200 Hour YTTC: About Me

About us — values, team & commitments

SMALL GROUPS

SCIENCE MEETS

SPIRIUALITY

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.

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.

IMMERSIVE

INCLUSIVE

SUPPORT

& MENTORSHIP

EXPERIENCED

TEACHERS

CONTINUING

EDUCATION

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 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.

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!

Practitioners, not performers.

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.

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.

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!

OUR COMMITMENT

At Barefoot Yoga School,

being here means being part of Sri Lanka — not just teaching in it.

We live and work locally year-round, building genuine relationships with our team and community. We believe in creating opportunities that last beyond a season, supporting the people around us and contributing positively to the place we call home.

— integrity & belonging

SRI LANKA

For us, social responsibility means running a school that values PEOPLE, COMMUNITY & PLANET.

Our commitment also lives in the way we operate. 5% of every deposit received goes towards local projects. Environmentally, Our school was built with reclaimed materials and without cutting a single tree, and we continue to keep our footprint low through composting, waste reduction and conscious energy use.

— yoga beyond the mat

Giving back

Make your YTT count & contribute

Hire our venue

5% FOR EVERY STUDENT

ECO CONSCIOUS BUILD

SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

YOUR ENROLMENT HELPS CONTRIBUTE TO LOCAL COMMUNITY.

Your enrolment supports the local community. With each booking, 5% of every deposit goes to a local foundation chosen by our co-founders in Sri Lanka.

This season, we're proud to donate to Animal SOS, a sanctuary for stray and injured animals, providing them with essential food, shelter, medical care, and rehabilitation.

Additionally, our school and founders have welcomed eight stray animals into the BYS family!

DESIGNED WITH INTENTION AND A DEEP RESPECT FOR NATURE.

Our school emphasizes preservation of the natural environment while honoring local architecture, design, cuisine, and the wisdom of the land.

Rather than removing trees, we integrated them into our structures, building around them. We've utilized reclaimed, natural, recycled, and antique materials in our construction and furnishings to minimize waste and reduce the need for new timber. We also maintain a strong awareness of our environmental impact, focusing on waste reduction and energy efficiency.

CREATING SUSTAINABLE JOBS & LIVELIHOODS

We prioritize our community's impact and involvement. By offering year-round employment rather than seasonal work, along with competitive salaries, pension plans, healthcare, and comfortable working environments, we take pride in supporting those who support us.

Additionally, we provide a FREE Yoga program for our local team members and community members interested in experiencing the benefits of Yoga, just like our students do. This initiative fosters accessibility and promotes shared well-being within the community.

Your teachers & co founders

Adam has an impressive CV, holding a double degree in Exercise Physiology and Traditional Chinese Medicine + Acupuncture. Alongside his formal education, he's completed 200hr TTC in Ashtanga & Hatha, 300hr in Yin & Vinyasa, Cert III + IV in Fitness, and is a Certified Wim Hof Method Level 1 + 2 instructor. Qualifications aside, as a former professional athlete, Adam brings a unique insight into the capabilities of the mind and body. With over 12 years of experience in exercise physiology and rehabilitation, he's worked across rehabilitation centres, youth centres, aged care facilities, and the fitness and yoga industries, and has run BYS with partner Jess for 7 years. Adam's passion for Yoga and Chinese Medicine enriches his teaching, giving students a deep understanding of human physiology, biomechanics, and energetics. He leads the Yin Yoga, Chinese Medicine, and Anatomy modules in our courses.

Adam Kaoullas

Lead trainer & Co-founder

Jess established Barefoot Yoga School in Australia in 2017, growing it from a small studio-based community into a successful international yoga school with over 320 graduates. By contrast to Adam's double degrees, Jess has studied yoga since she was 19, and rather than pursue higher education, 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 their age. Her years of studying yoga are backed by Diplomas in Nutrition, Fitness, and Psycho-Physiology Counselling, which she carefully integrates into her teaching alongside over 1500 hours of accredited YT training. Jess offers insight into Eastern philosophy and its connection to modern psychology, with a gift for making yogic philosophy land in a way that's digestible and meaningful. As co-founder, Jess wears many hats beyond the program, but on the courses she teaches Philosophy, Vinyasa Sequencing and Teaching Methodology, Meditation, and Pranayama.

Jessica Martin-Jones

Lead trainer & Co-founder