BWYQ L4 Diploma in Teaching Yoga – RPQ Route

Starting 1 February 2026

Our 300-hour Yoga Journey course offers a shorter route to the BWYQ L4 diploma by recognising prior qualifications (RPQ) in teaching yoga. The course is for:

  • yoga teachers with a 200-hour or 300-hour certificate who wish to achieve a level 4 diploma in teaching yoga.
  • qualified yoga teachers who wish to immerse themselves in the tradition of T. Krishnamacharya and T.K.V. Desikachar.

Course Highlights

The course integrates practical techniques — from āsana and prāṇāyāma to sound and meditation — with the profound teachings of Patañjali’s Yoga Sūtra and other key texts. You will broaden and deepen your teaching skills to confidently lead classes for physical health, personal development and spiritual well-being.

We emphasise your ability to adapt yoga to the individual. This means you will learn to teach not only groups but also work with students one-to-one, creating personalised practices that meet their unique needs. You will also experience yoga as a powerful tool for your own health and healing, self-discovery and personal growth.

Key Information

Hours and Duration: 300 hours over 20 months

Start Date: 1 February  2026

Course Delivery: A blend of online and in-person sessions.

Locations and Times:

  • In-person sessions: Held in Findon, West Sussex (BN14 0TA and BN14 0UQ) from 09:00 to 17:30.
  • Online sessions: Held via Zoom from 09:00 to 12:45.

Course Schedule

2026

Feb 1-2Online
Mar 7-8In person
Apr 18-19In person
May 30-31In person
Jul 11-12In person
Sep 5-6In person
Oct 17-18In person
Nov 28-29Online

2027

Jan 9-10Online
Feb 20-21Online
Apr 10-11In person
May 22-23In person
Jul 3-4In person
Sep 4-5In person
Oct 16-17In person

We always do our best to keep to the dates and venues listed, but please be aware that we may need to make changes if necessary.

Course Fees

The total course fee is £3,150, which includes:

  • All tuition
  • Venue hire
  • BWYQ learner registration fee (£150)
  • Internal Quality Assurance costs
  • TSYP registration fee (£35)

Fee Payment Options

You can pay your course fees in one of three ways. Please note that the deposit is non-refundable and non-transferable for all options.

Option 1: Monthly Payments

  • Deposit: £750 (due by 30 November 2025)
  • Remaining: 20 monthly payments of £120
  • First payment: 1 February 2026

Option 2: Bi-Annual Payments

  • Deposit: £750 (due by 30 November 2025)
  • Remaining: 2 payments of £1,200
  • First payment: 1 February 2026
  • Second payment: 1 February 2027

Option 3: Full Payment

  • Total: £3,150 (includes the £750 deposit)
  • Due date: 30 November 2025

Refunds

See our Refund Policy for details.

Additional Course Costs

Please be aware of these additional costs, which are not included in your course fees.

Payable to TSYP:

  • TSYP Teacher in Training Membership Fee: £25 per year for the duration of the course.

Payable to provider:

  • Mentoring sessions: Maximum £45 per hour maximum. Some mentors may offer a reduced rate for teachers in training.
  • Yoga Teaching insurance: Cost varies by provider.
  • Emergency First Aid at Work Training: Approximately £60 – £200. Your certificate must be renewed every 3 years. You may already have this in place.
  • Books: Approximately £40.
  • Stationery: Folders, dividers, paper, notebooks, and pens.

Financial Assistance

TSYP is committed to equality of opportunity. If you are interested in taking this course but are facing financial constraints, please contact finance@tsyp.yoga to discuss payment options and potential financial assistance. You will also find more information in our Financial Assistance Policy.

Teaching and Learning

The course is delivered through a blend of guided learning and independent study.

Guided Learning (204+ hours)

Course Days (180 hours)

  • Tradition of T Krishnamacharya and TKV Desikachar
  • Yoga teaching and learning
  • Āsana, mudrā and bandha
  • Prāṇāyāma
  • Dhyāna (meditation)
  • Sound and mantra
  • Key yoga texts and yoga philosophy
  • Professional Practice

Mentoring (24+ hours)

You will be supported by your mentor throughout the course. They will be your regular point of contact for advice and support with your personal practice, assessed work and teaching.

Independent Study (minimum 100 hours)

You will deepen your learning through regular personal practice, assignments, reading and preparation, lesson planning, reflective study, a prāṇāyāma diary, observation of teaching practice, and attending yoga classes in our tradition.

Teaching Methods

The course uses a variety of teaching methods to help you learn effectively, including:

  • Lectures
  • Workshops
  • Collaborative small group work
  • Tutor led yoga practices that illustrate yoga concepts
  • Student led yoga practices to gain experience by teaching your peers

Course Assessment

Your progress will be assessed through a combination of assignments and practical teaching.

You will:

  • Complete formative and summative assignments, including written work, a prāṇāyāma diary, and preparation for your assessed teaching.
  • Undertake at least two assessed classroom teaching (ACT) assignments, which will include āsana, prāṇāyāma, meditation, and a presentation.
  • Meet with your mentor for a minimum of 24 hours of one-to-one sessions.
  • Give your mentor the opportunity to observe your teaching in a real-world setting. This is an excellent opportunity for constructive feedback from someone who knows you well.

Please note: To successfully complete the assessments, you should be confident in your use of both written and spoken English. If you have any learning needs, please see our Reasonable Adjustments Policy.

Attendance requirement

We have an 85% minimum attendance requirement to ensure successful completion of the diploma. We take into account mitigating circumstances when a student is unable to complete assessments due to unforeseen circumstances such as bereavement, serious injury or illness. See our Mitigating Circumstances Policy for details.

Award

Upon successful completion, you will be awarded a TSYP and a BWYQ L4 Diploma in Teaching Yoga. The BWYQ diploma is an Ofqual regulated level 4 qualification (equivalent to HND/first year of a foundation degree), benchmarked to national educational standards and on the Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF). This is the highest level of yoga teacher training currently available in the UK.

Admission to the course

Entry Requirements

To be eligible for this course, you must meet the following criteria:

  • You must have successfully completed a yoga teaching qualification of at least 200 hours, such as the BWY Certificate in Yoga Teaching.
  • You must have experience of a regular personal yoga practice, ideally for at least two years.
  • Two references, on of which should be from your current yoga teacher, mentor, or tutor.
  • You must have successfully completed a Level 3 Anatomy & Physiology (A&P) course or an equivalent qualification, such as the TSYP A&P module.
  • You must attend a successful interview.

Students on this diploma are expected to have a deep respect for yoga, a commitment to ongoing self-development, and a sincere desire to use their knowledge and skills to help others. These qualities will be explored further during the interview process.

If you do not meet the listed entry requirements, you can still apply through our Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL) procedure. We will consider your experience and previous training on a case-by-case basis.

Interview

Interview dates and times will be sent to you closer to the time.

For you, the purpose of the interview is to:

  • Learn more about the course and the tutor(s).
  • Ask any questions you may have.

For us, the purpose of the interview is to:

  • Understand your motivation, experience, and suitability for the course.
  • Discuss any concerns or learning needs you may have and how we can support you.
  • Recommend ways you can prepare for the course.

IT Requirements

To participate fully in this course, you will need suitable hardware, software, and a stable internet connection that enables you to:

  • Attend live Zoom sessions with your camera on.
  • Create written assignments.
  • Send and receive emails with attachments.
  • View, upload and download course documents and assignments from our cloud storage.
  • Browse the internet.

Lead Tutor and Faculty

Lead Tutor: Michelle Tarling

Guest Speakers/Tutors: As appropriate

In the event that a named tutor is unable to teach on the course, we will provide another  suitably qualified TSYP senior teacher.

Application Process

  • Request your application form from Michelle Tarling at training@tsyp.yoga.
  • Submit the completed form with the names of two referees, giving us permission to contact them directly.
  • Attend a 30-minute online interview.
  • The result of your application will be emailed to you shortly after the interview.

For more information, please contact Michelle Tarling at training@tsyp.yoga.