Pranayama (Breathwork) Teacher Training Course, Foundations

Rich began his Yoga practice with hope for it to aid him in healing injuries sustained from his love to martial arts and extreme sport activities. But he grew to love Yoga as way of life, integrating Yoga philosophy and practical methods in physical, mental, emotional and spiritual levels of his life.

At his early age he got qualification of doctor majoring in medical care at Rostov State Medical University of the Federal Agency of Healthcare and Social Development.

His passion to personal development brought him to meet and learn from different teachers in Europe, India, Russia, Kazakhstan and Thailand, over the years he has been exploring asana and pranayama practice, kriyas, meditation, ayurveda, herbal medicine, reiki, su djok, cold water treatment and art of cooking health food.

The practice of Ashtanga Yoga had a huge impact on Rich and within this practice he found himself in his true element. Ashtanga or “eight limbs” brings the body, mind and spirit into alignment for greater health, happiness, gratitude, kindness and spiritual growth. Rich is studying Ashtanga with R. Sharath Jois at Sri K. Pattabhi Jois Institute in Mysore, India which is number one center of Ashtanga in the world. He also got his asana and pranayama training and certification in Rishikesh, India. As a Yoga teacher Rich is affiliated to Yoga Alliance International he is settled in Phuket teaching Ashtanga Yoga, Pranayama, different yoga workshops, anatomy, art of adjustment, yoga therapy, chanting etc.

Initially Rich has started his Yoga Therapy studies at the Saint-Petersburg Institute of Eastern Methods of Rehabilitation at the Faculty of Yoga Therapy and over the years of practice he developed his unique approach to the Yoga Therapy practice.

Rich is famous with strict but also warm and personal approach to the teaching of Yoga. He is talented with a special natural vision of students needs which allows him to guide them in their practice in a right direction to achieve the best result on their path of Yoga.

From the young age Sofya was into studying spiritual traditions which brought her to practice meditation, tai chi, attending Buddhist teachings and retreats and do researches in religious studies. She obtained a BA degree in theology and philosophy and was travelling throughout the world to learn and experience spiritual practices.

In 2005 her searching brought her to work at Jamyang Buddhist Center in London where she first started her Yoga practice. Since then Sofya was practicing Yoga and exploring the methods of yoga visiting different schools and Yoga Ashrams mainly in India. With the time she stuck to traditional Ashtanga Yoga practice and dedicated years for practice and studies in this field.

Sofya is studying under the guidance of R. Sharath Jois at Sri K. Pattabhi Jois Institute in Mysore, India – the place where Ashtanga yoga as a set of asana and pranayama practices was systematised and kept preserved. There in Mysore she was also studying Ayurveda, Sanskrit and ancient yogic texts. She was also trained and certified as Asana and Pranayama teacher in Rishikesh, India. During her yoga journey Sofya had a chance to practice and come across such an outstanding teachers as Matthew Sweeney, Ajay Kumar, Kino McGregor, Balu Thevar, Ian Grysak, Kamal Singh, Sunil Sharma. As a Yoga teacher Sofya is also affiliated to Yoga Alliance International.

Sofya is a certified specialist in Yoga Nidra practice in the tradition of Swami Satyananda Saraswati. She is practicing and leading Yoga Nidra for a number of years and she also runs Yoga Nidra Training Courses.

Sofya is known with her warm and light way of teaching Yoga which creates special atmosphere at her classes. She finds personal contact with every student giving clear verbal instructions and physical adjustments, she keeps them motivated to practice sharing with them her knowledge and experience.