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Teacher Training Fun in Victoria, BC
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Rachel, Mica, + Esak Garcia after his 26+2 Workshop at BYHD!
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Inhale, stretch up! Exhale, twist!

Biography: 

My first Original Hot Yoga class was way back in July of 2013 right here at Hot Yoga NorthWest (when it was still Bikram Yoga Hazel Dell)! Yoga had always intrigued me in a magical "I'll never be able to touch my toes" kind of way and for some reason (despite feeling super intimidated!) I figured I'd give it a try. I had no idea what I was getting into, but after my first class - I knew it was something. WHOA! 

Fast forward to April of 2018 and I had a very difficult couple of years in the mental health department. I was NOT practicing yoga. I had been working my life towards a career I no longer wanted, in a field I was no longer passionate about. I was defeated, exhausted, and honestly just broken down. I knew I needed something to ignite the fire within me again, something to help me find my way back to me again! THANKFULLY - One of the Studio's ads come across my Instagram feed for FREE YOGA for the Studio's 5th Anniversary Celebration Week and I was drawn into class. 
It was fate.

Since that week, I haven't stopped. 
The yoga has been with me every single day - in the Hot Room or out of it.
Something shifted.

This Yoga is my anti-anxiety, my anti-depressant - my literal path to whole-body wellness. I have healed chronic neck and shoulder pain, improved my gut health, my mental health, my physical health! I am more connected and conscious. I have found my faith within this Yoga, and credit it for so much personal growth. In August of 2018, I said 'goodbye' to a career path in the Medical Field and became the Studio Assistant here at HYNW - this is my home. I will never find the words to thank Mica for taking a chance on me!

In the Spring of 2019 - I went to the 500-hour Level 1 Core 26 Teacher Training with Craig Villani and Raja Yoga Academy in Victoria, BC! It was the most challenging and rewarding experience of my life.

I am honored to now lead this life-changing yoga and to have the opportunity to hold space for students, who very much like myself, may just need to find a way home - who just need some source of light. When I teach, I teach from the Heart - with compassion, empathy, and love - while keeping our Energy high! Come take class with me, I'd love to see you in the Hot Room!

- Rachel

Connect with me on Instagram!