Rachel’s Bio – the importance of yoga

I came to yoga in my teenage years, feeling a need to get in touch with my body in a way that just didn’t happen in PE classes at school, where I was made to feel embarrassed and ashamed of my poor co-ordination and lack of fitness. I used books and to some extent the occasional TV programme to put simple practice sessions together and soon experienced the benefits. It was the start of a lifetime of yoga.

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1970s…

I was fortunate that my parents had an interest in yoga, they had both attended yoga classes at one time or another, and there were many books around the house. I remember attending a yoga class in London with my Mum when I was about 6 or 7, filled with women in leotards and fishnet tights! So I’ve been around yoga for many years, and my practice has waxed and waned during that time, but seen me through some challenging periods, including ill-health, family illness and work stresses. Thank you yoga.

1990s…

I started to take the practice more seriously when I reached my 30s and had more time to devote to it. Also I was instinctively drawn to the idea of teaching. My practice has really evolved since those early days when the emphasis (let’s face it) was on looking good; strengthening, stretching and toning the body.

Over the years I’ve attended a variety of classes, workshops and trainings, alongside a continuing home practice, hence I know what works for me! Moreover I appreciate the calm and balance that yoga brings me; the feeling of being centred and grounded, in my body… of being truly myself.

My practice includes pranayama (breathing) and meditation as well as a physical practice. Additionally I try to live my life mindful of the ethical aspects of yoga.

Now…

In my teaching what I share is always based on my own practice and experience, which is constantly evolving. I enjoy bringing variety to my classes. A few years ago I found Seasonal Yoga, which incorporates Taoist philosophy and traditional yoga, and it really spoke to me… It makes so much sense to match our own practice and natural rhythms with those of nature all around us.

My Yin Yoga and Dru experience naturally supported this, almost as if previous trainings were purposely taking me in the Seasonal direction! I am able to use all that I’ve learnt (and keep on learning) with this approach, taking it into my classes, workshops and courses. My commitment to personal evolution is ongoing. 

My home is in Letchworth with my family and 2 cats. I enjoy learning, learning and learning more about health and wellbeing, and sharing that knowledge. Having a vegan lifestyle – vegan since 1995 – helps to keep me healthy.

Overall I genuinely believe yoga is for everyone and anyone can practice yoga.

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Are we a good fit?

Yoga teachers vary enormously (as do classes) so you may find some just resonate better with you than others. And that’s fine, because we’re all different. 

So I’m going to be honest with you about who I am and the way I teach so you can get a feel for me. Obviously that’s not the same as meeting in person, but it’s a start.

I’ve been around Yoga in some form or other pretty much all of my life. I’ve seen it become massively popular – from times when yoga classes were mainly in local community hall of an evening to now when there are studios dedicated to yoga running many classes each day. In the old days a yoga class was a yoga class, and although there would no doubt have been difference of approaches and teachers personalities, generally they were all referred to as yoga. These days we have massive differentiation – Hot Yoga, Vinyasa, Slow Flow, Yoga-lates, Beer Yoga, Goat Yoga – I could go on. 

And generally in the West Yoga has been co-opted by the Fitness industry and classed as a “sport”. 

Now there’s nothing wrong with wanting to be fit and agile – I prefer to be that myself. But Yoga is much more than that and I do feel that sometimes what I like to think of as the alchemy of yoga has been lost. 

So when you come to my classes or workshops or trainings you’ll find I’m more interested in subtle energy flow than I am in stretched hamstrings. I’m more interested in self reflection than I am in holding plank pose for as long as possible. I’ll be pausing often so that you can notice how you are feeling…so that your attention is present and embodied rather than scattered. And you’ll definitely get a guided relaxation!

More about me…

I’m concerned about the world…we have lost connection in many ways. Not just to ourselves but to each-other, to our environment, and the beings we share the planet with.  We often lack any sense of community or if we have community it comes through the Internet or Social Media rather than from real meaningful face to face relationships. I try to foster a sense of community in my classes – sometimes this blossoms onto friendship groups! And for many this is a slot in their schedule where they get to spend quality time with themselves and others.  

We have lost touch with indigenous wisdom – the old ways of knowing about the world around us – too. That doesn’t mean everything old and traditional was right because it wasn’t. if the old ways mean racism or misogyny or belittling of those who are different, then we need to abandon them!

Our children deserve good care – care that allows them to develop into broadminded, empathic and compassionate individuals.

We need to have compassion for and look after those who are less fortunate than ourselves – and yes that includes people from all over the world. 

And yoga can help – because when our nervous systems settle and we are able to spend some time in the Yoga Being State (thank you Pete Yates!) we are able to see more easily how everything is connected, and start to deepen compassion for ourselves as well as others.  

People who inspire me:

• My own teachers (see Bio)
• My friends and family

Also (and in no special order)

• Dr Gabor Mate
• Bessell Van Der Kolk
• Shiva Rea
• Chris Packham
• Martin Luther-King
• Maya Angelou
• Nelson Mandela

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• 2002 – British Wheel of Yoga Foundation Course
• 2008 – Kevala Centre Complementary Health Education Diploma in Yoga Teaching
• 2013 – Dru Yoga Foundation Course
• 2014 – Norman Blair’s Yin Yoga Teacher Training
• 2017 – Norman Blair’s Advanced Yin Yoga Teacher Training
• 2018 – Seasonal Yoga Online 6 Season Study Programme
• 2020 – Seasonal Yoga Advanced/Masters Certificate
• 2022 – Seasonal Qigong with Sue Woodd
• 2024 – Seasonal Coaching course
   
  
  
  

I can’t quite believe it, but in 2023 I reached my 15th year of teaching yoga and some amazing people have been with me for a big chunk of that time!