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Our Story
Founded in 2018 by Cristiano Pestana, Cristiano Yoga School began its mission to propagate the teachings of Ashtanga yoga. Housed within Espaço de Formação Holística, the school offered a rich array of group classes, from both Mysore and Led versions of Ashtanga, to Vinyasa Flow sessions aimed at deepening practitioner’s understanding of Ashtanga yoga; all while fostering a diverse community of students.
The year 2020 brought unprecedented challenges, with the global pandemic forcing the world to adapt. The studio, however, only briefly closed its doors for a single month. What emerged from this adversity was a pleasant surprise: group classes expanded, Mysore practice tripled, and two former students joined as teachers, leading to daily classes that further enriched the community.
Between 2021 and 2023, there was the need to readjust its offerings to meet the evolving needs of its students. The timetable was reduced, forcing Cristiano to resume the role of the sole teacher. Notably, private classes and yoga therapy sessions grew exponentially, as a testament to Cristiano’s continuous education and the knowledge he gained in his trip to India in 2020. Starting November 2023, Cristiano Yoga Madeira transitioned into Cristiano Yoga School, a name that marks back to its initial goal with a renewed and primary focus on Ashtanga Yoga. Cristiano Yoga School goês algo by the name of Ashtanga Yoga Funchal, for the same reason presentes above. The timetable has been meticulously restructured, adopting a more traditional Ashtanga program that encompasses 3x Ashtanga Mysore Style classes, 2x Ashtanga Led Class And 2x Vinyasa Classes por week.
The shala has also opened its doors on non-class days for early morning self-practice, embodying the spirit of dedication and growth. This transformation into Cristiano Yoga School also means a renewed focus on giving workshops and courses, further enhancing the students understanding and practice of Ashtanga Yoga, while maintaining the unchanged nas ongrowing yoga therapy and private classes.
Our Purpose
At our school, our vision is to foster a diverse and inclusive yoga community where individuals of all backgrounds and aspirations can engage in yoga practice and harness its transformative potential for personal, physical, mental, and spiritual development. Our purpose is threefold:
TAILORED YOGA PRACTICE
We are dedicated to showcasing that yoga and its postures are highly adaptable to meet the unique expectations and needs of every practitioner.
HOLISTIC WELL-BEING
We are committed to promoting personal growth, enhancing physical and mental health, and nurturing overall well-being.
HEALING THROUGH YOGA
We offer support for individuals with specific health issues or injuries, assisting in both their prevention and recovery through the practice of yoga therapy.
Our Values
01.
Accessible Yoga
We provide a warm and genuine atmosphere where all are welcome. We offer asana modifications that ensure yoga practice can be tailored to suit each practitioner's capabilities and needs.
02.
Self-Care
We believe that to contribute positively to the world, we must prioritise self-care and address our inner patterns (samskaras). Yoga offers a path to self-care, enabling us to become the best versions of ourselves.
03.
Counscious Living
Through the moving meditation of yoga practice, we encourage the cultivation of awareness and mindfulness that can be integrated into daily life.
04.
Cultivate Love
Central to our ethos is the cultivation of love for oneself, for one another, and for the world. We believe that the energy generated in our classes should be shared with the world through love.
05.
Connection
We value the unique sense of togetherness that comes from a shared purpose. Our aim is to create a community where individuals from all walks of life can connect and unite in their journey.