Building a Life Through Yoga and Change
From dancing and teaching yoga in South Africa to creating her own aerial movement brand, Helen poured her energy into the work she loved. But when the pandemic hit, everything shifted. Her studio closed, and she relocated to Canada to pursue her master's in Education—eventually becoming a psychotherapist. Starting over was not easy. Teaching had been her lifeline, and moving to a new country meant rebuilding from scratch.
In those uncertain days, her yoga mat became her sanctuary. It wasn't just physical healing—yoga helped her connect to her faith and build the inner strength needed to face life's upheavals. Today, Helen freelances at two Ottawa-based studios and is building her online platform to support others through yoga and mindset work. She continues to teach from a place of groundedness, community, and clarity—empowering others to find peace and strength in their own lives.
Lessons I've Learned
Healing isn't always linear—it often takes the form of movement, stillness, and the quiet moments in between. Starting again has taught me that letting go of what you've built can make space for something more aligned. And through it all, I've learned that honoring my creativity not only helps me grow but opens doors I never expected.
My Message to Founders
“Root yourself in what gives you energy and helps you clarify your vision and grow from there. Give relentlessly, whilst keeping up with your own self-healing and growth. Some days may be slow, and you might feel like giving up. Other days you might feel that you are unstoppable ..Embrace it all and most importantly... Keep going. It's all part of the journey.”
I know what it means to start from zero—to dig deep and swim in the deep end to survive. My mission is to help others facing life's demands and inner struggles by offering an empowering practice that builds strength, clarity, and resilience. Through movement, I help people shift their mindset and reconnect with themselves.
Business Takeaways from Grounded Beginnings
Start from what fuels your energy and purpose. Let that be your anchor.
Creative Thinking
Lean into your creative process—it often holds the key to your next breakthrough.
Resilience Training
The mat is more than a workout—it's training for how you meet the world outside it.
Rebuild with Purpose
When life forces you to start over, build with deeper intention the second time around.
At , we don't just share inspiring stories — we break down what makes yoga businesses succeed. By learning directly from real founders and entrepreneurs, we extract actionable lessons and proven strategies you can apply, so you can avoid common mistakes, feel more confident, grow faster, and make bold choices with clarity.
Business Takeaways
- Yoga Business Journey Currently, I freelance at 2 studios in Ottawa. I am in the process of setting up my online platform. Starting from the beginning after leaving Cape Town to come to Ottawa has been a very tough journey. My yoga classes have permitted me a place of grounding, to connect to a practice that I love and one I share with others . It has opened up a beautiful community and a sense of connection with others. Overcoming challenges on the mat provides me the physical and mental resources to deal with the things that life throws at me. It also provides me with a space of clarity where I can begin to "see" the next step. These are all skills - that I love to teach others. As a pilates and yoga entrepreneur, and someone who has had her own practice and grown into other studios, then giving it all up to continue my studies in a new country, which means starting from scratch again, my words to others out there- starting over or trying to grow their own business are :
