Foundation Training · Berkshire Yoga Training
200-hour yoga teacher training in Berkshire
200 hours across nine in-studio weekends from 12 February to 14 November 2027 in Berkshire and Reading, plus three self-study modules. Lead faculty: Raili Maripuu and Katia Major (co-founders). Meet them at the 2-hour Open Day on 7 November 2026, then apply for the 2027 cohort.
Overview
Key facts
Practical details applicants need before they enquire. Venue postcodes are confirmed per cohort on the location page and in joining packs.
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Hours | 200 hours accreditation · 180 hours contact time · 20 hours self-study |
| Provider | Thames Wellness Academy |
| Format | Nine weekend intensives in studio · Friday to Sunday |
| Typical day | Studio 09:30-17:00 each training day |
| Location | Berkshire and Reading (venue confirmed in your joining pack) |
| Accommodation | Available from £50 per night · Accommodation details |
| Accreditation | Yoga Pros Organisation Limited pathway |
| Fees | Early Bird £2,925 · Standard £3,250 |
| Deposit | 30% of the fee (Early Bird £877.50 · Standard £975) · Payment in instalments available |
| Cohort window | Fri 12 Feb to Sun 14 Nov 2027 · See schedule |
| Lead faculty | Katia Major and Raili Maripuu (co-founders; guest teachers may join modules) |
| Next event | Open Day, Sat 7 Nov 2026, 12:00-2pm (2 hours) |
See the training first
If you want to see the studio, meet the faculty and ask questions before you apply, register for the 7 November Open Day.
If you are unable to make our Open Day get in touch and we are happy to set up a call with you.
If you already know this is your pathway, apply and we will confirm eligibility, fees and whether Early Bird is open to you.
Stay
Accommodation
Overnight stays for course weekends from £50 per night. Useful if you are travelling into Berkshire and Reading for the intensives.
Facts
Accommodation facts
Practical details for overnight stays during Foundation Training weekends.
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Price | £50 per night |
| Location | Near training in Berkshire and Reading |
| Booking | Limited places · Ask early when you enquire or apply |
| Who it is for | Foundation Training trainees on course weekends |
Gallery
Gallery
Photos of the accommodation and nearby training context. Room images will replace the placeholders as they are ready.
Eligibility
Who is it for
Quality training with a robust deep dive into Yoga and sister sciences. Opportunity to develop a new career path.
- Practitioners ready to deepen technique, anatomy and teaching craft
- People preparing to teach in studio, corporate or community settings
- Career changers who want a structured, teacher-led certification route
- Dedicated students interested in in-depth study and practice, even if teaching is a later goal
What is included
- 200 hours accreditation: 180 contact hours and 20 self-study hours across techniques, teaching methodology, anatomy, philosophy and practicum
- Course manual and reading guidance (details confirmed at enrolment)
- Mentoring and faculty feedback on practice teaching
- Assessment toward a Yoga Pros foundation pathway credential
- Clear attendance and homework expectations so you know the workload
- Accommodation available for out of County/Country students who want to study with us at affordable prices (limited spaces available). See Accommodation.
Outcomes
Graduates leave able to:
- Plan and teach a coherent mixed-level class with safe progressions
- Apply foundational anatomy and biomechanics language in cueing and assists
- Hold basic philosophy and ethics conversations relevant to professional teaching
- Complete supervised practicum with documented faculty feedback
- Continue into advanced Foundation hours and Academy CPD with confidence
- Support into paid teaching roles at local studios across Berkshire. References for out of County students and a road map for how to successfully build a portfolio of work
After 200 hours
Foundation Training continues toward 300 and 500-hour pathways. Browse CPD for specialist modules once you are certified.
Investment
Fees and payment
Published fees for the 2027 Foundation 200 cohort. Early Bird is 10% below Standard when available. Deposit to secure your place: 30% of the fee (Early Bird £877.50 · Standard £975). Balance due before the course starts; instalment details confirmed in your offer letter.
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Early Bird | £2,925 | 10% saving when available for this cohort |
| Standard | £3,250 | Full published fee |
| Early Bird deposit (30%) | £877.50 | To secure your place when Early Bird applies |
| Standard deposit (30%) | £975 | To secure your place on the Standard fee |
| Deposit instalments | Available | Deposit can be paid in instalments |
| Study fee instalments | Available | Course fees can be paid in instalments |
| Application fee | None |
Refund and withdrawal rules are as per the Academy Terms and Conditions. Email [email protected] for payment plans and any further questions before applying.
Dates
2027 cohort schedule
Nine weekend intensives from February to November 2027 (no August block). All listed weekends are in studio, 09:30-17:00 each day. Self-study sits in a separate section below. Meet faculty first at the Open Day on Saturday 7 November 2026 (12:00-2pm).
| Weekend | Dates | Format | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fri 12 to Sun 14 Feb 2027 | In studio | 09:30-17:00 each day |
| 2 | Fri 19 to Sun 21 Mar 2027 | In studio | 09:30-17:00 each day |
| 3 | Fri 23 to Sun 25 Apr 2027 | In studio | 09:30-17:00 each day |
| 4 | Fri 21 to Sun 23 May 2027 | In studio | 09:30-17:00 each day |
| 5 | Fri 11 to Sun 13 Jun 2027 | In studio | 09:30-17:00 each day |
| 6 | Fri 9 to Sun 11 Jul 2027 | In studio | 09:30-17:00 each day |
| 7 | Fri 17 to Sun 19 Sep 2027 | In studio | 09:30-17:00 each day |
| 8 | Fri 15 to Sun 17 Oct 2027 | In studio | 09:30-17:00 each day |
| 9 | Fri 12 to Sun 14 Nov 2027 | In studio | 09:30-17:00 each day |
Studio contact time across these nine weekends forms the 180 contact hours. Exact venue addresses are confirmed in your joining pack. Attendance rules are set before enrolment.
Between weekends
Self-study modules
Twenty self-study hours sit outside the studio schedule, organised as three modules. Topics, reading and deadlines are confirmed in your joining pack.
| Module | Topic | Hours | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Confirmed in joining pack | Part of 20 hours | Self-directed study between intensives |
| 2 | Confirmed in joining pack | Part of 20 hours | Self-directed study between intensives |
| 3 | Confirmed in joining pack | Part of 20 hours | Self-directed study between intensives |
Together with the nine in-studio weekends, these three modules complete the 200-hour pathway (180 contact · 20 self-study).
Study map
Curriculum
Categories align with professional teacher-training expectations. Exact hour splits are confirmed at enrolment.
Asana, breath and class craft
Sequencing, cueing, assists and mixed-level delivery.
Anatomy and biomechanics
Safe teaching language for joints, breath and load.
Philosophy and ethics
Context for professional conduct and student care.
Teaching methodology
Lesson planning, observation and classroom leadership.
Practicum and assessment
Supervised teaching with faculty feedback.
Adjustments
Hands-on and verbal adjustments for safe, effective teaching.
Pain Science and Yoga for Special populations
Teaching with awareness of pain science and varied student needs.
Meditation and Relaxation
Meditation and relaxation practices for class teaching and personal study.
Faculty
Teachers
Named Academy faculty. Guest teachers may join specific modules.
Prerequisites and requirements
- Regular personal practice and readiness for weekend intensives
- At least 2-years regular yoga practice or consistent class attendance with a recognised teacher
- Physical readiness: you don’t have to be an advanced practitioner to attend this training
- Attendance percentage as set for your cohort (missed-module policy applies)
- Homework, reading and reflective work between modules
- Class observation or assisted teaching hours if required for your pathway
- Willingness to receive faculty feedback
Testimonials
Graduate stories live on the Academy testimonials page. We only publish quotes we can stand behind.
Meet the faculty
Open Day | Foundation Training 200 hours
Saturday 7 November 2026, 12:00-2pm. Free 2-hour studio session for this 200-hour pathway. Full event details and registration live on the Open Day event page.
- When
- Saturday 7 November 2026, 12:00-2pm
- Price
- Free
- Teachers
- Raili Maripuu and Katia Major
- Event page
- Open Day event
Open this Open Day
Register on the dedicated event page for this Foundation Open Day only.
Enrolment
How to apply
Four clear steps. No third-party booking widgets on this pathway.
- Enquire via Apply or email with your experience and goals.
- Apply once faculty confirm pathway fit and share the application form or checklist.
- Deposit 30% of the fee (Early Bird £877.50 · Standard £975) to secure your place when you receive a written offer.
- Balance on the schedule in your offer letter, then receive joining instructions and venue details.
Questions
FAQ for the 200-hour
On-page answers with FAQ schema. Sitewide FAQ remains available for Academy-wide topics.
Do I need to want to teach, or can I join for personal practice?
Most trainees join to teach. A strong personal-practice motive is welcome if you accept assessment and supervised teaching hours. Tell us your aim when you apply.
What practice experience do you expect?
At least two years of regular yoga practice or consistent class attendance with a recognised teacher, plus readiness for weekend intensives. You do not have to be an advanced practitioner.
Is the course Yoga Pros accredited?
Yes, Foundation Training is designed as a Yoga Pros Organisation Limited pathway. Credential wording matches the registration status for your cohort.
How many hours are in person versus self-study?
180 contact hours across nine in-studio weekends (09:30-17:00 each day), plus 20 self-study hours in three separate modules. See the schedule and self-study sections.
Can I work full time alongside the course?
Many trainees do. The course runs as nine weekend intensives from February to November 2027, with homework between sessions. Plan recovery time after long modules.
What is the payment plan and is the deposit refundable?
Fees are Early Bird £2,925 and Standard £3,250. Deposit to secure your place: 30% of the fee (Early Bird £877.50 · Standard £975). Payment in instalments is available. Refund and withdrawal rules are as per the Academy Terms and Conditions. Email [email protected] for payment plans.
What if I miss a module?
Attendance rules are set before enrolment. Catch-up or later-cohort options are decided with faculty case by case.
How are we assessed?
Attendance, practicum, written or reflective work, and faculty feedback. Full criteria are shared at enrolment.
Where is it held and is parking or public transport easy?
On-site venues across Berkshire and Reading. Parking and rail notes are in your joining pack. See the location page for travel guidance.
How do I apply, and how long until I hear back?
Use Apply or email [email protected]. We review enquiries personally and reply with pathway guidance.
Is there a bursary or discount?
Early Bird when available. Ask about partner or alumni considerations. Nothing is discounted until confirmed in writing.
What related training can I take next?
Advanced Foundation hours toward 300 and 500, plus CPD such as Ashtanga, pregnancy, sound, anatomy and Nidra.