TWA Teacher
Katia Major
Co-Founder and Lead Teacher
Reading, Berkshire
Katia is a movement teacher, soft tissue therapist and studio owner who helps people move well for life.
About
After more than 14 years in corporate education, managing large contracts and delivering programmes in the UK and abroad, Katia made a deliberate move into health and wellbeing. She had long believed that movement is one of the most powerful ways to improve quality of life, and had felt its effects first-hand through running, strength training and yoga.
She qualified as a yoga teacher in 2014 and played a key part in growing Yoga Reading into a well-established community studio. It now offers classes, workshops, retreats, and wellbeing programmes for workplaces and schools across Greater Reading. In 2018 she added a Level 5 Soft Tissue Therapy qualification and a Level 3 Personal Training Diploma, building her skills in rehabilitation, injury prevention and exercise prescription.
Her approach rests on movement optimism: the belief that getting people moving, and enjoying it, brings lasting benefits to body and mind.
Katia loves working with like-minded businesses and entrepreneurs who want wellbeing to be genuinely accessible. Through Thames Health and Wellness, she brings clinical know-how, professional credibility and plenty of enthusiasm to help individuals and organisations build healthier, more energised lives.
Specialisms
- Ashtanga and Yin Yoga
- Clinical Soft Tissue Therapy
- Personal Training and Exercise Prescription
Explore related pathways: Foundation Training, CPD and Workshops.
Qualifications
- 300-hour Yoga Teacher Training, Ashtanga and Yin Yoga
- Assisted on a further 300-hour Yoga Teacher Training
- Advanced Yin Yoga, 80 hours
- Yoga Nidra, 30-hour CPD
- Level 5 Soft Tissue Therapy, ISRM / Pearson BTEC
- Active IQ Level 3 Diploma in Personal Training
- Keiser M3 indoor cycling instructor certificates
- Level 2 Fitness Instructing: Group Indoor Cycling and Exercise to Music
- The Vital Shoulder and The Vital Nerves, further training with John Gibbons
- First Aid, Worksafe Training
View downloadable certificates
Memberships
- Member of the Institute for Soft Tissue Therapists (ISRM)
- Member of Yoga Alliance Professionals
Certificates
Verified qualification certificates for Katia's teaching and clinical work. Each row links to the awarding or training body, with a PDF download.
| Issuer | Qualification | About | Year | Download |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Active IQ Level 3 Diploma in Personal Training |
Regulated Level 3 diploma covering programme design, applied anatomy, nutrition, and professional practice for personal trainers. Awarded by Active IQ. |
2024 | Download PDF |
|
BTEC Level 5 Soft Tissue Therapy |
Clinical soft tissue therapy diploma (Level 5), issued by the Institute for Soft Tissue Therapists with Pearson BTEC validation. Training centre: Oxford School of Sports Massage. |
2019 | Download PDF |
|
Keiser M3 instructor certificates |
M3 Cycling Foundations and M3 Power Training instructor certificates from Keiser, completed at Sportspark Reading (REPs / SkillsActive endorsed CPD). |
2017 | Download PDF |
|
300-hour Ashtanga and Yin Yoga teacher training |
Seven-month, 300-hour Ashtanga Vinyasa and Yin programme with teaching techniques, anatomy, and philosophy. Course registered with Yoga Alliance (RYS 200). Lead tutors: Melanie Cooper and Norman Blair. |
2014 | Download PDF |
|
Level 2 Certificate in Fitness Instructing: Group Indoor Cycling |
Level 2 group indoor cycling instructor certificate from Drummond Education, aligned to REPs and European Health & Fitness Association standards. |
2014 | Download PDF |
|
LAO Level 2 Certificate in Fitness Instructing (Exercise to Music) |
Ofqual-regulated Level 2 qualification for planning and instructing group exercise to music, awarded by Lifetime Awarding (now part of Lifetime Training). |
2011 | Download PDF |
Issuer logos link to the relevant awarding body, training provider, or register page. Pearson BTEC validation for the Level 5 soft tissue diploma is included in the ISRM PDF download (Pearson Qualifications).
Testimonials
Student feedback published on the Yoga Reading testimonials page, under the heading On Katia.
Katia's manner is really motivating and encouraging. She explains the benefits of the poses as we go through them which I find really useful and motivating. Her own enthusiasm and commitment is inspiring.Student feedback · Yoga Reading
Keep up the excellent individual attention: I have learnt more in this class about the finer details of successful postures than from any other yoga teacher! I enjoy the talking: it keeps my mind from wandering, and the description of anatomy being used helps with understanding the various parts of the body we use. I particularly enjoy hearing about the specific/wider health benefits associated with each posture (more of this may motivate me to try harder with the postures I find challenging!).Student feedback · Yoga Reading
Find Katia online
Verified public profiles for Katia's teaching and clinical work.