Raquel’s adventures began many years ago. During her first year in college she started practicing pranic healing meditations. Pain in her neck, back, and shoulders sent her to her first yoga class. Later on, she utilized a combination of asana and meditation to stay focused, healthy, and active while working on her masters degree in marine biology. Only three short days after defending her thesis she boarded a plane to India where she received her first of many yoga certifications. But her intention wasn't to become a teacher, her intention was to dive into the yoga practice….. even more. Never knowing how to keep a good thing only for herself, Raquel soon started offering yoga classes while consecutively working on a PhD degree in chemical oceanography.  She began to notice the impact that just one hour of class twice a week had on her students: physically, mentally, emotionally. That's when Raquel decided that she would benefit the world more by being a full time yoga teacher than a marine biologist! (Yay, for us!) She has since quit her studies, her research, and her job and decided to travel the world meeting amazing humans and teaching the art of balancing. As Raquel has continued to travel and avidly pursue her passions, she's completed even more training and certifications, including several pranic healing certifications, Akhanda yoga 500 hrs teacher training, Ashtanga yoga teacher training, Reiki master, yoga for children, and prenatal yoga. She became a doula (because why not?!), an AcroYoga teacher and completed slackline yoga training with YogaSlackers.  These days, you can find Raquel (somewhere in the world) balancing the 'real work tasks' of managing YogaSlackers, playing, and sharing her passions with others by leading workshops, retreats, festival classes, and teacher trainings. Her classes are highly influenced by her travels, and her honest desire to connect with people through compassionate communication and inclusion.  She still employs her scientific background to solve complex problems, making no hurdle too large for her to cross.  Raquel will patiently and enthusiastically guide you to the edge of your perceived limits… and beyond! She can't help but create an encouraging environment where learning and growing result through playful discovery. So what are you waiting for?! Let's play!  Join her free monthly handstand training program YogaSlackers 12 Days of Handstands