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Brian Cooper - Personal Biography

Brian Cooper started practising yoga from a book in 1970 and immediately felt the benefits. From then to the present he has practiced yoga daily. In 1974, he spent six months at Yoga Niketan in Rishikesh and loved the ashram life. Brian spent many years traveling, taking jobs and doing his practice. In 1988, he met Derek Ireland and studied with him in Goa. Derek invited him to teach Thai massage at the Practice Place in Crete. Brian dedicates his practice to Derek's memory and the inspiration he gave to thousands of people.

In 1990, Brian traveled to Mysore and spent five months with Sri K. Pattabhi Jois, where he completed first and second series. He also gave hundreds of yogis Thai massage and set up Thai massage training courses.

On his return, he moved to Edinburgh to co-teach with Hamish Hendry at the newly opened Astanga Centre. In 1999, just before the end of the century, he opened his eco-aware retreat centre, Shanti Griha, in the remote Scottish Highlands. In 2005, he co-founded Union Yoga in Edinburgh.