Please share with us a little about you, describe yourself in five words?
Creative – Dreamer – Hugger – Deep – Emotional
Tell us about your journey? What brought you to where you are now?
I feel like I have always been a little different since I was a child but my journey where I have explored deeply within my spirituality was back in 2017 when I lost my father to Cancer. I am a total daddies girl and losing him was the hardest thing I ever had to experience. It shook me to the core and not only did I have to deal with the death of my father I was also made redundant and split from a very toxic relationship at the same time.
It really was one of those moments in my life when I felt like the entire weight of the world was on my shoulders and all I wanted to do was disappear. For the world to swallow me whole.
6 months after my father past away I decided to go to South East Asia on my own with the intention to heal. I had no job and no idea what the future had in store for me. So off I went… alone, winging it 100%.
I created my insta account which I used as therapy, as a way to ease some of the heaviness I was carrying and holding on too. I wrote about my grieving process which was massive for me at the time. To share something so personal was a totally new concept to me but quickly found it to be profoundly healing as it allowed me to connect to others in a similar situation to me.
So the first Christmas without my dad and being away from home I decided to sign up for a Meditation and Yoga retreat in Cambodia and for the first time in what seemed like forever I felt at peace. This encouraged me to pursue my Yoga Teacher Training which I did a month later in Bali. I had no intention of teaching however I simply wanted to deepen my own practice. But once I noticed the benefits in practising Asana daily and studying the philosophy I realise that I had to share it. As I deepened into Meditation I also signed up to a10 day silent meditation retreat which was nothing short of amazing.
Travelling through Indonesia I visited Gilli Meno where I then came across sound healing. It looked interesting and I felt a piece of the puzzle within me click. Unfortunately, the sound therapist was no longer on the island so I never got to experience Sound Healing for myself but I became so interested that I looked for training that I could possibly sign up for. There was a Sound Healing course available 2 days after I was to return to the UK in London and finally experienced it for myself. I knew from the first moment Sound Healing was my jam. I noticed my interest deepened within practices that encouraged us to slow down and settle deeper within our physical body, this vessel that is home.
Creating spaces that encouraged people to slow down became so important to me through my classes of Yin Yoga, Sound Healing and also through ceremonies working with Cacao. In a world that wants us to consistently pick up the pace and seek answers and solutions outside of ourselves. I noticed how something that was so deeply needed within our society was missing. A gap in society where we are encouraged to slow down, rest and be with ourselves.
All of the practices I share have provided me with such deep and profound healing that it would be wrong to not put myself out there and share what I now know.
What has been your biggest inspiration with the work that you do and share?
Working and collaborating with others. Community and coming together has been so important to me and I love the fact that I am surrounded by and know so many other teachers, healers and space holders sharing their own medicine with the world and at the same time it keeps me inspired all the time.
What sparks joy in your life that truly lights you up? (This could be big or small)
Waking up each morning and knowing I have this day.
Daily walks. Sound of the ocean (I am lucky enough to live a 15min walk to the beach).
Catch up with friends. Sun-filled days. Listening to music which normally leads to dance. Laughter and cuddles…
What are your favourite soul or self-care practices right now that you can share with us?
Right now I’ am all about simplifying my life. Not overfilling my days and making sure I leave my house daily and going for a walk. I love to spend time on the beach, listening to the sea and feeling the sea breeze. It leaves me feeling so free, nourished and so grateful. Music has always been a huge part of my life and day so it goes without saying I love to dance randomly at home. Keeping life real simple and moving my body to keep things flowing.
During these times that we are experiencing as a collective, in what ways are you seeing the importance of community?
The situation we are currently in has only highlighted the importance to a whole new level of the importance of community. We need one another. Human contact and community cannot be replaced. All humans crave certain things and a sense of belonging is one of them.
I held out for a while bringing my events and workshops online just because I wasn’t sure if the potency of it would be as strong and I am so glad I took that leap. If there was any time to come together… it would be now.
Inspire our Breathe Love community, share an affirmation, or favourite quote, poem, song or playlist?
Sharing a poem I recently found and love. It’s by a lady called Tania Hart…
“There is so much beauty
In the cracking of your heart.
For it allows more space
For goodness to spill in.
It allows more space
For love to seep out.
It allows more space
For grace to dig deep.
As it cracks and expands
The barriers that have been built
Crack too
Leaving wildflowers in its place”.
“I never want to have any regrets in my life. If I make a mistake I try to say sorry quickly and if I want to say something I will. I would rather say ‘oh well at least I tried’ rather than ‘I wish I had done.”
What was the last sign you received from the universe (if you had one)?
Leaving the UK when I did. Booking my flight before the announcement was even made and realizing I was on the last BA flight out of the UK to Portugal. I don’t know how life will unravel but I believe I am where I need to be right now.
Share with us something that you are really proud of?
I am really proud of myself for continuously showing up.. even when I am super nervous and afraid. Showing up online doesn’t come natural to me and I am so proud of myself for being open and willing to edge closer to that space of discomfort knowing its needed for my growth.
What will you never take for granted?
Life.
I remember my dad always thought he had all the time in the world. He would always say “Oh there’s next year”. Then when he was diagnosed with cancer he was told he had a year to live. I will never forget the look on his face with that new realization that time became way more precious knowing it was now limited..
I never want to have any regrets in my life. If I make a mistake I try to say sorry quickly and if I want to say something I will. I would rather say ‘oh well at least I tried’ rather than ‘I wish I had done’.
What is your favourite practice that connects you to your heart ki/energy? (Please share a tip, tool or technique to support our wellbeing?
I love to drink cacao and then sit in reclining butterfly or fish with the support of a bolster behind me. Listening to a mantra or music that leaves me feeling nourished. To create a little nest for myself with dimmed lights, perhaps a lit candle or incense burning. I like to close my eyes and really feel myself land into my body. Guiding my awareness from the busyness of my mind and settle deeply into the space of my heart. I like to practice visualization focusing on the energy, seeing and feeling the openness of my heart. Meditating with cacao is so deeply nourishing and heart-opening. I love it.
Rest the palms of your hands on your heart centre, take a soft breath and share with us a message from your heart?
You are exactly where you need to be and if you’re not where you want to be, remember nothing stays the same forever.
You are doing great, embrace the good, the bad and the ugly. Embrace all of life, trust, love deeply and remember you are never alone.
Thank YOU for breathing love with us, Francesca.
What’s coming up next for you?
I am frequently holding online Yin, Sound, and Yoga Nidra classes. I am running a sound class this Sunday 28th March.
I am also holding a monthly ceremony called ~TOGETHER. It’s an online gathering sharing cacao, song, dance, and sound. It’s my main event each month and it’s super special and definitely not one to miss. I have also started a community offering called NEST.
For more information head to my website.
Tune in to Francesca Secolonovo’s offerings