We are absolutely delighted that Gregor Maehle will be returning to Ashtanga Yoga Glastonbury next Spring to teach a whole weekend of workshops. This will be the fourth time that we have hosted Gregor and I am always so honoured that he travels to share his extensive knowledge and wisdom with our wonderful yoga community. Many years before meeting Gregor his books, especially Ashtanga Yoga: Practice and Philosphy, have been an important resource, informing both my teacher and practice. He has now written 9 very valuable books. Full biography below.
Gregor has been practicing yoga deeply since 1978, and studied asana, philosophy, pranayama and Sanskrit in India for many years. Along with wonderful Monica Gauci, Gregor set up a yoga school in Perth and ran it successfully for 21 years before moving to a mountain top in the Australian rainforest near Byron Bay in 2012. He and Monica have been travelling the world to teach extensively in recent years, however will be holding more courses in Australia and doing fewer international workshops. We are very lucky to host him! The only other workshops he is offering in the UK next year are with Irininess Yoga Horsham on May 26 to 28th 2026.
Although there is the opportunity to book one day only, it is thoroughly recommended that you attend the whole weekend to get the most out of the experience. There is a natural progression over the weekend beginning with an Asana practice with lots of detail, through Yogic Meditation, then Pranayama, into a Samadhi session. Not to be missed! Full details below. Early booking is strongly recommended!
Saturday May 30th 2026 - Venue: West Pennard VH for the whole weekend.
9am to 11.30 A Technical Led Asana Practice
Here, Gregor will analyse the many intricate anatomical details of the accessible postures of the Primary Series while maintaining as much pace as possible. The focus will be on breaking down the various phases of entering and exiting the postures into their constituents. Performing postures safely while understanding which anatomical actions will get us deep into the asanas will prevent unnecessary energy expenditure. Through inducing precision, this format also achieves the release of conditioning and emotions lodged in bodily tissue, preparing us for the higher limbs of pranayama and meditation.
1 to 3.30pm Yogic Meditation – Through Mantra, Chakras and Kundalini to Spiritual Freedom
Different to Vedantic or Buddhist meditation, yogic meditation contains the same structural elements as yogic postures and breathing and was designed to form together with those an integrated whole. Meditation is the method of bringing your mind into a receptive state? so that you can receive higher knowledge that is already there. Yogic meditation is a collection of scientific methods to bring about such awareness. To accelerate spiritual evolution yogic meditation employs many means amongst which the prime ones are mantra, mudra, bandha, chakra-visualization and Kundalini-raising techniques.
Sunday May 31st 2026
9am to 11.30 The Breath of Yoga - Pranayama
Imagine how great it would be to have a switch that, when operated, would enable you to consciously choose between your right and left brain hemispheres, intuitive and analytical intelligence, sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems, fight/flight reflex and rest/relaxation, and between the male and female, solar and lunar, aspects of your psyche. How great it would be if, when required, you could switch from being compassionate to doggedly determined. Or from being charged with energy to being completely relaxed within a few minutes. Or from extrovert (physically present, expressive and outgoing) to introvert (reflective and absorbing) within a short time. This switch does, in fact, exist, and it is not at all hidden. It is the prominently protruding olfactory orifice right in the middle of your face: your nose.
Pranayama includes some of the most neglected yet most powerful methods of yoga. Pranayama is the vital link that connects asana to meditation, without which the combined benefit of both cannot be harvested. Learn how to use pranayama to harmonize the doshas (humors of the body) and thus attain a state of health and balance as well as how to still the mind, enabling spiritual insight.
1 to 3.30pm Samadhi
In this session, Gregor will shows how all yogic techniques and methods collaborate to bring about its pinnacle — the state of samadhi.
This includes detailed descriptions of the eight classical samadhis as listed in the Yoga Sutra, both from the practical view of content and experience and from the techniques to access them. Gregor will show the importance that these states have for a new enchantment with our world, nature, and all beings. On the way to that climax, Gregor dissolves misconceptions about samadhi, shows the importance of both objectless and the much-neglected objective samadhi, what exactly stands in the way of their arising, how obstacles are removed and dissolved, the role of the teacher, and the role of grace and devotion. He also shows how many other yogic techniques contribute to samadhi.
Cost: £230 for the weekend/one day only £125. Earlybird cost £210/£115 for one day, if paid in full when booking by January 31st. Otherwise, a deposit of £80 secures your place, with balance paid on or by March 1st.
Contact Jane to make a booking, or with any questions.
Gregor Maehle biography Chintamani Yoga – Gregor Maehle & Monica Gauci
Gregor Maehle began his yogic practices 48 years ago. In the mid-1980s he commenced annual travels to India, where he studied with various yogic and tantric masters, traditional Indian sadhus and ascetics. He spent fourteen months in Mysore, and in 1997 was authorised to teach Ashtanga Yoga by K. Pattabhi Jois. Since then, he has branched out into researching the anatomical alignment of postures and the higher limbs of yoga.
In India Gregor also received eight months of mostly one-on-one instruction in scripture and the higher limbs of Yoga through B.N.S. Iyengar, a student of T. Krishnamacharya, and he studied Sanskrit under Professor Narayanachar and Dr Chandrasekhar. Gregor’s internationally acclaimed textbook series consisting of Ashtanga Yoga: Practice and Philosophy, Ashtanga Yoga: The Intermediate Series, Pranayama: The Breath of Yoga, Yoga Meditation: Through Mantra, Chakras and Kundalini to Spiritual Freedom, Samadhi The Great Freedom, How to Find Your Life’s Divine Purpose, Chakras, Drugs & Evolution and Mudras: Seals of Yoga and Bhakti: Yoga of Love – have sold more than 100,000 copies worldwide and have been translated into 10 foreign languages. Gregor´s books are available as hardcopies, ebooks and audiobooks and additional volumes are preparation. Gregor has been invited to many countries to teach and has contributed to and been interviewed by numerous yoga magazines. On Gregor’s blog page chintamaniyoga.com/blog/ you will find over 300 articles, videos and podcasts on all aspects of yoga, which Gregor has authored together with his wife Monica.
Today Gregor teaches an anatomically sophisticated interpretation of traditional vinyasa yoga, integrated into the practice of the higher limbs in the spirit of Patanjali and T. Krishnamacharya. His zany sense of humour, his manifold personal experiences, and his vast and deep knowledge of scripture, Indian philosophies and yogic techniques combine to make his teachings applicable, relevant and easily accessible to all his students
Brian Cooper Adjustment Workshop
For Yoga Teachers and Trainees
October 18/19th 2025, nr. Glastonbury
Brian Cooper Adjusting Weekend
October 18/19th 2025, at West Pennard Village Hall nr. Glastonbury
9am to 4.30pm both days
This is a special and rare opportunity to learn from Brian Cooper, author of “Yoga, The Art of Adjusting”, one of the very best books to ever be published on adjusting in yoga.
Brian will help you to enhance your skills and gain confidence in observation, verbal adjustment, and safe, effective, hands-on adjusting.
This is a module for Ashtanga Yoga Glastonbury’s teacher training, and suitable for all those who wish to refresh their adjusting skills, and learn from one of the masters of this practice. Brian has been teaching on our teacher training courses since 2015. I did my own teacher training with Brian in 2002, which was the best decision I ever made! This is the last time we will be running this module, as it is my last Foundation teacher training course. So if you want to learn (or relearn) from Brian, now is the time to join us!
On Saturday 18th Jane will lead a Primary Series talk-through from 9am, for which you are welcome to join us. Brian will then teach his section from 11am to 4.30pm, with a break for lunch around 1 to 2pm.
On Sunday 19th both Brian and Jane will be holding the space for an Ashtanga Mysore-style practice from 9 to 11am, then Brian will teach again for the rest of the day.
There will be plenty of opportunities to observe, and work together. There will be discussion and whatever Brian wants to speak about at this time, based on his research, experience and studies. With plenty of time for questions. It is always interesting and thought provoking, as well as inspirational and beneficial. As anyone who has learnt from Brian before will know, he doesn’t walk the mainstream line and cuts through many of the myths, promises and commerciality that have sprung up around the yoga industry. It is very refreshing and why he has been my teacher for so long, and continues to inspire!
There are very few spaces available, so get in touch soon if you would like to come and learn from such an experienced and knowledgeable teacher!
If coming on public transport lifts can be arranged to and from Glastonbury town.
Costs: £200 for the weekend/£100 for one day. Early bird price £180 for the weekend/£90 for one day to be paid in full by October 2nd 2025.
To make a booking email Jane at janepiddington@hotmail.com
Lucy Crawford Workshops Weekend!
September 20/21st 2025, nr. Glastonbury
This was Lucy's 3rd visit to Glastonbury and the most wonderful event! Lucy has been one of my most influential teachers since I first went to her and John Scott in Cornwall in 2002 for one of many Mysore-style intensives and workshops over the years. Lucy is fun, supportive, wise and one of the most authentic yoga teachers there are. We very much hope that she will return again soon!
Gregor Maehle & Monica Gauci came to teach a wonderful weekend of workshops in August 2024!
We were absoluted delighted to host Gregor Maehle and Moncia Gauci, for this very special weekend!
Since publication of Gregor’s first book (published in 2007) of seven, his textbooks have been the primary resource that myself, and many other yoga teachers & practitioners, go to for understanding of the postures, and all aspects of yoga practice and philosophy. His teaching style is deeply knowledgeable, accessible, and humorous, imparting wisdom freely with plenty of opportunity for questions.
Alongside her yoga teaching, Monica has studied for many years in anatomy and movement as well as manual, movement, yoga and mantra therapies. Her education as a Rehabilitative Chiropractor inspires her teaching and application of movement principles that support and promote a healthy body.
Gregor and Monica have been practicing yoga deeply since 1978, and met when studying Ashtanga Yoga in India in 1995. They set up their own yoga school in Perth and ran it successfully for 21 years before moving to a mountain top in the Australian rainforest near Byron Bay in 2012. Pre-pandemic they were touring the world to teach, then took many of their courses and trainings online. I hosted Gregor virtually in 2020 as they continued to share their teachings so generously. Although they have been travelling to teach again, this was their first visit to the UK since 2019, and the first workshops that taught here together.
You will find more information about Gregor Maehle and Monica Gauci on their website 8 Limbs Yoga – Gregor Maehle & Monica Gauci
Joey Miles - Ashtanga Workshop in Glastonbury.
March 16/17th 2024
We loved having Joey in Glastonbury! Hopefully he will return again soon.
In 2004 Joey was authorised to teach the primary series by Pattabhi Jois and following that taught daily Mysore classes from 2005-2008 at Triyoga in Primrose Hill, London. In 2009 he relocated to Hebden Bridge and set up Ashtanga Yoga Leeds with the intention of supporting people’s daily yoga practice.
In 2012 he received Authorisation Level 2, meaning he has Sharath’s blessing to teach the full Intermediate Series. More recently in 2014, Joey completed the 3rd series under Sharath’s guidance at the KPJAYI in Mysore. Joey Miles Welcome to Ashtanga Yoga Leeds | Ashtanga Yoga in Leeds and Hebden Bridge
Brian Cooper Workshop in Glastonbury - ”Maximising your practice”
Brian returned to teach a weekend in Glastonbury November 2023 - it was one of very few chances to experience his refreshing yoga teachings outside of my teacher training.
Brian Cooper has been my main teacher since 2002. I have always been attracted to his refreshing approach to yoga teachings and the world of yoga. He challenges my beliefs and makes me think for myself, which is a valuable attitude in the modern yoga world. Brian set up Yoga Alliance Professionals in 2006 as a way to raise teaching standards in the UK, while supporting teachers and trainers in their growth.
His book, Yoga: The Art of Adjusting, is one of the very best on the subject.
He is constantly researching and honing his skills and understanding, while keeping a healthy open mind.
You can read some of his articles here
We have been lucky enough to have international visiting yoga teachers travel to Glastonbury to share their knowledge for the last 20 years. These include Brian Cooper, Gregor Maehle, Petri Räisänen, Lucy Crawford, Joey Miles, and the wonderful Nancy Gilgoff. I am truly grateful that they have come to our corner of the world to enrich the yoga community in Glastonbury, and hope that they will visit us again.
Ashtanga Yoga Glastonbury have proudly hosted workshops by Brian Cooper, Lucy Crawford, Petri Räisänen and Wambui, Nancy Gilgoff and Gregor Maehle.
Jane Piddington also holds day and weekend workshops in Glastonbury and is available to travel and teach wherever she is needed!
