Henrika Helynen

Growing up as the “perfect daughter”, I struggled with a need for more—a desire to break free from the expectations placed on me. My journey took me from a career in IT to the world of food chemistry, and finally to a path of happiness and bliss through yoga and the reconnection with my Finnish roots. Now, I combine the wisdom of Finnish traditions with yogic practices to help others find balance and fulfillment in their own lives.

I teach Yoga, Breathwork and Sound classes in different studios in Berlin. And host retreats in Brandenburg and Finland.

  • I was born in Finland and raised partly in Finland partly in Germany but always with the influence of two Finnish parents. I truly appreciate the Finnish culture in many many aspects and therefore I have dedicated part of my journey to show you what makes Finns the happiest people on Earth for the seventh time in a row. 

  • With yoga I mean yoga asana, the physical practice but also all other levels that yoga can touch our body. This being mentally, energetically, spiritually and emotionally. Yoga has taught me many things on the way to become the person I am today and I am very sure it will teach me many many more important lessons. 

  • This is probably (I am pretty sure of it) the most amazing practice I have learned to love for myself. Our breath is so powerful on its own and we can do so much right, but also so much wrong. So you will probably hear me talk about it passionately more often than not. 

  • Did you know our voice is as individual as our fingerprint? Everything in this world vibrates on its very own specific frequency. Our bodies, our minds, the world itself. Experiences, thoughts, words, actions. They all vibrate and, yes, what you send around comes back around. We can use vibrations and frequencies to align our energetic bodies and actually give our body the rest it needs in this big city hustle.

From the perfect daughter and quiet rebel

Growing up, in a small German village, I was often the one who followed the rules and did what was expected, flourishing in my people pleasing nature.
But underneath that image, there was something raging. I didn’t want to be just the well-behaved kid, always “nice” and obedient to everyone. Especially during my teenage years, I started pushing boundaries and testing limits, doing unexpected things. It was my way of expressing a deeper need for attention and understanding.

Life gave me a big slap and started to shift

This inner conflict between who I appeared to be and who I really was became more apparent after my mother passed away from breast cancer. Her loss made me reassess my life and the choices I was making. Up until that point, I had been following a path that wasn’t entirely my own. My studies in business economics and IT, and my subsequent job as an IT consultant in Berlin, were choices that aligned more with my parents’ expectations than with my own desires. After three years in that role, working long hours and feeling increasingly unfulfilled, I knew I needed to make a change.

The journey to rediscovery

So, I decided to shift my path and explore something different—food chemistry. It was a field that intrigued me and allowed me to pursue my interest in food, that I have always had, from creating recipes to exploring nourishment on a deeper level. While it was a step in the right direction, I realized that my journey was still just beginning to unfold.

Why am I telling you this? Because it takes time to find your true purpose.

Finding balance through inner wisdom

As I got older, I felt a growing desire to reconnect with my Finnish roots. Finland, with its vast forests, serene lakes, a never setting summer sun and never ending winter night, began to draw me in. But I didn't really know what to do with this desire.

The real turning point came when I (once again) took a step into yoga and enrolled in a Yoga Teacher Training program in Guatemala, where I learned not just about yoga asana (as I initially expected, I don’t know what I was thinking) but about many other aspects of inner healing and self exploration.

The creation of Finnish Bliss: A new chapter

So much has developed within me since the day I decided to go on this training. Now there is no turning back, and honestly I don’t want to. 

So, I decided to bring together the two integral aspects of my life that have given me the opportunity to let go of old facades and shine in my brightest light: yogic practices and the wisdom of Finnish culture and traditions. Through events, retreats, and my online program Connect, I aim to create an open space to share these experiences with others, helping them find their own balance, connection, and a deeper sense of well-being.

I invite you to join me on this journey. It’s an opportunity to step away from the expectations of others to embrace your own path. This isn’t just a journey; it’s a chance to rediscover yourself and find your very own version of bliss.