The Yoga Teacher Residency at Treehouse

Come and teach in paradise….

Watamu Treehouse is situated above an indigenous forest overlooking a beautiful stretch of quiet, white-sandy beach on the Kenya Coast and was custom-built for yoga and meditation retreats. We have 7 guest rooms and 5 apartments for people who work at Treehouse including visiting yoga teachers. Treehouse offers one or more yoga classes a day and meditation - for our guests, visitors staying elsewhere, and for people who live in Watamu. The classes take place in one of our two studios, and we also do a lot of yoga and meditation in nature. We have a number of teachers who live in Watamu and in 2022 we started a programme where we offer a chance for teachers to come be our resident yoga teacher during the busier months.

Our goal 

We believe that an equal energetic exchange is possible and mutually beneficial. Teachers get a transformative experience in a place far away from home, working with a new and diverse team. It is a break from the hustle and bustle of city life in a stunning part of the world, immersed in nature and health-oriented; Treehouse gets a resident yoga teacher for 2-3 months who can add fresh energy to our teaching team, share their wisdom with our guests, and pass on skills and knowledge to our local team through training and mentorship.

 
 

Video: Teaching at Treehouse

 
 

Resident yoga teacher - the package

Getting to Treehouse

Treehouse pays for travel costs: a return flight, entry visa, special pass (allowing you to temporarily work in Kenya). Teachers are responsible for personal things like travel insurance, vaccinations if required etc.

During the Stay

Treehouse offers a room and half board - a delicious 3 course breakfast and one other meal every dayl. For most who have been here, half board is sufficient as the portions are abundant. And there are other places in Watamu to eat if needed. .

Other benefits are that teachers can attend the classes of other teachers free of charge, and get the cost price for massages and activities, and are included on special trips and expeditions at Treehouse.  

For any extra/private classes, the Teacher receives 50% of the income up to a maximum of $ 60 per class, and 50% of massages and therapies.

 The exchange - what Teachers offer Treehouse

  • 1 or 2 classes per day (75mins each)

  • leading the weekday morning meditation 7am to 7:30 am

  • 1 hour a week leading the weekly yoga class for the Treehouse Team

  • 1 hour a week leading the weekly class for the Watamu Community (such a great experience)

  • 1 hour a week mentoring our resident local teachers

  • 2 hours a week mentoring other Treehouse team members - this is based on the Teacher’s skillset and what they can offer - maintenance, permaculture, art, music, cooking...  be as creative as possible!

  • Other seva/service at Treehouse or the Watamu Community to bring the total commitment to 20 hours per week 

Additional Information

In the past, this role has worked well for people who have online work and income, e.g. yoga teaching on zoom. With the commitment of 20 hours a week, there is a lot of available time for teachers to do their own projects / teaching and maintain an income stream. While the internet in Kenya is not as fast as Europe, it is generally good enough for on-line teaching.

For people who have other skills in things like massage and alternative therapies, these can be offered to our guests in our therapy room.

And it is possible to offer workshops or retreats as well, where extra income is possible.

Treehouse is a place of growth and learning and transformation. It is great to get people with an attitude and desire to teach others the best they know. The Treehouse team has a lot to learn. But also a lot that the Treehouse team can teach in return - so helping our partners achieve their dreams is also such an important part of our purpose.