Today we’d like to introduce you to Rachel Perez.
Rachel, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I am a Spanish-American yoga teacher and artist who has spent the last decade in my second home, Madrid, Spain, which has served as my creative base.
Over the past two years, I have lived between Indonesia and India, exploring the deeper traditions of yoga while immersing myself in the rich cultures of Asia.
I have completed over 700 hours of yoga training. My journey began with a 200-hour yoga teacher training at House of Om in Bali, followed by 100 hours in Myth and Mastery of Yoga at The Yoga Barn. I then traveled to India, where I completed an additional 400 hours of advanced training, including specialized studies in pre- and postnatal yoga at The Indian Association for Yoga and Meditation. Afterward, I spent several months traveling from north to south India, deepening both my practice and understanding of yoga. The experience was so transformative that I felt called to return the following year to continue my studies and personal growth.
After many years abroad, I am returning to my first home, Texas, to plant new roots. I am proud to open Asana Mood Yoga Studio in Galveston, Texas, a space dedicated to mindful movement, artistic expression, and the transformative power of yoga.
At Asana Mood, everyone is welcome. My vision is to create a non-competitive environment rooted in traditional yoga values, where each practice offers an opportunity to return to the breath, cultivate awareness, and reconnect with our center.
Asana Mood Yoga Studio is truly a labor of love. As a one-woman operation, I personally hold and nurture every aspect of the studio with the intention of creating a space that feels welcoming, supportive, and accessible to all. Keeping the studio donation-based is deeply important to me because it allows people from all walks of life to experience yoga regardless of their financial circumstances. More than that, it helps foster a genuine sense of community, connection, and shared growth, placing people and practice above transaction.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
What I’ve learned is that the struggle itself is often the teacher. Rather than resisting life’s changes, I’ve learned to flow with them and trust the process. The more I have surrendered to the different directions life has led me, the easier it has become to recognize the lessons and opportunities within each experience.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I have two main specialties that are deeply woven into my life and work: yoga and art.
In asana yoga practice, my primary focus is Vinyasa Yoga. While I am always studying, exploring, and drawing inspiration from different styles and traditions, Vinyasa remains the practice I feel most connected to. I love the creativity, fluidity, and mindfulness that come from linking breath with movement. The word vinyasa can be translated as “to place in a special way,” and I enjoy helping students discover that experience for themselves through movement and presence. Some of my favorite classes to teach at Asana Mood Yoga Studio are Power House Hour and Fire Vinyasa Flow, where students can build strength, confidence, and a deeper connection to themselves.
My love for art began at a young age. Both of my grandmothers were painters and ceramic artists, so creativity was always a natural part of my upbringing. Over the past three years, I have focused primarily on gouache, a water-based painting medium that allows for rich color and intricate detail. My artistic passion centers around traditional Tibetan Thangka painting, a sacred and highly detailed art form that requires patience, precision, and devotion. I have continued to develop my practice while traveling and painting throughout the world, including in Madrid, Thailand, India, and Indonesia. No matter where I am, creating art remains an essential part of my daily life.
What I am most proud of is my commitment to being a lifelong student. Whether through yoga or art, I am constantly learning, refining my skills, and deepening my understanding of these practices. I believe what sets me apart is the way I blend discipline with creativity, tradition with personal expression, and teaching with continuous learning. Both yoga and art are more than professions for me, they are lifelong paths that allow me to inspire others while continuing to grow myself.
What does success mean to you?
Success, to me, is not defined by achievements, titles, or external recognition. Success means remaining in motion, continuing to grow, evolve, and allow life’s experiences to move through and transform us. I believe that what is meant for us will always find its way to us, and that every interaction, challenge, and opportunity enters our lives for a reason.
The true measure of success lies in how we respond to those experiences. It is found in our ability to meet life with presence, openness, and integrity, rather than resistance. Even difficult situations offer opportunities for learning, compassion, and growth.
At its core, success is about maintaining a sense of connection to ourselves, to others, and to the world around us. It is the practice of seeing the good in people, recognizing our shared humanity, and remembering that we are all interconnected. When I can move through life with gratitude, compassion, and a sense of oneness, I feel successful regardless of external circumstances.
For me, success is less about arriving at a destination and more about embracing the journey with an open heart and a willingness to continue learning, growing, and contributing positively to the lives of others.
Pricing:
- Donation Based Yoga Studio (Sliding Scale)
- $10- $35
Contact Info:
- Website: https://app.punchpass.com/org/20371/classes
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/asanamoodyoga
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Asana-Mood-Yoga-Studio
- Other: https://app.punchpass.com/org/20371/classes
Image Credits
Instagram/carlos.dp_
