Lino Miele
Founder, Ashtanga Yoga Research Institute (AYRI)
Certified by Sri K. Pattabhi Jois (1994) · Author of Astanga Yoga · Schools in Rome, Milan, Helsinki, Copenhagen, Buenos Aires · Annual workshops in Italy and India
Lino Miele, Founder of AYRI
Lino Miele's path to becoming one of the world's most respected Ashtanga yoga teachers began far from the yoga mat. Born and raised in Rome, he spent his early career as a freelance technical director for theatre, working grueling 20-hour days in one of Italy's most demanding creative industries.
In the early 1980s, his partner Tina Pizzimenti introduced him to yoga and inspired his search for a guru. That search led him to Mysore, India in 1988, where he met Sri K. Pattabhi Jois (known affectionately as Guruji) and began what would become a lifelong dedication to the Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga tradition.
For years, Lino studied intensively with Guruji, meticulously researching and documenting the exact vinyasa counts for every posture across all four series. In 1993, he made the decisive choice to leave his theatre career entirely and devote himself fully to teaching and preserving the traditional method.
In 1994, Guruji certified Lino to teach and requested that he write a book documenting the precise vinyasa system. The result, Astanga Yoga, became one of the most important reference works in the Ashtanga world, often called "the Bible of Ashtanga."
Teaching Philosophy
The Full Vinyasa System
Precision of Vinyasa Count
Every posture has an exact number of breath-linked movements. Following this precise count, the student stops thinking and moves intuitively with breath, receiving a specific "message to the body."
Uncompromising Lineage
Lino strictly adheres to the traditional teachings of Pattabhi Jois. While many modern teachers abbreviate the vinyasa system, Lino insists on the complete method as a guardian of the traditional practice.
Breath, Bandha, Drishti
Practice integrates three fundamental elements: Ujjayi breath (victorious breath), Bandhas (energy locks), and Drishti (gazing points). Together they transform physical movement into moving meditation.
Theatre Background
His years as a theatre director shaped his unique communication style. Lino intersperses Sanskrit counts with English explanations, humor, and vivid stories about his time with Guruji.
Compassion and Discipline
Despite the demanding nature of full vinyasa, Lino balances discipline with deep compassion and humor. His adjustments are tools for understanding, not force.
Parampara Method
Knowledge is transmitted directly from teacher to student through years of dedicated practice. This apprenticeship model ensures the integrity of the teaching lineage across generations.
Publications
Books and DVDs
1994
Astanga Yoga
Primary & Intermediate Series
Astanga Yoga (1st & 2nd Series)
Written at Guruji's request
The foundational reference work documenting the exact vinyasa counts for the Primary and Intermediate series of Ashtanga Yoga. One of the first available resources clearly explaining the complete vinyasa method as taught by Sri K. Pattabhi Jois. Often referred to as "the Bible of Ashtanga" by practitioners worldwide.
2012
Ashtanga Yoga
The Yoga of Breath
Series I, II, III, IV
Ashtanga Yoga: The Yoga of Breath
All Four Series documented
The expanded and comprehensive edition covering the Primary, Intermediate, Advanced A, and Advanced B series. Self-published through AYRI and associated schools, this work represents decades of Lino's research into the precise vinyasa counting system as taught by Pattabhi Jois.
Instructional DVDs
Primary Series
Full Vinyasa (1999, updated 2008)
Second & Third Series
With Gwendoline Hunt (2001)
Stuttgart Workshop
Essence of Ashtanga Vinyasa (2014)
Available through linomiele.com and AYRI-affiliated schools.
Global Presence
AYRI Schools Worldwide
From Rome to Buenos Aires, Lino Miele has built a global network of schools dedicated to preserving the traditional Ashtanga method.
Rome, Italy
HQ - Est. 2000
Ashtanga Yoga Research Institute (AYRI). Via Annia 54. Named in honor of Pattabhi Jois after his passing in 2010.
astanga.it
Helsinki, Finland
First International - Est. 1997
The first Lino Miele-affiliated school outside Italy, establishing a bridge to the Nordic Ashtanga community.
Copenhagen, Denmark
Est. 2000
Founded with Bente Faurby and other Danish pioneers. Became Ashtanga Yoga København.
Milan, Italy
Est. 2009
Co-founded with long-term students Pinuccia Buscaglia and Sandra Mazzucchelli.
astangamilano.it
Buenos Aires, Argentina
Est. 2009
Expanding the AYRI lineage to South America through workshops and a dedicated school.
Tallinn, Estonia
Recognised Teacher since 2016
Raili Maripuu is personally recognised by Lino Miele to carry his Ashtanga lineage. She teaches at her own school, Goyoga Tallinn / Ashtanga Estonia, which she founded in 2016 after completing her 500-hour training.
goyoga.eeAdditional affiliated schools in Genoa, Verona, Naples, Empoli, and Bergamo, Italy.
The Home Shala
Il Casale, Tuscania
Lino's private country residence near Tuscania (VT) in the Bassa Maremma region of Lazio. A traditional agricultural property transformed into a dedicated yoga space, surrounded by a Mediterranean garden with olive, almond, fig, and plum trees.
Every summer, Il Casale becomes the center of the Ashtanga world as students from across the globe gather for intensive workshops spanning late July through August.
Goyoga Retreat at Il Casale
Every August since 2023, Raili Maripuu organizes small-group retreats (max 10 participants) for Goyoga students to practice directly with Lino at his home shala.
View Italy Retreat 2026The India Intensive
Kovalam Beach, Kerala
Every winter (December through January), Lino Miele teaches an intensive at the Peacock Hotel on Lighthouse Beach in Kovalam, Kerala, India. The rooftop shala overlooking the Arabian Sea provides a setting for deep daily practice.
Raili Maripuu and Goyoga students regularly join the Kovalam intensive, making it one of the key annual pilgrimages for the Estonian Ashtanga community.
Documentary Film
"Ashtanga Journey with Lino Miele"
Directed by Michele Cinque. Captures the annual intensive workshops at Kovalam Beach.
Ashtanga Lineage in Estonia
The Estonia Connection
How the Lino Miele Ashtanga tradition found its home in Tallinn.
2007
Ashtanga Yoga School Founded in Tallinn
A group of practitioners inspired by Lino Miele's method establish a dedicated Ashtanga school in Tallinn, bringing traditional practice to Estonia for the first time.
2009
Lino Miele Visits Tallinn
Lino leads his first workshop in Tallinn, directly connecting Estonian practitioners with the source of the traditional method.
2010
AYRI Affiliation & Raili Begins Studying
Lino officially inaugurates the Tallinn school as an AYRI affiliate. In the same pivotal year, Raili Maripuu begins her studies with Lino Miele, traveling to Italy and India for intensive practice.
2010-2015
Annual Workshops Across Estonia
Lino visits annually for workshops in Tallinn, Paatsalu, and Haapsalu. The Estonian Ashtanga community grows under his direct guidance.
2015
Original School Collaboration Concludes
The original Tallinn school's formal collaboration with Lino Miele comes to an end. The founders shift their focus to other movement practices.
2016
Raili Founds Ashtanga Estonia
Raili Maripuu founds Ashtanga Estonia within Goyoga Tallinn, ensuring the continuity of Lino Miele's lineage in the country. She completes her 500-hour in-depth training under Lino's guidance and is listed as a Recognised Teacher on his official website.
2016 - Present
Carrying the Lineage Forward
Raili continues annual pilgrimages to Italy and India to study with Lino, deepening her practice and bringing the teachings back to Estonia. She develops systematic training programmes for assistant teachers at Goyoga Tallinn.
2023 - Present
Annual Retreats to Il Casale
Raili begins organizing annual small-group retreats (max 10 participants) to Lino's home shala near Tuscania. The 2026 retreat marks the 4th consecutive year.
The Lineage Today
Raili Maripuu is personally recognised by Lino Miele as a teacher authorised to carry his Ashtanga lineage, listed on his official institute website. She teaches at her own school, Goyoga Tallinn, in Estonia, continuing the traditional Ashtanga parampara:
Community
Notable Students and Teachers
Tina Pizzimenti
Rome, Italy
Lino's partner and co-pioneer. Among the first certified by Pattabhi Jois. Co-founded the Rome school.
Rossana Galanzi
Rome, Italy
Began practice with Lino in 1994. His assistant since 1999. Teaches at AYRI Rome and Copenhagen.
Pinuccia Buscaglia
Milan, Italy
Long-term assistant. Co-founded Ashtanga Yoga School Milano.
Sandra Mazzucchelli
Milan, Italy
Long-term student and assistant. Completed apprenticeship under Lino.
Bente Faurby
Copenhagen, Denmark
Collaborated with Lino to establish Ashtanga Yoga København.
Randa Chehab
Montana, USA
Long-term student. Has assisted Lino in India. Hosts workshops in the USA.
Raili Maripuu
Tallinn, Estonia & UK
Personally recognised by Lino Miele. Founder of Goyoga Tallinn / Ashtanga Estonia, where she carries his lineage. Student since 2010. 500-hour training (2016).
View full profileRicardo Martinez
Venezuela
Devoted student of Lino Miele. Regular retreat leader for Goyoga Tallinn's Italy retreats.
View profileDesiree Trankaer
Denmark
Assists Lino in various workshops. AYRI Rome teacher.
External Resources
Links and Resources
linomiele.com
Official personal website. Workshops, books, DVDs, schedule.
astanga.it
AYRI Rome. Class schedules, workshop announcements.
astangamilano.it
Ashtanga Yoga School Milan. Teacher bios, biography, books.
Recognised Teachers
Official list of Lino Miele recognised teachers, including Raili Maripuu.
YouTube Channel
Workshop clips, teaching demonstrations, traditional practice videos.
Practice with Lino Miele
Join Raili Maripuu and a small group of practitioners at Lino's home shala near Tuscania, Italy. Max 10 participants.
August 1-7, 2026 · Starting from 875 EUR · Casa La Martana, Tuscania