Our Commitment to Sri Lanka
Our core values & ethos
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At Barefoot Yoga School, being here means being part of Sri Lanka, not just teaching in it —
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Yoga is beyond the mat. For us, social responsibility means running a school that values people, community & planet.
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For us, being here is personal. We live locally year round, working with our community and team daily — and believe in creating opportunities that last beyond a season. We create secure jobs, respect the land, and contribute positively to the community we call home.
For us, yoga extends beyond the mat, this belief is reflected in the classroom and the workplace.
We give 5% of every deposit recieved to local projects. Environmentally, our school was built with reclaimed materials, no trees were cut, and we run low-waste, composting, and energy-conscious practices daily.
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SCIENCE MEETS SPIRITUALITY I SMALL GROUPS I COMMUNITY
Our Values & Ethos
Small Groups
Small groups foster strong connections. At Barefoot, our family-oriented environment allows 12 students to be seen and heard - we provide valuable teaching opportunities and feedback to ensure you leave ready to teach and confident in your knowledge and practice.
Science meets Spirituality
We believe in the equal importance of East and West, Yin and Yang and Science meeting spirituality. This balanced approach enriches our Anatomy and Philosophy curriculums, producing well-rounded teachers and attracting a diverse range of individuals.
Immersive
Immerse yourself for 3-4 weeks on a tropical island. After extensive training, we believe immersion is the best learning method, free from daily distractions. It allows you to deepen your studies and enhance your focus.
Inclusive
We are inclusive in multiple ways. We welcome all ages, abilities and backgrounds, ensuring an adaptable and inclusive learning environment. Our programs also include food and accommodation, allowing you to focus on your studies without distractions.
Support & Mentorship
Small groups allow our leaders and assistants to deliver customized support for each student'. Helping them develop confidence and meet their personal goals. Self-empowerment is at the heart of our approach!
International Community
Our global postgraduate community connects individuals and enhances the BYS network beyond training. Our WhatsApp group inspires and celebrates achievements, and we organize international meet-ups and visits to students in their home countries!
Continuing Education
We offer online postgraduate programs and a 300HR advanced YTT to create pathways for furthering your skills & knowledge. It doesn't end with the 200HR, it's just the beginning! You can even go on to become a BYS assistant teacher.
Experienced teachers
Practitioners, not performers. As you will read below, our founders & facilitators are highly qualified for their roles, not just for their industry knowledge but also for their accreditations and formal education such as studying degrees in Exercise Physiology and Traditional Chinese Medicine.
About our co-founders & team
Adam Kaoullas
Lead trainer & Co founder
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Adam has an impressive CV with a double degree, majoring in Exercise physiology and a BSc in Traditional Chinese Medicine + Acupuncture. Alongside his formal education, he has studied in other areas and has obtained 200hrs TTC in Ashtanga & Hatha, 300hrs in Yin & Vinyasa, a Certificate 3 + 4 in Fitness and is a Certified WIM HOF Level 1 + 2 instructor. Qualifications aside, as a former professional athlete, Adam has a unique insight into the capabilities of the mind and body. With over 12 years of experience in exercise physiology and rehabilitation, he has worked across multiple fields within the health & wellness industry, including rehabilitation centers, youth centres, age care facilities, the fitness and Yoga industry and in recent years has been running BYS with partner, Jess, for 7 years.Adam's passion for Yoga and Chinese Medicine enriches his teachings, as he aims to provide Yoga teachers with a deep understanding of human physiology, biomechanics and energetics. He leads the Yin Yoga, Chinese Medicine, and Anatomy modules in our courses, sharing his broad range of knowledge and his diverse experience.
Jessica Martin-Jones
Lead trainer & Co Founder
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Jess established Barefoot Yoga School in Australia back in 2017. She organically grew a small studio based community into what it is today, a successful International Yoga School with over 320 graduates. By contrast to Adam's impressive double degrees, Jess has studied Yoga since she was 19 years old. Having considered a higher education, Jess tends to take the path less travelled. She's an inspiration to our community and loves helping others seek and find their potential no matter what age.Her years of studying Yoga is backed up by Diplomas in Nutrition, Fitness and psycho-physiology counselling. She carefully integrates these fields in her teachings, with over 1500 hours of accredited YT training. Jess offers insights into Eastern philosophy and how it connects to modern day psychology. She has an amazing way of making Yogic philosophy land in a digestible and meaningful way. As a co founder Jess wears many hats beyond the program, but on the courses she teaches the modules of Philosophy, Vinyasa sequencing and teaching methodology, Meditation and Pranayama.
Jamie O’Hare
Program teacher & Graphic design
Coming from a rich background in high performance sports coaching, a Masters in Counselling, and Bachelors in Arts (Psychology), yoga became the perfect intersection of mind and body. Moving into the yoga space, Jamie carries a range of modalities including; Pilates, Reiki, strength & conditioning, somatic techniques and mindfulness, that she has been able to weave into her teaching, creating a unique and holistic personal style. Jamie’s teachings involve practical real world application, whilst also delving into philosophy and energies beyond the physical. After completing both her 200hr YTT and 300hr YTT with Barefoot, Jamie started teaching and assisting with Barefoot in February 2026 and has supported over 10 co-horts and trainings through their YTT!
Ahana (right):
Lead chef Ahana has had many years experience in the hospitality and service industry, alongside a certificate in barista skills. Ahana loves creating new recipes that showcase the delicious flavours of Sri Lanka, western style dishes, and fusion creations. On Ahana’s menu you can find colourful, floral iced teas, traditional rice and curry, buddha bowls, shakshukas, and vegan and gluten free masterpieces. As part of the Barefoot team, Ahana brings her outgoing and vibrant energy, and aims to continue building a special future for her family to enjoy.
Lakshika (left):
Introducing our head housekeeper and chef at Barefoot, Lakshika. Always willing to lend a helping hand, guide other staff, and bring her own flare of holistic Ayurvedic knowledge to our spaces, Lashika is a quiet, yet steady presence amongst our team. With experience in the hospitality industry’s globally, including hotels in Malaysia, Lakshika brings a wealth of knowledge to our community through her cooking and service skills. Lakshika has dreams to continue travelling, to destinations such as Italy and India.
Carrie O'Rourke
Barefoot Coordinator & Administrator
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Carrie is a Barefoot Yoga School post graduate, with 250HRS of BYS programs under her belt - she knows the experience well and can guide our past, present and future students in the right direction, speaking from personal experience. Carrie has a strong background in customer service and administration, bringing over 20 years of professional experience in supporting, coordinating and keeping everything running smoothly. She combines this with a diverse set of holistic qualifications including Reiki, Feng Shui and Colour Therapy, creating a unique balance of structure and soul within the school. Carrie brings warmth, fun, and a love for colour and vibrancy to everything she does whether that’s an exchange over email or being a community member, she is here to welcome you and support you through your journey with BYS.
Where we are coming from
Our values are the foundation of our school and community. We believe that having small group trainings, in a safe and nurturing environment is extremely transformational. Our first commitment is always to quality & authenticity in every way. From keeping our curriculums and textbooks updated, to providing excellent accommodation and food, with outstanding levels of support and mentorship throughout. We have built a welcoming international community over the past 7 years which is full of people who share these values.
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Although we don't owe all of our knowledge to Yoga alone, our teachings are greatly inspired by the Yogic teachings and stay true to our own education gained from India itself throughout all TTC's that we have personally undertaken. We are equally grounded in our professional experiences working in the health and wellness world before becoming Yoga teachers (read above).
Mysticism and symbolism are powerful, unwavering belief and religion is a spiritual armour, but science is the sword which pierces reality, science demystifies and clarifies, leaving no room for doubt. Where science can validate what the spiritual teachings have said for generations - two sides of the same coin become one. United in an effort to solve the mysteries of mankind and what it is to be human.
We love exploring where science meets spirituality; therefore, we hope to attract curious students from all over the world who are equally as invested in finding the bridge between the East + West. We see as the world becomes more globalised and different cultures and people meet, we face a very natural evolution and mile stone in history whereby we have the choice to integrate and learn from each other or remain stuck in the past. We are proud to be part of this movement, choosing to share with integrity and authenticity.
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Yoga is something which is evolving, it has been a consistent presence in many different forms across Asia, and now this culture & belief system is firmly influencing the West, where it is aiding people from all walks of life. We feel as a Yoga School it is our duty to help share this knowledge with care, in an all inclusive manor, to keep the flame burning and introducing a holistic way to connect to our mind, body and spirit which helps millions of people across the world evolve and become more conscious around the way we live our lives.
