This interview will spotlight Helen Leland, a movement educator, mother, entrepreneur and wellness muse known for her transformational postural workouts. In a world where the "summer body" is still often framed around aesthetics and punishing our bodies, we’re using this conversation to shift the narrative. Our aim is to explore how true radiance and vitality come from within, through healthy lymphatic flow, nutrition, postural alignment, and mind-body connection.
We’ll dive into Helen’s wellness philosophy, her signature approach to posture, natural transformation without Botox, and how she’s finding balance in motherhood while staying rooted in self-care. The goal is to inspire our community to redefine what it means to feel good in their body, this summer and beyond.
Who Is Helen Leland? What Led You To Become Such A Passionate Advocate For Postural Movement and Functional Wellness?
I always say, I didn’t find posture, posture found me! For most of my twenties, I was stuck in this cycle of trying to fix what I thought were surface level problems. I wanted to look more lifted, more energized, more radiant, but I was chasing that through intense workouts, toxic diets, and Botox + filler. When I got pregnant in my late 20s, I had to stop Botox. A few months after my botox faded, I noticed my face muscles look atrophied and saggy, and that was my wake up call. I went searching for natural ways to support my face and body. That’s when I discovered lymphatic drainage, facial massage and the role posture plays in how we age, how we carry ourselves, and even how we feel. What started as me trying to maintain a “look” quickly became a journey into healing my body from the inside out by improving my energy, my confidence, and my relationship with movement. Now I’m passionate about making this knowledge simple and accessible for other women, especially those in busy seasons like motherhood, because these small shifts really do create huge transformations. I didn’t believe it until I experienced it myself.
People often associate a “summer body” with how we look, often involving crash diets, strenuous workouts, etc – but we believe it all starts from within, optimizing what’s underneath the skin to look and feel your best. What’s your take on the “summer body”?
When people say “summer body,” I don’t think about weight or size. I think about energy, flow, frequency and how your body feels. A summer body isn’t about restriction! It’s about lymphatic health, posture, strength and internal circulation. When your lymph is moving, your posture is lifted and your digestion is flowing, you naturally look and feel healthy. That’s where real glow comes from! It’s sustainable. You don’t have to crash diet or punish yourself in the gym. You can build a body that feels good from the inside out, all year long.
You’ve become known for your signature postural and facial workouts. What originally inspired you to focus on posture, and how has it evolved your own relationship to movement?
Honestly, it all started with vanity and I’m not afraid to admit that! I used to get Botox regularly because I wanted my face to look lifted and fresh. But when I got pregnant, Botox was off the table. I started looking for natural ways to support my face and prevent that tired, sagging look. That’s when I found lymphatic drainage, facial massage, and postural alignment. What I thought was just about my face turned out to be about my entire body. Posture impacts how your lymph flows, how your muscles engage, and even how much energy you have. It totally and completely reshaped how I approach movement and exercise. I moved away from punishing workouts and leaned into mobility, fascia care, and functional strength. And I feel better, stronger, and more connected than I ever did before.
What are postural muscles, and why do you think they are often neglected in traditional fitness routines?
Postural muscles are the deep, stabilizing muscles that hold your body upright. They’re what keep your spine stacked, your shoulders open, and your face lifted. Most people don’t even know they exist! Traditional fitness tends to focus on the “show” muscles like abs, glutes, arms, etc. But the postural muscles work behind the scenes to support your structure and energy flow. When we neglect them, we collapse inward, hold tension in our face and jaw, and create that hunched-over look so many of us struggle with. Once I started waking up my postural muscles, everything changed. My energy, my appearance, my confidence.
As a beginner, or someone who only has ten minutes a day, where would you recommend they start when it comes to caring for their postural muscles?
Start by releasing your face, jaw, and neck tension. It’s the quickest way to reset your posture and your energy. Ten minutes a day is more than enough to see and feel a complete change in 6 weeks. Work on jaw release, tongue posture, and gentle neck mobility to transform how your body feels and looks. It’s not about doing more, it’s about doing the right things consistently. If you can start with the face-jaw-neck connection, you’ll notice the difference almost immediately.
Proper tongue posture means your entire tongue (not just the tip) rests gently on the roof of your mouth, just behind your front teeth, with lips closed and teeth slightly apart. This posture helps stabilize the jaw, support the mid face, improve lymphatic drainage, and even influence your breathing and posture. When the tongue is low or inactive, it puts more strain on the jaw, neck, and facial muscles. This leads to clenching, TMJ issues, and even facial sagging over time.
A daily jaw release practice paired with mindful tongue posture is foundational for reshaping the face, improving circulation, and building long-term tone. To release your jaw, use your fingertips or knuckles to gently massage along the masseter muscle (the thick muscle at the sides of your jaw). Start with small circular motions, working from the cheekbone down toward the jawline. Repeat this on both sides for 30 to 60 seconds.
What’s your take on how strengthening mind-muscle connection supports not just physical results but also emotional and mental well-being?
Mind-muscle connection is everything. It’s not just about building better muscle tone, it’s about emotional release and nervous system support. Our postural muscles hold so much tension. They also hold our stress. When you tune in, when you move with awareness, you can literally feel that stuck energy start to release. For me, this has become a moving meditation. I don’t always have time (or attention span) for a long, quiet mindfulness practice, but when I do my postural and facial workouts with full attention, I walk away feeling lighter, more present, and more emotionally clear.
What are some of your non-negotiables for vitality and longevity, whether it’s daily practices, wellness tools, or mindset shifts?
First, I never miss my daily Blender Bomb smoothie. It’s how I make sure my body’s getting what it needs to support energy and digestion. Second, nervous system regulation is key. Whether it’s a walk outside, breathwork, or fascia release, I make time to bring my body back to a calm state every day. Third, I prioritize connection with people! Whether that’s with my husband, my daughter, or my friends. Joy is a huge part of wellness for me. And lastly, I always make time for facial and jaw release. It’s one of those small things that keeps me feeling (and looking) lifted, energized, and connected to myself.
How has motherhood changed your relationship to your body, your wellness routine, and your sense of longevity?
Before motherhood, I cared a lot about what my body looked like. Now, I care about how my body feels. I don’t chase burnout anymore. I focus on supporting my nervous system and choosing movement that energizes me, not drains me. I’ve also become so much more intentional about modeling self-love for my daughter. I want her to grow up seeing a mom who values her body, not someone who tears herself apart. That shift has been one of the greatest gifts of motherhood.
In this season of life, how do you find balance between caring for a toddler, being an entrepreneur, and making time for yourself? What does realistic self-care look like for you these days?
It’s not about having hours of free time, no one has that! It’s about micro-moments. I take two-minute breaks to release tension, stretch, or breathe throughout the day. Those tiny moments really add up. I also prioritize nervous system care. It’s the anchor that keeps me grounded in all the chaos. And I’ve learned to outsource and ask for help without guilt. I can’t (and don’t want to) do it all alone. Balance, for me, isn’t about doing everything perfectly, it’s about doing the best I can with what I have in each season.
Speaking of being a busy entrepreneur, what inspired you to create your new business, Sessions by Helen, and how does it fit into your vision of modern wellness?
I started offering postural movement sessions because I couldn’t find anything out there that really combined posture, lymphatic health, and natural facial lifting in one place. So I created what I needed. Sessions by Helen Leland is designed for real life (chaotic life) and they’re approachable, efficient, and focused on functional, lasting results. I wanted to offer something that helps women feel more energized, more confident, and more connected to their bodies, without having to overhaul their whole routine.
To me, modern wellness should fit in your life easily. It should not add more pressure to it. Sessions by Helen Leland is about showing up as you are and giving your body what it really needs to thrive. We just launched, so please head to SessionsByHelen.com to reserve your spot!
