Team Spotlight: Rachel Petri

Meet Rachel Petri (she/her), LoveYourBrain’s Program Coordinator for Trainings and Content! Rachel joined the LoveYourBrain team in January of 2022, and coordinates the delivery of LYB Trainings and content to spread the transformative and healing impact of yoga, mindfulness and community.

In the spirit of curiosity, we sat down to discover what inspires Rachel - we hope you enjoy this very special content curation!

A song that’s moved You…

Love this question, and find it hard to pinpoint just one, because I am often moved by music! I think one that never fails to do it is Imagine by John Lennon. I get teary every time. I think it’s the timeless message of coming together that gets me. At one point I was using this as a listening meditation practice. Just sitting and listening to the words, and the sweet melody, taking it in. Many times this brought tears to my eyes. I’ve also heard that the sound frequency of this song is 528 HZ (also known as a love or heart frequency), which has been found to reduce anxiety. It is pretty beautiful to have such an iconic song created in that way. 

A book that’s changed your mindset…

Becoming Wise: An Inquiry into the Mystery and Art of Living by Krista Tippett. There are so many good nuggets of wisdom in this book. It is a dialogue on all sorts of topics that relate to being human, and being curious along the way. She reflects on all the varying aspects of living through a scientific and spiritual lens, speaking with different thought leaders, and capturing their teachings into this book. Topics of love, race, civil rights, scientific discoveries, and spiritual inquiries. It is beautifully written, and made me contemplate so much, particularly how we live together in this life with continual respect and care for one another. 

One of my favorite quotes from this book is - “Taking in the good, whenever and wherever we find it, gives us new eyes for seeing and living.”

A meal that nourishes you…

I love bringing fresh and in season ingredients together to create a delicious and nourishing meal. I grew up gathering around tables with my extended family enjoying my grandpa’s fresh tomatoes, lettuce, cucumbers, and more. I am a sucker for a farm stand - fresh picked strawberries and blueberries are a love language for me. So, that being said, my go to nourishing meal is a warm grain bowl with greens, seasonal veggies, and a yummy dressing. 

Most recently this was farro seasoned with parsley, mint & basil; mixed with greens, gooseberries, shallots, goat cheese, and pistachios; dressed with olive oil and balsamic vinaigrette. 

While this is what I make most nights, I also LOVE trying new things, and find nourishment in the act of making and enjoying food with others. 

A teaching that’s helped you grow…

So many - one that stands out in my mind right now is that to live from the heart means to live courageously. 

This is a teaching that resurfaces in my life in many different ways, at many different times. From a young age I have always been inspired or admiring of the brave. The people who are unafraid to stand out in a crowd and let their uniqueness be seen, and stand up for humanity. Particularly growing up, I think it gave me a feeling of belonging and place. I remember being inspired by characters like Hermione, Wonderwoman, and even the Greek goddess Athena. These figures, in my eyes, were always leading with their heart, and displayed so much courage in the process. 

Remembering that ‘coeur’ is the french word for heart is something I often come back to. It is a reminder that it takes courage to live from your heart. That it may feel uncomfortable at times, that vulnerability takes bravery, and that it is so inspiring, healing, and connecting to live in this way. 

A favorite meditation that’s centered you…

Anything that incorporates breath. The breath is certainly my strongest anchor. Maybe because of years of practicing yoga, or from the physical effects it has on your brain and body, but it seems to shift everything for me. I remember this one instance, when I was in a training on Emotional Processing through Meditation, we were doing a really powerful breath, in and out of the mouth, and I started to feel so much weight being lifted out of me. By the time we finished and were reflecting on our experiences, I reflected on how much just 5 mins of breath had shifted in me — my mindset, my energy, the sensations in my body. It felt like this huge realization of how much power my breath holds.

Sama Vritti (equal-fluctuations) Breath is one I come back to often in my meditation practice. This simply means that you make each part of your breath equal in length (whatever length you choose). You inhale for 5 seconds, hold the breath at the top for 5 seconds, exhale for a count of 5 seconds, and hold the breath out for 5 seconds. I find this always brings me back to a state of clarity and ease.

A practice that’s helped you cultivate resilience…

Hiking is what immediately comes to mind! I love hiking - being outside, the physical challenge, breathing fresh air, and taking in the view. It can also be really challenging, mentally and physically, as well as meditative. Any time I am grappling with something, need space to think, or need a release, I turn to hiking. Putting one foot in front of the other, over and over again, has a way of both challenging me, strengthening me, and soothing me all at once. There was a while when I would go hiking along and repeat affirmations to myself mentally as I walked. I still do this every now and again. And whether or not I am hiking in that way, I always feel so empowered after a hike. 

A favorite way you engage with community…

Through teaching yoga & meditation I have connected with so many wonderful humans. Some have become lifelong friends, some live close by, many live all over the world. It is such a connecting practice, and really brings out the goodness and truth that lives within each heart. This is a big piece of what drew me to LYB, when I heard the story of the organization several years back. The story of the healing and transformation that happens when we come together is something I wholeheartedly believe in, and feel fortunate to continually work in this space. 

Connect to Rachel’s work by exploring a LYB Training!