At the award winning Yorkshire Centre for Wellbeing in Harrogate, North Yorkshire
“LIFE CHANGING”
“TRANSFORMATIONAL”
200hr YOGA ALLIANCE ACCREDITED YOGA TEACHER TRAINING in HARROGATE with James Gopala
All levels and abilities welcome
Encompassing Harrogate, Leeds, York, Bradford, Sheffield, Teesside, Wakefield, Darlington, Hull, Yorkshire
Sep 4th 2026 – July 2027
Or Email James directly on [email protected]
Ready to change your life? Develop a new flexible income? Work in a ‘job’ you are passionate about? Learn something new and life changing?
You are invited to join James Gopala for his life changing Gopala yoga Teacher Training course starting September 4th 2026, running on 36 Fridays 10.30am-4pm until July 2027.
Whether you are a seasoned Yogi or new to Yoga you will be guided to teach a style of class that is in line with your character and expericence.
In the course James Gopala shares all the knowledge and wisdom he has gained from being on the spiritual path for 20 years and including the 5 years he spent living and studying Philosophy, Ayurveda and Yoga in India.
The goal of this Teacher training is to educate and train students how to teach one or all of the Hatha Yoga, Hatha-flow Yoga and Vinyasa styles of Yoga classes which are the primary styles James teaches on a weekly basis.
Small group sizes on the course means you get full attention, support and guidance by an expert in his field.
The intention is also to provide weekly coaching to students to help them develop and grow as individuals, encouraging a yogic lifestyle, looking at diet, Ayurveda, meditation, breath work, personal philosophy and self-healing etc.
Therefore it is not just for students who want to become yoga teachers but for anyone looking to delve deeper into the physical and spiritual teachings of yoga to become a better, healthier and more integrated human.
Yoga is a unification process of uniting Body, Mind and Spirit into a cohesive whole. James integrates the deeper spiritual teachings of Yoga into the course to help students become more integrated, happy, healthy human beings.
In this course you will expand your knowledge in all areas of health, wellbeing and yoga. James will provide coaching over the 11 month period to assist you to reach your desired goals.
James lived and studied in India for 5 years completing his MA in Indian Philosophy in Varanasi, over a 3 year period. He will be the designated teacher for the TTC, teaching the majority of the syllabus. He will be assisted by Rachel Milnes, a highly qualified physiotherapist, who will teach part of the Anatomy and Physiology.
As a qualified Pilates teacher James understands the mechanics of the body and potential injuries etc. Good postural alignment and a safe physical practice are taught in great depth and detail to create a perfect balance between the physical and spiritual aspect of the Yoga practice.
The course will take place on Fridays, 10.30am-4pm, with a 30 minute lunch break (equalling 5h hours pr day). It will run for a total of 36 Fridays which equals 180 contact hours and 25 hours of non-contact/self study running up until the end of July 2026. We will take breaks around most of the major holidays and half terms to work around those participants who have children in schools whilst still reaching our 200 hours. We will not be able to work exactly to the Summer and Easter holidays due to the need to meet the hours required for the course.
Course requirements and details
Students will preferably have 18 months Yoga experience if they intend to teach Yoga after the course however beginners are also welcome and their practice will develop rapidly over the year.
The course will include full instruction on how to teach an Asana class going through, warm up, classical and Astanga based Sun salutations, standing, seated, twists and balance poses, back bends and inversions with modifications and adaptions. And how to sequence and present a class of Hatha, Hatha Yoga and Flow Yoga.
The course also includes Pranayama, Regular meditation, Diet and Yogic Lifestyle according to Ayurveda, Yogic Philosophy and Chakras and the Subtle Body amongst various other relevant topics.
With Rachel you will learn Anatomy and Physiology, Science of Movement and grounding, Breathing for performance and Mechanics of breath.
Helen Dempster will introduce pregnancy Yoga and Yin Yoga.
Anne-Marie will teach Yoga Nida and Restorative Yoga.
This is an excellent first rated course with highly accredited and qualified teachers. You will finish the course feeling confident and ready to set up your own Yoga teaching career
If you are interested James invites you to join a complimentary class (if you are new to the Centre) to meet him, get a taste of his teaching style and ask any questions you may have.
If you would like more information, to join the class or to see the full syllabus/dates or to sign up please contact James on [email protected] or make an enquiry below.
Exchange is £2950 early bird, after £3200. Instalment payments before start date possible – please discuss with James
WRITTEN TESTIMONIALS
BESS STURMAN recently completed the Gopala Yoga Teacher Training and shared how the course exceeded her expectations. She highlighted the supportive community, James’ unique blend of practical and theory-based teaching, and the valuable live teaching experience that set the training apart. Many of her fellow trainees are now confidently teaching yoga—testament to the quality and depth of the programme.
VANDA ANANDA YOGA describes the Gopala Yoga Teacher Training as a well-structured and inspiring course, praising the balance of theory and practice, the supportive teaching, and the beautiful setting of the Yorkshire Centre for Wellbeing. She shares how the training was not only enjoyable but also deeply rewarding and transformative.
VIDEO TESTIMONIALS
Syllabus
Techniques, Training and Practise:
James will cover the 5 major areas of Asanas – standing poses, forward bends, backbends, twits and inversions. Students will also learn how to structure a class eg warm up, sun salutations, standing poses, mat poses and final relaxation. He will teach both classical Hatha Yoga and Astanga Yoga based sun salutations.
We will focus on correct alignment and how to adjust each other’s which will also assist in learning about the intricacies and alignment of an Asana. We will also be covering Modifications, Contradictions and Counter poses, Pelvic Alignment and lower back health.
We will also cover Pranayama, Meditation and Chanting. Techniques covered include Nadi Shodhana, Kapala Bhati, Gayatri mantra and Mindfulness.
Anatomy and Physiology:
With Rachel Milnes, Anatomy and Physiology, Breathing and Movement
Applied Anatomy and Physiology 101
- Applied bone and muscle anatomy
- Myofascial and cellular physiology
- Planes of movement
- Basic biomechanical assessment and kinetic chain approach: Shoulder girdle, Lumbo-pelvic-hip complex, foot foundation
- Systems: Neuro (Peripheral/Autonomic), Cardio, Respiratory, Vascular, Endocrine
- Most common pathology and injury patterns
Science of movement in Yoga: From the floor up
- Biomechanical and scientific principles of movement and loading in Yoga
- Motor control and recruitment patterns
- Ground Reaction Force principles and how it relates to Yoga
- Tensegrity and its applied function to Yoga
Mechanics of Breath/Respiration
- Muscles of breathing and their applied function
- Motor control and breathing
- Autonomic nervous system and breathing, Vagus nerve
- Breathing quality assessment: apical, thoracic and diaphragmatic breathing patterns, breath wave, Hi-Lo testing
- Breathing and the hand
- Breathing practical
2. With James – Chakras and the Subtle Body
James will teach an introduction to the Chakra system and the subtle body looking at different Asanas to activate the Chakras.
3. Non contact hours, summary of A&P with Rachel
Yoga Philosophy, Ethics and Lifestyle:
Texts/seminars covered by James will be
- The History of Yoga
- Yoga Sutras of Patanjali
- Bhagavad Gita
- Hatha Yoga Pradapika
- Ayurveda and Yogic lifestyle seminars (Introduction to Doshas and Avurvedic Principles, Diet. Yogic Lifestyle, planning your daily schedule for sadhana).
- NCH – essay on Spiritual aspect of Yoga
Teaching Methodology:
Seminars on Marketing and business aspect of being a Yoga teacher.
Teaching how to develop communication skills, demonstration assisting and correcting will be included in the afternoon sessions. We will also cover Adjustments, Modifications, Contradictions and counter poses.
NCH – students create their own sequences and hand in for review
Practicum:
Students will have plenty of time to practise teaching classes, with ample time for giving and receiving feedback.
Non contact Hours:
Already mentioned. Essays written on:
- Essay: Discuss one topic from Anatomy and Physiology
- Essay: Explore Spiritual aspect of Yoga
- Researching and preparing to create your own sequence in Hatha or Flow class
- Revision/preparation for final exam
No refunds upon payment of course.