OmGal Rebecca Pacheco On The Career Benefits Of Yoga

It’s easy to fall into an “all or nothing” mindset when it comes to our health and fitness, especially when we’re focusing on our career or growing our business. We also tend to think that the people we look to for inspiration always have a totally perfect work-life balance. Time for a much-needed reality check! Here, Boston-based yoga and meditation teacher and author Rebecca Pacheco shares a look behind the scenes and talks about the big-picture benefits of yoga for career-driven individuals.

Yoga and meditation teacher and author Rebecca PachecoLucie Wicker

Jess Cording: What are the benefits of yoga for the woman who’s focused on her career?

Rebecca Pacheco: Focus. And the mental, physical and emotional energy to execute on the things that you decide are important. The ability to let go when things don’t go as planned. The skillfulness in taking a deep breath and beginning again after a setback. The courage and clarity to be present, no matter what happens...The poses done on a mat in a class are a fraction of what yoga is and how much it can benefit your life.

Cording: What has being an entrepreneur taught you about health and wellness?

Pacheco: Being an entrepreneur has taught me to be more efficient with my time and creative in my problem solving, in life, in general, but also in my personal approach to health and wellness. I used to fall into the trap of an all-or-nothing mindset. Now, I’m better at using short bursts of time more wisely and viewing consistency as a win. Doing something is always better than doing nothing. For my workouts, this could mean doing a short but intense track workout or at-home bodyweight circuit that I created for days when my schedule goes off the rails. With meditation, too, I focus on a daily practice, even if it’s for just a few minutes. A little can go a long way, which is a good thing since one hallmark of being an entrepreneur is making the most of what you’ve got.   

Cording: Do you have a daily routine you stick to?

Pacheco: Whew, I wish! Each day is varied, especially now that I am the mother of a toddler. I have three anchors to each day, which I try like hell to accomplish: exercise (yoga, running, the gym, boxing), meditation and writing. Interspersed between these three key elements, I need to fit in any number of professional and personal responsibilities, such as my weekly teaching commitments, [speaking engagements], special events, business meetings with collaborators, press opportunities, marketing, childcare and family commitments, email and admin tasks and, god willing, remembering to wash my hair on occasion.

Yoga and meditation teacher and author Rebecca PachecoJonathan Pozniak

Cording: What foods do you like to always have on hand?

Pacheco: Today, I bumped into a yoga student at the grocery store, who, when she noticed I was holding five avocados, asked if I was making guacamole. I wasn’t—merely stocking up for breakfast. Predictable, I know. Avocado toast: ubiquitous but delicious. In addition to avocadoes, we always have tomatoes, radishes, and bread. Leafy greens are also on hand, for salads, omelets, and smoothies. I make my own dressings, a balsamic-based one with a little mustard and honey and a garlic/tahini/lemon one if I have more time for prep. Both are very simple, healthy and instantly step up a meal. For protein, eggs and tofu are helpful staples...I’m big on soups, so there is at least one in the fridge at all times. I’d probably be lost without short grain brown rice and brown rice pasta… I fact checked all of this with my husband who added, “And cheese… and wine…”

Cording: For someone who wants to incorporate yoga into their self-care routine but isn’t sure where to start, what do you recommend?

Pacheco: There are so many excellent resources now. As long as you’re healthy and have a doctor’s OK, you can get some great experience by doing videos online. I created the Runner’s World Yoga Center, and there are a ton of other free and paid options for beginners. If you’re intimidated by going to class, rusty and need a refresher or have a hectic schedule that doesn’t align with a studio or gym, online videos are a wonderful way to brush up. Of course, there is no substitute for the energy of a group class, as well as quality in-person instruction. Ask around. Call ahead. The right yoga experience for you exists; you just need to find it.

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https://www.forbes.com/sites/jesscording/2018/07/16/rebecca-pacheco-yoga/