Tell us a little bit about yourself, what have you been up to, where in the world are you?

My name is Gabriela, im a nature and naturism lover , Model, danceguide, actress right now.
I decided to come Back to my home country in Brazil because I wanted to be close to my roots, I felt I need to rediscover who am I was natural for me going away and living more simply surrounded by nature, spirituality and people I love.

What makes a life feel complete?

Leaving it by the fullest with presence, freedom of judgements, love and compassion. In nature, waking up and swimming naked everyday, eating the fruits I pick up on my way to the beach or waterfall, surrounded by the ones I love and animals.

What sensations tell you that you’re fully here?

My instincts -for example- chills are an amazing sign of pure joy.
My feelings bring me back to myself.
Hearing a bird, the smell of fresh rain…

How do you know what nature is asking of you in a given moment?

I try to be fully present and hear my instinct. Normally it happens by closing my eyes and touching a tree, a flower, water, a rock…Connecting to something bigger than myself that is just an extension of who I am.

What do you do with boredom, restlessness, or discomfort when they arise?

I believe they’re all signs of your body that an Emotion is asking for presence.
Normally the mind is restless, so I dance or move my body to evade my mind and come back to the physical, after that there are two options for me:
1- An Emotion arises, so I give space to feel whatever comes with no judgement, just presence.
2- I meditate to release my hold.

What do you do when fear arises in your body?

I accept, listen to the advice it brings to me at that moment. Since fear can sometimes over-control the mind/body, I breath to come back to presence and understand.

What makes a life feel complete, even if it’s short?

Leaving it by the fullest with presence, freedom of judgements, love and compassion.
In nature, waking up and swimming naked everyday, eating the fruits I pick up on my way to the beach or waterfall, surrounded by the ones I love and animals.

Can you walk us through a day in your life, highlighting the moments that feel most aligned with who you are?

A day in my life can be very unexpected, I love to discover new things, people, places. But I keep my rituals, the ones who bring me in presence. It would be waking up thanking another day, a little pranayama or meditation and normally a cold jump in the waterfall or the sea, walking barefoot always.

Are there objects, tools, or spaces that play a key role in your daily routine?

Definitely nature. Starting by natural cosmetics sources like Mircea, unprocessed food like veggies and fruits, watching the sunrise or sunset. Light sun exposure, gardening, swimming, dancing and singing.

How would you describe the culture that shapes your daily life? What values, traditions, or artistic influences guide you?

I'm in Brazil, the culture Im surrounded of is connected to nature and spirituality, so this shapes who I am.

Are there particular references—whether in art, literature, or business—that deeply inspire your way of living and working?

Yes, inspired by tribes who go back to their true animal nature: indigenous , african tribes, Gypsy’s, witches… work of Sebastian Salgado, always visiting expositions who bring nature on focus, and all my artists friends who inspire me everyday!

What does it mean to you to live and work from a place far from the city? How does your environment shape your creativity? 

Brings me a lot of peace.

How have you adapted your lifestyle or work to be more in harmony with nature?

I would say soon as I realized that what I was missing was Nature, I couldn’t help but doing something else on my job that’s brings me to my beliefs.

Can you describe a sensory detail from your bathing ritual?

My late baths have been in natural waterfall pools, quite cold, so of course I only bring natural cosmetics like Mircea with me and different kinds of plants who can help resolve the problem I’m going through in that moment, plants are magic, they can help you in anything, you must only ask.

All pictures by Corentin Bertau.