Salti Hearts is an authentic Surf, Yoga & Fitness retreat for women of all ages, who come to us from all over this amazing world. We talk with Yeni the founder.
How did you start surfing and what sparked your interest?
I started surfing when i was 6 years old, back home in a Caribbean island called los Roques. After my first ever slide I completely fell in love with surfing, the ocean and I never stopped.
How did you get into yoga and what inspired you to start?
Yoga came later in my life, my first ever Yoga class was when I was 12 years old, I really enjoyed and connected with my teacher. Then slowly Yoga became a part of my life and I started practicing almost every day. When I was 17 years old I found my Yogi path, after many years of practice and different teachers I met my mentor Octavio. Octavio was able to deepen my yoga, this was when I did my Yoga Teacher training in September 2015, since then i been teaching all of my Salti ladies, I Love it!
What are you working on right now?
I’m working on some exiting new projects for Salti Hearts.
We will launch next summer 2018 Salti Hearts x San Sebastian Basque Country, Spain!
We are looking forward to taking our Salti living experience from Bali all the way to Europe to recreate our lifestyle in San Sebastian and share the Saltiness, our Yoga, our healthy living and the love for the sisterhood with all our Europeans ladies.
We are also working on a 3 day Workshop in the Hague, the Netherlands, for May 2018. Focused in Yoga, nutrition, dance, health and meditation.
Also we are focusing on our own range of Salti Clothing and accessories.
What is your gear setup for surfing and yoga?
When it comes to Surfing it really depends on the swell conditions. I’m really into my new 6’0 Single fin, her name is Blue and she is amazing to ride in any waves! My favorite wax of all times, Sticky bump, my SaltiHearts x Zealous beach towel, my Surf bikini and always with my Sun and Earth organic zinc to protect my skin from the sun.
For my Yoga practice it comes down to my Lululemon Mat, my Lorna Jane leggings an top, my Salti Hearts water bottle, my crystals and usually my favorite mantras that accompany my practice.
What do you like to do outside of the surfing and yoga?
I love to be in the outdoors, so running is part of my fitness work out, i also got to the Gym 3 times a week to keep myself fit and healthy.
What are you up to in Bali? Tell us about your surf yoga camp for girls.
I’m living my dream job! I’m running my own Surf, Yoga & Fitness Camp for women.
It’s already been 2 years. I’m so grateful to be able to do what I love and share it with other women around the world.
Salti Hearts creates a space where women from around the world can come and share their journeys, inspire each other, and try out something that could be totally new to them, or take their skills to the next level. We teach surf and yoga, and occasionally step out of our comfort zones, everyone learns so much about themselves; it’s truly amazing. I feel very lucky and grateful to hold the space and be part of their transformation. It’s not only about surfing and all the fun that this brings to your life, but also connecting with your inner soul and the highest energy through the practice of yoga.
How would you describe your surf style?
I love to ride all types of craft, be it a long board, fun board, a short board or even a body board!
But i have to say I’m deeply in love with my logdaze, I love the sensation of dancing on my board, take steps forward and backwards in a very retro and lay back.
What are your plans for the future?
For the next 3 years I see myself growing my business here in Bali and taking a little bit of Saltiness overseas.
Keep on travelling, surfing, practicing yoga, taking photos of places and people and just pretty much continue to live my dream job and share it with others .Always, Happy, kind, grateful and Salti.
What are you listening to at the moment?
Love, love music!
I’m in between James Arthur, Raelee Nikole, Josh Kumra and Bon Iver.
Who are your top 5 influences and icons?
There are many amazing and empowering women around the world that inspire me every day in their own unique way;
- Alice Walker; an American novelist, short story writer, poet, and activist. “Womanist is to feminist as purple is to lavender”
- Gloria Steinem an American feminist journalist, and social and political activist, who became nationally recognized as a leader and a spokeswoman for the feminist movement in the late 1960s and early 1970s.
- Kassia Meador; a Surfer, photographer, artist and entrepreneur.
- Lauren L Hill; a Floridian free surfer, feminist, environmentalist and life lover.
- Lorna Jane; Founder of Lorna Jane Active wear Health and fitness business women from Australia.
I always have felt very inspired by all this women who has fight for freedom, justice and are so empowered, who has keep true to their beliefs and passions in different ways in different eras as well, who’s despite all stand tall and make their words, poetry, their dreams become true for themselves and for other women, Love it.
Your based in Bali, Indonesia, how is the surf / yoga scene in Bali?
Bali, it’s my Home! Best place to be right now, I surf everyday if i can. Bali delivers waves all year around, so no complaints.
There is also a beautiful Yoga community were you can deepen and practice yoga with different teachers and studios.
Do you have a favorite venue?
It all depends in how I’m feeling, Bali is so versatile!
I love to drink coffee, so i have a few places around Canggu that I go for breakfast or Brunch, post surf! Love Bungalow, Nude Cafe and Bumbak it has to be the best coffee in town!
At the moment I’m loving the sunset vibes at the Lawn beach lounge.
What does a stay with Yeni at Salti Hearts consist of?
Starts very early in the morning, with a fresh fruit bites, then head to the surf spot, we stretch our muscles with a few rounds of sun salutations, we do theory on the beach to explain the basics, surfing techniques, safety and we are ready to hit the water to have some fun rides and share some waves. After a fun surf session we get back on the van and drive to Salti Hearts favorite coffee for a delicious and healthy nourish break!
Back at the Salti Villa we do the photo/ video analysis and chat about any improvements and get to know all the crew of ladies, this is the perfect time to get to know each other a little more, tell our stories and develop a wonderful, powerful sisterhood after having the best time in the ocean. We practice yoga every evening at the deck under the blue sky and the pink Frangipani, were we allow to simply disconnect and connect with ourselves. Spa sessions, chilling by the pool, the hammock, the Gazebo, delightful snacks, great conversations and a lot of laughter.
We would love to know anything else that you feel like telling us.
I’m just really grateful to be were I am today.
Just following my path, doing what I love, surfing everyday if I can, keeping myself grounded and connected thought my yoga practice. The fact that I’m able to meet wonderful humans all around the world, finding inspiration every day and just keeping my passion alive by sharing it with other.
Just happy to have been able to create this simple Bali life that i have always dreamed of. Hope to be able to surf for the rest of my life, growing as a rider as a person and the fact that I can breathe every day is pretty amazing.
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