All courses / 60hr Accredited IN PERSON
Training Dates
April 2027 – TBC
Prices
£ TBC
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60hr Teen Yoga – Foundation Yoga Therapy Training
IN PERSON – at The Swedenborg Society, London, UK, TBC
Accreditation
Sport England, UK – Level 3 Coach & Yoga Alliance US, and Australia (CPD).
Introduction
This is the gold standard and original Teen Yoga course, which has graduated 2000 students worldwide, many currently working as yoga therapists within CAMHS. This course trains you to understand, distil and share exact tools from yoga to young people in a way that they will enjoy, digest, and use throughout their life. You will learn how to break down any barriers to entry, including religious belief, age, gender, and disability. You will come away with confidence and inspiration to run fun and cool Teen Yoga classes or to start as a yoga therapist for young people, depending on your background.
It is a foundational yoga therapy training, which specifically tackles common issues faced by young people across the world including anxiety, eating disorders, depression, sleep issues, relationship difficulties, physical pain, functional neurological disorder and many others.
The programme places the student front and centre, giving agency and authority to youth and empowering them to practise yoga, the ultimate self-care modality.
The framework we espouse, draws from several pedagogical ideas, including Rudolf Steiner, Montessori and the Scandinavian model.
We dive deep into the depth and breadth of yoga, to share yoga as fully as possible, including philosophy, pranayama, asana and psychology of yoga adapted and translated to the life of the young person.
Over the years, Charlotta has been asked to create several interventions that have been carefully researched and evaluated across Europe. The results from these programmes form the evidence base on which the course is based. (with funding from the European Union, BBC, Sport England, Tampon Tax Fund, Westminster University, London Youth, lululemon). However, the most important influence on the course has been the voice of the young people themselves, who are constantly feeding back on their experiences both on and off the mat. Our Yoga Ambassadors also feedback their lived experience to us, informing the continued development of the course.
The course is ambitious in its depth and intense in its pace and many graduates describe it as life-changing, subsequently dedicating their life to the cause of bringing yoga to young people.
It unveils the machinations and science of yoga, in order that the practitioner may use the tools more skilfully and precisely.
The course has been running since 2003 and has graduated 2000 students worldwide. It is accredited with Yoga Alliance USA, Australia and Sport England as a level 3 coach qualification. It is on the recommended courses list of the Association of Paediatric Chartered Physiotherapists. The course is directed towards parents, educational, healthcare and social care professionals.
Who is the course for?
The course is directed towards parents, healthcare professionals, yoga teachers and therapists, school teachers, youth workers, parents and anyone working with young people. We invite students from all countries to join us. A key prerequisite is that you have a solid regular yoga practice of your own and an interest in working with young people.
Course Synopsis & Outline
This course is completely unique and one of its kind, as all material is researched specifically by experts in the field of young people, including Psychologists, Educators, Doctors, Youth Workers, Social Workers and parents. Each course is tailored to the specific group, whether in the UK or abroad.
This is a hard but exciting time for most children, a time of transition out of the accepted guidance of parents and teachers, into a more independent sphere, where new ideas and structures are welcomed and embraced as a relief from the old. With guidance it can be the most exciting time of our lives!
Yoga can offer an age-old tradition with answers to many of the concerns that the adolescent population are facing.
The physical exercise of yoga appeals to many different groups, such as:
- the athletic, as a form of repair and warm up, to enhance performance and reduce injury
- the non-sporty, as a form of easy exercise
- the injured, as a form of therapy for their injury
Many teacher students find this course is an opportunity for them to grow and understand their own development as a teenager and bring that wisdom into their teaching, introducing a deeper respect and compassion for this population.
You will spend approximately a third of your time in lectures, group work and in discussion and two thirds in applied learning, doing practical exercises. It is predominantly a secular and experiential course but grounded in scientific research.
Aims, Objectives & Learning Outcomes
The aim of this course is to furnish graduates with tools to enhance the health of young people through yoga based techniques.
The course is more than a training in how to teach asanas, it is also an exploration in how to share the philosophy and psychology of yoga to ensure a more positive mental health for the students. The teachers adopt a bipartisan approach – including the participants in all exercises to ensure that we learn as much as possible from each other and are responsive to the needs in the room.
Our Approach
The course is both practical and theoretical – meaning you will be spending time on the mat investigating and experiencing sequences frequently used with young people, as well as engaging in group projects and discussion with your peers and individual reflection. This unique combination of learning techniques will provide you with a much deeper and grounded understanding of the complexities and intricacies of teaching yoga to adolescents..
Course Content
The course is based on in-depth coverage of the research evidence relating to adolescent development and yoga and over 20 years of hands-on experience in this field. The topics of the online course are the same as the face to face course, namely
- Socio-psychology of the Adolescent
- Anatomy of the adolescent
- Neurobiology of the Adolescent
- Teenagers and yoga principles
- The logistics of teaching teen yoga
Within these topic areas there will be other varied topics also covered, which you can see in the detailed prospectus.
The Schedule
Depending on where the course runs, it usually runs between 9am and 5pm for 5 days in a row.
Course Structure
Each day has a specific focus, with practical and theoretical aspects.
- Day 1- Psycho-social aspects of adolescence and yoga
- Day 2 – Anatomy of the teenager
- Day 3 – Neuroscience of the teenage brain
- Day 4 – Philosophy of yoga and how to adapt it for young people
- Day 5 – Market your course and reach your teens
Teaching Faculty
Charlotta Martinus, the course leader, runs the course, sometimes with help from other graduates with specialities to share with the cohort.
Your Commitment
You are required to be present each day for the full amount of time and complete 1 hour of homework each day as well as read two texts before the course begins: Teen Yoga by Charlotta Martinus and Brainstorm by Dan Siegel.
Prerequisites
Several students have taken this course with no previous experience in either yoga or working with teens and have found it most useful. But to ensure full insurance and accreditation, we ask for:
- Preferably at least three years’ yoga practise under the guidance of an accredited teacher and a teaching degree/experience
Or
- a yoga training of any tradition
It is important to have an interest and experience in working with teens.
If you do not fulfil these criteria, please feel free to contact us to discuss and it may be necessary to have a preliminary interview to ascertain whether this course is for you.
Reading List
Required Reading
- Teen Yoga for Yoga Therapists by Charlotta Martinus – Buy it in the shop
- The Book of Dharma by Simon Haas. Buy it here – Buy it in the shop
- Dark Night of the Soul by Simon Haas – Buy it in the shop
Recommended reading
- Brainstorm by Dan Siegel
- The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt
- The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van Der Kolk

Testimonials
Meliz, CAMHS, Face to Face, 2026
Such a wonderful training, so in-depth and and I really enjoyed the sections on physiology, neuroscience and philosophy. Also great balance of practice, collaboration and theory. The homework in the evening do sometimes feel a lot after a long day, I personally would have preferred watching the videos in advance but that’s just a small thing 🙂
Niamh, Sheffield Children’s Hospital, Face to Face, 2026
I thoroughly enjoyed both the format and the teaching style of the class. With a group of 10, it created a supportive environment where we were able to get to know each other individually. The structure of the sessions flowed well, and there were plenty of opportunities to ask questions and contribute when needed.
I would definitely recommend this course to anyone interested in working with teenagers, whether in a healthcare or school setting.
Emma, Yoga Teacher Schools, Face to Face, 2026
It’s been an amazing course, really accessible and brilliantly presented. Very informative and I can see how it will impact my teaching of young people.
Laura, Youth Worker, Face to Face, 2026
Very well rounded training between practice and theory. Charlotta is a very welcoming person.
Emma, Yoga Teacher, Face to Face, 2026
Perfect blend of theory and practical skills!
Winter, Face to Face, 2026
I loved the way Charlotta taught the class as it felt very rich in knowledge but in a way that felt digestible and reflective. I feel that I have gained a deeper understanding of the complexities of the practice of yoga through the process of sharing and discussing with others what yoga is for them.
Liz, Face to Face, 2026
Amazing having the balance between theory then practice. Lots of amazing information on background, neuroscience, philosophy etc and then the practical application of what we have learnt: both experienced it ourselves, as well as having the chance to teach and practice ourselves in the role playing.
“A course that keeps giving”. This training has created a body of course material I will return to again and again. The PowerPoints, discussions and practices are like a personal library I can keep drawing from as I grow. It’s rare to find a course that is this specific, this therapeutic and this practical at the same time. I feel equipped, challenged and supported – all at once – and I know I’ll be coming back to these teachings for a long time.
“Community as cradle”. One of the most important things I’m taking away is the feeling of being held by a community. The invitation really was, ‘Jump in, don’t waste time. You have a cradle to hold you now.’ I often get stuck in overthinking, and the moments pass. This course has helped me move from pondering to action, with the sense that I’m not doing it alone. That’s priceless.
Amanda, 2025
“Love, not just theory”. I’ve gone through a whole box of tissues during this course. The sharing has been absolutely magical. What really stands out is that it’s not just about theory and techniques – it’s about love and compassion and a deep devotion to our young people. That comes through in every session. It’s reminded me that young people aren’t some separate species; they are us, and we are them. That sense of connection, of shared humanity, feels like our real superpower.
School Teacher, Oman, 2025
A teaching from the course landed very deeply for me: time passes quickly and opportunity is easily lost. I’ve spent years feeling passionate about supporting young people, and at the same time doubting myself – wondering if I have enough experience, or where to start. This training gave me both the knowledge and the gentle push I needed. I don’t want to let time slip away anymore. I want to seize this work and not squander it.
Angela, Oman, 2025
This course was so much more – and so much different – than I was expecting, in the best way. The content was incredibly rich, but I learned just as much from everyone participating. People came from such different backgrounds, yet somehow it all felt coherent and connected. There is still so much to metabolise: I’m going back to the recordings, the discussions and my notes again and again. I can already feel how it will impact my parenting, my teaching and how I show up with young people.
“From rest to right action”. One line we explored in the course has stayed with me: when we are rested, we are ready for the world, but not held hostage by it. Rested, we can care again for the right things and the right people in the right way. This training helped me feel that in my own body, not just understand it in my head. It’s reshaped the way I think about rest – not as laziness, but as the foundation for ethical, sustainable care for young people.
Kirsten, Australia, 2025
“Depth, therapy and voice”. I’ve done other yoga trainings before, but this one was completely different. It went much deeper and came from a truly therapeutic perspective. I didn’t just revisit things I’d heard before – I understood them in far more depth. The presentations and group work really pushed me out of my comfort zone. That challenge was exactly what I needed: learning to present, talk to people, and clarify what I actually want to say. Moving forward, those skills are just as important to me as the yoga content itself.
Katie, Physiotherapist, Sheffield Children’s Hospital, 2025
“A benchmark for therapeutic yoga training”.
This programme sets a world-class benchmark for therapeutic yoga training. The facilitators delivered material with such clarity and depth that I was continuously inspired. I’ve never experienced a course that combined neuroscience, trauma-informed practice and embodied learning so seamlessly.
Youth Worker, UK, 2025
“Quality that exceeds expectations”.
I expected a good course. What I experienced was a world-class programme that surpassed every expectation. The content was rigorous, the delivery compassionate, and the learning environment unlike anything I’ve been part of. It raised my understanding of yoga therapy to an entirely new level.
Caroline, Teacher Trainer, UK, 2025
“A level of teaching that stands apart”.
This course is truly world-class. I’ve taken many trainings over the years, but none have matched the depth, care and therapeutic intelligence of this one. The teaching was exceptional — grounded, spacious and profoundly insightful. It felt like stepping into a global standard of excellence.
“The courage to begin despite self-doubt”.
“For years I’ve felt a deep longing to work with young people, and at the same time constant self-doubt — wondering if I had enough experience or the right voice. This course helped me step through that hesitation. It made me believe that I can start now, imperfectly but wholeheartedly.”
“A transformational shift in perspective”.
“This course shifted my entire understanding of what yoga for young people can be. It’s not just movement. It’s nervous system literacy, compassion, and embodied presence. The therapeutic approach changed the way I see my role as a teacher.”
“Returning to the materials again and again”.
“There is so much depth here that I know I will be revisiting it for months. The PowerPoints, the discussions, the practices — they are resources I can keep coming back to as I grow as a teacher and practitioner.”
“Feeling seen, held and encouraged”.
“I felt so encouraged and held by the group and the facilitators. It was the first time in a long time that I felt truly seen. That sense of being supported gave me the confidence to stretch into areas I normally avoid. I will carry that forward.”
“A space of compassion, courage and connection”.
“There was such love in this course. Not sentimental love, but a grounded compassion that held all of us. The course reminded me that what we bring to young people is not just knowledge, but the quality of our presence. That feels like the heart of this work.”
“Skills I will carry into every area of life”.
“I can already see how what I’ve learned here will influence everything in my life — my teaching, my relationships, my parenting. These are not just techniques; they’re ways of being. I feel like I have a new foundation to build from.”
“A challenging but necessary growth edge”.
“One of the biggest takeaways for me was being pushed out of my comfort zone. Presenting, speaking, sharing my voice — these were things I usually avoid. This course asked me to step up in a gentle but firm way, and I realised how important that is for moving forward in my work.”
“Rich content and real-world relevance”.
“The content you’ve built is incredibly rich. Every session connected back to real life: the young people we teach, the children we raise, and the parts of ourselves that still need gentleness. I feel like I’ve gained tools that are both deeply therapeutic and immediately relevant.”
“A profound sense of alignment”.
“Everything people brought into the sessions — the poems, the stories, the reflections — somehow aligned so naturally. It all echoed the themes of rest, presence, courage and compassion in this course. That synchronicity told me I was exactly where I needed to be.”
“A course that surprises you in the best way”.
“This course appeared in my life at exactly the right moment. I had just taught a few classes to a group of children, and then this opportunity came up. I was curious, but I had no idea how transformational it would be. It turned out to be far more powerful, far more layered, and far more nourishing than I imagined.”
“Learning from the group as much as the teaching”
“I learned so much not only from the course content, but from the group itself. Everyone’s background was different, yet somehow we were all working with the same thread. Hearing everyone’s perspectives enriched the whole experience for me. I can’t even describe how much I’ve absorbed from simply listening to others.”
Margaret, School Teacher, 2014
Still processing and assimilating the wonderful experience with you and the group. Each day brings greater clarity and meaning, I can’t thank you enough.
DC Samantha Hare, Metropolitan Police, 2011
This is a life changing course…if you have any interest in helping the youth of today become balanced adults of tomorrow do this course!



