Redefining the After Shift
A Conversation with Rachel Brooks, Founder of SIN Yin
Born and raised in Portland, Oregon, Rachel has always been guided by a heart for service. She began her career in hospitality at 18, first as a hostess and then behind the bar, where her energy and personality thrived. Like so many, she found the food and beverage industry both fun and fulfilling, a space where she could connect with people every day. But she also saw its shadows: toxic grind culture, burnout masked by late-night drinking, and the lack of mental health or substance use support for workers who give everything to keep the industry alive.
That’s where SIN Yin comes in. Rachel founded the organization with a simple but radical idea: create late-night yoga classes designed specifically for service industry workers. Donation-based and accessible, her classes are a gentle invitation to shift the after-shift narrative.
“When I started to tell people about our late-night offerings, people would always say how cool it was and how needed it was. But then nobody would show up. It has been the biggest challenge to want health for people when they may not be ready to take the steps towards it yet.”
Still, Rachel persists. For her, this is more than yoga; it’s a reimagining of what after-hours can look like in hospitality. A future where workers can stretch, breathe, and reset instead of numbing out. A future where thriving and healing aren’t luxuries, but norms.
Looking ahead, Rachel hopes to expand SIN Yin’s programming across the country, uplifting other late-night health services to create a network of holistic options for workers who often feel forgotten. She also dreams of empowering workers themselves to teach yoga, building both a new source of income and a more diverse, equitable culture within the wellness world.
“To see our workers thriving and healthy, with the space and capacity to create and innovate, that is the dream.”
In an industry often defined by exhaustion, Rachel Brooks is offering something rare: rest. And in that stillness, the possibility of something better.
Quickfire with Rachel Brooks
Your organization name:
SIN Yin
In one sentence, what do you or your organization do?
SIN Yin provides late night yoga classes and customized programs for service industry workers
Let’s start with your journey—where did you grow up, what shaped you, and what are some defining moments in your career so far?
I am a Portland OR native and have been in the PNW most of my life. I have always been driven by purpose and have had a heart for serving others since I was very little. I started out in the service industry as a hostess at age 18. After serving for a few years, I moved into Bartending, which was much more suited to my personality and skills.
What made you choose the food and beverage industry? Was there a moment or experience that made it clear this was your path?
I originally was a sociology major in college, but after attending my first year of college, I realized it wasn’t for me. The industry gave me an opportunity to make some money and allowed me to be of service to others. Also way more fun than a desk job haha!
What were the biggest challenges you faced when starting to work on this mission?
When I started to tell people about our late night offerings, people would always say how cool it was or how needed it was and were excited, but then nobody would show up. It has been and is the biggest challenge to want health for people when they maybe aren’t ready to take the steps towards it yet.
In your opinion, what are the biggest problems in the industry?
Toxic grind culture, toxic drug and alcohol culture. usually no insurance coverage for workers. not enough pay to make a living or to be able to take time off when sick. no mental health or substance abuse support
What other pressing issues do you identify beyond the one you or your organization are addressing?
Mental health or substance abuse resources
What actions or initiatives have you implemented to create a positive impact in the industry? Could you share a concrete example or a specific number that reflects that impact?
Our program is donation-based so workers can get the service without needing to pay if they aren’t making money. I don’t have a specific number that reflects our impact yet.
What are your future plans to continue contributing to the well-being of the sector?
I plan to expand our programming to space all over the country as well as uplift other late night health services so there can be well known holistic options available for after shift.
Who do you believe are the key players in building a more humane and sustainable industry? (Government, customers, insurance companies, etc.)
I think everyone plays a part, but it would be vital for insurance companies and the industry establishments to provide more support and resources.
From an operational perspective, what would the ideal restaurant scenario look like for you?
N/A
What’s your dream for the future of this industry?
To see our workers THRIVING and healthy and having space and capacity to create and innovate with a supportive environment.
What are some long-term impacts you hope to have in the F&B industry?
I want our programming to inspire workers to learn to teach yoga to others and to see the potential for another revenue stream. This would also transfer over to a more diverse and equitable culture for the yoga industry.
What advice would you give to others who are looking to start a non-profit or initiative to help the restaurant industry?
Listen to the needs of the people you are looking to serve.
Nominate another organization that deserves to be interviewed. You can put the name or the Instagram handle
Bird dog run club
Visit Sin Yin for more information about this program.
Follow along @sinyinyoga for updates and inspiration.
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