Meet Rachel
Summary of yoga background:
500hr+ yoga Therapist. Yoga for 12 Step Recovery-healing from addiction and trauma. Mentoring training and experience.
Secondary Teacher for 13 years, Head of PSHE.
Rachel’s Story:
From the very first day I went to a yoga class I found that it nourished and supported me on a deeply personal level. I’m not afraid to share that I came from a difficult and quite dysfunctional childhood. Coupled with a challenging family dynamic and many difficulties that have continued into my adult life my story is one of poor mental and emotional health. This led to addiction. Yoga introduced me to the idea of a relationship with my `Self` and through the knowing and accepting of my `Self` I was shown the potential to heal. It's not been a quick fix but the one steadfast thing in my life has been my practice, my anchor to hope and liberation from what was, to what can be, an opportunity to live up to my purest potential.
I always struggled with physical exercises and chastised myself for not being sporty but in learning about my body and the support of my breath I have become more flexible and strong and learned to listen to the feedback and language my body uses.
On an emotional level the practice of Yoga helps me to deal with life on life's terms and manage difficult emotions and stress as and when they appear, which they often do. My mental health benefits not only from my own personal practice but also teaching and being of service to others.
My deepest joy is when I teach Yoga and can see that a practice has touched someone deeply whether that be a whole practice or just parts of a practice. For me Yoga is a philosophy for living a life on life's terms, freedom from within.
Yoga Specialism:
I teach Viniyoga which means `Special or Appropriate Application`. This approach to Hatha Yoga is a bespoke, therapeutic yoga that is most effective 1-1. It was developed by Krishnamacharya and his son T.K.V Desikacher. It is considered to be an authentic transmission of yogic teachings from India and integrates asana (movement), pranayama (breathing), use of bandhas (energy control), chanting (singing) and meditation. The teacher-student relationship is very important to the practice of Viniyoga because, without one set approach the teacher must learn about their students so they can understand what they uniquely need. This includes understanding the students current condition, their potential, their goals and motivators. The session is then tailor made to best serve the individual student. Please enquire if you have specific questions about Viniyoga and what it is.
Interesting Facts:
I began my Yoga journey when I was 25,just after the birth of my first child. At this time I was looking for something that would support me physically but more so on an emotional level and spiritual level. With the support of my practice I have come to enjoy many other nourishing practices such as walking my dog Milo and occasional gentle runs. I love to ride my bike in the warmer weather and when time allows canoeing. I love music, singing and dancing even if it's just around my house. I spend time reading novels but also learning about new ideas and practices that help me to develop personally along with listening to lots of podcasts. I have just begun to knit and most recently learned how to play Backgammon. I get a great deal of joy from spending time with people and socialising with friends and family. I love hearing about people's lives and what others are up to.
My biggest joy is my Grandson who truly makes my heart sing. I love snuggling up and watching TV and I love good food!
My life is full of great things but there is always more to experience and my yoga gives me the energy and enthusiasm to grab and go!
Why are you passionate about being on the Shift Team?
Yoga is a supportive, healing and deeply nourishing practice and one that I believe can make a huge difference in an individual's life. Although an individual's journey with yoga can start at any time in their lives, the most effective and useful time for the hero`s journey into the Self is when we are young! I often contemplate how things may have been different for me if I had been introduced to this practice as a child or a young person and the difference it may have made to me in my formative years!
When I first met Robin I was inspired and encouraged by her energy, enthusiasm and love of life, I could see her vision to make a difference and equip children, young people and adults to have resilience, self empowerment and freedom from the epidemic of mental and emotional health that we are all currently facing.
I feel honoured to be part of the Shift Movement Team and am in awe of the women I am privileged to work with, Robin brings out a confidence, energy and determination in me that I don't see in myself so I know that this is reflected in her work with others, who wouldn't want to be part of that!