Our Instructors
Wambui Njuguna
Wambui Njuguna-Räisänen is a Kenyan-American currently based in rural Portugal, passionate about slow healing through trauma-informed yoga. Wambui's root lineage has been Ashtanga Yoga, which she began practicing in 2008 and teaching in 2010.
She began her studies in Trauma-Informed Yoga when the implications of the #metoo movement shed light on the abuse that took place in the Ashtanga Yoga lineage. Shortly after, Wambui created Ashtanga Intersections: Emergent Healing Spaces, which combines the wisdom of an established yoga lineage with the expansive world views of a diverse range of healers, thinkers and visionaries.
Petri “Rähjä” Räisänen
Petri Räisänen is an internationally renowned and respected Ashtanga yoga teacher. Petri started practicing Ashtanga yoga in 1989 and teaching in 1991. He is co-owner and director of Astanga Yoga Helsinki, Finland (established in 1997) and Yoga Roots Odeceixe, Portugal (established in 2023). Petri is living in Odeceixe, Portugal.
Petri has been a regular practitioner in Mysore India since 1996 and he received a teacher authorization from K. Pattabhi Jois and R. Sharath Jois in 2001. In his yogic path Petri has studied with many Ashtanga yoga instructors such as Derek Ireland, Radha Warrell, Lino Miele, Eddie Stern, Noah Williams, R. Sharath Jois and K. Pattabhi Jois.
Petri has been written two books on the subjects of Ashtanga Yoga. First one “Ashtanga Yoga - In the tradition of Sri K. Pattabhi Jois” is the guidance for the Ashtanga Yoga Primary series in 2005 and The intermediate series book “Nadi Sodhana” in 2008.
Petri focuses on integrating healing, accessibility and therapy with yoga, meeting student’s individual needs and guiding their progress.
Luna
Luna is a Portuguese Hatha Yoga teacher and has been Yoga Alliance certified since 2015. A regular teacher at Yoga Roots Odeceixe, she has extensive experience working with students of all ages and levels.
With a background in martial arts, tap dance, and classical dance, her teaching style is grounded, calm, and deeply influenced by the therapeutic and healing aspects of yoga. She leads retreats throughout Portugal and offers private sessions as part of a personalized coaching program.
Through mindful movement and conscious breathwork, Luna creates a safe, supportive environment where students can reconnect with themselves, cultivate balance, and enhance their overall well-being.