The Living Yoga Holidays Team
We all adopt an approach to yoga that follows the teachings of T.Krishnamacharya and his son T.K.V.Desikachar, which is commonly referred to as the 'viniyoga of yoga'.
It is very much about working to the best of your ability but in recognition of your individual limitations…one size definitely does not fit all!
It uses a considered combination of asana (postures and sequences), pranayama (meditative breathing techniques), sound, meditation and philosophy with modifications and variations appropriate to the individual’s needs.
CHANTAL RAFFERTY originally trained in the Sivananda tradition, before taking a course at the Svyasa yoga therapy university in Bangalore, India. She then went on to study hatha yoga (using a 'viniyoga' approach) and continues to do so with her teacher Dave Charlton in the UK. She has practised and taught yoga for over 16 years and is both a member of the BWY (British Wheel of Yoga) and the aYs (Association of Yoga Studies). Her passion is working with the 'viniyoga of yoga' and her classes reflect the belief that yoga is for everyone regardless of age, fitness and flexibility! Chantal also runs classes for people with C.F.S. and M.E.
Chantal is an experienced Yoga Therapist having completed the two year Sadhana Mala Art of Individual Teaching and Yoga Therapy Program endorsed by the aYs.
Complementing the yoga Chantal is an advanced Thai yoga massage practitioner, having trained with Kira Balaskas in London and Greece. She currently gives Thai yoga massage treatments in and around the Cheltenham area.
As well as practising the massage, she also works with her husband, Gareth, in training Thai yoga massage practitioners.
GARETH WILLIAMS has over 21 years of experience as a teacher, mainly with the 'viniyoga' approach to hatha yoga.
He qualified as a British Wheel of Yoga teacher with Dave Charlton, (a senior teacher based in the UK) who he continues to study with. In addition to his BWY diploma Gareth has also completed the two year Sadhana Mala Art of Individual Teaching and Yoga Therapy Program endorsed by the aYs. As a compliment to his yoga teaching, Gareth is an advanced Thai yoga massage practitioner, accredited by TTYMA. He trained with Kira Balaskas from The School of Thai Yoga Massage in London and attended several courses with Asokananda. Gareth also trains others to be practitioners in this ancient, yoga related art.
Gareth and Chantal run daily ONLINE and IN PERSON yoga classes and regular Yoga Foundation Courses in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire