The Yoga Academy Yoga and Somatics teacher training course 2025 Part 1
The Yoga Academy’s new ‘Yoga and Somatics’ Teacher Training Course offers an innovative and ground-breaking approach to the practice and teaching of yoga, combined with Thomas Hanna inspired somatic movement education.
This intensive course over 10 months is limited to only 10 students, offering the highest level of personal attention, optimum group study, and led-practice experience.
This course is approved by The British Wheel of Yoga and Yoga Alliance, and is the first dedicated yoga and somatics teacher training to be accredited by BWY.
The Yoga Academy has been leading yoga teacher training since 2004, continuously upgrading and enriching the content, while keeping abreast of developed knowledge and understanding in the fields of anatomy, physiology and neuroscience. Our UK, European and internationally based graduates who have undertaken our trainings in the UK, Spain and Thailand are informed, skilful and popular in their regions, many of whom now lead regular retreats and teacher trainings themselves.
The course syllabus contains
two ‘in-person’ week-long training retreats at Santillan in Spain (March & May)
online Zoom course teaching and mentoring over 12 intensive months
home assignments and study
assessment when you feel ready within 12 months (or later if preferred), with ongoing assessment and teaching practice throughout the course.
Simon Low, principal of the Yoga Academy, will guide and be present at each of the in-person and online training sessions, sharing his 30+ years of experience teaching yoga infused with Chi Kung, eastern and western anatomy, physiology, medicine, philosophy and psychology around the world. Additionally, and more recently, Simon also infuses the wisdom and immense healing potential of Thomas Hanna inspired somatics, seamlessly combining these approaches into a balanced and broad-based methodology to teaching and practice. Simon will be assisted throughout by experienced Yoga Academy faculty teachers who have been trained by The Yoga Academy and other leading courses in yoga and somatic education.
This course additionally includes training sessions with highly experienced teachers in specific and associated fields, and other additional benefits to support your training:
Fiona Agombar (author and pioneering teacher of yoga for chronic fatigue, long-Covid and depression)
Gary Carter (one of the world’s most experienced teachers and researchers in fascial anatomy)
Enrique Moya (author and 45 year-experienced teacher of meditation)
a fully comprehensive and environmentally friendly electronic training manual
12-months free access to all of HomeYoga.Life’s recorded classes and twice-weekly Zoom classes and their recordings, all taught by Simon Low & Yoga Academy faculty
Two personal 1:1 mentoring sessions with a preferred faculty teacher
Personal coaching is also available throughout and after the course with Anne Sullivan, one of the UK’s leading personal coaches and a Yoga Academy trained teacher and faculty member (additional per session fees apply).
As stated above, all course participants will receive a 12-month free subscription to Simon Low’s online yoga portal www.homeyoga.life commencing one month prior to the course commencement date, or earlier if preferred.
At HomeYoga you will find a wide range of led-class recordings taught by Simon that were professionally filmed at Santillan. The included Home Yoga subscription also offers you free access to both of the two weekly led-class Zoom morning sessions and their recordings (available for unlimited viewing for one week after the live Zoom class). The led-practice Zoom classes are currently scheduled for every Monday 09:30-10:45 and Thursday 10:00-11:15 UK time.
Simon will also record one dedicated morning led-practice, and one dedicated afternoon practice during each of the two intensive weeks at Santillan which you will have unlimited access to throughout the entire course period. These recordings will prove as another essential support for your practice and studies during the course period.
In-person training week dates at Santillan in Spain:
9th - 15th March (7 days / 6 nights) – course commencement retreat
10th – 17th May (8 days / 7 nights)
Online training schedule to be confirmed soon.
Peaceful and stunningly beautiful Santillan Retreat has one of the finest and best-equipped studios in the world, alongside a large outdoor and an additional, more intimate indoor studio. All bedrooms are en-suite, and students have the option for twin-share or single occupancy. Accommodation and all meals at Santillan are paid directly to Santillan Retreat in advance, in two separate euro transfers, the first transfer by 1st December 2024, the second transfer by February 28th, 2025.
Accommodation Fees
Twin accommodation / full board: 2 payments of 870 euros – Spain IVA tax inclusive
Single accommodation / full board: 2 payments of 1,227.50 euros – Spain IVA tax inclusive
Transfer details for the euro payments to Santillan will be advised upon your acceptance to the course.
Training course fees (inclusive of Spanish tax): 2,250 euros payable in 3 instalments:
1st payment of 750 euros upon enrolment, secures your place
2nd payment of 750 euros to be received 90 days before course commencement
3rd payment of 750 euros to be received 14 days before course commencement date
Total course fees inclusive training, accommodation / full board & tax:
Twin-share accommodation: 3,990 euros (approx £3,369 at current ex. rates)
Single accommodation: 4,705 euros (approx £3,974 at current ex. rates)
WHO IS THE COURSE APPROPRIATE FOR?
This training offers one of the most comprehensive yoga teacher trainings for anyone wishing to embark on the path of teaching yoga and somatics to groups &/or individuals.
This course is also a thorough education and exploration of yoga and somatic education for anyone seeking to deeply understand and experience the wisdom and potential of yoga and somatic movement for their own personal wellbeing, healing from injury, or intellectual enrichment. Teaching is not compulsory, and anyone seeking to undertake this course for personal reasons only will be fully supported as such throughout the course.
Over the years, many alternative therapists, school teachers, doctors, nurses, physiotherapists, psychologists, osteopaths and previously trained yoga teachers have undertaken our courses to augment their professional activities and personal interest.
WHAT WOULD A DAILY COURSE SCHEDULE AT SANTILLAN LOOK LIKE?
Each day at Santillan will begin with a yoga &/or somatics led-practice by a course faculty teacher, with an assistant(s), reflecting the yoga and somatic education course content, followed by a hearty breakfast. This class is usually of a 2-hour duration. There is a 90-minute break for the breakfast period.
The second session (2 hours) is usually dedicated to theory and methodology (including but not limited to yoga philosophy, psychology and teaching methodology) along with teachings, feedback and Q&A relating to that day’s morning class.
A healthy light lunch will be served after the second session followed by the afternoon break.
The later afternoon session will be of a 3-hour duration, and will include theory, practice & Q&A, especially relating to restorative / yin yoga, meditation, pranayama and somatic education. Your day will always end with a short period of guided deep relaxation and silent stillness.
HOW AM I ASSESSED TOWARD GRADUATION ON THIS COURSE?
Assessment is ongoing throughout the course to enable the faculty to offer guidance and mentoring in all areas that would be most helpful for each individual. The limited number of students very effectively supports this heart-felt intention.
Final assessment toward graduation and certification with The Yoga Academy, The British Wheel of Yoga and Yoga Alliance, is conducted externally to the in-person course intensives to utilise all our time together most effectively. This external assessment offers yet another source of wisdom, guidance and feedback from highly experienced yoga teacher assessors. For those who have undertaken this course to become a yoga teacher, teaching practice is offered within the in-person course intensives. Additionally, such students are required to undertake teaching practice in-between, and after, the intensive weeks at Santillan.
Details regarding your final assessment (FATC) will be explained thoroughly at the beginning of the course. Your external assessor(s) can be one of the Yoga Academy faculty, a BWY approved assessor or one of the additional Yoga Academy approved assessors. A list of assessors will be provided in due course.
WHEN CAN I START TO TEACH?
You are allowed to start teaching yoga after the first intensive training week at Santillan to friends and family, and also to members of the public on the condition you make it clear to all participants that you are currently ‘in training’. The Yoga Academy offers helpful wording to clarify this to your students. Once you have enrolled and paid for the BWY teacher registration, you are insured as a yoga teacher ‘in-training’ via the BWY teacher insurance policy. This insurance covers you throughout your training course period, and beyond, if you maintain your teacher membership with BWY. Registering with the Yoga Alliance is optional, and especially advised if you are resident outside of the UK & Europe. Being registered as a Yoga Alliance teacher also requires enrolment and fees to Yoga Alliance US.
Already trained teachers may of course continue their teaching as normal, and there are no restrictions or caveats as above, except for the required BWY teacher membership during the course period.
DO I HAVE TO REGISTER WITH THE BRITISH WHEEL OF YOGA &/OR YOGA ALLIANCE (US)?
To ensure you are fully insured and supported by a professional and highly experienced external quality assurance organisation throughout the Yoga Academy course, all students are required to personally enrol as a BWY teacher member before the course commencement date, and maintain membership until you have graduated. You are only required to continue this BWY teacher membership after graduation if you wish to benefit from the ongoing teacher insurance, and the many benefits and support offerings of the BWY.
If you intend to teach yoga in the UK at any point after graduation, we advise retention of BWY membership, although it is not a condition of this course.
Registration with Yoga Alliance is not compulsory to join this course, although becoming a registered teacher with the internationally based Yoga Alliance does require personal registration with Yoga Alliance to obtain the necessary certificate of course graduation. The Yoga Academy is a Yoga Alliance registered training organisation.
WHAT ADDITONAL FEES ARE THERE ABOVE THE YOGA ACADEMY TRAINING COURSE AND SANTILLAN RETREAT FEES?
WHAT CONDITIONS ARE REQUIRED FOR MY FINAL CLASS TEACHING ASSESSMENT?
It is required that all participants enrol as a BWY teacher before and throughout the course period, and until successful graduation. See the BWY website for current fees and registration process. www.bwy.org.uk
Your final assessed taught class (FATC), external to the course intensives, is a 90-minute class teaching assessment with a minimum of 5 students present in the class that you will need to organise yourself at a venue of your choice. A minimum of 3 of these students must be participants not undertaking the same course that you are enrolled within.
Your final assessed taught class (FATC) assessor is likely to charge the ongoing rate for a final assessment. These rates vary from region to region, and each assessor will advise you of their fees to undertake your assessment(s). Paying your assessor for their expertise in your final assessed taught class (FATC) does not guarantee passing the assessment. In the unlikely event that you are required to retake your assessment, you will receive full and detailed reasons for this requirement, and usually ongoing support from your assessor and the Yoga Academy toward successful graduation.
WHAT AND WHEN ARE THE ONLINE & ZOOM COURSE SESSIONS?
After the first intensive week at Santillan the online course tuition commences.
In between the 2 intensive periods at Santillan, there will be a 90-minute full group online class, and support session, every 2 weeks.
After the second intensive at Santillan there will be one online full group session every month (except August).
Two 1:1 personal online course mentoring sessions will be additionally available during the course period for each course student. Further sessions are available at additional fees (to be advised at course commencement).
Dates and times for the full group online sessions will be announced shortly.
All course participants are required to attend all the full-group online sessions.
If you are unable to attend one of these sessions for health, or other family or personal commitments, please discuss with and gain approval of absence from a course faculty member in advance, except in genuine emergency. You will be expected to update yourself with the content and assignments of missed sessions with your fellow course participants. An outline of content will be provided prior to each online session, while we also allow time for Q&A and student and teacher sharing related to yoga studies, new research and personal findings.
SPECIAL DIETARY NEEDS DURING THE INTENSIVE WEEKS AT SANTILLAN
Santillan offers healthy vegan and vegetarian cuisine with the majority of the fresh vegetables, fruits and many dry food ingredients sourced directly from our ongoing organic and sustainable farms and suppliers. Fish options are also offered during the intensive training weeks. If you have any genuine specific dietary requirements you will need to convey these to the Yoga Academy a minimum of 2 weeks prior to the commencement of the first course intensive.
AIRPORT & MALAGA CITY TRANSFERS TO / FROM SANTILLAN
Santillan can arrange airport or city transfers for your arrival and departure to/from Santillan with our trusted taxi company, at rates less than airport-based taxis. Two weeks minimum notice with flights details is required. Transfer charges will be advised at current rates and are paid directly to the drivers. Shared taxi transfers, and thus also shared transportation charges, will always be arranged if flight times make this viable.
You can of course make your own way to Santillan (detailed directions will be supplied) using hire cars, Uber or other means.
TRAVEL, HEALTH AND ACTIVITY INSURANCE
It is advised that every individual has overseas travel, health and activity insurance for the intensive week periods. Spain usually no longer offers free health care at hospitals and clinics for non-EU visitors to Spain. Your BWY teacher insurance covers you for injury, accident and other coverage related to your and your fellow students’ yoga training course activities only. Please check the details of the BWY teacher insurance policy.
COURSE FEES AND SANTILLAN INTENSIVE WEEK CHARGES
Please see above for the course payment schedule.
If you wish to explore an alternative payment schedule you will need to discuss this directly with the Yoga Academy principal. In certain circumstances a monthly payment standing order arrangement can be agreed with a signed contract toward completion of all course fees.
Advance payment of the charges for Santillan accommodation and all meals, as listed and scheduled above, is non-negotiable.
Due the increased challenges for nearly every yoga business, teacher, and student since the beginning of 2020, along with our decision to limit the course to only 10 students to provide the best possible training experience, the Yoga Academy has done its very best to make the teacher training course fees as affordable as possible. We are unable to offer any concessions or reduced rates for any circumstance for this course.
HOW DO I APPLY FOR THIS TEACHER TRAINING COURSE?
Applications to: info@theyogaacademy.org or yoga@simonlow.com
Please cc jane.yogaacademy@gmail.com in all correspondence
You will need to send by e-mail:
A reference from your regular yoga teacher, health / wellbeing professional
Your reasons for choosing this particular Yoga Academy course
Your intentions in undertaking teacher training (e.g. to teach yoga or for personal study, practice and personal wellbeing only)
Personal current health profile (including information about past serious injury or health challenges)
Because this innovative and in demand course is limited to only 10 students, you will be required to transfer the first published course payment within 7 days of acceptance onto this course to secure your place. If payment is not made within this timeframe, your reserved place will be released. This does not mean your joining a course at a later date is denied (space permitting), however applications on the wait-list that have followed your own will be offered your place if the course is full.
Please provide your e-mail address, mobile phone number, and home address for yourself. Upon acceptance to the course you will also need to supply a mobile phone number and e-mail address of a family member or friend in case of emergency.
If you would like to talk in person with a Yoga Academy faculty course teacher for guidance or further details about any aspect of this course, please feel free to call
Jane Stirzaker at +44 (0)7905 113415 between 9:30am and 6:30pm.
Upon acceptance to this course you will be forwarded our terms of agreement which you will need to agree, sign and return within 7 days along with the required first payment.
We look forward to receiving your application, and a response will be provided within a maximum of 2-3 working days.
We look forward to your interest and application.
The Yoga Academy
