I have been fascinated by nature, natural cycles, astrology, yoga, and the healing arts my whole life. I’m a yoga teacher and energy healer from Ithaca, New York that has lived all over the country, and I even spent 5 months living/working in Costa Rica! I have been practicing yoga for 18 years, and teaching for 10, including leading many national and international retreats, yoga teacher trainings, and workshops.

I originally came to the mat in 2002 during my undergraduate years at Rochester Institute of Technology because it was an incredible workout, and it was recommended to me by my back doctor (I have Scoliosis, and was in a back brace for my high school years). I love to travel, and every new place I visit, I make sure to try out the local yoga class. Over the past 18 years I’ve practiced with Anusara, Jivamukti, Iyengar, Ashtanga, Svaroopa, Restorative, Yin, and Vinyasa teachers all over the country. After practicing many different styles with many different teachers, I really love being able to blend all of the class styles together, creating the perfect mix for whoever is in my class that day.

After college, I was working a 9-5, 40hr+ job at an architecture firm, and practicing yoga semi-regularly while living in Baltimore, MD, and Dallas, TX. In 2009 I found herself without a job due to the nationwide architectural housing crisis, in an unhealthy relationship, and quite lost. I just began practicing yoga everyday, and was amazed at the results - a new found love and respect for myself, clarity around my (not great) relationship, and a calming effect to my anxiety. As my mind began to shift, I was inspired to share the gift of yoga with others. Originally being from upstate NY, I moved to Brooklyn, NY, and received my 200hr yoga teacher training certification from Yoga People in January 2011. I’ve been teaching ever since. When I was living in Ithaca, NY, I was leading public classes for the Cornell Fitness Center, and the studio Mighty Yoga for 8 years. I also teach private yoga clients, workshops, and created/organized/lead my own 200hr Yoga Alliance certified Yoga Teacher Training.

In May 2013 I furthered my studies at Integral Yoga Institute in New York City, and received my 85hr Prenatal Yoga certification. With the inspiration and support of my community, I created Heart Thread Yoga in May 2014.

Originally, Heart Thread began as a yoga retreat company - I’ve led many successful yoga retreats, in Costa Rica and the Finger Lakes Wine region of New York State. Then, like all things, it’s evolved as life has shifted and moved. Over the past 10 years I’ve studied Astrology & Energy Healing work, and I am happy to offer these healing modalities for people now, in addition to my yoga teaching.

I moved to Louisville, KY in May 2019, and I am excited to be teaching public classes at Yoga on Baxter and YogaST8. I also offers Reiki, energy healing, chakra balancing, chord clearing, and astrology readings by appointment - please email Rachel@HeartThreadYoga.com to schedule.

My energy healing sessions are rooted in the Chakra system, and there are often oracle cards, crystals, and sound healing woven into the session. I approach each client with deep gratitude, working with non-judgement and compassion to connect you back to yourself, your life, and your purpose.      

I semi-jokingly refer to myself as a “recovering type A personality” – before I began practicing yoga, I found my mind racing all of the time, thinking about how to be the best at everything. I grew up as a super overachiever, and it was really nice to come to yoga class and, over time, let the racing mind drop into the background. I started being nicer to people, and to myself. I let herself be vulnerable, and be okay with that. Yoga helps me to understand and recognize that we are all just humans, trying to get by – and we need love and kindness to make that easier.

I seek to create a nurturing environment where students can learn and practice in a caring and accessible way. My classes are often filled with funny quips, laughter, hard work, and great music. I (immensely!) enjoy creating a space where EVERYONE can feel comfortable, and I want to empower you through connection - to yourself, to your community, to your family, to your friends, to your life… as Brene Brown says “connection is why we are here."

Laughter, smiles, hugs, animals, yoga, gardening, listening to wisdom from older people, wine, ice cream, pie, friends, THE SUN! sleeping, music festivals, dancing, and lots of water all make me really happy.