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.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. - JanetteVaze, 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, defintely 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

Technically brilliant, thorough and thoughtful are the first things that come to my mind to describe this course. I really couldn't recommend this training enough-but not without caution, that being: it is not for the faint-hearted. However, for those that are open minded and hearted (and hardworking of course) this training will, without doubt, provide you with the skills and confidence to teach with great integrity. Finally, all I can say is that I am envious of anyone taking the 200hour Intensive  because I would do it again in a heartbeat-Stephanie Meysner, Newcastle upon Tyne

I learnt and developed as a teacher and as a human being and I applaud Brian and Nawajyoti's desire to keep Yoga correctly taught and understood and not become something that is watered down. So if you want to expand and develop a thirst for study and knowledge and develop a muscular understanding of yoga and dismiss all the airy fairy new age ‘bollocks’ that seem sometimes to float around the periphery of yoga, then go. The course material alone will keep your brain whirring for months afterwards and you will never teach a bad back bend again. Oh and one final thing, would I train with them again? ABSOLUTELY-Vivien Parry, London

Studying yoga with Brian has been an utterly brilliant learning and body-blowing experience. Brian shares both his completely inspiring yoga practice and his knowledge and reading on anatomy, origin, teaching and yoga philosophy. I feel privileged to have learnt so much from someone so dedicated, knowledgeable and experienced:  A real expert who will challenge and support your practice and your teaching. Brian is a generous teacher who shows you how to enrich, develop and nurture your own practice but also imparts an authentic way to teach and share the experience of practicing yoga. This is the man who has definitely got the T-shirt... not the flannel... you can feel the hours that have gone in and he shares them with you-Helen Collard, Newcastle

Thank you for all you have taught me, I'm so pleased you were my teacher, I thoroughly enjoyed every aspect of the teacher training and thought the content of the course was perfect, it has given me the confidence to continue to study and go on to other courses...and I hope to start some beginners yoga classes in the new year! Carmen Bratton, Grimsby

In a relatively short space of time, we were introduced to a great deal about the history, philosophy, physiology, and practice of Hatha Yoga.  Using the Astanga Primary Series as a thread, we have examined how to create Vinyasa Krama lessons to cater for a range of student abilities, how to recognise and teach safe alignment and how to develop our own practice. It has been an immensely absorbing, rewarding and thought-provoking, all-too-few hours. I feel extraordinarily lucky to have had the benefit of Brian's many years of practising and teaching yoga.  His knowledge is impressive, as is his ability to share it with students-Jaime Cohen, Newcastle

Good evening Brian

I was thinking about you today and thought I would drop you an email.  I hope you are well and continuing to be the inspirational B Cooper.  I wanted to share my news with the person who presented me with the opportunity to make the next piece of news possible.  I am now the proud owner of my own little studio where I teach regular astanga classes and continue to develop my own practice.  I thank you once again and hope that one day I can pave the way for others to gain as much pleasure as I do from the astanga yoga system. 
 

Nat Larkin Crete Intensive