Welcome! I'm Helena, and I am passionate about creating a supportive space for people who are struggling, or have struggled with infertility.

I was initially drawn to mindfulness practice when I learned of the neuroscientific basis behind the Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) program. Seeing first hand how the practice changed my life, I trained to be an MBSR teacher and have been offering Mindfulness classes and sessions, in both the community and the workplace settings since 2013.

Amidst the challenges of 2020, I decided to deepen my practice and my teaching offerings. I embarked on the journey to complete Compassion Cultivation Teacher Training, and received my certification in 2021. I was drawn to teaching CCT because the practice supported me through some of the hardest moments of my infertility struggles when I went through a loss a few years ago. It connected me with my inner strength, helped me realize that I am not alone and supported my resilience. So I wish to offer the same tools, support and a community for fellow travelers on this path less traveled.

Academically, I received my bachelor's in Biology from UC Santa Barbara and a masters in Bioengineering from UCLA. After graduation, I embarked on a career in the life sciences and currently work to promote clinical trial education related to women's cancer therapy.

Outside of work and teaching, I enjoy mentoring young college women in STEM, paddling in the warm season, and hanging out with my husband and our joyful dog, Summer.

I wholeheartedly believe that mindfulness and compassion together not only create greater inner joy and calm, but also heighten our awareness of our common humanity. This, in turn, is the basis of greater interpersonal understanding and peace.

I hope you will join me in this exploration!