Hi. I’m Rachael…
Founder and Director of Berkshire Yoga Dance & Fitness. On May 15th, 2014, I took a leap of faith and signed the lease for our beautiful studio – which has since become a second home and place of transformation and healing for so many of us!
It all began with a vision to create a community-minded space where we could gather for classes – feel good in our bodies, find peace in our minds and joy in our hearts.
But the seeds of BYDF were planted much earlier than that…
Born and raised in Pittsfield, MA, I was just 3 years old when my parents signed me up for ballet. I loved putting on shows, joining my mom for Jane Fonda workouts and tagging along to her step aerobics classes. I continued to dance throughout my childhood and into my teenage years, while my passion for movement continued to blossom into adulthood.
I went on to major in dance at UMass Amherst, where I took my first yoga class – and my life was forever changed. The freedom, joy, peace and presence I found in that class was like nothing I had ever experienced before – and that feeling stayed with me for many years to come.
After college I had a short stint of living and auditioning in NYC, where I quickly learned that the bustle of city life and cut through nature of show business wasn’t for me. I spent some time living in Colorado and California, working odd jobs, dabbled in dance teaching, choreography and performing with local theatre and dance groups – but something was missing. I wasn’t fulfilled. I was seeking greater meaning and had a strong desire to create a life I was passionate about…I just wasn’t sure what that was.
So I moved home…literally home with my parents and into my childhood bedroom when I was in my late 20’s. I worked in our family owned real estate business and family bike, ski and snowboard shop – to pay off all the credit card debt I had incurred and to try and figure out the next step in my life.
I dug deep to learn what lit me up – and I kept coming back to dance, movement and yoga. Eventually (with my mom’s encouragement!) I got certified to teach Zumba and started offering classes at that same studio I danced at as a child. It felt SO GOOD to be dancing again.
I went on to get my Yoga Teacher certification at Kripalu (to “deepen my practice” as many future yoga teachers do, lol) and began teaching classes at a small, co-op studio the week after I graduated.
Things began to snowball. With lots of hard-work and determination, more and more teaching opportunities began to present themselves. At one point I was teaching about 20 classes a week, not only in those two studios but for businesses and organizations all over the county.
We went from zero people in class, to five, to ten to more, and eventually started to outgrow our spaces. I began to envision a spacious, gorgeous, light-filled studio where we had plenty of room to offer all sorts yoga, dance, fitness and more. Little did I know at the time that I was manifesting BYDF into existence.
Fast forward several months – I was presented with the opportunity to take over the yoga studio where I was teaching, I found the space of my dreams to move us into, I miraculously was able to time everything just right in order to make the move; and we were off and running.
Things were going beautifully!
Soon after opening the studio I got engaged to my long time boyfriend, planned a dreamy Vermont wedding, got married – a year later was blessed with a wonderful pregnancy, birthed a beautiful, healthy baby girl, and was over the moon happy with my new role of motherhood! Life was good.
…or so I thought. Shortly after the birth of my daughter Iyla, our marriage started to unravel. Just months after she was born, my world came crashing down as I went through an unexpected, traumatic separation – resulting in a heart wrenching, three year long divorce.
BUT I kept showing up at the studio day after day; in denial and in survival mode, just trying to get by, relying on my practice more than ever – while keeping it all a secret for as long as I could tolerate.
I spent the last few years in therapy and acupuncture, seeing an osteopath, listening to podcasts, reading all the self-help books, praying, meditating and crying on my yoga mat (alot).
I would have never made it through this time without the support, love and encouragement from my community (even when no one knew what was happening) – without the peace, freedom and presence I found through yoga and meditation – or the sweet release, joy and laughter from a sweaty, fun dance class.
The healing power of yoga, dance and fitness can CHANGE YOUR LIFE.
It did for me and I know that it can for you.
As we come out of this pandemic – it’s been another period for growth, expansion, strength, perseverance, adaptability and a chance to step into the life we wish to create..
This past year has been a giant reset. A time to reflect on what is working and what is not – an opportunity to decide how we wish to spend our precious time and what is most important to us.
For me it is living a life of purpose. Having loving, healthy relationships. Being in nature and enjoying this beautiful place we call home. Fueling my body, mind, spirit and soul with things that make me feel good from the inside out – and sharing my passion with others.
I am incredibly grateful for our studio and this precious opportunity to serve our community. For my beautiful daughter whom I adore; for my incredibly supportive, amazing parents, sister and friends; and for the soulful, loving relationship with my new partner.
I am deeply proud of the small business and community we have co-created here in The Berkshires and I now realize without a shadow of a doubt that it is all meant to be. This is my mission, this is my soul’s purpose and I am all in.
My journey has brought me right here, right now; just as it should have – and there is nothing I would rather do, than walk this path of peace, love, light and joy with you.
It is truly my pleasure and honor to do this work and create a space of healing, transformation and evolution for all.
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