Yoga, Wellness and Veganism – Appreciating Life Upside Down

Rachel is a 24 year old forensic toxicologist living in London. She’s been vegan for almost 5 years, and she loves trying out new foods and testing the many great options of vegan restaurants in London.

Rachel is passionate about fitness, particularly yoga, gymnastics, climbing and badminton, and she will be training become a yoga teacher in India next month. She hopes to educate people on the benefits of yoga and veganism for both the body and the mind, and the importance of always showing kindness and compassion to both to ourselves and to others!

A key message she also wants to convey is that even the smallest steps help; taking 10 minutes of your day to practice some yoga/meditation or committing to eating vegan for just one day of your week still makes a difference

Meatless Movement recently had the opportunity to chat with her.

Tell us more about yourself, please

My name is Rachel (@_yogawithrach) and I’m 24 years old, currently living in London and working as a forensic toxicologist. I’m originally from Manchester and I lived in Newcastle for a little while whilst I studied chemistry at Newcastle University. I’m also going to India next month to complete a 200 hour yoga teacher training course to become a qualified yoga teacher.

I’ve been vegan since October 2019 so it’s almost been 5 years now! I was never a vegetarian before but I decided to give veganism a try whilst I was at university. It was originally mainly for the health benefits as I wanted to try cutting out dairy for my skin and I was interested in the effect a vegan diet might have on my body. I thought I would find it a real challenge but it really wasn’t and I loved it!

Since then, I read up more on more of the values behind veganism and about animal welfare and the environment and now I don’t think I could ever go back.

I think a common misconception with veganism is that you can’t get enough protein in the diet and won’t be able to build muscle which is completely not true!! Since switching to a vegan diet I have had more energy in the gym and I believe it has changed my physique for the better. I definitely eat better than I did before, getting in plenty of nutrients from all the veggies! Veganism also aligns well with yoga practice; they have many overlapping values. Yoga promotes peace, kindness, spirituality, and a conscious way of thinking which I think are also huge in veganism.

The main challenge for me as a vegan is feeling like I’m causing inconvenience when going out for food and having food with family/friends. It’s definitely much easier now than it ever was before; it’s rare that a menu doesn’t have a vegan option (especially in London!)

Whilst I may feel like a nuisance, I know that family and friends typically don’t mind and most people are very accepting and inclusive, particularly with veganism becoming more and more common now.

Vegan restaurants I recommend in London:
Amrutha Lounge in Earlsfield (one of my fave vegan restaurants I’ve ever been to, lots of very wholesome food, BYOB, great ethics and all round good vibes)
Naïfs in Peckham – family owned restaurant with a vegan set sharing menu
Pipoca in Brixton – vegan cafe that does lovely galettes
Merkamo – market stall in Old Spitalfields market – very good Ethiopian food
muan – newly opened Thai restaurant in Brixton Village
Mildred’s (multiple locations, always a classic choice)
Mallow in Borough (owned by same people as mildred’s )