Our Values & Ethos
About our co-founders
& facilitators
Adam Kaoullas
Major in Exercise physiology / BSc Traditional Chinese Medicine + Acupuncture / 500HRs Hatha, Ashtanga, Yin, Vinyasa / Certificate 3 + 4 in Fitness, Personal Trainer / Certified WIM HOF Level 1 + 2 Breathwork + Cold Exposure Facilitator
Lead Trainer for Anatomy, Yin and TCM, Co-founder, and a practitioner of Chinese Medicine with a background as a former professional athlete. 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, helping individuals regain strength, functionality and overall quality of life.
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. He leads the Yin Yoga, Chinese Medicine, and Anatomy modules in our courses, sharing his unique insights from his diverse experience.
Jessica Martin-Jones
Lead trainer in Philosophy, Meditation, Hatha, Vinyasa | Co-founder | Qualified Psychophysiologist & Counsellor | 1500+ hours of Yoga and Meditation training
Jess established Barefoot Yoga School in Australia back in 2017. She organically grew a small studio based community into what is now an International Yoga School.
With a professional background in psycho-physiology counselling, she 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 ensures all programs are trauma-aware and supportive - based on her 7+ years of professional experience.
She has an amazing way of making Yogic philosophy land in a digestible and meaningful way. She oversees the modules of Philosophy, Vinyasa sequencing, Meditation, Psychology, and Mindfulness components of our programs.
Carrie O'Rourke
Barefoot Coordinator & Administrator
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 are we 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 6 years which is full of people who share these values.
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We don't owe all of our knowledge to Yoga alone. Our teachings are greatly inspired by the Yogic teachings but are equally grounded in our professional experiences working in the health and wellness world before becoming Yoga teachers.
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 - the two sides of the 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.
