mobile-logo
Top

The yoga teachers

Meet Gareth and Chantal

Gareth Williams

Gareth has over 20 years of experience as a yoga teacher. He has gained teaching diplomas initially through the British Wheel of Yoga (BWY) and subsequently with the Association of Yoga Studies (AYS) through the Sadhana Mala training program, qualifying him to work with individuals on a therapeutic level.

His main training was with Dave Charlton and Ranju Roy, two senior yoga teachers who founded Sadhana Mala, so naturally his classes follow their long established and respected approach, which adheres to the teachings of T. Krishnamacharya and T.K.V. Desikachar and more recently, Peter Hersnack. He continues to study with Dave by attending the monthly Mandala Study Group in Malvern, UK.

Gareth draws upon his varied experience to create a stimulating and informative practice that is light hearted as well as challenging and moreover, effective. After all yoga should be enjoyable rather than a chore!

In addition to an extensive program of regular, weekly yoga classes throughout the year and one-to-one therapeutic consultancy, Gareth and his wife Chantal also run a range of yoga holidays, retreats and weekends in Sicily, Morocco, France and the UK.

Beyond his group class and individual teaching activities, he and Chantal also work in association with Sadhana Mala, offering yoga foundation courses and teacher training courses.

As a complement to his yoga teaching, Gareth is an advanced Thai yoga massage practitioner.  He trained for many years with Kira Balaskas from The School of Thai Yoga Massage in London and attended a number of advanced training courses with her teacher Asokananda, one of the world’s leading Thai yoga massage teachers. Asokananda who is now sadly missed, was the first to publish a book on the subject in any language other than Thai.

Gareth and Chantal, also train others to be practitioners in this ancient, yoga related healing art through regular courses at their Thai yoga massage training school in Cheltenham.

Chantal Rafferty

Whilst living in New York City over 17 years ago Chantal quickly began to deepen her interest in yoga trying out different styles and approaches and was encouraged by one of her teachers to further her yoga studies.   She completed her initial teacher training studies with the Sivananda tradition and received her first teaching diploma in the Bahamas in 2006. Followed by courses at the SVYASA Yoga University in Bangalore, India and the Yoga Biomedical Trust in London. Chantal continued her studies with Dave Charlton and the ‘viniyoga’ approach to hatha yoga. Owing to the individual nature of this yoga, i.e., the attention to modifications and variations given not only in a one to one setting but also within group classes, Chantal was deeply drawn to this approach to hatha yoga. Through Dave she gained her British Wheel of Yoga teaching diploma; a 500 hour training course spread over 4 years.  She then went on to complete the 500 hour Yoga Therapy post graduate course with Dave Charlton and Ranju Roy (Sadhana Mala) in order to further her study and interest in working on a one to one basis and therapeutically with her many clients.

After working with cancer patients and their carers at the Mulberry Centre in London,  Chantal became deeply interested in using yoga as a therapeutic tool, not only to cope with illnesses and conditions but as a way of dealing with the modern stresses and strains of day to day life. Chantal has also completed training with Fiona Agombar, author of ‘Beat Fatigue with Yoga’ and uses this and her many years of yoga training when teaching class students and yoga therapy clients who have M.E. and/or C.F.S.

In addition to teaching yoga Chantal is also an advanced Thai yoga massage practitioner, having trained with Kira Balaskas in London and Greece. She currently gives Thai yoga massage and Thai foot massage treatments in and around the Cheltenham area and specialises in Thai yoga massage for pregnancy. As well as practising the massage, she also works with Gareth in training Thai yoga massage practitioners.

Chantal also has a keen interest in nutritional therapy and holistic living and is a great advocate of many different therapies such as acupuncture and reflexology.  In fact if you need any recommendations on other therapists in Cheltenham please see our useful links page or email Chantal.

Chantal is both a member of the British Wheel of Yoga (BWY) and of the Association of Yoga Studies (AYS) and is also a Foundation Course Tutor.

She continues her ongoing yoga studies with Dave Charlton through the monthly Mandala Study Group in Malvern, UK.

I can happily recommend Gareth and Chantal's yoga classes I have been doing yoga for about 40 years - not all with Gareth and Chantal - and my experience is that not all yoga classes are equal - it has to be right to be good - and somehow out there aren't Gareth and Chantal are highly professional and organised yoga teachers who have a care for the safety and well being of those in their classes - making it still possible for me to keep doing my yoga as I get older. I have been with them now for about 12 years and since covid I have done their online classes which suit me. I did a wonderful yoga holiday in France with them some years ago and I would highly recommend - one of my top memories. I think of Gareth and Chantal as friends and look forward to seeing them each week. They are kind and generous and their yoga classes have helped me through some very sticky times over the past years

Sylvia Ellis

I have been going to these classes for 10 years now and can honestly say that Gareth and Chantal are superb yoga instructors - their knowledge, understanding and instruction are second to none. Best in Cheltenham.

Madeleine Mifflin

I have been attending Gareth and Chantal’s yoga classes for eleven years now and can highly recommend them. The classes are so well prepared and run in a professional and friendly way. Yoga is now very much part of my life and that is down to Gareth and Chantal’s teaching and expertise. I have also been to Sicily on one of their yoga holidays and it was so wonderful that I have booked another one this year.

Lesley Barrett

Chantal and Gareth are excellent - their in person and online practices have quickly become a regular part of my week

Paul Featonby

I have been going to Cheltenham Yoga for many years now and even enjoyed one of their Yoga holidays in the French countryside. Their practice of Viniyoga sequences and stay phases is very good for honing mindfulness, as well as strength and flexibility. Gareth and Chantal both offer clear, careful explanations, with alternatives for those of us nurturing aches and pains.

Hilary Mitchell

I’ve been attending Gareth and Chantal’s classes for many years now and they just get better! A calm, measured and safe approach to yoga, with clear explanations and demonstrations of the work are just perfect for attendees of whatever age or ability. I’m in my mid 70s now and remain active, fairly flexible and positive - a lot of this is, I think, down to their excellent practice. Good people.

David Pavey

Lovely husband & wife team who are very professional and helpful. The yoga classes are as difficult as you want to make them but, unlike some others, are never predictable.

Jane & Doug Jones

Thoughtfully prepared, effectively delivered well-balanced sessions, with options and alternatives to suit a wide range of physical ability.

Peter Bryenton

Gareth and Chantal are top yoga teachers and top people. I have attended their yoga classes for years and they offer different options which suits different people lifestyles. Their way of teaching is positive ,relaxed and open minded like yoga is. It is a fresh breath of air in our busy lives thank you G&C

Fran Morgan

I’ve been attending Gareth and Chantal’s classes for many years now and they just get better! A calm, measured and safe approach to yoga, with clear explanations and demonstrations of the work are just perfect for attendees of whatever age or ability. I’m in my mid 70s now and remain active, fairly flexible and positive - a lot of this is, I think, down to their excellent practice. Good people.

David Pavey

I always experience a sense of wellbeing after a yoga session with Gareth and Chantal and others in the class have said the same. I've tried many types of yoga over the past 20 or so years but this is the first class I've found that goes at a pace which allows you to fully coordinate the breath with the postures, which then allows you to experience not just all of the physical and mental/emotional benefits which are associated with yoga but also the energetic (and spiritual) ones too.

Sean Scott

I have been going to classes with Gareth and Chantal since 2006! They are amazing, both personally and professionally. The classes are for all levels and have helped both my mind and body. I would recommend both online and in person classes. We are very lucky to have such experts in Cheltenham.

Jane Stanton-Cole

I have been enjoying yoga classes with Gareth and Chantal for a number of years. They are hugely knowledgeable, friendly and helpful teachers. Highly recommended.

Lynda Rowland

We have been going to Chantal and Gareth’s classes for about 7 years and think they are the best in Cheltenham. They look after all levels of ability and keep us safe at all times. Friendly and instructive, a winning combination.

Pam & Libby

First class teachers, great community of like minded people. I've been attending for many years. Can't rate highly enough

Stuart Calder

I've been doing yoga with Chantal and Gareth for over 7 years now and cannot recommend them highly enough. They are both excellent teachers. Each practice offers an excellent balance of strength, flexibility and time for relaxation too. There are always alternative moves offered too and the emphasis is on working to your own capabilities.

Emma Reuvers

Brilliant yoga teachers who welcome people of all levels including a nervous beginner like me. I was made to feel at ease, instructions are easy to follow and you are encouraged to go at your own pace. All ages, mixed ability and a friendly atmosphere. Highly recommended.

Heather Henthorn

An essential part of my life since 2006! Gareth and Chantal are the real deal. Their dedicated highly qualified Viniyoga approach is perfect for me and anyone else who wishes to practise Yoga that is tailor made for them! This is much more than a thriving business - they teach a lifelong habit of positivity, grounding and balance with great friendships along the way. I couldn't be without it. Thank you ❤️ ❤️ ❤️

Diane Phillips

I can’t recommend Gareth and Chantal’s amazing yoga classes highly enough. They are excellent. I’ve been attending regularly for over 17 years and they have given me improvements in strength, flexibility, mental health, mindfulness and sleep. They are both so lovely and the classes have a wonderful atmosphere too. The best bit of my week - and respite from my busy family and working life!

Fiona Pryce

I have been attending Chantal and Gareth's yoga classes for at least 13 years (in person to start with, then online since the pandemic), so that is an endorsement in itself! Besides being lovely people, they are both experts, who are always keen to share their knowledge and explain why we are doing something the way we are doing it, and what the philosophy behind it is. They also take great care to give alternatives in case you can't manage a certain posture, so I always feel safe with them. My balance in particular has noticeably improved since I started the classes. Thoroughly recommended.

Shirley Jones