BEHIND THE SCENES
Charlotta Martinus
FOUNDER & DIRECTOR
Charlotta Martinus is an award-winning visionary and internationally recognised leader in the field of yoga for young people. In 2019 she was awarded the prestigious Master of Yoga title by the International Yoga Alliance – the only woman in Europe to receive this honour – following the publication of her best-selling book TeenYoga for Yoga Therapists.
With over 35 years’ experience as a therapist, educator and practitioner, Charlotta brings together lived experience from healthcare, social work and education with her India-based yoga therapy training. Clinically licensed to work with vulnerable young people, she integrates pedagogical frameworks including Steiner, Montessori and Scandinavian models with developmentally appropriate psychotherapeutic approaches designed to support emotional regulation, trauma recovery and wellbeing.
Charlotta has created and led multiple bespoke, evidence-based programmes. These include a Sport England-funded innovation programme (2015); a University of Westminster-commissioned PSHE programme for a Muslim-majority school in North London, later evaluated as a Doctorate in Health Psychology (2017); and an EU Erasmus-funded initiative (2018) reaching 750 disadvantaged young people across five countries, with outcomes published in psychology literature. In 2020, London Youth commissioned Charlotta to design a Tampon Tax-funded programme empowering global majority girls aged 10–13 to become Mental Health Ambassadors — a programme she continues to develop and deliver across London.
Across all programmes, robust quantitative and qualitative research demonstrated significant reductions in anxiety and improvements in wellbeing, resilience and engagement. Charlotta has spoken at the House of Commons and House of Lords and was invited to author a government-facing Rationale for Yoga in Schools, including social and financial impact analysis. She continues to advocate nationally and internationally for yoga as a credible, evidence-based intervention that supports young people not only to cope, but to truly flourish and thrive.
Dr Nick Kearney
Research Director and Fundraising Executive
Dr Nick Kearney is an experienced educator, researcher and expert in teacher training with more than two decades of involvement in educational leadership and innovation. He is a Research Partner at the NEXUS Research Co-operative and has collaborated on a range of youth-focused projects including WYRED and CEPNET.
Nick serves as Research Director of the Teen Yoga Foundation, a charity that promotes yoga for young people as a tool for mental health and wellbeing and leads research, training and programme development in that field. He has worked extensively in teacher training and educational management, particularly in the development of new learning approaches using ICT across diverse educational and training contexts, and has participated in numerous EU-financed projects. In addition to project work, Nick has served as an external evaluator and reviewer for European Commission and UNESCO-funded initiatives, contributing to educational project evaluation and proposal review since 2002.
Ruby Rutherford
ADMINISTRATION MANAGER
Since 2008 I have been a Scout Leader, a voluntary role that gives me the privilege of being among young people, and supporting them in their life growth.
For some reason I only discovered yoga in early 2020 and shortly after found myself enrolling on the Teen Yoga training in order to have a comprehensive understanding of how yoga can enrich and help stabilise young people (and adults) through the inevitable ups and downs of life.
That was the start of my own deep dive into yoga! – since then I have studied almost continuously, exploring the broader aspects of yoga and yogic living.
My only wish is that I knew about yoga when I was a teen, and hence my involvement now with all that Teen Yoga offer.
Dawn Henderson
NEWSLETTER
I’m an editor, a yoga teacher and mum to a wonderful almost-teen. After completing my 200-hour yoga teacher training in India and teaching yoga to adults, I was inspired to take the 100-hour Teen Yoga teacher training course, which was brilliantly illuminating, setting out the striking correlation between what teens today need – physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually – and what Yoga, in all its breadth and depth, provides.
I’m honoured to contribute to the Teen Yoga Foundation’s tireless, multi-faceted work in bringing targeted yoga tools and techniques to teens and young people, and to the adults who love and care about them.
Steff Levine
NEWSLETTER & SOCIAL MEDIA WRITER
Stefanie Levine; A.H.C, Teen Yoga Specialist. Stef is a certified Ayurvedic Health & Wellness Counsellor, Teen Yoga Specialist, and creative wellness educator who bridges the ancient wisdom of Yoga and Ayurveda with the realities of modern teen life. She is passionate about offering simple, compassionate, and practical tools that support emotional wellbeing, self-awareness, and inner resilience.
A mother of three young adults, Stef has a natural affinity for teenagers and a deep understanding of the unique challenges they face today. Her work is rooted in the belief that when teens feel safe, seen, and supported, they can reconnect with their own inner wisdom and capacity for joy, calm, and confidence.
Stef is also a Holistic Interior Designer, artist, and lifelong student of Vedic philosophy, energy work, and spiritual consciousness. She holds additional certifications in Reiki, Jyotish (Vedic Astrology), Vaastu (Vedic Feng Shui), and Art & Yoga, and enjoys weaving creativity, mindfulness, and embodied awareness into her teaching.
When she’s not immersed in Yoga and Ayurvedic studies, Stef finds joy in family, nature, long walks, creative projects, and meaningful conversations. She currently resides in Tampa, Florida, USA.
Kirsty Hibbert
Fundraising Co-ordinator
I am a mum to two wonderful teenage boys, a Yoga Teacher and Yoga Therapist. I have practised yoga for ten years and taught for 5. My yoga practice is my means of nurturing my health on every level, a moment for self-care and a break from the chaos of life.
I am inspired by my two sons and passionate about teaching yoga to teens as it empowers them to nurture their own physical, social, mental, and emotional health. Yoga offers teens the rare opportunity to perceive their own core values and deepest wishes and enhances their courage to make choices and live in alignment with them.
My wish is that one day all teens will have access to the essential tools and practices of Teen Yoga!
Rhiannon Jane Swannell
SOCIAL MEDIA LEAD
Rhiannon Jane Swannell is a UK-based creative and digital marketing specialist associated with Baobab Digital, where she works across social media strategy, branding, and content creation. With an entrepreneurial and community-focused approach, she supports businesses to develop authentic online voices and engaging campaigns. Rhiannon combines creative storytelling with practical marketing insight, helping brands translate values into visual identity and meaningful audience connection. She has been involved in the leadership of Baobab Digital Limited and is known for her energetic, collaborative style. Alongside professional work, she shares lifestyle and empowerment content online, reflecting her interest in creativity, wellbeing, and supporting women in business.
Lisa Harwood
SEN SPECIALIST
Yoga has been part of my life for the past 10 years and teaching yoga for 5 years. It has benefited me personally in my health and wellbeing but also enabled me to meet like minded people and make so many new friends. Sharing yoga with young people, regardless of abilities, is so rewarding and I learn as much from them as they do from me.
I’m looking forward to sharing this knowledge with fellow TeenYoga teachers in CPD training that is in development with a fellow TY teachers (Claire and Olivia Saunders).
I have a passion for research to know how and why we have so many benefits from yoga and how it can help us all in our daily lives. This curiosity has led me to commencing my PhD in Oct 2022.
Sofia Kearney
GRAPHIC DESIGNER
I’m a graphic designer and I’m thrilled to be involved in Teen Yoga Foundation’s visual identity for almost 5 years now.
My design mantra involves blending the everyday into visuals. Whether it’s turning breakfast into art or curating epic music playlists into my (almost) daily runs, I believe in finding inspiration everywhere – books, movies, wine-filled conversations, and even window displays.
Sun salutations have become a must in my running routine adding a touch of balance and mindfulness to my creative journey.
Looking forward to many more years and continue learning about all the benefits yoga can bring to your life!
TEEN YOGA AMBASSADORS TEAM
Debbie Richards
AMBASSADORS MANAGER
I believe in the strength of this next generation to harness new ways of being. We have a responsibility to share our wisdom and to model calm and coping strategies that allow for real communication and safe spaces for young people to be themselves.
I am delighted to be contributing to the Teen Yoga and leading some of the Teen Yoga Ambassador teaching. The young people we are working with are testimony to the strength of creating caring and compassionate communities to support ourselves and others.
Shivani Gopal
AMBASSADORS REPRESENTATIVE
Many of my teenage years were polluted with mental battles that I never imagined winning. Yoga was an anchor, providing me with stability and fortitude. Learning yogic philosophy enables me to constantly grow and understand myself.
This has fuelled me to teach others about yoga and establish yoga-related clubs at school, with the hope to play a small part in another young person’s mental health journey. I envision yoga to be taught to enough professionals, who work among teenagers, so that it’s impossible for any teenager to excessively suffer from the lack of knowledge on how to control their mind.
Grace Amos
AMBASSADORS REPRESENTATIVE
I’m Grace and I completed my Level 2 Ambassador course for Teen Yoga. This course has transformed my attitude to Yoga and developed my understanding of the prevalent issue of mental health in teenagers.
Since the course, I have been able to share techniques with my friends, and have shared the Yoga Mood Cards which has been so important for those friends who struggle with stress in this period of our lives. For me, yoga is a way to slow down and ground myself, a skill that I believe all young people to share in. I hope to continue my learning and experiences with Yoga in the future.
Tabatha Alcaraz
AMBASSADORS REPRESENTATIVE
I believe that yoga is an amazing way to help young people manage the stresses in our day to day lives. Whether it be schoolwork, friendships, or exam stress, learning to be present and to tune in to your feelings helps you reset and de-stress.
This is something I found during my own battle with mental health problems and bullying at school. Yoga was my safe space, the one time a week I could give my mind a rest and heal. I have now been practising yoga for 5 years and feel the benefits increase every day. My vision for schools in the future is that all teens will have the opportunity to practice yoga and experience that safe space as I did. I know first-hand how vital yoga is for emotional well-being.
Regional Partners
Kent & East Sussex
Hayley Sanderson
Hello, I’m Hayley Sanderson, and I’m thrilled to be the new regional partner for Yoga In Schools/Teen Yoga in Kent & East Sussex. I’m deeply passionate about bringing the transformative practice of yoga to children, and I’m excited to work alongside the Teen Yoga and Yoga in Schools team.
My journey in children’s yoga began in 2014 when I qualified as a children’s yoga teacher. Two years later, in 2016, I expanded my qualifications by attending Teen Yoga training, which led to Namaste Kids & Teens Yoga, more recently adding 200hr YTT too. I’ve dedicated myself to sharing the benefits of yoga with young minds, teaching in nurseries and schools across the region.
Some of you might know me from the Facebook group Kids Yoga Teachers UK, which I founded shortly after starting my journey in children’s yoga. Recognising the need for a supportive community for kids yoga teachers, I created the group to facilitate the sharing of advice, ideas and support. I’m incredibly proud of the community we’ve built, and I’m excited to bring my experience in fostering support networks to Yoga in Schools (Teen Yoga).
As a regional partner, I hope to replicate the sense of community and support within Yoga in Schools (Teen Yoga) while helping match teachers to schools seeking yoga lessons. I hope to build connections that will make an impact in our community and the lives of children.