Kata Hot Yoga
Teacher training
500-hour hot yoga teacher training
July 12th - August 18th, 2025
After our 10th Anniversary , we held our first OHYA-accredited teacher training with much success and are proudly announcing the fifth teacher training at Kata Hot Yoga!
Located in beautiful Phuket, Thailand, with so many locals, visitors (and return visitors), Kata Hot Yoga has become a top hot yoga destination for yoga teachers and students from all over the world.
We are honored to be a part of so many people’s wellness journeys and now offer something special for advanced practitioners of the Kata Hot Yoga-style yoga (also known as the original hot yoga, or, 26 & 2 or bikram yoga) a 90-minute, heated, Hatha Yoga class.
For students who choose to arrive early and/or stay late, please check on Visa Requirements for your home country, and remember to coordinate a longer stay with us or find another accommodation. First tourist entry is usually free for 30-60 days.
General check-in begins Saturday, July 12th at 3:00PM. Teacher Training starts on Sunday, July 13th and ends with a graduation ceremony and teachers class at 6:45PM Sunday, August 17th. Check-out on Monday, August 18th 2025 at 12:00 (noon).
Early arrival and/or late departure is available. We recommend trainees to come one day before and stay one week after graduation for the potential opportunity to teach at the studio; note, additional cost and extended visa may be required for stay beyond 29 nights/30 days.
the 5-week teacher-training program
Training components
The Kata Hot Yoga 500-Hour Teacher Training curriculum includes the successful delivery of an original hot yoga, or 26 & 2, class. Upon program completion, trainees will receive a certification from Kata Hot Yoga and should be ready to begin teaching. This comprehensive training includes postures, breathing science, philosophy, mediation, yoga physiology and anatomy, plus additional focus on teaching techniques and the script used for maintaining consistency in the instructions. Students are expected to complete several required readings and pass several tests including anatomy and posture clinics. With our diverse staff of experienced teachers and experts, the program’s intent is to make you a dynamic original hot yoga teacher with a foundation of knowledge and application. At the end of training, you will get the Original 26 & 2 Hot Yoga Teacher certification. Also accredited by Original Hot Yoga Association (OHYA).
2-daily hot yoga classes: by practicing hot yoga every day your body will heal, strengthen, feel better than ever, and build your stamina for being a great teacher.
Posture clinics and lectures: required group sessions every Monday - Saturday.
Workshops & special guest teachers: including Asana Theory, Yoga History and Philosophy, Anatomy, and more.
Tuition with accommodation: $6,500 USD, 50% deposit required to reserve your spot. *Private rooms (not recommended) available for additional fee
Local area
The local area has everything you need, within walking distance, for a short-term stay or 5-week teacher training.
DAILY schedule
MONDAYS -SATURDAYS
7:00 - 8:30
Beachwalk & meditation
8:30 - 9:00
Mandatory class sign-in 8:30, then self or group study (dialogue)
9:00 - 10:30
Hot yoga class
11:10 - 12:30
Lecture/professional development
14:00 - 16.30
Posture clinic
16:45 - 17.15
Mandatory class sign-in 16:45 then self or group study (dialogue)
17:15 - 18:45
Hot yoga class
19:00 - 20:30
Dinner & free time/self study (dialogue)
20:30 - 23:00
Group work/posture clinic/professional development
SUNDAYS
8:30 - 9:00
Mandatory class sign-in 8:30, then self or group study (dialogue)
9:00 - 10:30
Hot yoga class
* Teacher Training Schedule is subject to moderate changes and/or adjustments as needed.
Why Choose Us?
You will become the best Original Hot Yoga Teachers!
We will make you a strong and confident teacher with the knowledge and “know how’s,” capable and certified to teach a positive and high energy 90 minute Hot Yoga class. In a language that everybody easily understands!
Unique location right on the beach in paradise, that will definitely help you get through the rigorous Original Hot Yoga Teacher Training.
It doesn’t get any better than this!
Meet the team
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Govert Van Lankeren Matthes
KATA HOT YOGA STUDIO OWNER & TEACHER TRAINING FOUNDER
LEAD INSTRUCTOR
Owner of Kata Hot Yoga, and Certified Bikram Yoga Teacher since 2007, Govert has built a thriving hot yoga community in Kata Beach since 2009. Prior to that, Govert has lived and worked in Holland, California, Greece and Germany. He was the owner and director of a highly successful contracting business which earned him a lot of money but did not make him happy and ultimately left him with an overworked and stressed body. Govert eventually made a radical change to his life. It took courage to give up everything he once had and was doing. With the help of stillness by living in the forest and hot yoga, he healed his body and created a new way of living. Govert’s personal inner journey was the driving force to travel in Thailand and find his place in Kata Beach. He is a passionate teacher and he teaches and practices nearly every day of the last decade that his studio has been in business. Govert’s goal in creating the teacher training is to stay true to the original hot yoga practice and principles while being the highest quality hot yoga teacher training in the world. -
Kes Poolman, PhD
TEACHER TRAINING LECTURER
BODY ORIENTED PSYCHOTHERAPY & GROUP BINDINGA renowned psychotherapist in Holland, with a PhD in Psychology, Kes has a practice in Amsterdam and extensive experience in mind-body integration. Kes believes in the healing benefits of the 26 & 2 classes at Kata Hot Yoga and often travels to Kata Beach with her clients to work with Govert for short periods of time. Kes works with clients to bring long time problems and deep rooted issues to the surface in order to look deeper into one’s psyche and take a psychological approach to one’s physical existence. Kes has found that once problems are opened up, or brought to awareness, great insights can be found; instead of suffering, there is clarity and one can better understand who they really are at a soul level. At this year’s Kata Hot Yoga Teacher Training, Kes will be practicing hot yoga with trainees and teaching mind-body integration through her series of lectures. Kes will discuss how practicing hot yoga not only works on a physical body but also opens up deep structures and layers in the emotional body.
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Erik Persson
TEACHER TRAINING INSTRUCTOR
ASANA THEORYCertified Bikram Yoga Teacher and yoga competitor, Erik graduated from Bikram Choudhury’s Teacher Training in Fall of 2009 and was named "Best Yogi" out of the 300 trainees. Erik has since worked all over the world, including spending time on staff at Bikram's TT, and he has also competed many times in the World Championship of Yoga Sports, winning multiple awards including: World Champion of Yoga Sports 2020, 3rd in the World (2015) European Champion (2015) and Swedish Champion (2014 and 2016) to name a few. Erik is currently based in Sweden, with his wife and daughter, teaching regularly and maintaining his daily yoga practice. Even though Erik's personal yoga practice consists of much more than 26 & 2, he still holds that class with the highest regards and loves teaching that series, practicing it on daily basis, and hosting 26 & 2 beginners workshops worldwide. Erik will be teaching classes and offering in depth explanations and demonstrations of postures at the Kata Hot Yoga Teacher Training.
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Grace Flannery
TEACHER TRAINING DIRECTOR AND INSTRUCTOR
YOGA BUSINESS & CAREER DEVELOPMENTCertified Bikram Yoga Teacher, Grace began practicing yoga in Boulder, Colorado, while studying Journalism and French at the University of Colorado at Boulder. Because of several physical injuries from sports and a spine condition, Grace found her passion for mind-body connection, healing modalities, and personal development. Since leaving her former career, working for L.A. based entertainment companies, Grace committed to a daily yoga practice and experienced an awakening of her creative and intuitive channels. Along with teaching the original hot yoga at studios around the world, including working directly with her teacher Bikram Choudhury, Grace is a medium and energy healer. Grace believes 26 & 2 is 100% responsible for the joy and health she enjoys today. Kata Hot Yoga is Grace’s favorite studio in the world!
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Elsa Krenn
TEACHER TRAINING INSTRUCTOR
SPECIAL LECTURESElsa started 26 + 2 hot yoga and Traditional Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture at London South Bank University and graduated. Her studies gave her a good knowledge of anatomy and an in depth understanding of health and healing. She left to LA to become a certified Bikram Yoga teacher in spring 2013. Ever since then she has been a full time teacher. She participated in numerous national and international yoga sport championships. Successfully she placed top ten in the world. Since then she has also been coaching competitors. She is a committed teacher and practitioner who experienced herself, as well as witnessed in her students, the true power healing force that is the original hot 26+2 yoga sequence so for her it's important to keep the original practice and principles intact.
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Ning Raksita
TEACHER TRAINING INSTRUCTOR
PRESENTATION & POSTURE CLINICSCertified Original 26+2 Hot Yoga Teacher, Raksita is a Thai native and dedicated hot yoga enthusiast. She has a unique approach to instructing. She delivers posture, voice, and presentation feedback to create poised and confident teachers. Her style is original, fresh, and undiluted. Her feedback comes from a completely different angle than all other instructors. Raksita is an integral part of the Kata Hot Yoga training experience.
Interested in our Teacher Training program?
Contact us for a Kata Hot Yoga teacher training application or more information about the program. Upon acceptance to the program, secure your spot with a deposit. Send at least 50% deposit to Kata Hot Yoga, any remaining balance will be due on or before two weeks prior to start date. Space is limited and can only be held through a deposit. For other payment options, or any program questions, please email us.