Founder and owner, Rachel Hanks (Savatrii), began building foundations for 5th Element Yoga and the Lift a Spirit Foundation in 2005 when a life changing experience inspired her to the service of others through yoga. Rachel is traditionally trained and makes every effort to maintain the integrity of ancient yogic teachings while incorporating modern and anatomical techniques. This primary focus has provided her students with the necessary tools to explore and enhance their own understanding of yoga practice. Her qualifications include:

• E-RYT (Experienced & Registered Yoga Teacher)
• Certified Yoga Therapist
• Certified Children’s Yoga Teacher
• Certified Thai Yoga Massage Therapist
• Certified Advanced Herbalist for 10+ yrs
• Yoga Teacher Trainer

In addition to teaching, Rachel hoped to create new ways to help others and give back on a larger scale. As a result, the Lift a Spirit Foundation was born. Offering a way for others to practice yoga, purchase products, volunteer, and give back to their global community while practicing compassion.

Rachel continues to teach while studying classical yoga, physical therapy, and personal fitness training, and has had the privilege of studying with:

• Mukunda Stiles – Structural Yoga Therapist and author of Structural Yoga Therapy and Yoga Sutras of Patanjali.
• Judith Hanson Lasater – Co-founder of the California Yoga Teachers’ Association, Yoga Journal magazine, and the Iyengar Yoga Institute of San Francisco.
• Julie Gudmestad – Physical Therapist, Certified Iyengar Teacher, and author of ‘Anatomy of a Yogi’ columns for the Yoga Journal.
• Desiree Rumbaugh – Certified Anusara Teacher.
• Rishi Dion – Certified Advanced Integral Yoga Teacher and Lotus Palm Teacher of Thai Yoga Massage and Therapy.
• Dr. Sarasvati Buhrman – Certified Cardiac Yoga Instructor and senior teacher/co-founder of the Rocky Mountain Institute of Yoga and Ayurveda.
• Dr. Sarita Shrestha – Ayurvedic and Western Medical Physician with many years of practice in Kathmandu, Nepal. Core faculty member of the Rocky Mountain Institute of Yoga and Ayurveda, and recently received royal commendation for her work with rural village women in Nepal. Her biographical story can be found in David Crow’s book “In Search of the Medicine Buddha.”
• Avadhutiika Ananda Deviika’ Ma’ A’cha’rya’ – Spiritual teacher, Sannyasini (yogic nun) of the Northern Indian Tantric tradition, and teacher of Sahaj yoga.
• Jnani Chapman – R.N., Certified Yoga Teacher, and the former executive director of the International Association of Yoga Therapists.
• Shar Lee – Structural Yoga Therapist and former Structural Yoga Teacher Trainer, Tibetan Cranial-Sacral Practitioner, massage therapist, and a practitioner of Ayurvedic Marma Point Therapy.
• Shradhasagar Hartung – Director and co-founder of 7 Centers Yoga Arts, founder of Mystis, a nonprofit organization, comprising The Children’s Project and Yoga Teacher Training Program. Certified Kundalini Yoga Teacher through Yogi Bhajan and the 3HO Foundation with additional studies in Tantra from Sunyata Saraswati (author of The Jewel and the Lotus). President of The International Yoga College and Training Programs Director for the Center for International Dialogue, a conflict resolution and peace strategies organization.
• Avani Sukhadia – Avani has been studying and practicing Ayurveda for the past eight years. She is a graduate of New York University, The School of Healing Arts and the American School of Ayurveda.
• Leila Breitler & Natalie Hajdu – Founders of the Herb Stop and its affiliated herbalist training programs and apprenticeship programs.

Everyday, Americans, companies, and industries are discovering the benefits of yoga. Healthcare systems are integrating yoga therapy, while corporations are providing yoga services for employees to relieve stress, improve health, and increase productivity. Even non-profit organizations are offering yoga programs overseas to help refugees cope with war and loss. But what of the true aims of yoga? What of the integration of happiness and contentment in our daily lives?

Traditionally, asana (the well known physical practice of yoga) has been practiced for various reasons. Many of which are essential for maintaining health, vitality, and preparing the body/mind for long periods of meditation. Creating space and extension in the body, as well as releasing tension, are the foundations from which many physical benefits of yoga are realized. But for centuries, ancient yogis and spiritual teachers have used this knowledge and science to heal students holistically, integrating mind, body, and spirit.

• Cultivate lasting contentment
• Experience improved quality of life
• Relieve tension and stress
• Build strength and increase flexibility
• Facilitate healthy and permanent weight loss
• Tone muscle and internal organs
• Improve immune system function
• Prevent bone degeneration and disease
• Relieve joint and bone compression
• Increase clarity, focus, and productivity
• Rehabilitate muscle and joint injuries
• Integrate mind, body, and spirit!