Rachel is a renowned yoga instructor, wellness expert, author, and award-winning journalist based in New Zealand. Rachel aims to “inspire others to live balanced lives, focusing on progress over perfection”. She shared with us her Pro Tips for Yoga and Mindfulness.
1. Start Now, Start Anywhere
Don’t wait for the perfect moment to begin your yoga journey. Rachel emphasises starting small and focusing on gradual progress rather than striving for perfection. Progress comes with consistent effort. “Everyone starts at the beginning humbly. In time, your wings will soar.” This approach applies not only to yoga but to all aspects of life.
2. Embrace Mindfulness as a Tool
Rachel advocates for mindfulness as a powerful tool for stress reduction and living in the present moment. Incorporating mindfulness practices can help manage challenges in both practice and daily life, “life can be hard and this practice has helped to keep me grounded when I’ve felt like falling to my knees.” It’s a powerful practice for finding inner balance and calm.
3. Explore and Challenge Yourself
Continuously seek opportunities for learning and growth in your yoga practice. “Life is about the enjoyment of learning,”embrace challenging poses and new techniques as chances for personal development. Rachel encourages this exploration, and emphasises the deep satisfaction that comes from mastering difficult poses through consistent effort.
4. Find Balance in Movement
Whether it’s yoga, CrossFit, running, or any physical activity, find what makes you “feel vibrantly alive, grounded and more in balance. Regular movement contributes to overall wellbeing and vitality. Rachel’s routine of daily exercise reflects her belief in the transformative power of movement.
5. Clothing Matters
When selecting yoga attire, it’s important to find a balance between “looking good, feeling good and performance enhancement.” Rachel favours CLQ compression tights because they provide the necessary support and stability, while also boosting her confidence during challenging poses,”they’re seriously amazing and I often teach yoga in these!” These small choices in your practice can make a big difference in how you feel and perform.
