This informal CPD article ‘Yoga for Young People: Considerations for Practice Across Different Settings’ was provided by Teen Yoga Foundation, a charity promoting the well-being of young people through the practice of yoga in schools & beyond through trainings, events & classes. Interest in yoga as a support for children and young people’s wellbeing has grown
In 2005, Japanese mathematician and essayist Masahiko Fujiwara published a provocative book, The Dignity of the Nation. His central argument was simple but profound: a nation does not flourish because of wealth, technology, logic or even democracy alone. It flourishes because of the character of its people. A nation possesses dignity when its citizens are
The Dignity We Cannot Measure: Why Young People Need More Than Mental Health Support Continue »
One of the qualities I most admire in any society is the willingness to change course when new evidence emerges. It is surprisingly difficult for institutions, governments and even individuals to admit that an idea which once appeared progressive may require reconsideration. Yet throughout history, some of the most important advances have occurred when people
Sweden’s U-Turn on Screens and the Courage to Ask What Children Really Need Continue »
Alan Milburn’s recent report on young people who are Not in Education, Employment or Training (NEET) highlights one of the most pressing social and economic challenges facing the UK today. The rising numbers should concern all of us, not only because of the impact on the life chances of individual young people, but because they
The NEET Crisis Begins Long Before a Young Person Leaves School Continue »
There are moments in this work that do not look like breakthroughs at all. They look small. A shift in posture. A breath that lingers a second longer. A young person choosing, perhaps for the first time, not to leave themselves. And yet these moments build something profound — the return of agency, and with
This isnt compliance – it is agency Continue »
A generous donor has made something genuinely radical possible — five fully funded places on our 60-hour live London course, offered to individuals with the capacity to reach over a hundred young people each. Three of them are already working in therapeutic settings. Crucially, this course brings together leading practitioners, including a specialist paediatric physiotherapist from
This is what impact looks like. Continue »
There is something I have come to understand very clearly over the years: real change does not begin with systems, it begins with people. It begins in the body, in the nervous system, in those small, often invisible moments where a young person either feels overwhelmed by life or finds just enough steadiness to stay
Functional Neurological Disorder (FND) is a medical condition that affects the way the brain and body communicate, leading to a range of physical and neurological symptoms. These can include non-epileptic seizures, motor problems like weakness, paralysis, or involuntary movements, as well as difficulties with balance, coordination, bladder and bowel function, and speech. People with FND
Understanding Functional Neurological Disorder (FND): A Guide for Educators Continue »
There is something slightly uneasy about the word therapy. Not because it is wrong, nor because it has not brought relief and understanding to many, but because it carries with it a particular orientation: one that can, at times, locate the problem within the individual and the solution in an intervention. When we bring this word into the
Cikitsā: a different language for healing Continue »
There are times when the atmosphere of the world changes energetically—something tightens, something hardens, becomes more fragile. War ripples far beyond the places where bombs fall. It enters conversations, homes, classrooms, it enters the inner world of a young person. They feel it in the tone of adults, in the urgency of the news, in
When the World Feels Unsteady: War, Fear and the Shadow in Young People Continue »
We often think of hypnosis as something mysterious, done by someone else, maybe with a swinging watch and a deep voice. But here’s the truth: you are hypnotising yourself every single day. Every time you repeat a thought — “I’m not good enough”, “I’ll never manage that”, or even “I always mess things up” —
How Are You Hypnotising Yourself? Continue »
BeyondPills and Protocol: Towards a More Empathic Treatment for Young People When it comes to mental health, young people today are often met with waiting lists, assessments, and clinical labels. Pills and protocols can sometimes help, of course—they can bring relief, clarity, and stability. But if we stop there, we miss something essential: the human
The Case Against Pills And Protocols Continue »
By Charlotta Martinus There’s a word that’s been making a quiet resurgence among young people: wholesome. On social media, in conversations, and within communities, young people are increasingly drawn to this concept. At first glance, it might seem like a quaint, almost old-fashioned word – something our grandparents might have used to describe a hearty
Wholesome: Rediscovering What It Means to Feel Whole in a Disconnected World5 Continue »
Theory of Change Model for Yoga’s Impact on Mental Health and Social Cohesion 1. Inputs 2. Activities 3. Outputs 4. Short-term Outcomes 5. Intermediate Outcomes 6. Long-term Outcomes
Theory of Change Model for Yoga’s Impact on Mental Health and Social Cohesion Continue »
By Charlotta Martinus There’s a recurring narrative among politicians: young people need more grit. They need resilience training, mental toughness, and a structured approach to tackling life’s challenges. It sounds reasonable, right? After all, the world is unpredictable, and the ability to bounce back from setbacks is undoubtedly valuable. However, as someone deeply engaged with
1. Inputs 2. Activities 3. Outputs 4. Short-term Outcomes 5. Intermediate Outcomes 6. Long-term Outcomes
Theory of Change Model for Yoga’s Impact on Mental Health and Social Cohesion Continue »
In an increasingly digitized world, young people are turning to artificial intelligence not just as a tool but as a confidant and companion. The rise of AI companions and chatbots that simulate human interaction has opened a new dimension in the way the younger generation processes emotions, handles relationships, and navigates personal challenges. The Tragic
AI as a Trusted Friend: The Echo Chamber of the Digital Age Continue »
In our modern era, marked by upheaval and unrest, parents and school teachers are witnessing the profound impact of uncertainty on the young minds they nurture and educate. As we navigate through turbulent times—where global crises, societal shifts, and technological advancements shape our daily lives—our youth are confronted with a world rife with challenges and
Illuminating Hope: Yoga’s Guiding Light for Youth in an Age of Uncertainty Continue »
On the 18th of June, we were invited to the conference at the Queen Elizabeth II Centre, inaugurated by Prince Charles. We put together a panel of teenagers including Olivia, Maia (15 yrs old), Shivani, Leonie and Sophia (17). Our trustee, Dr Jo Barker who works in CAMHS as a Psychiatrist specialising in Eating Disorders
A report of the Integrative and Personalised Care Conference – 18th June 2022 Continue »
This talk is from 2018, the inaugural speech at House of Commons YOGA IN SCHOOLS Mental health issues are a dominant issue for young people today, and stress is the root cause. 1 in 5 UK teens between the ages of 13 and 18 will experience at least one major mental health issue. 1) According
Talk at APPG, House of Commons on why Yoga for Teenagers Continue »
