the weather. In fact I crave it when I haven’t been to the seaside for a while.”
How do you feel on a good day?
Energetic, motivated and ready to take on whatever the day holds.
How do you feel on a bad day?
Blue. Heavy. Lethargic.
Who or what is inspiring you right now?
Long hot days in summer time always inspire me the most. More daylight hours means more time for work and play.
What do you worry about on a typical day?
Being self employed I do often worry about when the next job may be coming often. I’ve tried to flip that ‘worrying’ feeling to ‘excited’ instead.
Where do you find joy?
“Honestly, I find joy in the most simple things. A good night’s sleep, coffee in bed with my boyfriend in the morning, long walks, seeing my yoga clients relax and unwind, cold white wine and good chats with friends.”
What do you love to do, read, watch or listen to?
I like to schedule in ‘me time’ each day as early in in my self-employed career I found I slipped very easily into working 7 days a week. I love listening to podcasts on walks, at the moment I love ‘Feel Better, Live More’, Russell Brand and Tony Robbins. I like to watch vlogs on YouTube or Eastenders!
What makes you cross?
People who are late and people who are narrow minded and refuse to see how ‘success’ can be measured in a limitless amount of ways.
How do you look after yourself?
Planning in ‘me time’ each day, sometimes that’s 5 minutes of sitting quietly with a coffee, sometimes that’s 5 hours of pampering, yoga and pottering around the house.
What would you most like to change about your life?
I think I’m very ready to grow roots and buy a house that can be my home with my boyfriend. In all honesty I haven’t felt that ‘ahhh home’ feeling in far too long.
What have you learnt about life that you wish you’d understood earlier?
“Follow your passion and heart always, you know what’s best for you. Plus be prepared for your passion and heart to change and that’s okay. Also energy doesn’t lie, if something feels off, it probably is!“
How would you describe Sea Soul Blessings in 3 words?
Ritualistic, emotive, kind.
If someone was thinking about trying Sea Soul Blessings, how would you encourage them?
If anyone is struggling with stress, lack of direction or just finding some time to himself or herself, Sea Soul Blessings makes space for that. Having a physical object like the cards or guidebook to hand also creates a good starting point for meditation, reflection, yoga or journaling.
How do you use your Sea Soul Blessings?
Sometimes I lay them face down and pick one at random, other times I like to shuffle through cards and pick a one that resonates with me. I find just those very simple choice of words can help to change my mindset for the day. I also just love reading through the little guide by itself.
You can find out more about Helen and hmfyoga on her you tube channel where she shares a free live yoga class every day, her website, and instagram.
You can read more of our Sea Soul Community interviews over here.
And if you’d like to read more from Sea Soul Blessings, sign up for the Sea Soul Newsletter, full of sea wisdom, self compassion, special offers and news.
