Rachel Lauren Howard

I wanted no part of it. I have struggled with my body my entire life. I have done nothing but fight with it for as long as I can remember - with my physical and my mental selves. In 2010, I was in outpatient treatment for my eating disorder. I was seeing a therapist, working with a nutritionist, and going to group sessions. My nutritionist had given me the assignment of learning to cook, so I could improve my relationship with food. My therapists asked me to consider trying yoga to improve my relationship with my body and my mind. "Nope," I said. "That is NOT me. I am uncoordinated. I am not flexible. I can barely walk in a straight line without falling over. I am NOT a yoga person." I resisted it, over and over, until they dropped it. Months later, someone invited me to a class, and with exasperation I agreed, thinking, "at least I can say I tried it and hated it so they'll leave me alone." Well. I loved it. I loved it so much that I dove in headfirst and never looked back. Over time, my husband pointed out that I had stopped talking about what my body looked like and instead started talking about what my body could do. I still struggle with my eating disorder. I still struggle with body dysmorphia and anxiety and depression and a host of other challenges. But through yoga, I have gained a wealth of tools and knowledge to help me bring myself back to center and continue trying to be my best. My favorite thing about teaching yoga is being able to share that same set of tools and knowledge with other people who may be struggling with the same challenges I have faced. I love working with people who are battling an eating disorder, body dysmorphia, depression, anxiety, and people who, like me, are autistic and can be challenged by sensory inputs. I also love working with mothers and mothers-to-be; prenatal yoga was so important and helpful to me during my pregnancy, and I love working with children, particularly to manage anxiety and help with mindfulness. I am certified as a RCYT and as a RPYT. I completed my 200 hour teacher training through Yoga & Ayurveda Center and recently completed a 300 hour teacher training through Bodsphere Yoga School, upgrading my certification to RYT-500. I have completed YACEP continuing education and additional certifications in the following areas: Kids Yoga Certification (Peaceful Babes) Teacher Training for Trauma, Depression, and Anxiety (Anjali Yoga Academy) Restorative Yoga Certification (Yoga & Ayurveda Center) Prenatal Yoga Teacher Training (Yoga Education Institute) Hatha Yoga Teacher Training (Yoga Education Institute) Registered Prenatal Yoga Teacher (Om Yoga Flow) Registered Children's Yoga Teacher (Om Yoga Flow) I have also completed an additional 200 hour teacher training (Om Yoga Flow/Helene Whitfield) and am enrolled in another 300 hour training through my "home" school, Yoga & Ayurveda Center. I love to learn and I love getting different perspectives from different teachers and schools to broaden my own understanding.