With over 1.4 million followers on Instagram and a photos tream of tropical snaps from all over the world, it’s clear to see that Rachel Brathen (aka @yoga_girl) is no ordinary yogi.
She’s gone from discovering yoga in Costa Rica to teaching the practice against the most stunning backdrops of Europe and America, to becoming a leader where she hosts workshops and retreats – and she’s even taught at the biggest yoga festival in the world. Here’s our chat with the role model…
My definition of a healthy and happy lifestyle consists of…
Living a life of purpose. Knowing you are on the right path and doing your best, every day. Having the ability to relax and not stress about the little things! It’s definitely not about washboard abs or thigh gaps…
I first got into yoga…
I found the practice through pain. I’ve suffered from back pain my entire life, I have scoliosis and suffered through a pretty serious car accident when I was 16. I started meditating my final year of high school and transitioned towards yoga after that as a way to help ease the back pain I was suffering from.
My favourite part about doing yoga…
It’s more of a lifestyle than anything. We get to incorporate the whole body, our breath, our mind, our passions and dreams… It’s something you can take with you everywhere you go. It’s so valuable. If you can breathe, you can do yoga.
My stand-up paddle boarding yoga obsession came about when…
I was practicing yoga on the beach one day when my husband was in the surf. He sometimes takes our dogs out on the board too, and I had the idea “if he can surf with our dogs on the board, I should be able to do a down dog!”. I couldn’t… Regular surfboards don’t have enough volume to carry you standing up on flat water. When the first SUP boards came to the island I gave it a try, and it worked beautifully! It was one of those things that a couple of people thought of around the same time so I never claim to have invented it. It’s wonderful – everyone should try it!
My favourite country to do yoga in…
I find it’s always more about the people I meet than the places I go… but I love Greece. And Brazil. And my home, Aruba!
Other than yoga, I like to relax by…
I love taking long, long walks with the dogs. Spending time by the sea. Drinking wine. Cuddling with my loved ones!
If you find yoga hard…
Try different teachers and different styles of yoga. It’s important to find a type of yoga you really resonate with, especially in the beginning. Sometimes it can take a while to get fully immersed in the practice, so choose a type of yoga that makes you feel great, both body and soul.
Yoga Girl by Rachel Brathen is published by Hachette Australia. Trade Paperback RRP $39.99, Ebook $19.99.
