BWY Courses
The BWY (British Wheel of Yoga) is one of the oldest and most respected yoga organisations in the UK, founded in 1965 by Wilfred Clarke. In 1995 it was awarded National Governing Body status by the then Sports Council (now Sports England), it’s committed to promoting a greater understanding of yoga and its safe practice through experience, education, study and training.
I originally trained with Di Kendall from ‘the Wheel’, graduating in 1990. The course was the best thing that I’d ever done up to that point in my life and it opened my eyes to many fascinating areas of practice and knowledge. Thank you Di and my peers! I promote and offer BWY trainings because they’re well structured, regularly updated, there is professional support, every teacher is encouraged to find their own style, their own voice, to teach effectively, safely and knowledgably from their own heart and experience.
BWYQ (Qualifications) is an independent Awarding Organisation and charity regulated by Ofqual for delivering a range of Level 4 courses delivered by BWY tutors, it quality assures courses to maintain the highest standards of excellence.
BWY Foundation 1 Course
Next Course tbc
10 Saturday meetings, 9.30am - 4.30pm
This 60-hour much-loved course is perfect for those who love yoga, want to know more, want to deepen and progress their practice, meet like-minded individuals and possibly prepare for yoga teacher training. It gives the opportunity to understand the wider picture of yoga, to dig deeper than in regular weekly classes and to find out why we practice in the way that we do. We also explore ‘living our yoga’ using the ancient psychological wisdom of Patanjali, discovering how it is just as relevant today as it was over 2,000 years ago.
There 10 Saturday course days each including mat based practices of asana, breathwork, meditation and relaxation along with informative talks, discussion, group work, exploration of physical anatomy and the chakras. Meetings can be inspiring, motivating and uplifting and you will soon develop the confidence to plan your own home practice.
This course has a very practical approach, we explore the transformative effect of yoga, deepening and anchoring awareness during practice, the importance of breathing, chanting, mudras and periods of stillness. You will gain knowledge, confidence and motivation whilst being supported on your journey. Journaling about your own experiences will help you to chart the challenges and changes that you notice along the way.
Course Leaflet not yet available Application Form Link to Introductory Video BWY Foundation Course
“The BWY Foundation course with Jayadhara kick started my journey to becoming a yoga teacher. Jayadhara has a wealth of knowledge and experience and she shares it generously.” Fran K (Scarborough Yoga Teacher)
Yoga Development - Chakras and Tantra Course
A course for exploring yoga styles and traditions, deepening your practice and increasing understanding
7 Saturdays - January - July 2026
Husthwaite Village Hall, York YO61 4PF
The Course
Each course day 9.30am - 4pm, will contain asana, pranayama, deep relaxation and meditation together with underpinning information about the practices. The areas covered will include:
Exploring Chakras - using asanas, mantras, mudras and meditation
Yin Yoga - exploring the prana (energy) of practices during long holds
Meditations from the Tantras - from Satyananda Yoga Tradition, including Yoga Nidra
Bhakti Yoga - the path of the heart
Traditional and Contemporary Texts - as support for practice and to deepen understanding. Kundalini Tantra
There will be opportunities for participants to shape the course according to their interests. Homeplay will be included as a means of encouraging development.
Dates 2026
tbc
Who is the course for?
Yoga practitioners with at least two year’ experience, through to experienced yoga teachers who would like to ‘nourish themselves’ and increase understanding of other styles and traditions. Attendance could also be used as CPD.
Course leaflet will be available here.
Feedback from the previous Yoga Development course:
“I am loving this course, Jayadhara is the most fabulous teacher and has designed a wonderful course providing such depth and breadth, the homeplay and handouts really help to embed the ideas and principles The course is inspirational, beautiful and meaningful and I am gaining such an insight into a different way of being and approaching my world. The group itself is warm and welcoming and everyone brings so much towards the experience - thank you.” Louisa G.
“The Study and Sadhana course provides a really unique opportunity to explore different parts of the Yoga experience and teachings that aren't often covered elsewhere. Jayadhara has an amazing wealth of experience and knowledge, and it's wonderful to be able to share in that. There is an emphasis on deepening and enhancing your own personal practice which is really lovely - but at the same time, it also provides a wonderful opportunity to spend time with other like-minded people, who share a similar enthusiasm for Yoga. I've particularly loved revisiting the Bhagavad Gita, and Structural Yoga Therapy flows, as well as learning new things, such as Fascial Yoga. It's been a great way to re-invigorate my own practice, and to learn new things.” Sarah T., Aberford