Rachael is a 2016 graduate of the 200 hour Kunga Yoga Lifestyle and Teacher Training with Kristin Cooper and Jess Bichler at Wilmington Yoga Center and a 2021 graduate of the 500 hour program. She completed a one year teaching internship under the mentorship of Jamie Annette and Jess Bichler from 2017-2018.
Rachael's first experiences with dance and movement brought her to classical ballet, which she then pursued with the goal of becoming a professional dancer. After chronic injuries encouraged her to explore other paths, Rachael fell in love with higher education and completed her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees to work as an academic advisor. She began practicing consistently at Sol Yoga in Maryland with her teacher, Luke Collins, whose influence continues to inspire her practice and teaching. She now calls Wilmington Yoga and Salty Dog Yoga home and is grateful to have found two beautiful communities of friends with whom she may learn and grow.
As part of her 500 hour YTT specializing in Therapeutics, Rachael is certified to teach 5Elements Flow classes and completed advanced training in Kunga Vinyasa, Hands On Assisting, Service Leadership: Yoga for Trauma/PTSD, Restorative Yoga, Yoga for Seniors, Chronic Pain, Pranayama, and approximately 100 hours in anatomy training. Rachael teaches credit-bearing Power Yoga and Yoga and Meditation classes as part of UNC Wilmington's WPA 101: Lifetime Wellness and Physical Activity program. She taught at Wilmington Yoga for 3.5 years and hopes to return in the future once family life allows!
Through teaching, Rachael hopes that she may assist others in experiencing the incredible joy, challenge, and fulfillment that learning to know and move one’s body can bring. She also enjoys sharing yoga as a lifestyle, weaving philosophy and a deep love of the Earth through her classes in an effort to serve others through practice. Rachael hopes that all students will leave class feeling grateful for their bodies and minds as well as inspired to practice yoga beyond their mats.