home

Raquel has extensive training and experience working alongside people living with a wide variety of neurological and medical conditions. She has worked as a Physical Therapist in rehab settings and home care since 1992. Over the years she noticed a gap in the continuum of care after her clients’ discharge from rehab. Rehab graduates frequently do not qualify for home health services because they are not considered “home bound” or transportation and mobility issues limit access to outpatient care. Her clients reported difficulty maintaining a fitness program due to need for supervision or assistance because of their medical complexities. To solve this problem, Raquel established Austin Re-Fit in February of 2008.  Austin Re-Fit’s mission is to bridge the gap between rehabilitation and fitness through guidance and inspiration to recover function, restore confidence and revitalize the body and the mind. 

Raquel's dedication to learning is evidenced by 30+ years of experience as a physical therapist and educator with specialized training and certifications in treatment of stroke and brain injury, spinal cord injury rehabilitation, vestibular treatment, dementia care, Pilates, and exercise and fitness for aging adults.  She taught anatomy for yoga teacher training for several years and completed yoga teacher training in 2012.  Since then she has continued her yoga education with additional hours in trauma informed yoga therapy, adaptive yoga for multiple sclerosis, chair yoga teacher training, yoga teacher training for brain injury, and yoga nidra training. Raquel practices mindfulness meditation and completed the 8-week Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction course. 

Raquel approaches interactions with compassion, realistic optimism, and a sense of humor designed to bring joy and acceptance to what is happening right now. Raquel is thrilled to partner with Yoga Heals Us to offer virtual individual and group adaptive yoga, educational content and mentorship to individuals who desire to thrive after injury or illness. 

Raquel lives in Austin, Texas with her husband and is mom to 3 grown & gone kids. She enjoys coffee, funny TV shows, creative pursuits such as drawing, watercolor, gardening, and hikes with her dog.