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When we feel safe, we feel happy; we flow through life. Our first chakra known as the root is based at the bottom of the spine close to the tailbone. Barbara Carrellas describes in Urban Tantra that “the first chakra is concerned with security and survival - the basic elements of life. On a personal level, the first chakra reflects issues of home, survival, and safety. On the community level, it is the ‘tribal’ chakra, concerned with issues of family, school, job, religion, nationality, politics, and patriotism. The first chakra is also concerned with money issues, insofar as money is connected to our survival, our safety, and our tribe(s). The first chakra grounds us like the roots of a tree: the stronger and deeper its roots, the more blossoms above”. 

Perhaps wealth is why Bruce Wayne found it easier to tap into Batman?

There are assumptions that yoga teachers do well because…well, have you seen Instagram?! Grids posted of divine backdrops and poses that make you wonder about your next sex position. But for this Yogi, although flexible, he brings to light the contrast between what you see and what is real.

The Yogi's journey started as he consciously ended his 14-year relationship. As one door closes, another one opens or so they say…

The opportunity to start a new chapter of his story was all laid out, his mentor offered him a studio manger role and a permanent teaching spot in Denmark. However, due to laws limiting his stay in the Schengen zone to 90 days within any 190-day period and visa yet to be approved, he had to return to the UK earlier than expected.

“… it wasn't appropriate at that stage for me to go back to the house. So effectively the moment I come back to UK…at this point, I'm technically homeless, because I haven't got an abode”

The Yogi’s UK comeback was seen as somewhat of a holiday as it was only a waiting game for his visa to come through. Fortunately, during this time a friend offered a space. 

“[This] meant that one person's goodwill stood between me and being fully homeless”

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The space turned out to be the corner of a living room on a punctured air bed, as he said this he pointed to the size of my A4 notepad indicating the thickness. The friend would routinely work and chill in the front room until the early hours of the morning while The Yogi was in his corner hoping to get some sleep before sunrise, but what did It matter? It was a stopgap until a stamp was received but sadly, the visa was rejected and with no legal rights to his ex-partner’s home and no stable income bar a few London cover classes The Yogi was now a sofa surfer. 

After some time The Yogi received an invitation to regularly teach 2 classes a week in Brighton. With this seaside town being the same travel time as it can take Zone 4 commuters into the City, it was The Yogi’s opportunity to network in his circle. However, with the cost of travel at times being quadruple the Zone 1 - 4 day rate, The Yogi saved on accommodation by sleeping on a yoga mat on the studio floor and was known to walk an hour at 3am after having to get a 2am coach when train prices were extortionate. Thankfully, the yoga mat has now been upgraded to a mattress.

With The Yogi continuing to put his name out there, he also managed to pick up some London reception shifts which were a source of guaranteed hourly income and with the flexibility of what this industry brings, Mr. Yogi could manage his schedule to still make guest appearances in Denmark and other European destinations. 

“It is not uncommon for yoga teachers especially early in their career. You have the advantage that you can travel pretty much anywhere in the world. The type of yoga that I teach is mostly taught in English, certainly around Europe, and certain other parts of the world. So it's quite easy to travel teach but it is not glamorous, you know you will usually end up staying in studios and studios vary. The studio in Denmark, there was actually a room with a bed in it and a proper kitchen because it was a kitchen with a bed in the kitchen…so yeah I slept in the kitchen but when the studio was closed, that was my space. It was okay. Well, that meant I could cook food so that wasn't an issue to me. Because maybe they felt to me more like a studio flat. In fact, I think my first remarks when I walked in there were if this was a studio in London, this would cost me a hell of a lot of money that I couldn’t afford”

Once The Yogi was in a slightly better position, he upgraded to an unofficial room in East London. Although the room was a place to close the door and call his own, the place, unfortunately, had its downsides. It came with 6 unclean, untrained cats, a landlady who screamed to her friend on loudspeaker for a minimum of 2 hrs regularly and with 2 other individuals where being friends wasn’t an option so The Yogi found solace in his teaching schedule. 

“I was incredibly grateful to have the room itself and really nice, actually a nice little space and to be able to go in somewhere close the door and just be in my own space was fantastic…Which again, you know, is definitely not as bad as living on the streets but it affected me more than I thought it would once I'd moved in. The cats were on the surfaces, it didn't feel clean. The atmosphere, the environment, although everybody in the house was a nice person, there was a lot of drama for a while because by this point, I had started working a lot of shifts, so I wasn't there much when I first moved in. It was like every shift [I worked] was a hidden holiday”

Although, he found means of escapism in his work and had a solid roof over his head, mentally he was struggling:

“you’ve got the anxiety that you might be living on the street at any time. So that’s always in your head, but it can be also quite exhausting mentally if I’m honest, a little bit demeaning to be constantly in a space that is other people’s space. It’s not your space”

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‘Renting’ in this manner is all under the radar as The Yogi isn’t able to pay a deposit, no credit checks available and everyone is relying on reduced stickers, good will gestures and a miracle. For this landlady, The Yogi could have been her miracle but the opposite of this is the feeling of “being a dirty little secret”. I guess the thing they both had in common is being each other’s secret, always having to be hidden away, not sharing with anyone where you live or who with. All of this because the very people who would penalise us for helping someone get back on their feet as well as helping ourselves to survive and put money back into the economy are the very same people who tell us that COVID is a highly contagious disease and yet get caught in a passionate embrace (I wonder if he got intrigued by the Insta yoga hole?) while also having a group drinks soiree at our expense. 

Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs states that individuals have physiological, safety, belonging, esteem, and self-actualisation needs that must be met in order to achieve optimal mental health and well-being. Housing, cost of living, safety, security, and finances play a crucial role in meeting the basic physiological and safety needs. A lack of adequate housing and financial stability can lead to increased levels of anxiety and stress, which can negatively impact a person's mental health. When it comes to the yoga industry, being paid insufficiently can also have a negative impact on one's financial stability and thus overall well-being.

The Yogi was able to provide me with a general idea of how pay structures work within the yoga sphere. 

“Given the amount of people that are paying for yoga, you would probably expect that, you know, teachers living in the lap of luxury, it's not the case. There are different ways that the pay gets structured based on different studios”

Despite the rise in popularity, yoga teachers are not fairly compensated for their long hours of work, preparation, and dedication to their students. A typical rate for a newly qualified teacher for a 60-minute class could pay £28. However, a full class could lead to a higher pay rate. The competition among teachers and studio owners can lead to conflicts, especially if the teacher becomes too popular and attracts students away from other classes. Some studios use the Class Pass system to entice new turnover but if a student books in via Class Pass, teachers only receive around £1-2 per student. This pay structure can create competition among teachers, leading to stress and insecurity in their livelihoods. The complicated pay structure based on the number of students in a class also leads to uncertainty and added stress for teachers.

Why are we undervaluing a tradition of the ages that is proven to work for humankind on a mind body and soul level? If kids were taught meditation and yoga in schools, what would the next generation be like? Perhaps if we gave the same news time to the holistic and wellbeing scene, the economy might be in a more balanced place.

Having the choice of where you want to live and how is taken away from the majority of these individuals for them to give back a form of healing that has helped them to survive. Perhaps it is time for us to shift the focus from the hustler mentality to boost the economy and realise that a happy and healthy population is the foundational root of a thriving nation.

This is not just a story of a yogi trying to make it in the world of teaching - it is a story of countless individuals who are forced to sacrifice their time, energy, and financial stability to pursue their dreams. The impact of these struggles can be far-reaching, affecting mental health, relationships, and even leading to homelessness. It is a reminder that we must do better as a society to support those who are working hard to build a better life for themselves and their communities.

Still experiencing sofa surfing, The Yogi deeply resonates with the root chakra being on rocky ground. The Yogi has requested to stay anonymous for now but has plans to continue teaching in London, building his brand and venturing into various modalities to help individuals face themselves in the mirror, regardless of what their past or current situation is.

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Rochelle’s story is one from money. She is a mum to 4 sons and 1 foster son and she previously lived in a £4.3 million house. She spent her days organising large-scale charitable events for fun and was also the co-editor of Yalla magazine, a popular publication within the Jewish community. She’s worn custom-made dresses for one-off events and has owned several pairs of high-end designer shoes. In her own words, she had a good life. 

Rochelle believes cultural conditioning played a major role in the demise of her marriage and in turn, the loss of her home.

Rochelle’s love story began at the age of 8 playing kiss chase in the playground. Edward was a cute cheeky kid; a lookalike of Mowgli from The Jungle Book. They parted ways and found each other again in their teens which is when they began to date. 

“he was very handsome. His skin colour was gorgeous, but everyone else was white” 

The school was predominately white so being the only Indian kid brought its own insecurities, as you can imagine. To add to this, Edward suffered from dyslexia to the point he was not able to read or write. 

This may be hard to understand for some, but coming from an Indian background myself, I can relate to the pain and pressure Rochelle was describing for Edward. There is nothing like it. It’s a ticking time bomb and at times you’d rather not exist than have to deal with the idea of not just letting one person down, but what feels like an entire continent. Think your cousin’s wife’s mother has no say on your life?

Think again.

There is no concept of making a decision for yourself. Everything is uttered whilst thinking “what will they say and how will I explain this”. To be one of either sex brings its own additional layers of challenges to the mayhem. 

“Edward is 1 of 4 siblings. Unfortunately for him, he was from an Indian background. Fortunately for him, he was the only boy in the house and being the only boy in an Indian household, he was put up on a pedestal irrelevant of his inabilities. He was the king of the household. He was, again, the Indian heritage. He didn't belong to just the parents, he belonged to the community… but with his dyslexia and his insecurity through dyslexia, there must have been major insecurities around the fact that he couldn't do what everyone else could do” 

Additionally, Edward’s mother lost the family home due to a gambling addiction which brought a new level of shame to the dynamic. The family were in a fortunate position to downsize but the overhang of deep cultural and societal shame is not an easy thing to shake off. 

“Shame. It’s all about shame”

Rochelle went on to explain that the aesthetics of Edwards’s sisters and academic success all played parts in how the siblings saw themselves and each other which later contributed to how they treated themselves and one another. 

“[one of the sister’s] took on the matriarchal role, and she was the university one and she was doing well for herself. She didn't have to rely on anyone. She bought her own flat. So she felt very accomplished but actually mentally and emotionally, she was damaged. She was called, growing up, the fat elephant”

The in-depth details provided to me by Rochelle about how the family treated one another and Edward’s upbringing really resonated with me. The burden that shame carries is a drug within itself but not even one you have chosen to try on a whim. It’s such an integral rooted part of you that you are not able to fathom a glimpse of anything outside that. Every minute decision or thought is blown so out of proportion that you question everything as to the impact on another person, rather than what your true values and beliefs are. It’s excruciatingly exhausting. 

“Shame is insidious, hard to identify, awful to feel, tricky to contain and easy to pass on” Carolyn Cowan 

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Rochelle continued to give me the background of how she believes The Strategist of her husband’s family business “coercively controlled” Edward. I can understand how this could be the case. The brown community are underlyingly taught that everyone outside of us knows better than us, and admittedly we end up putting up a shield to the people who mean the most to us even when it is far from what we would consciously choose to do. You could call it a backward survival mechanism. But this comes from conditioning and unfortunately, it can really fuck with you.

Yes, we do have personal choice but those choices, when we ask ourselves why, are because of some past experience or pattern we have been exposed to, and digging into that is one dark task. 

“People often ask how to avoid cultural conditioning, as if it were a disease for which we need a vaccine. But, remember, cultural conditioning is an inevitable, arguably necessary human adaptation that helps us become functioning members of society. So it’s not about avoiding cultural conditioning. It’s about building your awareness of it so you begin to notice your judgments and examine them before reacting to unfamiliar situations”

[https://www.exceptionalfutures.com/cultural-conditioning/]

Due to Edward’s upbringing, Rochelle believes that he lost himself from his sense of feeling. He listened to The Strategist of the company who, granted made some significant positive business changes at the start but as time went on, his actions led to the downfall of Rochelle’s relationship. 

The family had made their fortune from the garment business. The Strategist found ways to downplay Rochelle’s experience and talents in organising events and banned her from helping in the family business. It seems The Strategist orchestrated a long-term plan to gain significant shares in the company. Initially, he brought in a new data system, which was pitched to help track productivity. Events started to unfold where The Strategist and Rochelle’s sister-in-law appeared to have some type of romance. During this time, The Strategist had fed ‘concerns’ that the sales manager was up to no good. Rochelle assures me the entire situation was choreographed for the sales manager to be set up, using the new data system as ‘evidence’. From then on, The Strategist was wholly trusted by Edward and family for all upcoming decisions. He re-structured the team roles and placed himself as CEO of the company, while persuading Edward and his siblings to not share this information with Rochelle.

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“so I’m neurodivergent and what I understand now but at the time I didn’t know, is all this brain, hippocampus and amygdala and how the nervous system works with anxiety and anxiety with ADHD, we can get anxious over injustice because we are seeking truth and justice. When we don’t have it, it can make us really anxious”

Considering Rochelle didn’t know what she knows about herself now, life at the time was confusing. Her life was, or so she thought, simply flowing but things soon turned because of Edward’s changed behaviour in his communication to her of the family business affairs. Eventually, it all came to a head with Rochelle suffering from a nervous breakdown. 

“my husband, the love of my life for 33 years turned into something of a person I didn’t recognise…We had 6 months of absolute hell. I was hearing a completely different person and that person I was hearing I already knew didn’t like me. My nervous system went completely haywire at the same time. We were dealing with COVID, we were dealing with grief – my father-in-law had passed away, and my own father had been isolated from the family so we didn’t really know what was happening with him and I had perimenopause kicking in. The ADHD for the prior 5 years had been a suspicion in my mind so the neuro divergence reaction to the menopause, to COVID, to the grief, to the isolation was just enough to break me and watching the love of my life being coercively controlled and projecting onto me, sent me into a spiral and I had a nervous breakdown” 

After another disagreement where Rochelle was lied to, she suggested marital therapy or divorce. Edward’s response was “I have to go to work”, he came back the next day with an answer of “divorce”. Rochelle believes, that after discussing with The Strategist and ensuring everything was in place, Edward confirmed the answer of divorce. 

Rochelle decided the house was more than big enough for the both of them not to collide with one another. After some time, Edward came to Rochelle with what she describes as a ‘bribe’, which at the time was called a ‘proposal’ from The Strategist. Said proposal was handed to her with the understanding that if she did not sign the paperwork within 48 hours, “her and her kids’ lives would be damaged”. Rochelle’s lawyer (paid for by her brother) had advised her not to sign the documents. When she asked for an extension, it was verbally agreed but under the condition she does not live at the house and the threat of a non-molestation order was issued. Unfortunately, 1 of Rochelle’s sons suffered an accident so she decided to visit him, accompanied by her mother, believing that Edward did not truly mean the threat of an order. Rochelle was in for a shock. The locks had been changed and to her dismay, within 3 days of her visit, she received a non-molestation order. 

After a series of turbulent events, Rochelle stayed at her elder brother’s place but the only way to get her out of her depressive state was to reunite her with her dogs. To do this, Rochelle had to move to her younger brother’s, sleeping between a sofa and a child’s bunk bed with her 2 dogs in a small studio that also had to cater to her niblings visiting. Rochelle was in this situation for around 4 months. 

“my dogs were the only thing keeping me alive. I did try to commit suicide. I did speak to Mind. I did speak to my GP regularly. I had a psychiatrist, I had a therapist and a coach”

The proposal was later pulled because Rochelle “didn’t answer quick enough or give the wanted response”. Rochelle felt helpless as she felt alone fighting against corporate lawyers. Luckily, Rochelle’s mum and brother continued to help with lawyer fees. 

“I was allowed to have a sum of money for living expenses, but I didn't have anywhere to live and I wasn't paying my brother rent. I didn't have money coming in for the first few months. I didn't have the ability to pay rent. My ex did say that he would give me money for rent, he didn’t. It was actually around 4 months I was looking at properties without a cash deposit and I wasn't in a situation where I could get a tenancy agreement so I couldn't claim housing benefit. So I was in this catch 22”

Although Rochelle was due living expenses, Edward stopped paying for 8 months and when this got to court, the Judge ruled he did not have to back pay and any following payments were also decreased. This resulted in Rochelle taking out a loan, which was only possible because her name was listed on her original home, aka, “the palace”. 

“Thank God I owned a property, I could still use the property as an asset and I could take a loan, but very, very high interest rate. So whatever extortionate money I was paying for my rent, I was paying extortionate money on top of that for the interest of the loan and my money was running out, I only had a set amount of money, and I lived as frugally as I could… I was paying more for dog food than my own food”

Rochelle explained how she had to re-learn the basics from scratch. It was a different world for her. She wasn’t used to counting the pennies or finding ways to make the amount she had stretch. 

A common question that has come up in several conversations I’ve been involved in is: why isn't basic financial literacy and stock market education included in our school curriculum? Imagine a world where we all learn these essential skills at a young age? It would not only secure our futures but also empower us to handle our finances with confidence and competence. Such knowledge would benefit individuals as financial security enables us to pursue our dreams and enjoy life to the fullest. By embracing this change, we could move away from a mindset of scarcity and fear, creating a more empowered society. Instead of imposing further cuts and added pressure on vulnerable individuals, we could consider re-strategising the benefits system and invest in teaching financial wellness, providing individuals with the tools to thrive and contribute positively to the world.

“I had to relearn how to cook, to do food shopping, and I actually had to not go anywhere that I would have. I was like a magpie before if I saw something sparkly or pretty and you know, I would buy it if it wasn't expensive. I was now becoming agoraphobic because I was scared of who I was going to see. I was scared of the perception that was going to occur, like what they're going to think of me. My reputation was damaged. My children were mentally tortured. I was tortured. I'd had a nervous breakdown about all of this stuff, I actually shrunk. In that shrinking, I had to learn how to shop for 1. I was always conscious of throwing food away but the men in my life didn't give a shit because if I'd cooked burgers for tonight's dinner and they wanted a Deliveroo, that's what they would do. If Daddy could do that, the boys could do that. We just threw so much food away and now I've had to literally learn how to shop whereby this is Monday’s meal, this is Tuesday’s. I’ve never done that before. I'd meal planned in as much as ‘oh, they're like this’. I’ll pick this up and if I don't need it this week we'll put in the freezer for next week. I didn't think, now I'm literally meal-planning specifically. I've never done that before. So I had a year where I was having to adjust. I didn't know how to pay bills. I didn't know how to cook. I didn't know how to communicate. I had lost trust and faith in the world and I didn't know where to go”

Rochelle is in a privileged position to have siblings who have been her saviours. Her younger brother selflessly used his savings to cover Rochelle’s first year’s rent upfront, giving up his home-owning dreams.

The money she receives from universal credit provides her with day-to-day help and helping to pay back the borrowed rent and loan. Rochelle is now in debt of close to £200,000 which, of course, will keep accumulating due to the high interest rate. Edward is also in business debt and is claiming Rochelle is also responsible for this. 

Rochelle’s patience has been tested a number of times. She’s experienced broken promises, her signature forged, debt, loss of relationships, lies, several uncalled-for events and false charges brought against her. She spent weeks without food and no access to her belongings while learning to understand her health conditions and living on the opposite side of the spectrum of financial wealth, and yet has still found the power to say ‘no’ when Edward offered her hush money to stay off social media and keep quiet about her story. 

Aside from spending her days dealing with legalities and trying to mend her relationship with her children, Rochelle is now on the path to be a life coach. Her dream is to coach others, helping them to feel confident and good within themselves, by sharing the positive changes she’s felt within. 

Rochelle's story serves as a powerful reminder that this could happen to anyone, irrespective of financial status. It doesn't matter if you're a millionaire or not; we all rely on access to cash flow. Our bank balances, stocks, shares, and properties may give us a sense of security, but circumstances can change in unexpected ways.

We must not judge others solely by their assets, as life's twists and turns can lead to situations where those assets become inaccessible or insufficient. Rochelle's journey illustrates that none of us are immune to such challenges. She never imagined a day when homelessness would be a concern while living in her mansion, or that her brother would sacrifice his dreams to support her financially.

It's essential for us all to recognise that life is unpredictable, and any one of us could face similar circumstances. Empathy and understanding can go a long way in supporting those who find themselves in such difficult situations. Rochelle's story is a call to be mindful of our own vulnerability and to extend compassion to others facing hardships beyond their control.

If you want to follow Rochelle’s story, purchase anything from her wardrobe or work with her, she can be found: @restartlife_coach

Rochelle’s editorial piece in Yalla: 

https://www.flipsnack.com/chazak/yalla-09-find-the-light-pages.html

*Names have been changed for the purpose of this piece. 

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Dave’s journey began from his hometown in Alltwalis, Wales where he inherited his parent’s house after their death. Unfortunately, due to an incident at a small holding located nearby, the house flooded at a loss of £90,000 which insurance did not cover. After several years, Dave managed to sell the property, buy a one way ticket to London with the clothes on his back, a questionable hard drive and a vision to pursue his dream of being a film director. 

“If our ancestors did safety, we wouldn’t be here”

When Dave said this, I shuddered and then again on writing this up. It hit me, stories of my ancestors; the ones I knew and didn’t. The moves they made, the risks they took with 0 funds to their name and yet they moved countries by boat, had businesses and a community around them.                                                                                                       (Cue the viral picture of our PM, Mr. Sunak, on a stand with the slogan “stop the boats”).

In a time where we are consistently bombarded with negative news, backward systems and told these are how we do things with no wiggle room, we have forgotten that our ancestors, despite countless challenges and obstacles, were courageous, intuitive and persevered which many homeless individuals live by. 

Why have the rest of us forgotten adventure and self-reliance; living on our own terms?

Dave had no idea what his hard drive had held on to. Was any of his work on there? He didn’t know and it didn’t matter, London was calling and his end goal, everything in-between was a matter of hope, faith, belief and trust.

“Fear should be used to ascertain risk. Once you have ascertained risk, you should forget about fear”

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Although Dave began his new chapter sleeping on a piece of cardboard on London streets, he eventually managed to pick up some part-time retail work which helped him to source a second-hand MacBook Pro and a microphone. Once the retail placement came to an end, he used this time to concentrate on his movie project: Mystic Demon Killer. 

Dave was picked up by Vice for a documentary which led to Mystic Demon Killer being showcased at Islington’s independent cinema, Screen on the Green. 

“…the peaks have made up for the troughs”

Dave and I spoke in depth of how chapters of our lives are different versions of ourselves from various perspectives much like the multiverse concept. For someone who has experienced street living and minimalism for the majority of their adult life and only continues to see the positive shows the power of mindset and recognises the fact that our mindsets can influence how we perceive and respond to challenges we face. For those experiencing living on the streets, cultivating a positive and resilient mindset can be an important tool for survival, growth, and ultimately, finding a way out of homelessness. 

“I moved to the City as I had been attacked a few times because partially people were jealous of what had happened to me with the Vice documentary. That’s another thing, I hesitated when Vice said they would do a documentary because I thought to myself if I don’t get off the streets through this, there’s going to be problems so I separated myself from Tottenham Court Road and I was sleeping down the City Temple, not far from Chancery Lane”

Dave recognised the potential for resentment in his environment and made the decision to move his ‘home’ as a way of protecting his positive mindset. While it's true that jealousy can be a negative emotion, it can also serve as a powerful teacher. It’s important to contemplate the possibility that what one perceives as jealousy may, in fact, have another meaning in disguise - after all the world would be a much easier but boring place if we all saw everything in the same way. 

In Dave's case, his experience with jealousy may have served as a reminder of how far he's come and the connections he's made. On the other hand, the other person may have been reminded of what's possible for them and what they could achieve - a desire or inspiration some may say? Ultimately, it all comes down to mindset and being open to the range of emotions and motivations that every individual experiences.

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Our conversation veered to the pandemic era and how an idea was portrayed to the rest of us that all homeless individuals were taken off the streets into shelter, but behind the scenes of empty roads shown to us in the media was a slightly different story. 

According to Dave, individuals in hostels were the first to be placed in hotels during the COVID crisis due to their potential health risks and liability concerns. Dave described hostel conditions pre pandemic which could sleep 30 to an area.

“…you don’t know who they are, what drugs they’ve got, what condition they are in or anything and that’s the conditions you live in in these places. There were separate rooms upstairs but apparently only for the select few, normally that came under the druggie or other things that ticked all their tick boxes…my argument there is, you have a problem there anyway as I don’t think we are tick boxing or any animal is a tick boxing product”

Put another way, I am who I am perceived based on how I tick a box in that moment in time but my answer could potentially change.

We both agreed that nowadays the tick box was a source of reliance and from personal experience, our modern world is using it as more of a means to show quotas are being met than analysing the data for genuine research and changes. This is happening in the corporate world, a place that is managed by the likes of the FDA and the Government. The people we are meant to turn to as our security blanket. Perhaps we have been seeing this all wrong?

”What matters is what they are going through, as an individual”. 

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Are the powers that be the equivalent of our parental figures? They are there as our support system to help us grow into adults but just as our parents, they have been misguided too. Using their past experiences, traumas and perspective lenses to make decisions that don’t work with an evolving world that is simultaneously falling apart. The pandemic after all gave mother nature a well-deserved break. 

The Law of One philosophy suggests all individuals and beings are ultimately a part of this unified consciousness, and that separation is an illusion. The purpose of life is to learn and evolve towards a state of greater harmony and unity within our reality and yet we are in a time where we are actively finding new ways to segregate ourselves, be it careers, sexual preferences, culture etc. Whilst the veil slips for some, are other individuals directing themselves to such communities for a way to feel accepted or hide from a deeper truth; perhaps the fear of vulnerability leading to love?

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Maybe it is time to re-strategise the entire industry/ concept rather than cover up with cheap plaster. For those interested, Dave recommends “The homeless industrial complex” documentary on YouTube. 

“We have a military complex with the war so why wouldn’t we not have one with homelessness?”

The Industrial complex quoted Adam Zivo (2022), “the ecosystem of bureaucrats, NGOs and corporations that claim to aid the marginalised, but actually do little beyond profiting off the perpetuation of homelessness, poverty and addiction”. 

This speaks to the systemic issues that reinforce homelessness, poverty and addiction. The current ecosystem of organisations and institutions that claim to help the marginalised may be contributing to the problem rather than providing real solutions. How can we unite profit and meaningful change with a blend of what has previously worked with some innovation? 

Looking at the roots of homelessness in today’s economy, we need to address the lack of affordable housing, access to mental health and addiction treatment (without the long waiting lists), creating job opportunities and livable wages. Perhaps, there needs to be an increase in transparency and accountability measures and provide funding and resources to organisations that are proven to be effective in addressing homelessness. Ultimately, we need to prioritise the wellbeing of our most vulnerable over profit alone and bureaucracy.

Taking care of our health and wellbeing is a known factor to all of us but for those without a door to close behind them, it also means there is limited choice on what nutritious meals are on offer. It is easy to take for granted the ‘urgh, I have to cook’ but as with everything there is someone somewhere who is unable to when what they are craving for is something green. Dave mentioned that his hotel stay during COVID, there was no regularity to meals.

“In my hotel we weren’t fed regularly enough at all. If you relied on food coming in, you would have had a very bizarre diet and you probably would have been very unwell because definitely not enough food would have come in”

Dave believes the decision makers could have chosen a different plan to look after the homeless during this time. 

“[The kitchen was closed] I would have done it so they had a team of people in there, maybe like the army who would have cooked for everybody so everybody had decent meals but that wasn’t done and it was left with what had come in”

It is said that around 90% of the food we consume makes up our bodies. Contrary to what many perceive the street living life to entail, Dave among others, does not drink alcohol and is conscious of what he puts into his body.

“I have never been a drinker. I found out off the internet that 10 years ago or earlier, 90% of liver damage was caused by alcohol abuse now 90% of liver damage is caused by bad food and that’s not people making bad choices that means that the processed food and the quality of food is so low that it is putting strain on our liver and obviously, sometimes you will be fine. That explains why some of the younger homeless I know have got through it because they dealt with what was being given better than I could…I drink apple cider vinegar which repairs your liver as much as possible. I’m trying to give myself a decent diet. It does worry me now because if we go back in anyway into a situation where there is a scarcity of food, I am worried about what might happen”

Now in his 60s, Dave currently resides on the streets of Central London whilst he pursues securing a boat to call home which will allow him to discover cooking, catch his own fish and hopefully skip some of the 6am 2 hr queues for a morning bacon sandwich. He also continues to pursue making more movies. 

“I found myself saying, this kind of makes sense and how I got to where I am. You feel like you have grown but you don’t know how or where from”

To support Dave and his positive mindset: 

Purchase Cafe Art calendars, with his promo code: DHF2023 for 10% (proceeds go directly to Dave)

Purchase Mystic Demon Killer

Donate via GoFund Me and Patreon

Insta: @fussellfilms

Sources:

https://nationalpost.com/opinion/adam-zivo-vancouver-rejects-left-wing-activists-profiting-off-the-homeless

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Priyal was 18 when he first encountered surfing, and was instantly drawn to it. By combining his passion with his business management education SurfnYoga Mirissa was born, the original of the sub retreats, which sits highly on Google ratings, and for good reason. 

As the name suggests, the family-vibe hostel organised a timetable of both surf and yoga classes. 

Each day, 3 sets of yoga and surf sessions were offered, allowing you to alternate times and days depending on personal preference. 

My first stroll down the inviting slope towards the dorm, surrounded by greenery and a guiding Ganesh statue, I couldn't help but feel a sense of tranquility. The dorm, which hosts 8 guests, is spacious and consists of several charging points, small individual safes, and a semi-outdoor shower, all conveniently next to the pool. 

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I opted to start my days with a 7.30am surf session. My surf instructor, Ale would be there by the surfboards to greet us and take us on the 20 min Tuk Tuk drive to Weligama, the area known for surfing, which was particularly great for beginners as the waves are smaller and more consistent. Only a short swim out from here were the larger waves for the improvers and advanced surfers. 

Ale has been surfing for 15 years and is self-taught, having spent every day after school practicing, which comes across in his patient and encouraging nature. We celebrated every fall and every balance, regardless of how long I stayed on the board! Ale has a way of noticing all the intricacies which will help you tweak your surfing game. 

Surfing allowed me to feel a connection to nature I have not felt before. I took a moment on the sand in Tadasana (mountain pose), echoing its teaching of stillness and patience before allowing the Indian Ocean to humble me. Surfing reminded me to not only accept but embrace life’s unpredictable waves. Despite our lack of control, we can remain relaxed and balanced, much like on the board, enabling us to navigate life’s chaos. Various forms of lessons have come my way since leaving SurfnYoga which, coincidently, is the last time I surfed. 

Without knowing, Ale helped me to recall the childlike self where there was no expectation, only excitement that I may/may not get on the board. Even the times I lay on the board to the shore gave me a sense of being in the present moment. None of it mattered. It just was how it was and every time I went back to try again with a giggle and even a new hole in the crotch of my shorts, it was all, in itself, perfect. 

With all the attempted pushups and bent standing, a yoga class was the perfect accompaniment. 

My roomie Alex was my teacher. She reminded me of what I enjoyed from a yoga practice. She seamlessly blended Vinyasa, Ashtanga, and Yin practices, tailoring each class to the collective needs while offering individual adjustments. Her synchronisation with the class’ pace created an environment where the beginner and regular yogis were in sync. 

For breakfast, the team offered fruit and coffee with a standard sweet and savoury menu that could be catered to various dietary requirements. Dinner, on the other hand, was what everyone looked forward to. It was when we all came together to find out what surprise was being served. Each night would be different and would be as epic as the last. Our chef Hussy noted everyone’s preferences and incorporated them during our stay where he could. It was obvious to the group that it was made with love. 

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After dinner, we joined the team in learning to play Carrom, a popular Indian board game. Bindu and Hussy took the time to teach us - it was definitely fun and got quite competitive at times!

My forfeit for losing a game was to help with dinner. I’m pleased to say my hoppers and coconut roti turned out pretty well - thank you Hussy! 

Another team member who deserves a shout-out is Mahy. The hitchhiking king and definitely the cheeky monkey of the SurfnYoga family. It was beautiful to witness how the team embraced him as one of their own. As Mahy teaches the team English, he is on his way to adding Sri Lanken to his fluently spoken languages. 

The retreat staff, with their genuine warmth and hospitality, added a layer of authenticity that made every interaction feel like a home away from home. SurfnYoga offer karma exchanges which is great for new teachers like Alex and Mahy who volunteer. 

The inclusion of a Tuk Tuk ride to Weligama, complete with board transportation, showcased not only convenience but a commitment to the surf community. In addition, SurfnYoga includes a 1 hour massage at a local spa which did not disappoint. For a stress-free retreat that requires minimal decision-making, SurfnYoga stands out as an ideal choice.

https://surfnyogasrilanka.com/

For private surfs, Ale: +94770208748

Alex is a travelling yogi:

to find her current location: +48608079172 or follow her @_heyimalex

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Jason’s unrecommended path of homelessness began much like most stories do, you meet someone, everything is great and then something happens. In this case, Jason gave up his Hackney flat after deciding to move in with his then partner as she wasn’t so keen on his area. Things were good, talks of marriage and future plans were in the making but after 1.5 years, Jason heard rumors that he was being cheated on.

“I didn't want to believe it cause you don’t, you live in denial a bit but then I confronted her and she ended up telling the truth and she thought yeah I want him to move in and it'll be a bit awkward with me being there and so I had to bail out and went to the council for help and that was about as much use as a wet paper bag” 

Unfortunately, Jason lost his job around the same time at a coach firm which had to move outside of London due to the Olympics. Had he been able to stay in the role, would he have been able to justify the travel? Even now, I hear senior individuals within the corporate world adding up the pennies for travel fares, so how do we expect those on a lower salary to spend over 3 hrs return per day to only be able to afford a loaf of bread? 

“so basically it came crumbling down at once”

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Jason sofa surfed (also termed hidden homelessness) for a while and understandably, this can be a bit much for both parties. Personal space is vital as it is but when having to go through the emotions of betrayal, broken trust, and the loss of your job and home, I imagine that physical, emotional, and spiritual space is the most valuable thing a person can have that is truly theirs. Jason’s nature comes across as empathetically sweet, so it came as no surprise that he took into account other’s feelings due to his predicament.

“you can only do that for so long because you don't wanna be a burden to people you know…sleeping out on the street, 1 week led to one month then one month led to 1 year”

Crisis also reported in 2019 that “sofa surfing is detrimental to mental and physical health with the majority of participants reporting both getting worse. Personal relationships also suffer. Over half (58%/66) saw friends and family less and relationships with hosts could worsen over time”. 

Leaving this behind, Jason turned to the streets, which resulted in a back-and-forth game from street living to temporary accommodation and back full circle due to funding cuts. 

These cuts are nothing new; Mungos.org reported that the past 9 years of government cuts to council budgets have left a £1 billion a year funding gap, reflecting a 165% increase from 2010 in the number of people rough sleeping in England. With numbers only continuing to rise and the possibility that any one of us in a split moment could be in this position, surely, we can be a little kinder? 

Braving the cold nights in fear of falling asleep in case you are beaten up, robbed of the little you own while still having to process the emotions and trauma of what got you there is no easy feat. To top it off, Jason witnessed fellow homeless friends die and even get set on fire. The fire was started on purpose by “drunk idiots” and sadly, this is disturbingly common.

How are we living in a time where it crosses minds that this is acceptable and even more worryingly, fun? After all, we are products of our environments so…what does this say about the arsonists? What are they consuming and what are we feeding them for this to be…normal?

Is it any wonder the homeless community find a means to escape through drugs? Many people believe the homeless are all addicts, but in taking the substances are they actually causing any harm? Or is it a way to keep warm and hide from the world like the rest of us, but we have the privilege to keep our secrets behind closed doors.

Jason admits openly he spent time on drugs, in particular crack and heroin, 2 of the most addictive substances out there. Buying prices, starting at £10, are cheaper than a Tesco shop, and yet through all the cloudiness, Jason saw his out opportunity and he chose his determination and belief. With a little help from methadone provided by a treatment centre in Whitechapel, Jason is happily drug-free.

“focusing on getting the accommodation, rather than put it in alcohol and drugs first because there's no future in that shit you know, for real that just slows everything down”

Jason’s name finally came to the top of the list and he now has a flat in East London on probation. He sits outside Sainsbury’s peacefully drawing away to sell his art which goes towards the metered gas and electric. Although he now has a home, he continues to battle with loneliness and trust. The plan is to work towards putting himself together so he can reconnect with lost friends and family.

“It's a shame. You don't want them to see you know, embarrassment you know, and knowing where you've gone to in life you know. I didn't want to take the risk [telling loved ones] because maybe you get so used to other people's attitudes”

Feelings of shame and judgement can lead to the lowest, darkest and all-consuming places for a person. Despite this, Jason’s story shows how circumstances beyond his control rather than personal choices led him to where he is today, and yet he has remained thoroughly positive throughout. 

“I had no choice but to keep going you know. At the time I had the dog, obviously you do say you wish yourself, like you hope there is some light at the end of the tunnel and luck has it, there was. If you beat yourself up about it, you'll end up driving yourself mad and then you just make yourself worse you know, and something that's hard enough to control and deal with it as it is you know [sic]”

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Jason’s light at the end of the tunnel doesn’t end with his flat. He envisions working with the homeless in a way that they could really benefit from his lived experience as well as continuing his DJ’ing which began in radio stations pre homelessness alongside further graffiti collaborations such as the one he did with local artists for Converse. 

The job search and hiring process can be a mind-numbing task, ticking boxes of what a person has achieved, any transferable skills, and a list of academics that may or may not come in useful. Why are we not seeing more homeless people being taken off the street to work in roles where they understand the system and the pain? It is these people who can re-strategise the entire process from the inside. Are we really in a position where the Prime minister gets a job by default, but a homeless person can’t even get a job in a field where they’re experts?

The categorisation of the homeless being ‘bums’ is so outdated. There is so much more to their lives than what we see by walking past. Jason is super polite, friendly, empathetic, creative, and resourceful. He spent nearly a decade on the streets caring for himself and his dog, questioning why he was trying to survive but knowing that he had a responsibility to care for his companion. 

“[he] definitely helped me pull through you know, he was my responsibility and I could have been stupid a lot of times but I didn't because I had him you know, so I have to keep it together as much as bad things were [sic]”

Jason is now in a position to see his positivity come to fruition. He continues to sit outside Sainsbury’s with his art, taking each day towards his previously dreamt life. 

@skram464 for a peak at Jason’s art.

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Photo by Noble Tree Foundation

As the festive season approaches, let's remember that support for the homeless shouldn't just be a seasonal concern. At Noble Tree Foundation, our goal is to provide long-term support and uplift for those affected by homelessness. In the coming weeks, we'll talk more about what we do and the sort of people that we're supporting every day.

Donate to Noble Tree Foundation

As the festive lights twinkle and the season of giving unfolds, it’s vital to remember that compassion knows no season. Homelessness is a year-round challenge that demands our consistent support and attention. With Homelessness Unwrapped, we at Noble Tree Foundation focus on the unwavering commitment needed to uplift lives beyond the holiday spirit.

Our Philosophy: Humanity, Support, Growth

Noble Tree believes in the power of sustained assistance, the kind that doesn’t fade with festive decorations. It’s about building futures and empowering individuals. As the cold sets in, immediate aid becomes critical, yet our vision extends far beyond winter’s grasp. We aim to pave pathways from survival to thriving – for today, tomorrow, and every day after.

Spotlighting Triumphs of Tenacity: Dave & Rochelle’s Stories

In the coming weeks, we’ll spotlight the remarkable individuals who embody resilience. Like Dave, who despite his challenges on the streets, shines as a beacon of hope with his aspirations in filmmaking. And Rochelle showcases the power of rebirth from a life of abundance to braving new beginnings with an unbreakable spirit.

A Commitment to Continuity

Remember, the individuals you pass by during your holiday rush carry stories that don’t conclude with the season. The Noble Tree Foundation stands as their protector, provider, and promoter, not just for Christmas but for a lifetime of opportunities.

Nurturing Growth Beyond the Seasonal Cheer

Our endeavors transcend temporary relief. We aim to secure homes and hope for the long term. This Christmas, as you cherish the warmth of your hearth, spare a thought for those seeking more than a night’s refuge. Help us light their way to a future where homelessness is a chapter closed, not a persistent plight.

Extending Our Roots to Reach More

As we bid farewell to 2023 and its challenges, we celebrate the growth in our housing stock and the lives we’ve touched. Yet, our work is far from over. With each new year, our resolution stands firm – to combat homelessness with unwavering support and to empower lives towards enduring independence.

Join Us in Our Year-Round Mission

You can play a part in this continuous cycle of support. Your contributions can transform lives, turning the tide in the fight against homelessness. Let’s come together to offer more than temporary shelter – let’s build homes, futures, and stories of success.

Donate Today for a Tomorrow Filled with Hope

Your generosity can spark the change needed for someone to step out of the shadows of homelessness. Support Dave’s journey, contribute to our foundation and be a part of a movement where every day is a step towards a brighter future.

Together, we can unwrap the gift of hope and humanity, not just for the holidays but for a lifetime.

Donate to Noble Tree Foundation

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This is the story of Robert, a man who woke up in the night sweating for change. Someone who follows their intuition and is balanced in their idea of personal financial stability alongside giving back and helping those in need. 

Nearly 20 years ago, Robert looked to his dad for support due to his severe dyslexia – he borrowed £1000 for an oven and had to pay back weekly installments otherwise suffer the potential parental fury.

"People were wandering around looking for food…It was a really sad thing to see people desperately looking for food. Because no one was giving out food at all. Everything seemed to stop"

Humdingers, named after Robert’s grandfathers sailboat, originally a catering company for an array of occasions began the soup kitchen with 1 day a week, expanding to 4 days during the 2020 lockdown, reaching around 1000 people per day. Robert continued to explain that he felt let down by a number of organisations and authorities, and something needed to be done. 

"I woke up in the middle of the night in a cold sweat for I had to do this"

Robert deeply felt the call to make a change that literally came from the inside out meaning he found himself spending more time working on this than time with his family. He shared how he feels he let his wife down as he took it upon himself to support the whole rather than his family but Robert further explained how choosing to help others has brought so much joy into his life; from giving his wealth away to making new friends in the community and seeing people come out of their homes and creating connections. Robert also humbly mentioned that for his efforts he was awarded a British Empire Medal by the Queen. As he continued, I couldn’t help but think he is a live example of the law of reciprocity. 

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"I'd like to just show that a business can be very giving to the community at the same time as being a business"

I admire his honesty in telling me we can have it all. Anyone can have a business and find ways to give back. When expenses were high to keep the soup kitchen running and provide bread, his solution was to open an in-house bakery.

"the bakeries will work to make money to pay for the soup kitchen"

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The soup kitchen brings in a mix of visitors; families, the homeless,(ex)addicts, lonely locals and individuals facing temporary hardship. Watching from the sidelines, it was clear that there is no discrimination of who lines up. Typically the majority of visitors are single older men with the ratio breaking down to around 20% homeless, 20% families and 50% mix of locals that are struggling with the cost of living, sitting in dark rooms all day, loneliness and 10% of addicts to ex addicts. 

Humdingers have created a family with many of them. In fact, Robert welcomes anyone to drop by the head office and have a chat about any job opportunities. Looking for work can be intimidating as it is and Humdingers are open to walk-ins, giving a chance to those who don’t have the means to access technology, something that has now become a monotonous norm.

The team at Humdingers open their arms and hearts to give anyone a chance at building something for themselves. One of the chefs is Robert’s childhood best friend, a few of the employees are ex-addicts and a celebritie’s ex limo driver, who suffers with a mental health disorder, has never been happier working there. 

Talking with Robert, there was a childlike innocence that came through; the side where everything is oh so simple:

"if every business did this, if every business said…actually, we aren't going to put this much into that or we are going to do our own little soup kitchen. Oh, look at these guys. Why don't we give them a job and see if we can give them a chance just through seeing what we're doing?"

Makes sense, no?

With the cost of living already bursting at the seams, we can only expect the numbers of homelessness to rise, getting stuck in an endless cycle and a broken system. Internships are offered to school leavers, imagine businesses worked with homeless charities to offer spaces to those who are trying to get back on their feet… 

"At the same time as making a profit, we want to make a difference"

The Humdinger’s motto is ‘Business with a Heart’. You have the choice to listen to that little voice telling you how to make a difference even if it doesn’t make sense. Regardless of if you are a small business or CEO of a multinational bank – we can all find ways to have our cake and eat it. 

Humdingers’ future involves expanding the business to continue helping local communities and the NHS. Robert also plans to tackle child hunger by providing free school meals for children.

For more info & support links:

https://www.humdingers.org.uk/

GoFundMe

Humdingers cafes: Hornsey Rd and Shoreditch

Soup Kitchen: Mon - Thurs & Fri, 5 - 7pm weekly

238 Hoxton Street, London, N1 5LX

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StreetLife Stories partnered with Noble Tree Foundation to share stories of observed issues around homelessness, raise awareness, and challenge the negative bias it can bring. StreetLife Stories touches upon the battles of individual’s along with their pain, but more importantly the belief in themselves regardless of their circumstances.

In 2023, StreetLife Stories released exclusive content as part of NobleTree’s Instagram Campaign.