Rui Pascoal — Mahā Dev

Our Lineage

For us, yoga remains what it was in childhood: a way of getting to know the world.

I first encountered yoga as a child, through books on Buddhism that found their way into my hands for reasons I never quite understood. Years later, in 2006, as an Architecture student at ESAP, I was looking for a practice that engaged body and mind together — something the gym never gave me. That's how I found my way to the Āshram Porto, run by the Confederação Portuguesa do Yoga.

It was around that time that Sónia, already a yoga practitioner since her teens, crossed paths with Rui. What had been an individual path became a shared one. Sónia trained in yoga for adults, pregnant women, children, and school settings, and later, in baby yoga.

In 2010, Rui began teaching adults. In 2012 he committed to yoga full time, and together they began working with children in public schools run by Câmara do Porto. In 2014, we opened Āshram Gaya in Vila Nova de Gaia — a philosophical home dedicated exclusively to the study and teaching of yoga.

After fourteen years of close ties to the Confederação Portuguesa do Yoga, and while keeping a deep respect for the Yamas and Niyamas, we parted ways with the institution for good. A new chapter began — one of openness to new experiences and approaches.

In 2020 we began advanced training with Prof. Bhogal Ji at the Kaivalyadhama Yoga Institute, founded in 1924 in Lonavla, India.

We also had the privilege of learning from a true Yogi from Rishikesh — Swami Samarpanananda Ji, who began his own path with Sivananda and the Bihar School of Yoga. Rui was initiated as a Sanyasin under the name Mahā Dev, Sónia as Umānanda, and we received Kriā Yoga initiation from Babaji in the Bihar Yoga tradition.

In 2024–2025 life brought us another great teacher — Gonçalo Correia (Yoga Kshetra), with whom we completed advanced training in YogaTerapia and in Yoga for Stress and Burnout.

In the interest of rigour and quality, we were accepted as members of the Indian Yoga Association in 2021, and recognised by Yoga Pros (Yoga Alliance Professionals UK) in 2025, with Senior Teacher status awarded in 2026.

Timeline

Before yoga, there was already curiosity. Books on Buddhism passed through my hands even as a child — the first thread.

  • 2006 — Āshram Porto

    Studying Architecture at ESAP. Looking for a practice that was physical and mental at once. The gyms never offered that. The door of the Āshram Porto, run by the Confederação Portuguesa do Yoga, opened.

  • 2006–2020 — Confederação Portuguesa do Yoga

    Fourteen years of continuous training. CESYO — Curso Superior Especial do Yoga (six years, 6,500 hours). Teacher's Degree (a further four years, 4,000 hours). Specialisations in Yoga for Children, in school settings, for Pregnancy and Postpartum, and Yoga adapted for diabetics.

  • 2010 — The first class

    Began teaching adults. This was when he knew this was what he wanted to do.

  • 2012 — The decision

    Committed to yoga full time. Classes in public schools run by Câmara do Porto (2012–2017), where contact with children with autism, Down syndrome and motor disabilities became the foundation of the Yoga for Neurodivergent People programme.

  • 2013–2019 — Corporate settings

    GE Electrics (2013), Sonae, Siliker Portugal and BA Glass (2017–2019).

  • 2014 — Āshram Gaya

    With Sónia Passos, opening in Vila Nova de Gaia of a philosophical home dedicated to traditional yoga.

  • 2019–2025 — Portuguese Table Tennis Federation

    Teacher of Yoga, Stress and Emotional Management for high-performance athletes at the Centro de Alto Rendimento de Gaia.

  • 2020 — A new chapter

    Parting ways with the Confederação Portuguesa do Yoga, while keeping the ethical principles of the Yamas and Niyamas. Beginning advanced Meditation training with Prof. Bhogal Ji at the Kaivalyadhama Yoga Institute, in Lonavla — founded in 1924.

  • 2021 — Swami Samarpanananda Ji

    Meeting Swami Samarpanananda Ji, initially through online teachings. Receiving the initiatory name, Mantra Dīkṣā, and the initiations of Karma Sanyasin, Gṛhastha Sanyasin and Kriā Yoga. In 2023 and 2024, Swamiji was present at the Āshram Gaya. He is today the leading reference for Vedānta, Tantra Sādhanā and Kriā Yoga.

  • 2024–2025 — YogaTerapia, Stress & Burnout

    Training in YogaTerapia and in Yoga for Stress and Burnout with Gonçalo Correia (Yoga Kshetra). Member of Yoga Pros (Yoga Alliance Professionals UK) since 2025, with Senior Teacher status in 2026.

  • Today

    Welcome to Āshram Gaya. A welcoming home, dedicated to yoga, wellbeing and philosophy, where each person is respected at their own pace. Small-group classes, personalised — without losing the tradition.

Certifications

Kids Yoga — Yoga Pros (Yoga Alliance Professionals UK) Meditation & Mindfulness — Yoga Pros (Yoga Alliance Professionals UK) Pregnancy Yoga — Yoga Pros (Yoga Alliance Professionals UK) Indian Yoga Association — International Associate