‘‘THE TRUE MEANING OF LIFE IS TO PLANT TREES UNDER WHOSE SHADE YOU DON’T EXPECT TO SIT’’ - Nelson Henderson
WHO WE ARE?
Ana Balbuena- Breathwork Master Facilitator, Yoga Teacher, passionate freediver and the founder of TRIBU space.
Hello, I'm Ana, a dedicated yoga practitioner since 2018 and a passionate breathwork facilitator since 2021. My journey into breathwork has been deeply fulfilling, especially due to my past chronic breathing problems. This initial challenge made me a breathwork enthusiast, allowing me to explore, experience, and teach a broad spectrum of techniques. From clinical approaches designed to manage conditions such as asthma, insomnia, and sleep apnea to spiritual sessions aimed at achieving altered states of consciousness, I cover it all. Additionally, I offer apnea training and breathwork for enhancing physical performance.
Physical and mental performance and nature have always been central parts to my life, and this passion is vividly reflected in my teaching style. As an enthusiastic freediver and lover of the wild, I find immense joy in the underwater and natural world, which deeply influences my approach to breathwork, movement practices, and human connection. The blend of all my holistic practices has given birth to this project, TRIBU, which I am thrilled to share with you today. This project is the culmination of years of exploration, teaching, and learning. It offers a unique space where individuals can experience transformative practices, connect with nature, and foster a deeper understanding of themselves and others.
In the past two years, I've had the pleasure of organizing four retreats around Australia focused on freediving, movement practices, yoga, breathwork, and nature connection, where creating space for joy, self-liberation, and building a community has been one of the main goals. These retreats have been particularly special, featuring collaborations with record holders in the freediving community. I've also conducted over 10 events across Australia, facilitated sessions at festivals, and offered my services online and in person to everyone, from children to the elderly.
My offerings are not just about imparting knowledge but about creating transformative experiences. Each one is designed to foster a deeper connection with oneself and the natural world. I believe in the power of breath and movement to bring about profound changes in physical and mental health.
Join me on this journey of self-discovery and wellness. Whether you are looking to improve your breathing techniques, enhance your athletic performance, or simply find a deeper connection with yourself, others, or nature, my classes and retreats offer something for everyone. Together, we can explore the limitless potential of breath and movement to enrich our lives.
James Thomas (Byron Shire)
James R. Thomas is a Welsh fingerstyle guitarist whose passionate, emotive and intricate playing enchants his audience with intimate stories told through the guitar. His original music, which simultaneously weaves beautiful harmonies, enthralling melodies, tribal guitar percussion and tasteful use of harmonics, takes listeners on a unique and thought-provoking journey.
Having travelled with his guitar for a number of years, James has been influenced by a number of cultures and styles: modern and classical finger style guitar in many different forms, the folk aspect of his strong Welsh background, the multicultural music hub that is Australia and, of course, the ancient sounds developed by the indigenous Aboriginal people of the land using instruments such as the Yidaki (didgeridoo). This, combined with inspiration from traveling and finding his authentic expression, has inspired James' uniquely crafted style of playing that creates epic,
cinematic and powerful music.
James' travels around Australia during the last three years have led to him being seen all around the country busking and performing; cultivating James' artistic expression and style, through which audiences are visually and sonically captivated by his virtuosic performances.
Witnessing James' music first-hand is a transformational experience that will leave listener's souls nourished and spirits lifted.
Luciana Blanco - Freediving instructor, yoga teacher and breathwork instructor (Mainly Beach, Sydney)
Meet Luciana, a multifaceted teacher who has seamlessly woven the ancient wisdom of yoga, the transformative power of breathwork, and the exhilarating art of freediving into a harmonious tapestry of holistic well-being. Hailing as a beacon of guidance, Luciana's teachings radiate support and encouragement, acting as a steady pillar for her students' journeys of self-discovery and self challenge.
With a heartwarming touch, Luciana goes beyond instruction—she cradles her students when needed and instills confidence when they're ready to push limits, thriving beyond comfort zones.
The boundless ocean is her muse, drawing her to Julian Rocks, where tranquil underwater moments and graceful leopard sharks ignited her calling. Amidst Australia's waters, she found her destiny, nurturing her profound connection with marine life that captured her very soul.
Jack Webb - professional Freediver and Owner of FREEDIVE FNQ (Cairns)
Hey, I'm Jack Webb, and I run the freediving side of things with tribu. I have a freediving school in Far North Queensland called freedivefnq.
I really enjoy holding my breath underwater, and equally so, teaching other people how to hold their breath underwater.
I'm a molchanovs freediving instructor, and a freediving athlete in training.
I've been freediving since my early teens, either on a line or with a speargun in my hand sourcing food, in various locations around the globe. These days, my spare time when I am not teaching freediving, revolves around - you guessed it - training my own freediving. I can't imagine my life another way. I am continuously receiving coaching from other athlete's in the freediving world, I intend to keep diving deeper and sharing the things I learn along the way.
I am in love with the constant challenges and growth freediving presents. There are so many aspects of it that you can work on that translate to how you live everyday, it's a lifestyle. It's a great tool for tuning into the body, learning to respect it, and with that, carefully listening to when it's the right time to lash out and go for it! (In the most relaxed way)
Whether someone's a complete beginner or an advanced freediver, I enjoy being underwater with them, guiding them to relax deeper and longer, and most importantly - safer.
Watching people persevere, gradually increasing their confidence and relaxation, their love for their underwater life, the whole time being immersed in the elements - are the constant rewards of my lifestyle choice.
It's like that. Every time. So good.
Whatever aspect of Freediving you want to learn or improve on, the freediving sport itself, spearfishing, freediving for meditation, healing water trauma, trying something new, and much more - I've got your back and I'm proud to.
Hopefully get to cross paths with you one day and share some amazing under water moments.
If you want to know more, please visit www.freedivefnq.com
Ash Mines - Filmmaker and Photographer (Mullumbimby, NSW)
Hey, I’m Ash Mines and I am a passionate storyteller. Through my adventures so far I have developed a deep appreciation for travelling, exploring new places and meeting new people. Growing up, there were a lot of people who shared their captivating stories of adventures and life experiences. This was the seed that planted my passion for filmmaking and storytelling.
I like exploring sustainability and conservation, spirituality, mens work, surfing, playing music, nature and connecting with community. These passions naturally integrate into my filmmaking work and creative expression.
WHY TRIBU?
*tribu means tribe in Spanish.
One of the key aspects in healing is the collective dimension. A dimension of walking together, encounters, affection and mutual learning (from the healer and from who wants to heal). The importance lies in the potential of the political transformation of the collective and what is connected with the current problem that we hold: the path from the pain to the health and strength of human relationships.
The intellectual achievements of human culture evolved during a revolution based on living systems in the natural world, rather than one of rapid industrial growth and resource consumption. Now, is a time to focus on experiencing interconnectedness instead of division during the social and ecological crisis of current.
A nature-focused revolution embracing humans as an integral part of the Earth’s natural systems would have instilled a deeper understanding of the wonders of the human body as a living system imbued with inner intelligence, as well as the intelligence of the non-human living world. This perspective, held by Native Americans tribes, would have helped to create sustainable human communities that flourish by connecting, collaborating, cooperating and communicating.
OUR MISSION
All healing modality’s when practiced in groups emit a sense of shared commitment and values of accountability, authenticity, compassion, generosity, integrity, respect, leadership and multicultural awareness, along with a shared vision pointing us in the direction we want to go together.
Having experiences of fellowship and communion with like-minded people who care about holistic and natural health, and who breath together can lead to experience a sense of wholeness. In an environment such as this, there is a space that allows for healing naturally on many levels.