Leadership & faculty

The people behind Thames Wellness Academy

Experienced educators, studio leaders and clinical specialists committed to credible, teacher-led wellness training across Berkshire.

Co-founders

Building a leading local wellness training centre

Women-owned

Both Raili Maripuu and Katia Major are entrepreneurs, owners of multiple successful businesses, directors and founders.

Besides being women in business, they are uniquely skilled individuals who now wish to share what they have been learning over decades of wisdom and CPD.

Raili Maripuu, co-founder of Thames Wellness Academy

Co-founder · Senior Ashtanga teacher · Goyoga Tallinn

Raili Maripuu

Studio founder, Yoga Alliance Professionals-certified teacher and Lino Miele-recognised Ashtanga educator, helping students, teachers and organisations build disciplined practice, community and confident leadership. Learn more at railimaripuu.com.

  • Goyoga Tallinn
  • Yoga Alliance Professionals
  • Lino Miele Ashtanga
  • Corporate wellness
  • Founder of Goyoga Tallinn (formerly Goyoga Estonia, founded 2016), home to the Ashtanga Yoga School of Tallinn and a welcoming studio for traditional and contemporary yoga in central Tallinn
  • Graduated in 2016 from Lino Miele's 500-hour Ashtanga Yoga in-depth study at the Ashtanga Yoga Research Institute; recognised teacher in the lineage from Pattabhi Jois to Lino Miele, offering Mysore and led Ashtanga in Tallinn, Reading and Twyford
  • Designs corporate wellness and somatic leadership experiences for businesses and practitioners across Estonia and the United Kingdom
  • Non-executive board member in security services, bringing communication, governance and leadership experience from an EU regulatory body and a specialised security services organisation
railimaripuu.com goyoga.ee LinkedIn
Katia Major, co-founder of Thames Wellness Academy

Co-founder · Studio director · Yoga Reading

Katia Major

Studio director, qualified yoga teacher and Level 5 soft tissue therapist, helping students, clients and trainees move with clarity, kindness and credible, anatomy-informed practice. Learn more at katiamajor.com.

  • Yoga Reading
  • Level 5 soft tissue therapy
  • Yoga & Pilates
  • Clinical practice
  • Owner and director of Yoga Reading, a welcoming studio in Caversham with yoga, Pilates, strength classes and on-site osteopathic and soft tissue support
  • Qualified as a yoga teacher in 2014, co-led Yoga Reading through growth and relocation, and became sole director in 2020
  • Professional soft tissue therapist since 2018, trained at the Oxford School of Sports Massage, supporting clients with musculoskeletal pain and dysfunction across Reading and Berkshire
  • Runs a clinic with in-house osteopath Yulia Wind; research-engaged, anatomy-informed teaching grounded in movement optimism for students and trainees
katiamajor.com yogareading.co.uk LinkedIn
Faculty

Meet our educators

Senior educators and clinical specialists delivering Foundation Training, CPD and specialist workshops across our programmes.

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[Placeholder] Senior educator

Foundation Training lead

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[Placeholder] Clinical specialist

Anatomy & physiology

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[Placeholder] Therapeutic educator

Breath work & therapeutic teaching

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Coming soon

CPD facilitator

Continuing professional development

Coming soon

Workshop lead

Specialist workshops

Coming soon

Programme director

Academy leadership

Have a project for our team?

Whether you are exploring Foundation Training, booking a workshop for your organisation or collaborating on research, we would be delighted to hear from you.

Contact us Apply or enquire