Alive in the Fire
Meet Rachel: a vinyasa yoga teacher and blogger from northern California.
She created her yoga blog, Alive in the Fire, as a space to share her passions for yoga, fitness, mindfulness, and compassion. Her yoga teaching and personal practice are inspired by Dharma Yoga, Vinyasa flow in the style of Baron Baptiste, and Bhakti yoga.
“I believe that when we are quiet, we begin to see everything with love.”
Rachel attended Northwestern University, where she studied undergrad English. Her current hobbies outside of yoga include spending time with family, going for hikes, traveling, reading and sitting on her front porch in the evening with a glass of wine. 😉🍷
“I started practicing yoga as a way to reduce anxiety. In college, I felt a lot of pressure to excel in academics and work, and I needed a way to relieve stress.”
"I had been on dance team in high school and always felt a strong mind/body connection, so one day I just bought a yoga DVD from the bookstore and found it to be really helpful. A while later I joined a studio and became part of a community of yogis, and then eventually realized I wanted to do yoga teacher training."
"From the very beginning of my yoga practice, I used it as a tool to let go of stress. When I'm able to move and breathe and sweat, I release negativity and self-doubt. I let emotions move through me instead of holding onto them. My yoga practice is a powerful tool for getting grounded and creating a self-care habit, of taking time for me."
“I think that there are so many ways someone can get onto the path of yoga, whether that’s through a home practice or in a studio, so start wherever you are comfortable and see where that takes you!”
Q: What is your current favorite pose?
Answer: I can't pick just one, so...my favorite poses these days are downward dog, bridge pose, and wheel pose. Downdog has a very grounding quality and it always feels good to stretch my legs and lengthen my spine; it's a simple way to release tension, get into my body, and warm up. Bridge and wheel are heart openers (backbends) so they help me energize and stay open to what's happening in my life.
Q: What pose is currently the most challenging for you?
Answer: I've been working on handstand for a while now and I've still got a ways to go. I love handstand because it's teaching me to let go of fear and allow myself to be playful. It's a full-body pose that requires strength, balance and determination-- definitely an advanced pose, and a good one to reach for. Some day I'll float up, and for now I'm fine with the journey of getting there!
Q: Any advice for yoga beginners?
Answer: First of all, congratulations! Starting a yoga practice can be one of the hardest steps, so please give yourself an encouraging pat on the back (and a hug from me). 😉
I think one of the best tips is just to listen to your body. When you're on your mat, that's your time and your sacred space. If something feels off, feel free to back out of a pose, or take a break. If you encounter a pose that feels really uncomfortable, or if you're working through any pain or sort of injury, talk to your teacher and see what modifications are available.
As far as studios and styles of yoga go, trust your intuition and notice what you need right now. If your life is busy and chaotic and stressful, maybe a yin class would be helpful; or, if you are struggling in a period of depression or need a boost of self-confidence, maybe Vinyasa or Bikram or Kundalini would speak to you.
Be willing to let your yoga practice change over time. Find a space that speaks to your heart and don't be afraid to say hi to the yogis around you at the studio. We all feel self-conscious, awkward, not 'good enough,' emotional, and nervous. We're all human. Keep at it and you will be surprised at how powerful this practice is! Also, I have a whole bunch of posts on my blog on my Beginners page, if you want to read more.
Thank you Rachel for such a fun photoshoot and answering my questions!