A place where yoga is real.
Yoga is balance. Yoga is connection.
Traditional yoga with close guidance, small groups and practice adapted to your pace — for adults, pregnancy, children, seniors, yoga therapy and neurodivergence. In Vila Nova de Gaia since 2014. In-person and online. Experienced teachers.
Welcome
Visiting Porto? Practise with us.
Āshram Gaya is a yoga centre in Vila Nova de Gaia, just across the river from Porto. We teach traditional yoga — postures, breathing, meditation and philosophy — in small groups, with close attention to each person.
If you're visiting or new to the city, you're welcome to join a single drop-in class. No experience needed.
What we teach
A complete practice rooted in Yoga Darshana — not just postures, but breath, relaxation, meditation and ethics. Yoga as it was meant to be.
For everyone
Adults, pregnancy, children, seniors, neurodivergent practitioners and yoga therapy. Each class is adapted to who's in the room.
In English
Classes run in Portuguese, but our teachers speak English and will guide you through. Just let us know when you book.
Who we are
An Āshram rooted in the Yoga Tradition
A philosophical home dedicated to traditional Yoga, where each person is respected at their own pace.
Fourteen technical disciplines centred on self-knowledge
- Practising since 2006, teaching since 2009
- Linhagem com raiz no Sāmkhya, Hātha Yoga, Tantra Sādhanā e Vedanta
- Yoga for every age — pregnancy, babies, children, adults and seniors
- Two practice rooms for simultaneous classes, both with tatami flooring
Recognised by the Indian Yoga Association and Yoga Professionals UK — two international references that vouch for the seriousness of our teaching.
Our approach →
Why practise
What changes when you practise Yoga regularly
A freer body
Flexibility, joint mobility and relief from chronic tension — especially in the back, neck and shoulders.
A calmer mind
Yoga doesn’t empty the mind — it teaches you not to be ruled by it. Less reactivity, more clarity.
Better sleep
Yoganidrā and breathing techniques calm the nervous system’s state of alert. You sleep better.
Strength and balance
It’s not just stretching. Yoga builds functional strength, balance and coordination, progressively.
Breath and energy
Prāṇāyāma — the conscious work of the breath — regulates energy and sharpens concentration.
A practice for life
Yoga has no expiry date. It adapts to injury, pregnancy, ageing and every stage of life.
The team
Our teachers
Rui Pascoal
Director and Yoga Teacher — adults, pregnancy, children — and Yoga Therapist
Practising since 2006, teaching since 2009. Trained at the Portuguese Yoga Confederation, where he remained until 2020. Meditation training at the Kaivalyadhama Yoga Institute. Sanyasin initiated by Swami Samarpanananda Ji of Rishikesh. Yoga Therapist trained by Gonçalo Correia. Extensive experience teaching Yoga to children in schools, adults, seniors, companies and high-performance athletes.
Sónia Passos
Director and Yoga Teacher — Babies, Children and Adults
Specialist in Yoga for babies and children in school settings. Practising since adolescence, teaching since 2013. Trained at the Portuguese Yoga Confederation, where she remained until 2020. Training in Yoga Kids and child development.
Isabel Henriques
Yoga Teacher (Adults), Yoga Therapist and Pilates
Trained at the Portuguese Yoga Confederation, where she remained until 2020. She brings her background in dance into Yoga and Pilates. Yoga Therapist trained by Gonçalo Correia.
Impact
Yoga goes wherever it’s needed.
Beyond the Āshram, we bring Yoga to hospitals, schools, social centres and companies. Because we believe Yoga is for everyone.
Education
GAIAprende+ (Centro Social de Coimbrões) · Fundação Couto
Previously: Câmara do Porto · Colégio de Gaia · Heliantia · Escola Jasmim
Health
Liga dos Amigos do Hospital de Gaia · Hospital de Gaia
Community
Domus Cerseto · Centro Social de Vilar de Andorinho
Companies
Go Porto
Previously: GE Electrics · Sonae · Siliker · BA Glass
Institutions
Academia Sénior — Junta de Freguesia de Vilar de Andorinho · Academia das Artes — Junta de Freguesia de Arcozelo
Previously: Centro de Alto Rendimento de Ténis de Mesa
“Wonderful place for a student to learn yoga. I appreciate T. Rui for taking me as a student and having classes in English and Portuguese. Learning yoga from him is a gift. Thank you Teacher!”
“Wonderful energy and true yoga practice 🙏🏻”