empowering healthy vibrant living

About Helen

I am Helen,

I am Helen, creator of HB Healthy, the purpose of which is to empower healthy vibrant living.

I grew up with a strong connection to nature and recognised the healing benefits this gifted me (and continues to). This remains the foundation of what I share.

It is no wonder that I went on to study herbal medicine and other natural therapies.

I worked as a medical herbalist for 10+ years in clinics in the UK. During this time, I observed a disconnect that many people had between themselves and their health (including in myself!), often feeling disempowered or overrun by health issues, life and its circumstances.

It then became my passion to empower people with knowledge and skills, which can be transformed into personal wisdom, to improve their own health and wellbeing (rather than just ‘prescribing’ herbal medicines).

As a result of this I began teaching herbal medicine courses and workshops.

Since 2016 I have taught herbal medicine in a variety of settings, including degree-level herbal courses, for charities, community centres, on organic farms, retreat venues, in collaboration with a wild food foraging, in 1:1 programmes, and online group immersions.
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I love sharing herbal wisdom and nature connection with people.

This connection creates a portal which transports you into a sense of awe and wonder at the everyday, as you realise (or remember) what you are part of, this incredible nature, and recognise what great teachers and friends plants can be! Witnessing this feels like an honour, every time.

Since 2005 I have had a committed Yoga practice, which has been positively life changing in ways beyond words. In 2017 I began teaching Yoga and have since studied more in-depth Yoga philosophy and psychology (for modern life), and Yoga therapy courses. These studies have been integrated into my personalised Yoga practices and influence how I share Yoga.

I have studied and practiced the healing art of Thai Yoga massage since 2008, which is embedded with the principles of compassion and loving kindness. This philosophy infuses all aspects of my work, which sprout from the foundational awareness that cultivating deep self-love is healing in itself (and so we all have the potential to heal ourselves), and the profoundly transformational impact this can have on your life.

As I slowly navigated my own path with stress, anxiety, lack of self-love, and various health conditions, I became fascinated by these powerful healing tools and their potential to facilitate recalibration of your nervous system, and deep transformational healing.

 Now from a place of abundance, embodied in self-love and a healthy vibrant life I LOVE, I offer you these gifts, which can help you to step into your vast expanse of capacity to dance joyfully and with grace through life, as you navigate its beautifully bittersweet ups and downs.

My offerings artfully weave together the ancient wisdom of plants, Yoga, and lived experience, into group immersions and 1:1 holistic health embodiment programmes. I host transformational Yoga retreats around the world which offer you a deep dive into your inner discovery and self-love journey, and I write as a freelance health and herb expert, and now on my beloved blog, inspired by health, herbalism, spirituality, reflections on life, and you!

What I share is about much more than what the plants and practices can ‘do for you’.

Through their guidance, you are invited to cultivate your relationship with them, and with yourself, fostering connection with your inner nature, and through this, connecting deeply with the wider nature. The art of observation through these relationships helps you to remember who you truly are, and from there expand into your full potential.
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This is what I call soul medicine.

I hope you’ll join me on the journey.

“Helen’s yoga retreat in India was an incredible experience that I will cherish forever. I knew I’d be in safe hands despite not having been on a solo trip for a while and the experience went far beyond my expectations. I have since taken 1:1 yoga classes with Helen online to develop my practice and have been inspired to qualify as a yoga teacher myself! [Her] zest for life is truly infectious; her courses and teachings are authentic, practical and empowering. She is most certainly a rare and beautiful soul, who enriches everyone’s life she touches.”

Lydia

“Helen is a fantastic teacher. She has so much knowledge to share and her courses have been life changing for me. I now incorporate herbs and breathing practice in to my every day. Her mailing list is also worth signing up to, always full of inspirational seasonal information and reflections. Thank you so much HB Healthy!”

Kat

“I can’t speak highly enough of this lovely lady’s talent. Helen has the most incredible talent of guiding you through an afternoon of delicious restorative yoga. Her calming voice, upbeat nature and ability to raise a smile or tease a little giggle is a delight.”

Grace

“Helen gives lovely practice and guidance for those just starting out as well as others who want to get further in the asanas. Helen’s classes are fun and challenging.”

Frank

Read the blog

Controversial Opinion: when Burger King is the healthy option

Controversial Opinion: when Burger King is the healthy option

Burger King is never going to be a health food, let’s get that clear.  But it might sometimes be the healthy option. It happened for me once. Somewhere between 28th December 2017 when at around 3:30am my dad had suddenly died before my eyes, and 4th January 2018,...

Birth Story: how the name ‘HB Healthy’ was born

Birth Story: how the name ‘HB Healthy’ was born

My name is Helen Barnett, welcome to my blog! This blog post is to tell the ‘birth story’ of my business name HB Healthy, with a few side-stories on the way! The current situation As I write this part of this blog post (which is a re-jig of a story once told on my old...