chicago, IL

As a dancer, the movement of yoga made sense in her body — even if it meant re-training her muscles (and mind) to turn inward — and it gave her a sense of peace. Rachel went on to double major in Spanish and Dance at the University of Iowa, where she had found a deeper connection to the union of mind-body-spirit through yoga, which has helped navigate through the challenges that life has thrown at her over the years. She really delved deeper and discovered yoga as her sanctuary when she was living across the universe in beautiful Barcelona, España, through Rocket Vinyasa Yoga. Rachel completed her Hatha-Vinyasa 200-hour RYT Yoga Teacher Training in Rishikesh, India in 2016, and has been teaching yoga ever since. In 2021, she went on to complete her 300-hour RYT Yoga Teacher Training, a rigorous program that honoured the origins of yoga while also focusing on the current community of practitioners, and how to apply an inclusive, trauma-informed approach to foster a safe, healing yoga space for everyBODY. Also in 2021, she completed 85-hour Barre Teacher Training, and in 2023, 85-hour Prenatal / Postpartum Yoga Teacher Training. As a Middle School Spanish Teacher, teaching has always felt like a calling. Rachel considers herself always a student, taking workshops and reading up on all things yoga whenever possible. And since music has always been an important part in her life, you can expect to infuse mindful movement with a variety of meaningful playlists of all genres in her classes. Rachel aspires to teach dynamic yoga classes that include Pranayama, Mantra, Asana and Meditation. With a focus on connecting breath with movement, these classes draw from a range of yoga traditions including Hatha, Vinyasa, Ashtanga, Karma, Sivananda and Yin.