about rachel
Rachel Priest is a yoga and movement teacher living in Oakland California, but with southern roots being from Tennessee. She started teaching yoga 8 years ago, receiving her 200hr Teaching Training in the Integral Yoga method in Charleston, SC. She also teaches Stand Up Paddleboard Yoga, Meditation, and has been trained in TRE, Trauma Release Exercises. She has taught internationally and toured with the Wanderlust Yoga Festivals teaching SUP Yoga in addition to being a featured writer for many yoga, health, and wellness publications.
Rachel discovered the benefits of yoga when recovering from an ankle injury and found that yoga not only healed her body, but gave her mental tools to face her years-long struggle with disordered eating and body image. Rachel’s classes are strong and sweaty, with intentional transitions, but are down to earth. The occasional word stumbling or laughter makes her classes relatable all while focusing on proper alignment and strength for any level of practitioner to enjoy and also benefit from the gift of yoga.
Outside of teaching, Rachel can be found hiking or beach frolicking with her dog Sydney and friends. From cooking, to painting, pottery, and traveling, Rachel is always looking for ways to try new things, enjoy some laughs and unpredictable moments along the way which fuels her creative spirit.
“Movement is medicine and a gift to all human beings. how we express ourselves and move on our mats is a direct form of physical and emotional creativity in motion.”
About the practice
My classes are a combination of strength building, longer holds of postures, and intentionally focusing on the transitions, creatively put together,
You should expect to be challenged, but with all challenges comes the reward at the end of the perseverance. You will sweat, move dynamically, and inspire yourself with your own strength and capabilities. Classes are designed to deepen your physical experience in order to pay attention to the emotional strength and mental calmness that are byproducts of the practice.
Education
200hr RYT TT : Holy Coy Yoga Center : Charleston SC 2013
50 SUPYOGA TT : YOGAQUA : Santa Monica CA 2015
TRE (Trauma Release Exercises) : Santa monica, CA 2015
About the art
I have always been a creative at heart. I Paint, charcoal sketch, do pottery, cook, and play with other expressions of creativity. My art is a direct reflection of what I am currently inspired by. a complete combination of curiosity, exploration, and experimentation with maybe a bit of method tossed in for fun.
Check out the Art page to see what originals and prints are currently available.
Raw Edge Retreats
Co-Founder of Raw Edge Retreats, Rachel is taking the importance of creativity a step further with co-founder bri Wenke. Read more on this creative initiative on the retreats page.
rachel has taught, partnered, and been a featured collaborator with….
