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Monday 9am - 3pm 5:30pm - 7pm Tuesday 9am - 3pm Wednesday 9am - 3pm 5:30pm - 7pm Sunday 9am - 3pm

Rachel Ishiguro Yoga

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San Diego, CA
Rachel Ishiguro Yoga

Rachel (she/her) is a certified yoga therapist (C-IAYT) in San Diego. She teaches people with chroni

I'm a C-IAYT certified yoga therapist who supports people with chronic pain and other health conditions to reduce symptoms and thrive. My work focuses on improving movement patterns, building mindful awareness and a loving (re)connection to the body, and nurturing rest. I support my clients to:
- Reduce chronic pain and tension
- Become more responsive and resilient under stress
- Recover from or adapt to illness or injury
- Get more restful sleep
- Return to activities that are important to them
- Improve their strength, stability, and ease of movement
- Improve their energy and wellbeing

For more information, visit rachelishiguroyoga.com or book your free online consultation at rachelishiguroyoga.as.me/FREEconsultation.

01/12/2026

There are new folks around here, and I wanted to say welcome. I'm glad you're here. My greatest wish is for you to use what you learn here to make your life better, to experience more joy and wholeness, even when life is hard.

Yoga therapy is about feeling empowered to choose to move towards this sense of wholeness & okay-ness, even when we find ourselves weighed down by circumstances we can't change. This might mean moving more, or resting more, or subtracting things that don't serve you, or living in alignment with what your body tells you, or using your breath to regulate your nervous system... all kinds of things.

Thanks for being here on this journey of learning & growing with me.

I believe that yoga practice extends way beyond the mat. Most things have the potential to be yoga. (Look back a bit for the discussion of yamas & niyamas last fall to see some ideas for how this can be the case.)

With that in mind, I wanted to share a few accomplishments off the yoga mat in 2025.

I read 101 books, which I'm proud of because it means I put my phone down A LOT. I feel like this made a concrete difference for my mental health.

I committed to getting stronger & learned a lot about what was getting in my way. I applied a yoga therapy process to make adjustments to my routine & managed regular strength training for all of 2025!

I let myself do less. I got a lot better at skipping or modifying training, resting while on vacation, and letting things go undone when I was done. (See also, reading 101 books.)

I spent a lot of time outdoors this year. We visited a lot of different National & State Parks this year in California, Nevada, and Utah—and in some ways, this was the best medicine.

What were your off-the-mat highlights last year? Please share with me in the comments!

01/07/2026

What do we mean when we talk about healthy movement?

First, you don't have to move perfectly for it to be beneficial. I get a lot of questions about the "right" way to move, but I don't think that's a thing we need to worry about. Our bodies (and minds!) need movement, and there are lots of good ways to get that done.

That being said, if you're wanting to change how you feel and you're moving specifically for that purpose, healthy movement might the following:

1️⃣ Variety. Rather than thinking about the right way, think about getting the same thing done a bunch of different ways. Move all your joints in all the ways that feel good. Move fast & slow, isolate movements & combine them... the more options, the better!

2️⃣ Distribution. Is one part of your body doing all the work or feeling all the sensation? Can you spread things out so the movement is being shared more evenly?

3️⃣ Coordination. Our brains like to know that we're in control of our movements, and it feels best when the different parts of our bodies can coordinate & work together well.

4️⃣ Consistency. Doing a whole lot of movement for an hour once a week isn't as helpful as moving a little bit all the time. Consistent practice helps us change our brains & bodies so we can feel better.

5️⃣ Progression. Don't make things too hard. Work at a level where you can move well, and then keep progressing so you can continue to grow.

6️⃣ Fun. Ultimately, movement you enjoy is the best movement because you'll keep doing it.

Want more support figuring out what means for YOU? Use the link in my bio to set up a free call and let's make that happen.

01/07/2026

How’s your 2026 going so far? Are the days flying by as fast as mine are? 😳

If you’ve been here for a while, you may know that I don’t love New Year’s Resolutions. I prefer a more relaxed start to the year after the chaos of December, and making gradual changes throughout the whole year (and sometimes seasonally).

However, I do like the opportunity for reflection that comes around this time, and for the last few years I’ve been choosing a Word of the Year to give me some direction for the year as a whole.

My 2025 word was “explore”, and my intention was to cultivate openness & curiosity, and try new things. In some ways I got bogged down in the day-to-day minutiae last year, but my family did do a lot of road trips and adventuring, and my word was a good reminder to say YES to opportunities as they came up. I got much better at default yes instead of default no when it came to things that enriched my life in 2025.

My 2026 word is “create”. The past year has really shown me what is working and what is NOT working in my life, and it feels like time to make some changes so I can create more ease. This means consciously and intentionally building a life that works better for me by keeping my values in mind, refining my approach, tuning in to what I think and feel, and letting go of things I don’t need. It’s a yoga therapy process, really, applied to life as a whole.

So this year, I hope to CREATE more of what I want — slowly and deliberately — in all areas of my life. Sankalpa (heartfelt intention and affirmation) is key this year, and so is careful action, little by little, with a destination in mind.

How do you handle the New Year? Do you create resolutions, set goals, or choose a word of the year? Or do you prefer to do this work at other times? I’d love to hear what you’re doing in the comments.

12/31/2025

✨ Start the new year with steadiness rather than pressure. ✨

Join me for Gentle Yoga this January - a calm, supportive series that helps you ease back into movement, reconnect with your breath, and settle your nervous system after a busy season.

🗓 Wednesdays, January 7–28
⏰ 10:00–11:00am PT on Zoom
✨ Includes class recordings so you can practice anytime

Each session offers simple meditation, gentle joint-friendly movement, and restful poses that help you feel more at home in your body. All levels and abilities are welcome.

If you’re craving a softer way to begin the year, this hour is for you.

👉 Save your spot and step into January with a little more ease. [linkinbio]

12/31/2025

In yoga therapy, you learn to use yoga and Ayurveda to support your own wellbeing. This can be extremely powerful—and it does rely on regular practice to create change. While the idea of practicing daily can feel overwhelming, the good news is that this can look a lot of different ways. A big part of yoga therapy is finding a personal practice that works for you, in the context of the life you actually have.

In yoga, your daily spiritual practice is called sadhana. It can involve yoga postures, but it can also include a lot of other things, from meditation to community service to study & reflection.

In Ayurveda, dinacharya refers to your daily health-promoting routines. Dinacharya often aligns with activities that you're already doing, which helps you create new habits more effectively. Commmon times for Ayurvedic routines are morning, evening, and meals.

If you don't have a daily practice or routines around these important times of day, we might start by looking at where you're having difficulty & build a routine to support change during this time. For example, someone who is struggling with sleep can probably use an evening routine that helps them find balance & calm.

If you already have routines that are working, these can be great times to add a new practice or refinement to help meet your health goals.

I find that these simple daily routines can be the most powerful practices I offer my clients. Even just one pose or a breath practice done before bed can make a huge difference.

If you'd like to learn more & create a daily practice that works for you, while receiving support & accountability, I hope you'll join me for Sadhana & Dinacharya: Daily Yoga Practice for Health & Wellbeing. This 4-week series starts January 4th. For more info & registration, use the link in my bio.

12/30/2025

The final type of rest we'll be looking at this month is spiritual rest. This can mean different things to different people, depending on your personal beliefs.

Spiritual rest can help you find meaning in life by bringing you a sense of purpose & connection with the world around you.

Even if you're not religious, you can practice spiritual rest. Nourishing yourself spiritually can mean connecting with nature, surrendering to something greater than yourself, or serving your community in ways that feel aligned with your values.

Here are some ideas for how to get spiritual rest:
✨ Engage in spiritual or religious practice if you have one you find nurturing. However, spiritual rest also means recognizing when we feel misaligned with rigid practices or ways of thinking in our communities.
✨ Notice where you find meaning, and learn about your personal values. Find ways to move towards these values and embody them in your daily life.
✨ Practice surrendering to something greater than yourself, whether this is God, the Universe, your inner wisdom, or simply the flow of life.
✨ Spend time in nature, and seek places that help you connect to a sense of awe.
✨ Use prayer, meditation, or affirmations to support spiritual rest.
✨ Volunteer or find other ways to serve your community that feel aligned with your values.
✨ Sing or play music that feels spiritual to you or gives you a connection to community.

How do you get spiritual rest? Where do you struggle with this type? Please share in the comments.

For practices that support spiritual rest and support integrating them into your regular routine, join me for Sadhana & Dinacharya, a new yoga therapy program starting 1/4. For details & to sign up, use the link in my bio.

12/29/2025

A quick reminder that Sadhana and Dinacharya: Daily Practice for Health and Wellbeing begins soon. If you have been wanting steadier routines, more support, or a simple way to bring yoga and Ayurveda into your daily life, this is a good place to start.

🗓 Sundays, January 4 to 25
⏰ 3 to 4pm PT on Zoom
🎧 Downloadable practice recordings included

Over four weeks, we will build a daily practice together. You will learn how to choose routines that truly fit your life, experiment with small and sustainable practices, and use reflection to refine what works for you. This program is suitable for beginners and for anyone who wants to refresh their existing practice.

There is still time to join and set yourself up with a supportive start to 2026.

👉 Save your spot today.

12/24/2025

How are you holding up? If things are hectic, or you're struggling with difficult emotions or relationships during this holiday season, it's important to take time for self care.

Here are a few postures you can do to help stretch and relax your body, calm your nervous system, and make the most of a few minutes to yourself. All you need is a wall, but blankets, pillows, and other common items can add more support.

I hope you enjoy these! Happy holidays.

1️⃣ Wall Dog - Tips: vary the height of your hands to find what's comfortable; bend your knees & reach your hips towards the middle of the room, feeling the sides of your torso lengthening.

2️⃣ Standing forward fold - Tips: Place blocks or the seat of a chair under your hands to reduce the range of motion.

3️⃣ Seated meditation with leg support - Tips: roll your blanket long & wrap it around your ankles with your knees lifted, then relax your legs down into the support.

4️⃣ Side lying - Tips: place a bolster or pillow(s) between your body & the wall for more comfortable support; use support between your legs & under your head.

5️⃣ Yin Frog Pose variation - Tips: start with your feet on the wall, your shins horizontal, and your thighs vertical. Heel-toe your feet out to the sides & down until you reach a position that is comfortable but where you feel some stretch. Relax & breathe.

6️⃣ Viparita Karani/ Legs Up the Wall - Tips: Some people are more comfortable if they move back from the wall a bit; others prefer to add a blanket or pillow under their hips. You can wrap a strap or blanket around your legs to keep them together while your hips relax.

Which is your favorite resting posture using the wall?

Want to commit to doing one or more of these daily? Join me for Sadhana & Dinacharya: Daily Practice for Health & Wellbeing, a month-long online series to help you build a daily practice that actually works for your real life. Use the link in my bio to sign up.

12/22/2025

We've made it to the sixth type of rest: social rest.

Different people have a different capacity for socializing, but everyone needs social rest. This means time when you don't have to be "on" & engaged with others, and instead can just be.

This can often mean being alone. Solitude can give you time to reflect and reconnect with yourself.

However, social rest also means paying attention to who you spend your time with, and how they affect you. Some relationships can be restorative, while others are draining. Social rest may simply mean being more intentional about who you spend time with and when.

Here are some ways to get social rest:
✨ Set boundaries in draining relationships to protect your energy.
✨ Spend more time with supportive people who you connect with in a meaningful way.
✨ Practice saying no to new commitments if you're feeling overwhelmed socially.
✨ Be intentional about your calendar & notice how much is too much for you when it comes to social engagements. You also may need to schedule downtime after social engagements or busy work days to make sure you can recharge.
✨ Take time for yourself. Learn what solo activities are restorative for you & spend time in solitude.
✨ If you like to be around people but feel socially drained, find a community activity like a public yoga class where you can be alone together.
✨ Create time for meaningful conversations with your loved ones, and be fully present with them when you're together.
✨ Notice whether engaging with others online is restorative or draining for you, and act accordingly.

What's your relationship with social rest? Please share in the comments.

Want some support integrating these habits into your daily routine? Use the link in my bio to sign up for my Sadhana & Dinacharya program starting 1/4.

12/19/2025

Let's talk about the fifth type of rest: creative rest.

Creative rest becomes important if you do a lot of problem solving or brainstorming as part of your job or daily occupation. If you're overusing the creative parts of your brain, you may feel burned out and find yourself in a creative slump, unable to come up with new ideas or produce your usual quality of work.

One type of creative rest is to engage in activities you can do on autopilot, so your brain can take a break. However, another approach you might not think of is to connect with your sense of wonder, which is inherently inspiring.

Here are some ways to get creative rest:
✨ Take breaks regularly when you're doing intensive creative work.
✨ Unplug and indulge in awe and wonder! Some ideas: get out in nature, observe the skies, visit an art museum, listen to music, or meditate.
✨ Learn something new or visit somewhere you've never been to get out of your habitual mode.
✨ Engage your senses to shift you from your defaults into a space of curiosity & discovery.
✨ Daydream. You may like sitting still, or you may prefer walking or moving while you let your mind wander.
✨ Engage in a creative hobby, such as crafting, writing, or baking. Even though you're engaging your creative brain, doing so in the context of a hobby can feel restful because it's fun & playful instead of pressured.
✨ Enjoy examples of creativity by others, whether you're reading poetry, listening to music, or looking at visual art. Give yourself permission to just appreciate, but be open to getting inspired!

What's your favorite type of creative rest? What do you struggle with the most? Please share in the comments.

For support integrating these practices into your daily routine, use the link in my bio to join my new program Sadhana & Dinacharya starting 1/4.

12/18/2025

If this season feels full or heavy, this is your sign to stop for a moment and rest. On December 21st, the longest night of the year, you’re invited to pause, turn inward, and rest. Into the Dark is a quiet, nourishing online workshop designed to help you meet this seasonal shift with gentleness and care.

We’ll explore soft, accessible movement, calming breath work, restorative poses, and finish with a deeply restful Yoga Nidra practice. Everything can be done on the floor or on your furniture using pillows and blankets. No yoga experience needed.

Sunday, December 21
4:00–5:00 pm Pacific
Live online, with a recording available through the end of the year

Join us and take this time for yourself.

12/16/2025

Let's take a closer look at the fourth type of rest: sensory rest.

We take in information through our senses all the time. Some of us are prone to sensory overwhelm, but even if you're not, resting your senses is key to wellbeing.

From an Ayurvedic perspective, you need to "digest" all of the sensory input, so being aware of what you're taking in through your senses & when rest is needed is important if you're going to feel your best. Otherwise, you can become overloaded & dysregulated.

Here are some ways to rest your senses:
✨ Recognize which senses are most sensitive to overwhelm for you, and create opportunities to rest these senses regularly. For example, you might close your eyes or use an eye pillow, wear noise-cancelling headphones, or change into soft clothing at the end of the day.
✨ Dim your lights, especially late in the day.
✨ Take technology breaks, and consider unplugging for longer periods when you can.
✨ Provide your senses with enjoyable and restful stimuli.
✨ Change your environment. Going outside or to another peaceful location can help with sensory rest.
✨ Build a regular meditation practice or another quiet contemplative practice.
✨ Connect with internal sensations, such as your breath.

How do you like to get sensory rest? Please share in the comments.

If you want support weaving these habits into daily life, join me for Sadhana & Dinacharya: Daily Yoga Practice for Health & Wellbeing. You’ll learn simple, sustainable practices that make sensory rest part of your regular rhythm, not something you only reach for when you’re overwhelmed.

Address

3517 Del Rey Street, Suite 108
San Diego, CA
92109

Opening Hours

Monday	9am - 3pm
	5:30pm - 7pm
Tuesday	9am - 3pm
Wednesday	9am - 3pm
	5:30pm - 7pm
Sunday	9am - 3pm

Website

http://rachelishiguroyoga.com/

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