Longview Yoga Wellness

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Longview, TX
Longview Yoga Wellness

Therapeutic Yoga, Individualized One on One sessions, Specialized Classes for Specific Populations

02/16/2026

Self-awareness is one of the greatest tools we have.

Noticing what keeps us awake is the first step toward creating the conditions for rest.

02/14/2026

Since beginning this sleep exploration, I’ve learned how profoundly our behaviors shape the nervous system — and in turn, how the nervous system shapes our sleep.

From sleep structure…
to the conditions we create to allow sleep to happen…
to sleep blockers — including enjoyable but activating stimulation…
to attention, which we haven’t even explored yet…

The deeper I go, the more I realize two things can be true at once:

Sleep struggles are deeply individual.
And we have more influence than we think.

It can feel overwhelming.
Where do I even start?

That overwhelm often sends us searching outside ourselves for answers — when many of the most meaningful shifts begin closer to home.

Home is not only our physical environment (which matters).
It is also our physiological home — mind, body, and spirit.

When sleep feels dysfunctional, trust that you have more power than you think.

Even when life feels demanding…
even when it seems like nothing can change…

small shifts can ripple across multiple systems —
and improve sleep in ways we might not expect.

02/11/2026

But what if I could have my cake and eat it too…?

I’m not ready to give up reading at night.
And I’m certainly not trading intrigue for something mundane.

Enjoyable stimulation is deeply nourishing — and activating.

There are many areas of my life where I’m disciplined.
Excitement, fun, and giddiness? Not usually one of them.

Lately I’ve dipped my toes into those waters, and it feels like a fountain of youth. I feel lighter. Happier. I find myself daydreaming again.

And here’s the crux:

Things that are activating and enjoyable send a very specific signal to the nervous system.

Activation stimulates the sympathetic branch — the part that says “stay alert.”
Enjoyment triggers a reward response — dopamine — which says “more of that, please.”

So when I’m reading a suspenseful book at night, my body is hearing:

Stay awake.
Keep going.
Find out what happens next.

Even though a dopamine spike is brief, the brain can keep generating pulses as long as the stimulation continues.

That’s how one chapter turns into ten.

Dopamine is like our internal motivational speaker.
Every page turned reinforces the momentum.

So the real question becomes:

If I want to keep reading at night and protect my sleep…
how do I gently balance the signal that says “keep going” with one that says “it’s safe to rest”?

More to come…

02/09/2026

Understanding what gets in the way of sleep helped me recognize habits and patterns that were contributing to disruption.

…and it’s not all “bad.”

Lately, I’ve been completely enthralled in a book series. Since I like to read before bed, I find myself pushing right up to the moment I need to go to sleep.

What I didn’t realize until recently was how some of my bedtime habits—while enjoyable—could contribute to sleep that feels restless or blocked.

It seems obvious as I write it out.

I wouldn’t get on a treadmill and elevate my heart rate right before bed…yet there I was, swept up in an adventurous story full of intrigue and mystery. I literally couldn’t turn the pages fast enough.

When I finally closed the book and turned off the light, I could still feel the excitement running through my body. My heart was actually beating faster.

Does this mean I’m swearing off exciting books?
Absolutely not.

But understanding that I’m making a trade on some nights helps me feel less fearful when my sleep feels lighter or more wakeful. I’m no longer frazzled by it.

In fact, I’ve even smiled—recognizing how rare it is to feel that kind of excitement these days. It reminds me of being a kid, lying awake waiting for Christmas morning.

I’ve decided to enjoy it.

This was one of the first sleep “blockers” I noticed - enjoyable, stimulating, and activating.

02/03/2026

Sleep works best when multiple signals say the same thing at the same time.

Each one of these conditions is “speaking” to a different system:
• Sensory
• Circadian
• Metabolic
• Digestive
• Cognitive

For sensitive bodies - those of us that might have hormone sensitivity, anxiety, or are going through a physiological transition like perimenopause - combining supportive measures that speak across systems can help hold the container when one signal falters.

This layered support can make rest feel more accessible.

02/01/2026

Sleep isn’t something that we do - rather, it’s something that happens when the conditions are right.”

This quote kept running through my mind.

Years ago, I became fairly disciplined with a sleep routine. And for a long time it worked. I didn’t struggle to fall asleep or stay asleep.

About a year or two ago, that began to change.

I started having more cyclical sleep disruptions - waking around 2am a few nights in a row. Sometimes I could fall back asleep easily. Other nights, not so much.

I knew this could happen during perimenopause, and since the symptoms felt mild and fleeting, I didn’t look at them too closely.

That changed after a two week stretch that felt more like insomnia.

That experience made me want to understand what actually contributes to disrupted sleep.

Yes - hormones play a role. Fluctuations in estrogen can impact sleep rhythm. But I also know sleep is influenced by many factors.

Our nervous system takes cues not only from our internal environment, but also from the environment we inhabit - and how we move through it.

Even during major physiological transitions like perimenopause, we can make adaptations that support the nervous system and improve sleep.

As I explored the conditions that allow sleep to happen, I realized I was already doing many of the foundational things.

I wore a sleep mask long before I understood how light affects circadian rhythm.
I prioritized quiet as I became more sensitive to sound.
I stopped eating late, initially for digestion, and later learned how the energetic demand of digestion can interfere with rest.
I went to bed around the same time each night.

There are five key elements that help create the conditions for sleep.
I had been practicing four of them for years.

The one I hadn’t prioritized until recently was cold.

Sleep requires a drop in core body temperature.
When the environment is warm, the body has to work to cool itself - keeping the nervous system more alert.

With intermittent hot flashes, a cooler sleep environment turned out to be the missing piece.

When I added cold to my sleep structure, my sleep began to improve.

It wasn’t perfect but the insomnia-like symptoms subsided.

01/29/2026

I could fall asleep just fine - but then I would wake up blazing hot, ripping the covers off, and unable to return to sleep.

What surprised me most wasn’t the waking.
It was the quiet panic that followed when none of my usual tools worked.

I remember thinking: What if this is my new normal?

Instead of reacting, I gave myself a plan - and space to observe rather than fix.

I believe this is what changed everything.

11/24/2025

Once we label a food as “bad”, we open ourselves up to judgement and self-criticism from consuming it.

Practicing mindfulness can support our mindset through the holidays, especially around our language and thoughts about food and consumption.

Mindfulness is the practice of paying attention, on purpose, without judgement.

Bringing this practice to eating helps us notice our physical and mental relationship with food. We become more sensitive to signals like fullness and hunger and learn to eat more from intuition and a need for nutrition.

I invite you to lead with mindfulness and gratitude this week.
____________
Self-Inquiry

🍂Can I let go of judgement and celebrate the warmth and abundance of the season?

🧡Can I let myself be guided by my heart and my gut?

11/09/2025

SPREAD THE WORD!

I’m sharing my favorite group class to teach of the year!

POST TURKEY DAY “DETOX”
This class is near and dear to me due to my struggles with digestion and holiday gatherings that are food driven.

The holidays can be a challenging time for anyone who has apprehension around food. Whether that be the fears and trepidation around eating too much or the anticipation of feeling “unwell” after a big meal.

My personal experience with all of the above led me to seek out ways to support myself.
I’ve used these techniques for years to relieve heaviness, bloating, sluggishness +++ - that follows a big meal!

Having a PRE-HOLIDAY PLAN eliminates the anxiety around food and the choices we make.

____________

REGISTRATION DETAILS

Space is limited

This year’s class will be held at Bramlette Place Clubhouse in Longview TX.

Cost:$25

The are 13 spaces left.
Pre-registration is required to guarantee your spot.

If you are interested or have specific questions, TEXT RACHEL @ (903)452-8597

09/03/2025

Updated! ✨🧹🔥🤶

06/11/2025

Since February, my wellness offerings have continued to evolve.
My primary offering has been focused on one-to-one sessions helping students learn to use their yoga practice in deep and meaningful ways.

🙌On a daily basis, I help students with physical healing, nervous system regulation, and stress management with tools and techniques available through yoga.

Curious about private yoga sessions, but feeling unsure about what to expect?

Let me walk you through it.
Each therapeutic one-to-one session begins with a conversation — not a formal interview, but a relaxed check-in where we explore your yoga background, any history of injury or pain (which, honestly, is often what brings people to see me), and what you hope to get from our time together.
From there, I may guide you through a few simple movements or assessments to notice patterns in posture, breath, or movement — things like coordination, balance, or areas of tension. We finish with a gentle practice tailored to your comfort level and goals, so I can get a feel for your breath awareness, stillness tolerance, and how your body responds.
You don’t need to prepare. You don’t need to be flexible. You just need to show up — curious and open to the experience.

✨ Private sessions are a safe, supportive space to begin (or begin again). If you’ve been wondering if it’s the right next step, I’d love to chat.
Call/text Rachel/Yoga Medicine Registered Therapuetic Specialist 903.452.8597
It’s my greatest pleasure to walk alongside you on your path. 🤍

06/02/2025

☀️Making the best out of cooler temperatures!

Join Rachel this Saturday at 10AM for a lesson in relaxation!

A focus on breath, set in a tranquil setting with accessible movement and moments to pause will be our recipe for release!

SPACE IS LIMITED

Reach out to Rachel early to RESERVE YOUR SPOT.
Text 903.452.8597

Donations appreciated but not expected.
Suggested donations: $10-$20

Bring a yoga mat and the props that make you feel comfortable. (A blanket or large bath towel is always recommended)

Feel free to reach out with any questions!

Address

807 Baylor Drive
Longview, TX
75601

Telephone

+19037539642

Website

https://www.longviewyogawellness.com/contact

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Educate + Encourage + Embody

Longview Yoga Wellness is founded on the belief that the practice is always evolving to meet the students need. Our strong foundation is rooted in our teachers efforts to continually elevate the community through their continued education. They guide our students to have a deeper sense of their body so that they may feel comfortable in their practice. We strive to make our space welcoming to anyone who wants to join our community.

LYW offers a well rounded class schedule that is inviting to a diverse community of yoga practitioners. Whether you are coming to the practice with a physical health issue or in need of mental health support, the research is expanding on the wide range of health benefits attributed to a consistent yoga practice. At LYW, we encourage you to be inquisitive and curious, which helps you develop a practice that suits your individual need.

That we are able to guide you is important to us but that you also become independent practitioners is essentially our goal. The true practice begins when you step on the mat and take ownership of your practice. You embody the teachings and it becomes part of your DNA.