BWY Foundation Courses
Foundation Course Level 1
This 60-hour course intensifies and expands the practices of general yoga classes and is available to anyone who has a keen interest and wants to learn more about Yoga. It explores a wide variety of strands of yoga, such as increased depth of postural analysis and asana, breath to pranayama, relaxation to meditation. The syllabus includes mantra and mudra—something which may or may not be taught in general classes. It also allows participants to delve into the philosophies and theories which underpin yoga.
The course is run by either Foundation Course Tutors or Diploma Course Tutors. There is no prescribed written homework, but some tutors may suggest a diary and notes on practice between tutorials.
Foundation Course Level 2
Foundation Course Level 2 is also of 60 hours' duration and is for students who have completed Foundation Course level 1, but do not wish to train as a BWY Teacher. This course is more in-depth and includes, Asana, Pranayama, Mudra, Bandha, Kriyas, Meditation, with more study of Patanjali Yoga Sutras Chapter 1, and planning personal practices.
FC1 and FC2 students are required to have practised Yoga for a minimum of 2 years with a BWY (or accredited) teacher.
Download the Foundation Course Syllabus (PDF opens in new window)
Future BWY Foundation Courses
Where applicable, this listing displays courses in adjacent counties of neighbouring BWY regions. You may find other courses listed on BWY West Midlands, Wales and Southern region websites.
BWY Foundation Course Level 1 – Hereford & Worcester
Date: April 2012 - February 2013
| 9.30 am–12.30 pm
Venue: Crowle Parish Hall, Church Road, Crowle WR7 4AX
Tutor: Helen Barker
Cost: £470
For more information, contact 
01386 870359
For more information, contact
01822 610805
Suitable for those who wish to deepen their yoga experience or as preparation for the teaching diploma. Applicants must have at least 2 years yoga experience and up to date membership of the British Wheel of Yoga prior to enrolment. Some of the asana practice will be taught utilising the vinyasas of Ayurvedic Yoga Therapy by Mukunda Stiles.
Introductory meeting March 11th 9.30 – 12.30
Venue is close to J6 of M5 yet in a rural, peaceful location
Helen Barker (Shakti Bhakti) is a British Wheel of Yoga Diploma holder, BWY Diploma Course Tutor and Structural Yoga Therapist. She has been teaching yoga classes for more than 10 years and training yoga teachers since 2003. She has practised yoga with many teachers and is currently inspired by her teacher Mukunda Stiles to assist students to develop harmony in their lives.
BWY Foundation Course Level I – Warwickshire
Date: September 2012 - April 2013
| 9.30 am–12.00 pm
Venue: Stoneleigh, Warwickshire
Tutor: Angie Blowers
For more information, contact 02476 410136
For more information, contact
01822 610805
The course will run on 12 Saturday mornings, 8am to 1 pm, every 2-3 weeks, with an Introductory Day on Saturday 31 March. The early start gives us fresh clear minds, and apart from being yogic, leaves most of the weekend free! It is held in a quiet country location just SW of Coventry, and very accessible with excellent motorway links both within the county and to neighbouring counties too..
Angie Blowers has been practising yoga and meditation for over 35 years, and teaching for 13 years. She has a BWY teaching Diploma, plus the Philosophy and Meditation modules and is an approved and experienced Foundation Course Tutor (levels 1 & 2). Her particular interest is interpreting the underlying philosophies of yoga and bringing them into yoga practice and everyday life for healthy, joyful and skilful living.
BWY Foundation Course Level 1 – Wiltshire
Date: September 2012 to June 2013
| 10.00 am–5.30 pm
Venue: White Horse Yoga Centre, Roundway Hill Business Centre, Devizes SN10 2LT
Tutor: Debby Wilkinson
Cost: £500.00
For more information, contact 07505 142285
For more information, contact
01793 485928
This course is for those students wishing to deepen their knowledge of yoga and for those considering teacher training. Applicants must have a minimum of two years yoga experience before starting the course. The course provides a comprehensive grounding in basic practical techniques taught in the context of the philosophy that underpins Yoga.
Debby Wilkinson has experience in many different forms of yoga but likes to teach an eclectic style drawing inspiration from many different sources. Her teaching places considerable importance on good anatomical alignment ensuring that students are safe in their practice and the importance of the use of breath in posture allowing her students to work in a meditative fashion connecting with subtle aspects of themselves. She teaches with fun and laughter and is committed to ensuring that her students work at a level that is appropriate for their individual needs, be they physical or subtle in nature.
BWY Foundation Course Level 1 – Dorset
Date: September 2012 to June 2013
| 9.30 am–4.30 pm
Venue: Osmington Village Hall, Osmington, Weymouth DT3 6EG
Tutor: Isabelle Taylor
Cost: £485
For more information, contact 01305 837283
For more information, contact
01793 534524
Foundation Course 1 From the perspective of the Five Elements.
Integrating the techniques and philosophies of yoga and inviting you to deeper understanding. We meet monthly from September 2012 for ten months in rural Dorset, with an Introduction morning 8th September.
Isabelle Taylor has been practising Yoga for the past twenty years and has been teaching for the last eight. Her style of teaching includes dynamic sequences, as well as held postures and breath awareness, within a flowing structure that encourages you to focus internally to bring a deep sense of completeness and relaxation.
