Daoist Flow Yoga Teacher Training

Daoist Flow Yoga Teacher Training is a 200-hour yoga teacher training in London, certified by Yoga Alliance US. It weaves vinyasa yoga, somatic movement and qigong into one practice, and it is open both to people who want to teach yoga and to those who simply want to deepen their approach to mind-body movement. The training is led by Jean Hall, co-teaching with Aki Omori, Anna Ashby and James Rafael, and can be attended in person in London, online, or as a mix of the two.

What to Expect

The training rests on the idea that everything is part of the whole, a view shared by yoga, Daoism and somatic practice. From there, participants work with body, breath, movement and flow, coming to know yoga, qigong and somatics first through their own felt experience and only then learning to share them with clarity and care. Each module is experiential and exploratory, paired with practical teaching methods.

It begins with an online course introduction on Zoom, followed by four modules over eight months:

- Module 1: Somatics and Yoga: Listening to the Wisdom of the Body
- Module 2: Yoga and Flow: Breath as our Teacher
- Module 3: Qigong and Vinyasa Yoga: Moving with Energy and Intention
- Module 4: Integration and Teaching: Purpose, Creativity and Your Own Voice

Themes include breath awareness, somatic anatomy, primary movement patterns, asana and vinyasa theory and practice, qigong, yogic, Buddhist and Daoist philosophy, meditation, voice and Vedic chanting, touch and assisting, injury prevention, restorative practice, and sequencing for classes, workshops and one-to-one sessions. Diversity, equity and inclusion, including size-inclusive teaching, are part of the curriculum.

Between modules there are one-to-one meetings with a course mentor, peer study groups, and chances to attend, observe and assist in classes. There are four assignments, along with course reading and journalling. There is no final exam. Teachers and mentor assess through observation, dialogue and feedback, and anyone who falls behind is supported in catching up.

Your Teachers

Jean Hall is an author, yoga teacher and somatic movement educator based in London, known for somatic yoga, Daoist Flow Yoga, and meditation and mindfulness teaching. She came to yoga while training as a dancer, and it became a lifelong, devotional practice. She first qualified as an Iyengar yoga teacher in 1995 and has since studied with teachers from many backgrounds, naming Pema Chödrön, Bonnie Bainbridge Cohen and Peter Levine as particular influences. She has taught for over 25 years and leads retreats and teacher trainings in the UK and abroad.

Every module is co-led by Jean and a specialist teacher. Together with Aki Omori, Anna Ashby and James Rafael, the faculty bring more than 50 years of practising and teaching mindfulness, yoga, qigong, somatics and meditation. Guest teachers join for specific subjects: Krupa on voice and Vedic chanting, Mimi Kuo-Deemer on Daoist and Buddhist philosophy, Kookie Gil on diversity, equality and inclusion, and Lucy Bishop on size-inclusive yoga.

Before You Go

Applicants need 18 to 24 months of regular yoga practice, a general understanding of yogic philosophy, and a willingness to explore somatics, yoga and qigong experientially. They also need to commit to attending all module hours, completing homework and deepening their own practice. Everyone is welcome regardless of background, age, ability, gender or belief. Anyone unsure about eligibility is encouraged to email Jean. The training is taught in English.

Each module can be taken on its own, including by those who already teach, or all four together to complete the 200 hours. Those registered in person may also choose to attend online, while those registered online cannot attend in person. In-person days are livestreamed.

Certification requires attending the module hours, completing class practices, observations and assisting hours with approved teachers, submitting assignments to a satisfactory standard, and attending study group and mentor meetings. Graduates can then register with Yoga Alliance US as a 200-hour RYT.

Four partial scholarships are offered: financial hardship (75%), and BIPOC, LGBTQIA+ and living with disability (50% each).