What our Graduates Say

The course was excellent and provided me with the skills for both verbal and adjustment techniques to teach the primary series and I certainly recommend this course’  - Dave Atkinson, Newcastle

I have just completed the 200 hour Union Yoga teacher training with Brian Cooper, having already done training with David Swenson and in India before. I found this course both more than beneficial and needed. One of the great things this course gives you is the real real deal, not the fluff, with things to really learn, practices to really do and feel and evolve from Brian's instruction, and the good and best is its not easy, its not supposed to be so you know then that nothing has been taken out of it to make it more appealing. Brian is a great and inspiring teacher and has helped me evolve my practice and teaching even though I was already teaching for two years before this course! I recommend this course completely as I have already sent six of my students ht onto the next one. I would say beyond a doubt that this is the best Yoga Alliance 200 hour accredited Teacher Training in the country.
- James Bradford, London

I would just like to say that this course was inspirational; and thoroughly enjoyable. You provided excellent insights into the structure of the practice, encouraged us to question our thinking, plus provided all of us with plenty of mental stimulation in between the sessions. I am disappointed it is over as I looked forward to coming up to see you,
Colin Dunsmuir, True Yoga, London

An intensive course that gave me the skills and confidence to teach
with integrity The course inspired me to teach better, practice more and to keep learning. - Yvonne Martin, London

Having completed and passed the 200 hour course with Brian I can safely say that I feel I deserve the accreditation.  Brian is concerned with the betterment of the yoga teaching community and has genuine interest in providing the best training he possibly can to ensure that his students become knowledgeable and highly skilled teachers.  Providing a course that is accredited by Yoga Alliance UK is part of his dedication to that cause, and he is more interested in honouring that accreditation than simply churning out average teachers.  He therefore expects a certain level of capability, and if he feels one has not reached that level he will not hesitate to withhold the diploma until he decides that person is ready.  The course is challenging but immensely rewarding, enjoyable and fun, and I am confident that I now have and can retain the skills necessary not just to teach, but to teach well. - Colleen Taylor, St. Andrews

Great teacher training – anatomy, alignment, adjustments and lots of hands-on practice. - Sarah Ramsden, Leeds

I believe that it is with the deep knowledge that comes from experience that Brian and Nawajoyti are able to offer such an authentic teacher training in the ashtanga vinyasa system of hatha yoga. This course is a wonderful opportunity for anyone who is seriously interested in working with practitioners who's combined background knowledge is proof of their integrity and commitment to yoga and good teaching practices. The course contents provides a clear and common sense approach, introducing and demystifying many aspects of yoga, whilst opening up refreshing avenues of thought that provide inspiring new directions. Brian and Nawajoyti encourage students to develop a personal intelligence in their teaching, an intuitive approach based in one's own practice and continued learning. The basis for this is a thorough understanding of the foundations for practicing and teaching the primary series. With this in place, continued learning on completion of the course, allows for an important touchstone in order to progress this foundation. Graduate students are part of structured ongoing teacher training, creating a valuable contact point for a network of future teachers.This course provides both the tools, support and an overview which initiates the cultivation of a progressive mentality towards learning and teaching ashtanga yoga. I recommend this course highly.

-Katie Lester, Sheffield

I just wanted to say again how enjoyable the past year and your course was for me. I feel like I gained exactly what I needed, and was also tempted by enough information to spark the flame, guiding me to continue to read, study and learn. I'm very happy with the progress I've made teaching, and look forward to future growth. Thanks again for taking the time to share your knowledge with others. - Michele, USA

Brian is a strong, positive and receptive teacher...the training might be challenging, but it is nonetheless one of the most beautiful human and spiritual adventures on the path towards teaching yoga.

-Marie Mary-Locac'h, Paris

"A truly inspirational ashtanga course for those who aspire to be no less than excellent teachers. Brian's enthusiasm and discipline is exemplary, bringing to life all aspects of transforming a personal yoga practice into a confident, genuine and unique teaching style." - Janette, Birmingham
 
I know I shouldn’t say at times it felt like yoga boot camp, but it did, and I say that with affection. The course was intense, physically demanding, challenging and very stimulating.  But what I really appreciated was the way it gave my asana practice a deeper foundation and context. I think for the first time, I had an experience of how my Astanga practice could be integrated with pranayama, chanting, cleansing practices and meditation making it a more rounded, richer experience. It was also amazing to see how much we changed over the three weeks. I went home toned, stronger, more confident and capable in my practice. And for someone who’d never taught yoga before, I certainly came home with a sense that it was possible.
Brian and Nawajyoti were able to distil the enormous body of yogic teaching down to its essence to make it accessible to us. The more I think about it, the more I appreciate what an extraordinary achievement that was. I’m grateful to have done the course and to have been one of their students.
Sofia DiGiallonardo, Glasgow

This is teacher training in its purest form, defintaly not a course for those people who need their ego stroked.  As well as sharpening and enriching teaching skills to be able to reach out to the masses this course can also bring insight into personal practise and a deeper understanding of the philosophy of yoga.  The course is intense both physically and mentally.
Brian and Navajoti bring different elements of their vast experience, intelligence and personality to the course and I have been left with the up most respect for both, and the course that they deliver.  - Elizabeth Miller, London