He is only 53 years old, but it seems that Helena Barquilla has lived several lives. He has traveled half the world, he knows what it is to reach the top, reinvent himself and start over and he has never stopped learning. Was one of the first Spanish models to succeed outside our bordersbecoming one of the great top from the 90s who paraded for the greatest in the industry, making way for the following generations. From Alexander McQueen, Manuel Piña, Thierry Mugler, John Galliano, Yves Saint Laurent to the film director Robert Altman, they were captivated by her beauty and personality and, furthermore, She was the first Spanish woman to be a Victoria’s Secret angel.
© ALBERTO RIVASBut at the age of 24, when she was at the peak of her career, she decided to leave the catwalks and give a change of direction to your life because she felt like she wanted to do other things… and her path ended up taking her much further. He never felt like going back, only looking forward, doing what his heart told him.
About his surprising changehis training within the world of meditation and dance as a teacher of 5 rhythmsher travels around the world and above all her inner journey and everything she has learned during her incredible career, which has led her to create her own ‘Anima’ method for well-being through the body, we have been able to speak with her, after a photo session in which he demonstrates his magnetism in front of the cameras remains intact.
“I decided to retire at the age of 24 because I felt I wanted to do other things. Being a model no longer fulfilled me, nor did it make me feel good. I also didn’t like the type of life it implied, being very outwardly and with a lot of stress. I needed to connect with myself same”
-Seeing you in this photo session it seems that no time has passed, that you are the top who reached the top in the 90s, but are you still the same Helena?
-Well… Many years and many things have passed since that time when I was a model. I have changed a lot in some aspects and in the essentials, not so much.
-What do you think of that girl who was excitedly starting her modeling career?
-That girl’s curiosity and desire to live are still very present in me, also her love for dance, her sensitivity, and in recent years I have surprisingly felt something of her innocence again.
-How would you define yourself now?
-Indefinable! -laughs-. I like that word because there is a lot of freedom in it. I would say that I am creative, daring, versatile, generous, idealistic, hard-working and vital.
© ALBERTO RIVAS
© ALBERTO RIVAS
© ALBERTO RIVAS-When did you decide to leave the catwalks and why did you do it when you were among the most sought-after models on the planet?
-I decided to retire at 24 because I felt I wanted to do other things. Being a model no longer fulfilled meIt didn’t even make me feel good. I also didn’t like the type of life it involved, being very outwardly and with a lot of stress. I needed to connect with myself, listen to the call of my soul.
-Have you ever regretted that decision?
-No, I was consistent with myself and with my truth, which is why I have always felt at peace with that decision.
-What have you dedicated yourself to during this time?
-To learn, about life and about myself. I have been training in different disciplines for self-knowledge and human well-being, while I began a path of self-knowledge to free myself from internal burdens and blockages, to know myself better, love myself more and live more fully.
-Looking at your website, I was surprised to see that you are the first Spanish woman trained as a 5-rhythm teacher. What does it consist of?
-The 5 Rhythms is a moving meditation practice created and developed by the American, Gabrielle Roth. It is a map that collects the innate qualities of movement of the human being and through them, by dancing them, we can explore who we are and remember our potential.
© ALBERTO RIVAS
© ALBERTO RIVAS-What led you to take the path of meditation and dance?
-Since I was a child I have been passionate about dance, I have always danced, without anyone teaching me how to do it. Dancing awakens all my senses, it fully connects me with life. Likewise, from a very early age I have been very curious about spirituality. The union of both things has led me to this path.
-How and where did you train?
-I learned the 5 Rhythms in several countries and I trained in the United States with its creator. Meditation and mindfulness I have learned them in Spain, with the Zen master, Dokushô Villalba.
-In addition, you have a degree in Anthropology, you have studied healing techniques in South America, you are a Yoga teacher… how have you had time to do all this in a single life?
-Well, look, I would have liked to do more things! I feel like sometimes I haven’t used my time well, but what can you do, you live and you learn. I think that the curiosity to know life has moved me to do all this, also the need to find keys and tools for my well-being and, in turn, the desire to share them for the well-being of other people.
“Now I take care of my body a lot, since when you develop body awareness, you discover that the body is a great ally to cultivate self-esteem, from the inside out”
-Since you were practically a child you have led a nomadic life due to your modeling career, but later, you have continued to travel a lot. Where have you been living?
-I have lived in France, in England, in the United States, in Peru, in Argentina. I have very much enjoyed my stay in these countries.
-Where do you live now?
-In Argentine Patagonia and where I am now, in the Basque Country. I live in a beautiful town next to Bilbao.
-Where in the world have you been happiest or felt most at home?
-In Argentine Patagonia and where I am now, in the Basque Country.
-Where do you live now?
-I live in a beautiful town, next to Bilbao.
© ALBERTO RIVAS
© ALBERTO RIVAS
© ALBERTO RIVAS
© ALBERTO RIVAS-You have now created your own method called Ánima, what does it consist of?
-Ánima is an experience of self-knowledge and transformation, as well as a training process in conscious movement and dance. Into it I pour all my knowledge and learning over the years, including meditation, psycho-corporal therapies, such as Gestalt and Bioenergetics; the practices of connection with nature that I learned from the native American peoples and I intertwine all this with the latest discoveries in neuroscience about the body and the benefits of dance. It is a fascinating adventure.
-You are 53 years old, how do you deal with the passage of time? Are you worried about aging or do you think wrinkles are beautiful?
-I’m not worried about getting old, it’s part of life. When you accept it, you embrace what the process brings with it, both the difficult aspects and the more positive aspects. Yes, I would like to do it in a healthy way, so I try to take care of myself to go through the coming years as fully as possible.
-Were you more concerned about your physique when you were a model?
-I have never been too worried about my physique. Now I take care of my body a lot, since when you develop body awareness, you discover that the body is a great ally to cultivate self-esteem, from the inside out. You trust their messages, what their organic wisdom reveals. At the same time, you understand that it is a reliable vehicle to connect with your truth, to transform your moods, to perceive what other people transmit through their body language, to be present and feel alive.
-You have worked with Alexander McQueen, Manuel Piña, Thierry Mugler, John Galliano, Yves Saint Laurent, Robert Altman… And we can spend a lot of time listing fashion greats, who do you remember with special affection from that time?
-Manuel Piña was always my friend and teacher in life, Jean Franco Ferré, I worked a lot with him at Dior and he had a very tender and authentic side. To John Galliano, who were friends, to Mugler, he was a man with immense magnetism…
© ALBERTO RIVAS-What is the achievement in your life that you are most proud of?
-Having always followed the call of my soul.
-And the greatest learning in your path?
-That of trusting life and myself.
-Now, looking ahead, where are your steps taking you? What are your goals?
-My personal goals are to take care of myself, take care of my loved ones and surrender to the flow of life. At work, my steps lead me towards teaching, to train other people in the practice of movement and conscious dance. Also to disseminate the importance of developing body awareness for well-being and the benefits of dance as a meditative practice.
-Finally, are you where you want to be now? Are you the woman you want?
-Yes, I am where I have longed to be for most of my life and with learning ahead, that keeps me in the flow of life.