Conversations with Raquel Barrantes

Today we’d like to introduce you to Raquel Barrantes.

Hi Raquel, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
My journey as a holistic guide and ceremonialist dates back to 2014. After leaving what I thought would be a life long career in law, I found myself at a major crossroad. Introduced to the world of Hypnotherapy I moved to the valley to study at HMI – Hypnosis Motivate Institute. While in school I got a part time job at Equinox and it was there that I found my first yoga mentor Eric Paskel. That year I traveled to Costa Rica and received my first 200 hour yoga teacher training.

Yoga was more than just a workout. It had become a balm for my soul offering something deeper than anything I had yet to come across. In 2015 I began working in a private substance abuse center as a Clinical Hypnotherapist and yoga teacher. I worked closely with patients in rewiring their subconscious mind, healing through nourishment and lifestyle and introducing the principles of yoga and yoga asana . Healing was happening right before my eyes and I was inspired to continue creating safe spaces for people to feel, heal and create a better life through self exploration.

Over the last 10 years I’ve expanded my studies in the healing arts. From yoga and group fitness – yin yoga, yoga nidra and mat pilates. To more energetic and spiritual offerings like reiki, sound healing, Daoist feminine arts, classical tantra, kirtan and recording and playing healing music, I’ve loved to see the way these practices, lineages and teachings compliment one another to support each individual for their specific needs.

My deepest joy is curating spaces that weave tradition, beauty, ritual and presence to help others in coming back to the wisdom of their hearts.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Leaving the corporate world behind to step into the wellness space came with its own set of challenges, obstacles and adjustments. Everyone thought I was crazy for leaving the law world behind but the truth was that I had had a spiritual awakening. One that left me yearning for something deeper. At the time I didn’t know what that yearning was but hindsight is 20/20 and looking back I could have never imagined the beauty that would unfold.

Something not a lot of people know about me is that for many years I struggled a lot with social anxiety. Facilitating spaces and stepping into a leadership position has really invited me to confront the pieces that have kept me small, doubting my worth and fearing my own voice and power. Imposter syndrome has felt real but as the years have gone I’ve realized that true leadership is an offering and not a performance. Staying in my heart and offering my authenticity is the most powerful thing I can do, not only for myself but for everyone else too.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am a passionate wellness advocate specializing in Clinical Hypnotherapy and weight loss, vinyasa and yin yoga, sound healing, mindfulness and women’s embodiment. My work reflects the weaving of tradition and lineage with our modern world to create supportive spaces for healing and self exploration. I believe that in order to truly heal we must tend to all aspects of our being – mind, body, soul.

One of the things I’m most proud of in my career thus far has been the curation of women’s healing retreats that I co-facilitate with a few dear friends and collegues. From our studies, embodiment and true love of service, we have created magical healing spaces for hundreds of women. I’m also very proud of the music we have recorded under The Golden Sisters.
The Golden Sisters is a music collective of artists, story tellers and weavers that have come together to celebrate the diversity of all languages and peoples. We serve as a cultural bridge that interlaces over eight languages within each song, honoring the richness of each of our ancestral roots.

What I believe sets me apart is my integrative and intuitive approach. Whether I’m facilitating 1:1 or in a group setting I pride myself in attuning to the needs of the room, My background and studies have primed me to work with the many different layers. From nervous system regulation, anatomy, and the different philosophies, mantras and pranayamas, I find that in order to be a good teacher, one must be an excellent student first.

Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
Yes of course. There have been many resources that have supported my growth and education

Books that have supported me have been:

– Eastern Body Western Mind by Anodea Judith

– The Untethered Soul by Michael A. Singer

– The Radiance Sutras by Lorin Roche

– Shakti Meditations by Sally Kempton

– The Gene Keys by Richard Rudd

– Many Lives Many Masters by Brian Weiss

Podcasts I love are:

– The Lifted Podcast

– Move with Heart

– Practical Alchemy Podcast

– Almost 30

– In This Body

Hope these support you wherever you are(:

Contact Info:

• Website: https://Raquelbarrantes.com
• Instagram: @innocentlywild_
• Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5fTRThiWOiadEhCmdXCJo8?si=Bk3tQdXxSyy3xYqr5_MCBQ