“Health is wealth,” my grandpa Erasmo Garza would say. He was a board certified physician from Mexico City. As a young man working as a butcher and tutor while attending medical school, he understood that taking care of oneself, body and mind, was game changing. Through his practice he sought to share that wealth by providing pro bono medical care for the most needy and underserved in his community.
I have carried that mantra my entire life
but really understood it to be true during our global pandemic. I personally experienced profound loss in my business and in my personal life. My mind became foggy and exhausted, as my body grew stiff and weak. Knowing I needed to put into practice what my grandpa had said all along, “health is wealth,” I was called to yoga. Without the need for supplemental equipment, yoga seemed most accessible during lockdown. Focusing on breath and being present in the moment allowed me to recognize and appreciate all the beauty and support around me. Before I knew it my mind had clarity and confidence and my body regained strength.
In March 2023 I was given the opportunity to rent the space next door to my current business of 15 years, Skin by Rachel, on East 6th St. I felt called to open a yoga studio where folks could connect with each other and feel supported in a space that cultivates leveling up mind, body, and spirit while seeking to create programs accessible to underserved communities on the east side. The studio is named after the Holly Neighborhood in which it resides to honor the past and create a future of community and connection.
