Yoga Teacher
Namit Kathoria
'By practicing yoga, impurities dwindle away and the light of wisdom dawns.'
The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali
Namit Kathoria is a Clinical Pharmacist, yoga teacher, and founder of Yoga Sutra Shala in the Valencian region of Spain. His work bridges Himalayan yogic tradition, Chinese internal arts, and modern clinical science — integrating movement, breath, philosophy, and health into a coherent and sustainable way of living.
His connection to yoga began within his maternal family, whose roots trace back to the Himalayan region. From childhood, he was introduced to meditation, pranayama, and yogic philosophy by his mother, maternal grandmother, and relatives for whom yoga was not an exercise system but a way of understanding life. Time spent in the Himalayas deepened this foundation — not as romanticism, but as lived experience shaped by discipline, humility, and daily practice.
Over the years, Namit studied in Rishikesh and Dharamsala, immersing himself in traditional systems of yoga and philosophy. He also spent extended periods in Mysore across multiple visits over the years, studying under a respected guru and a range of senior yoga teachers. Exposure to different lineages and interpretations broadened his understanding beyond any single method, allowing him to appreciate both the rigour of tradition and the value of thoughtful adaptation.
These years refined his approach to asana and pranayama — not as performance, but as sustained inquiry into structure, attention, and the subtle balance between effort and ease.
Throughout his twenties and thirties, his path also led him repeatedly to China, where he studied Tai Chi, Qi Gong, and Kung Fu across both Northern and Southern regions. These internal systems introduced a complementary language of movement — rooted in structural integrity, tendon resilience, breath coordination, and relaxed power.
Long hours of repetitive training sharpened his understanding of elasticity, alignment, and how intelligent force transmission protects the body over decades rather than years.
Rather than separating yoga and internal arts, Namit integrates them through principles of biomechanics, neuromuscular coordination, fascia adaptation, breath regulation, and progressive loading. Drawing from clinical science, he applies evidence-based knowledge of anatomy, cardiovascular physiology, nervous system regulation, and metabolic resilience to ensure that practice is not only traditional in spirit, but sustainable in execution.
Academically, Namit studied Life Sciences and Pharmacy at King’s College London and completed a Master’s degree in Clinical Pharmacy at Queen’s University Belfast. He worked within Leicester University Hospitals NHS Trust — one of the largest teaching hospital trusts in Europe — in specialties including Neurology and Cardiology. He later worked with the prestigious Oxford Radcliffe Hospital Trust and became the first — and for a period the only — Pharmacist Advisor to the national NHS Direct service.
This clinical background provides a deep understanding of how the body functions under stress, adapts to training, and declines without intelligent intervention — insights that directly inform his teaching methodology.
Alongside his scientific training, Namit completed an MBA with Distinction in Ethical Business Management at De Montfort University. His studies explored sustainability, responsibility, and long-term value creation — principles that now shape the ethos and structure of Yoga Sutra Shala, where integrity and continuity take precedence over short-term intensity.
He is recognised as an Experienced Registered Yoga Teacher (E-RYT 500) by Yoga Alliance and is a long-standing member of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society and the General Pharmaceutical Council, maintaining ongoing professional development in both clinical health and movement practice.
Some of his guided meditations are freely available on the Insight Timer app under “Yoga Sutra Shala,” offering a direct way to experience his approach to breath, awareness, and nervous system balance.
Ultimately, Namit’s work is not about performance, titles, or intensity. It is about cultivation. Strength without rigidity. Calm without withdrawal. Discipline that remains humane. Drawing from Himalayan philosophy, the structural precision of Chinese internal arts, and modern clinical science, he teaches practice as a way of shaping character — where breath refines attention, posture reflects integrity, and movement becomes a dialogue with time itself.
The aim is not escape, but engagement: to live with steadiness, clarity, and quiet resilience.
At Yoga Sutra Shala, practice is not separate from life — it is preparation for it.
Chef
Jessica Mamífera
Chef Jessica brings a unique and heartfelt approach to plant-based cuisine, infusing every dish with creativity, mindfulness, and joy. With over twenty years of experience in kitchens and a deep specialization in plant-based cooking, she has crafted a truly inspired repertoire that nourishes both body and spirit.
For Jessica, the art of preparing food is more than just cooking — it’s a joyful expression of her passions, gifts, and talents, all brought together in service of your well-being. She believes that gathering around the table is a magical experience: a moment to connect, relax, and savor food that makes you feel nurtured and at ease.
At our retreats, Jessica delights in creating nutritious, wholesome, and above all delicious plant-based meals that perfectly support your journey. Her healthy, organic vegan cuisine is crafted with intention and creativity, giving you one less thing to think about so you can simply enjoy the experience.
Whether it’s a vibrant breakfast, a comforting lunch, or a memorable dinner, Jessica’s thoughtful recipes and warm presence elevate every meal into something truly special.
Host
Kim Gustavson
Kim is delighted to be part of our team, where she enjoys welcoming and caring for students, connecting with them, and making sure their time with us feels meaningful. She loves bringing her passion for plant-based living into the kitchen, helping prepare the nourishing vegan meals that our guests enjoy.
With a Bachelor’s Degree in Microbiology, Kim has always been inspired by the connections between science, health, and mindful living. Her background in clinical laboratory science and women’s healthcare gives her a solid scientific foundation, which she blends with a deep respect for individual well-being. Her true joy comes from helping others, creating positive and uplifting experiences, and making sure every detail feels special.
A dedicated vegetarian for decades (and vegan since 2023), Kim’s journey has always been guided by compassion for animals. She has a special heart for adopting and rehabilitating rescue dogs—if her husband didn’t keep an eye on her, she’d probably bring them all home.
Growing up in a surfing family nurtured her love for the ocean and the outdoors, a spirit she carries into her daily life. She has embraced hiking, roller skating, and exploring the natural world around her—often with plenty of laughter along the way. Kim moved to Spain from Hawaii in 2018.
One of Kim’s favorite inspirations comes from the Dalai Lama, who reminds us to be playful, laugh often, and even laugh at ourselves. She looks forward to welcoming you, sharing some laughter, and creating joyful moments together at the retreat.
Therapists
Miguel Sales Franco
Miguel studied at the Quirosoma centre in Valencia, where he learned many different massage techniques. He expanded his training with further study of natural therapies on a course endorsed by the University of Barcelona.
During his career as a therapist his knowledge has grown and having met Namit a while ago, he began offering treatments at the Yoga Sutra Shala Retreat Centre, where he enjoys a space full of energy, gratitude and charming people.
The treatment he offers is an excellent complement to the sharing of yoga and life practices available to guests.
Miguel’s Deep Tissue Massage brings a balance to body and mind, encouraging energy exchange, where tension points are released and emotional states of the body and mind are opened.
He invites you to feel what you are and enjoy life!
Miguel’s treatments are usually available on Wednesdays at the centre.
Verónica López
Verónica López is a qualified massage therapist with over a decade of experience in health and well-being. She is deeply passionate about supporting guests in finding greater ease, balance, and comfort in their bodies through attentive and personalised massage.
Her journey into bodywork began with a strong desire to relieve pain and physical tension, offering each guest a calm, grounding, and nurturing experience. Alongside her massage training, Verónica has an extensive background in Pilates, which has given her a deep understanding of anatomy, posture, and functional movement. She brings this knowledge into her massage work, allowing her to work with the body in an informed, precise, and holistic way.
Verónica’s approach is gentle yet effective, grounded in presence, care, and anatomical awareness. Through skilled touch and thoughtful attention, she aims to help guests feel more relaxed, supported, and at home in their bodies during their stay.
She looks forward to welcoming you and supporting your rest, recovery, and well-being at the retreat.
Verónica’s treatments are usually available on Tuesdays at the centre.
Remei Sendra
Having discovered the world of personal growth and meditation, mainly through teachings she received in India, Remei decided in 2015 to train in Bioenergetic Ayurvedic Massage, at the Innova School in Valencia.
Passionate and captivated by her new tool to work the body while being connected to the heart and quietening the mind, Reme furthered this training in Kerala, India in 2017.
Since then she has been working and developing her treatment, by adding additional approaches to therapy, including Reiki (level 3); Thai Massage; Californian Massage; Active Mediation; and Bioenergetic Respiration.
Remei sees the body as an internal exploratory key that guides us towards silence and the intrinsic joys of life.
The most important difference between different types of massage is where the focus is placed: For Remei, massage is a time for meditation, by means of overcoming the mind and connecting intuition and the heart into her hands.
By using long movements, Remei goes over the body to create a smoothness which will relax your nervous system. Different rhythms are used and much of the work is done with both thumbs, then elbows and forearms, so as to work into your deeper muscles. This creates a state of relaxation and confidence which allows energy to move and express itself in order to become nourishment for the body, mind and heart.
The aim of this type of massage is to free your energy into motion. It gradually turns into a healing practice, where different rhythms are considered. This massage helps you to get connected to a silent, quiet place, where your mind can rest in your heart, as it is there that health is restored.
Remei also uses techniques from Reiki, Reflexology, Hot Stone Massage and Herbal Pouch Massage as part of her treatments.
Her massage centre is a short walk away from the yoga shala where we practice.
Kika Heredia
Kika has trained in Barcelona, Valencia and Alicante and has many years of experience as a massage therapist. She has studied several systems of massage including Californian and Ayurvedic massage, Lymphatic drainage and reiki.
In her treatments, Kika uses a fluid and circular rhythm with long integrative movements designed to relax the nervous system and to bring the endocrine system into balance. Her massages hence bring relaxation, and reduce pain and stress. They also promote conscious breathing as the tissues begin to open.
Kika uses natural vegetable and essential oils for all her massage work. Her intention is to help you connect with that space of stillness and silence where the mind can rest in the heart because that is where healing and the restoration of health occurs.
She invites you to travel through this wonderful massage journey with her.
Kika’s massage room is a short walk away from Casa Veronica.