Raquel Hernández-Cruz

YogaSlackers Teacher Since 2012

Raquel, originally from Puerto Rico, has woven her diverse passions and late-blooming athletic achievements into a unique tapestry of life and teaching. Transitioning from marine biology to a globe-trotting yoga and movement instructor with the YogaSlackers, Raquel discovered her calling after a transformative yoga journey in India. Her teaching, influenced by her own experiences of learning to handstand, slackline, acro, and even learning how to run as an adult, embodies the principle that learning and personal growth are limitless. Raquel’s story is a vivid illustration that is never too late to embrace new challenges and excel.

Today, Raquel is celebrated nationally and internationally for her ability to guide students to overcoming self-imposed limitations. Her classes are characterized by meticulous instruction, compassionate communication, and a nurturing energy that inspires achievement and inner peace. By sharing her path of mastering disciplines later in life, Raquel imparts a powerful lesson on the art of learning itself. Her journey underscores that personal transformation and skill acquisition know no age barriers.

Raquel’s profound connection to water—manifested in her love for SUP acro, waterlining, handstanding on SUPs, and kite surfing—mirrors her approach to teaching: fluid, adaptable, and exploratory. This connection, alongside her triumphant triathlon journey, from back-of-the-pack finishes to race wins, highlights her dedication to pushing boundaries, whether on land, sea, or air and is the main reason she is known to be Powered by Yoga. Raquel’s narrative is not just about the physical feats of yoga and balance but a broader, inspiring message of perpetual growth, resilience, and the joy of discovery at any stage of life.

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Education

General Education

  • MS Marine Biology

    2006 NSU Oceanographic Center, Dania Beach, FL

  • BS Coastal Marine Biology

    2003 University of Puerto Rico in Humacao, Puerto Rico​

Yoga & Movement Arts

  • YogaSlackers

    Slackline Yoga, AcroYoga & Slackro Teacher

    2012 YogaSlackers, Virginia, USA

  • AcroYoga International

    AcroYoga Teacher

    2012 AcroYoga International, Guadalajara, México​

  • 200 hrs Ashtanga Yoga Teacher

    2009 Ashtanga Yoga Puerto Rico, Puerto Rico

  • 500 HRS Akhanda Yoga Teacher

    2008 Akhanda Yoga Institute, Tapovan, India

  • 200 HRS Traditional Hatha Yoga Teacher

    2006 Akhanda Yoga Institute/World Conscious Yoga Family Yoga Niketan Ashram, Rishikesh, India​

  • YogaEd K-8 And Tools For Teacher's​

    2007 YogaEd, Soaring Eagle Yoga, Miami, Florida​

Healing Arts

  • Pranic Healing, Institute For Inner Studies
    Puerto Rico & New York

    1998 - 2005: Basic Pranic Healing, Advanced Pranic Healing, Psychotherapy, Crystal Healing, Pranic Feng Shui, Arhatic Preparatory Level, Higher Clairvoyance, Kriyashakti and Soul Meditation.​

  • Reiki Master & Magnified Healing​

    2009 San Juan, PR​

Inclusion, Communication & Consent

  • Peer Space Holder​

    2021 Justice Movement, Online​

  • Aiming for Allyship

    2023, 2020 Justice Movement, Online

Safety & First Aid

  • Wilderness First Responder

    2016 - 2019

  • YMCA Lifeguard ​

    2003, San Juan, PR

  • Emergency First Response – CPR/AED/First Aid

    1997 - Present

  • DAN Oxygen & First Aid For Scuba Diving Injuries

    1997 - 2009

Other Certifications

  • IKO Assistant Trainer

    2024 LEK Laurel Eastman Kiteboarding
    Cabarete, Dominican Republic

  • AAUS Scientific Diver​

    2003

  • Basic Boating Safety Course

    2002, Natural Resource Department, PR

  • Dive Supervisor

    2003 PDIC Dive Supervisor
    1998 PADI Advanced Open Water Diver
    1998 SSI Search and Rescue Diver
    1997 PADI Open Water Diver
    San Juan, Puerto Rico

FUTURE EVENTS

January 1, 2025
January 12, 2025
Free Handstands Training

12 Days of Handstands – Online Training Program

Join us each and every month for 12 days of handstand training. ...

All Day
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February 1, 2025
February 8, 2025

Cuba: Climbing Adventure with Earth Play Retreats

Join in Cuba for an amazing climbing retreat. This event will include sightseeing, yoga, acro, slacklining, handstands and much more. ...

All Day
Havana, Cuba
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February 14, 2025

Puerto Rico: Climbing, Slacklining, AcroYoga and Surfing Retreat

Your choice of 4 to 7 Days of Climbing, Yoga, AcroYoga, Slackline, Handstand, and Surfing in Puerto Rico. This is an All Level event. ...

All Day
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February 28, 2025
March 2, 2025

Weekend Retreat: SUP Acro and Sightseeing in Puerto Rico

Join us for a yoga retreat like no other: Yoga, AcroYoga, slackline, and SUP acro weekend retreat in Puerto Rico! ...

All Day
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March 3, 2025
March 8, 2025
YogaSlackers Co-Founder Sam Salwei showcasing his custom Ozone Edge 11m kite!

Handstands and Kiteboarding Retreat in Puerto Rico

Are you seeking a unique and flexible yoga and adventure retreat in Puerto Rico? Look no further! Our Create Your Own Adventure Homestay Retreat offers you the opportunity to customize your experience with a variety of activities such as climbing, kiteboarding, yoga, handstands, and more. Tailor your itinerary to match your interests and skill level for a retreat that's uniquely designed for you. Book now and embark on an unforgettable adventure! ...

All Day
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June 12, 2025
June 15, 2025

Berkshire Yoga Festival

The Berkshire Yoga Festival is a 4-day event featuring over 100 offerings including yoga, meditation, music, hiking, art installations, YES talks, social gatherings, a vendor village and more. World-renowned teachers, artists, and scholars lead classes at the breathtaking campus on Jiminy Peak Mountain Resort. ...

All Day
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No event found!
January 2025
February 2025
March 2025
June 2025
No event found!

BLOGS

Blog

Flying with Style

The simple sight of the airport brought a sense of peace to our minds. But we knew our ‘fight’ to get to Punta Arenas was not over yet. We still had to – somehow – check all our 550 lbs of gear into a domestic flight. and we were determine to do that without paying much for it.

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PAST EVENTS

  • YogaSlackers

    YogaSlackers Teacher Training ​

    2014 - Present, Lead Teacher

  • Wanderlust Festival: Slackline Yoga, Slackro And Conditioning​

    2019 - 2013: O'ahu, WV, VT, CO, CA, Mnt Tremblant CAN, Whistler, CAN
    2017: Sunshine Coast (AU) & Lake Taupo (NZ)
    2016: Lake Taupo (NZ) & Thredbo (AU)

  • Breckenridge Yoga Festival

    Breckenridge Yoga Festival​

    2019: Slackline Yoga, AcroYoga, Slackro and Handstands​

  • BKK acro

    Bangkok Acro Convention​

    201-2016: AcroYoga & Slackro

  • Acro Israel

    Israeli Acro Convention​

    2019 & 2023: Slackro

  • AcroYoga International

    Divine Play

    2018 - 2013: Slackro and Handstands​

  • Red Rocks Rendezvous

    Red Rocks Rendezvous

    2018 - 2013: Slackline Yoga & AcroYoga​

  • AcroLove

    AcroLove Festival

    2019-2018: AcroYoga & Slackro​

  • Mammoth Yoga Festival

    Mammoth Yoga Festival​

    2018 & 2017: Slackline Yoga, AcroYoga, Slackro and Handstands​

  • Dutch Acro Convention

    Dutch Acro Convention

    2017 & 2016: Slackline Yoga, AcroYoga & Slackro​

  • yoga journal

    Yoga Journal Life!

    2015 - 2013: Slackline Yoga, Slackro and Conditioning​

  • Nantucket Yoga Festival

    Nantucket Yoga Festival

    2016 & 2015: Slackline Yoga, AcroYoga & Slackro​

No event found!