with lead tutor Jacqueline Godfrey (SYT) and guest teaching faculty
Accredited by Yoga Pros
(formerly known as Yoga Alliance Professionals)
This is designed especially for you if you are passionate about yoga, dedicated to your practice and ready to take things to the next level and start the incredible and exhilarating journey of yoga teacher.
Our 200 hours+ foundational course is fully immersive, engaging and friendly, with exceptional tutors. Our mentoring and tutor platform, give you time and support to get the most out of your training. Our wish is to empower you to discover new depths within yourself as you explore what it is to be a yogi or yogini and to be able to confidently teach to a high standard.
Whilst this course is created with teachers-to-be in mind, we also very much welcome those students who want to deepen their practice and understanding of yoga. You will still be expected to partake in all aspects of the course, including assessments as this is how you will embed the knowledge rather than through theory.
Our course will provide an inspiring wealth of foundational knowledge as well as stand-out skills to teach yoga. We also offer much much more which will help set you apart as a skilled and knowledgeable teacher. Teaching yoga is not only a job of physical instruction but carries with it responsibilities of self-practice, deep understanding of the philosophy and living ethically. You learn all of this on our course.
In addition, we recognize you are on your own unique path (dharma) and there is plenty of scope for deep personal exploration, especially as you will be starting on the path of maintaining a Sadhana Diary from the moment you decide to take this course. This helps you to keep a record of your personal spiritual journey and you can use this story to inspire others.
Being a yoga teacher is a never ending journey. Becoming a yoga teacher is simply the first part of that exhilarating ride. We would love to take that journey with you!
5 day Introductory Intensive - Weds September 9th to Sun 13th 2026 (Weds to Sun inclusive - 40 contact hours)
These 5 days lay the foundation for the remainder of the course. This is a chance to get to know one another as the Sangha (group) and to start immersing into your practice. The following subjects will be introduced;
- History and roots of yoga
- Introduction to philosophy
- Plenty of physical practice with focused classes concentrating on different aspects of practice.
- Guidance on setting up your own ongoing Sadhana practice and diary
- Introduction to Sanskrit terminology and sound
- Meditation
- Meet your mentors
The remainder of the course takes place over 8 weekends, one weekend a month as follows;
2026 - 2027 DATES 200 HOURS YTT
Sat and Sun only from October to March inclusive
(contact hours in brackets)
17th and 18th October 2026 (16)
14th and 15th November 2026 (16)
5th and 6th December 2026 (16)
16th and 17th January 2027 (16)
27th and 28th February 2027 (16)
note: the April and May weekends are 3 day weekendds
20th and 21st March 2027 (16)
23rd , 24th & 25th April 2027 (24)
21st, 22nd & 23rd May 2027 (24)
NOTE - the final two weekends include the Friday as well.
CONTACT:
jac@jacquelinegodfreyyoga.co.uk to apply
History & Roots of Yoga / Yoga Philosophy:
What is Yoga?
Samkhya Philosophy
Advaita -v- Dualisitc approaches
Bhagavad Gita
Upanisad
Yoga Sutra of Patanjali
Anatomy for Yoga Teachers.
The functional anatomy of yoga muscles and joints: key actions
The Nervous System and yoga
The anatomy of Breath
Contra-indications and safety
Asana:
Posture categories and benefits
Teaching and cue-ing postures effectively
How to sequence intelligently
The Energetic Body (esoteric anatomy):
Nadis and cakras (chakras)
the Panca Maya Kosa (five sheaths of being)
The 3 Sarira (bodies of energy)
the 3 Gunas
Intro to Ayurveda
OM and its relevance to a yogi's consciousness
Marma points
Meditation:
How to incorporate meditation into practice and teaching.
Practical exploration of different schools of meditation:
Buddhist
Tantric
Yogic
Hatha Yoga Pradipika
Pranayama
All key practices of classic pranayama are learned on this course
Bandha
Mudra
Drishti:
Learn to create a deeper experience for your students with subtle energetic practices.
Introduction to Sanskrit for Teaching Yoga
Intro to the sounds of the Sanskrit Alphabet
pronunciation of key yoga poses and concepts
and spiritual significance of Sanskri Syllables
Vinyasa: The art of Vinyasa Krama as taught by Krishnamacharya.
Teaching skills and considerations: Holding space, creating an inspiring, nurturing environment, teaching compassionately, considerate assists.
Voice of the Teacher: Cultivating presence and confidence
Planning a yoga class.
Teaching peers.
Ethics of Yoga: Culture and Diversity. Confidentiality. Yamas and Niyamas within yoga communities
Business skills for yoga teachers. Setting up as self-employed. record keeping, digital tax rules and self-assessment, marketing and social media. Yamas and Niyamas in business
Assessed Work
You will be required to write and submit 6 pieces of written work during the course on topics given during the tutor time. You will submit the work within a month of the work having been set.
Sadhana Journal
As part of your evolution as a yogi during the course you must maintain a Sadhana Diary in the required format, which is to be submitted periodically for checking. Sadhana is conscious spiritual practice and your journal is a personal log of this.
Within this you are to document all asana practices (ideally 4 per month) minimum one per week which should be at a class taught by another teacher rather than home practice. Class attendances to be signed off by the teacher whose class you attend. Classes do not have to be with Jac but can be at any teacher who's classes you attend.
Teaching Practical Assessment:
On weekend 7 or 8 you will teach a practice of up to one hour. You will be fully immersed by then into the role of teacher and have had plenty of teaching practice opportunities. You will be notified what to teach in the February of the year of your assessment and given a full list of the criteria upon which you are being assessed
Class Plan
Candidates prepare and submit a 75 - 90 minute themed class plan incorporating a range of the practices that you have learned on the course. This will be marked according to our assessment criteria which will be given to you in December 2026. The final date for submission of the class plan is 20th April 2027. You are welcome to submit this in the preceding months if you would like informal feedback and input before your final submission.
By the end of the course and upon satisfactory completion of all course material and assessments you will be;
- competent to teach a multi-layered Level 1 yoga class safely, incorporating asana, progressions of posture, pranayama, some reference to subtle anatomy (the energy body) and to appropriate philosophical teachings, as well as guided relaxation.
- able to offer sensitive and effective assists where appropriate.
- understand how to conduct yourself professionally and ethically as a yoga teacher.
- have initial knowledge and skills to begin building a business in yoga.
- have a deeper understanding of your own journey and uniqueness as a human being and yogi on the path of yoga.
All teacher trainees must complete a detailed intake form which will enable us to assess whether this course is right for you. The course director may need to discuss with you in more detail once your application has been made.
An application is not in itself a guarantee that you will be accepted onto this course. It is recommended that you have a very minimum of two years sustained yoga practice before applying.
In order to receive the qualification, you will need to
- attend at least 90% of the course dates, including the entirety of the initial 5 day immersion
- attend the anatomy module in full
- pass all written assessments (75% pass mark)
- pass the final teaching practical. You will be assessed on a number of elements including:
*Safe and clear, audible verbal instructions
*your modifications & physical assists (if appropriate at the time)
*timing and consistency
*use of breath, meditation or mantra
Should you need to re-sit any modules you will be required to pay an additional fee which will be notified to you. If you need to attend certain modules again, this can only be done the next time the course runs.
If your application is accepted then you will be asked to pay an initial deposit of £500 to secure your place.
Total Course investment £3350 (pre-agreed instalment options are available).
If paying the course investment in full, we offer a discount of £50.
You will be supplied with our course manual several weeks prior to the start of the course.
Essential Reading for home study and written work:
The Heart of Yoga - TKV Desikachar
The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali - Swami Satchitananda
The Bhagavad Gita - Eknath Easwaran
The Upanishads - Eknath Easwaran
The Hatha Yoga Pradipika - translation by Brian Dana Akers
The Yoga Teacher Mentor - Jess Glenny
Meditation for the Love of It - Sally Kempton
£3350 (instalment options available). Initial deposit £500
By booking your place on this course you are confirming your ability to attend all face to face dates (online or in person) and complete the course assessment work.
Full course participation and attendance is required to receive the qualification.
Cancellation:
If you cancel your place on the 200 hours course our refund policy is as follows:
From 60 days or less prior to start of course and once course has commenced - no refunds are given
more than 60 days clear days prior to the course start date we offer a 50% refund.
Your initial £500 deposit is non-refundable
In the event that we as a yoga school need to cancel the course you will be given a full refund, including your deposit.
Alternatively you can elect to transfer your investment to future course dates.