Meet The Speakers

Charlotta has taught yoga to young people since 2004 to an estimated 10,000 teenagers. She has graduated 1300 teachers worldwide through her acclaimed online course, run by the Teen Yoga Foundation a UK based charity, dedicated to empowering young people through yoga. In 2020 she was honoured with the title of Master of Yoga by the International Yoga Alliance, the 30th in the world and the only woman in Europe. Her book Teenyoga was published in 2018 to 5 star reviews. She is involved in work with the UK government, promoting yoga in schools. She regularly contributes to the BBC, Yoga Journal and OM yoga magazine on the topic.

Dr Nicholas Kearney is an expert in teacher training and has participated in a large number of EU financed projects, working for the Commission since 2002. He is also a yoga teacher and the Research Director of the Teen Yoga Foundation.

Swamini Brahmaprajnananda (Swamini B) has dedicated her life to serving the Vedic tradition by sharing teachings of non duality or Advaita Vedanta. A Hindu monk who currently lives in Mumbai (India) her teachings range from the depth and breadth of self mastery to self discovery. She offers regular Vedanta courses (online), the podcast – Vedanta – the river of wisdom, insightful videos, workshops and retreats in India and abroad. She is the author of ‘You matter – Insights from Vedanta.’ Swamini ji teaches two core courses at the Hindu University of America and is a regular speaker at the World Yoga festival UK.

She trained as a psychologist and taught therapy at SNDT University, Mumbai as visiting faculty for more than a decade. Her last leadership role was as the Country Head (India) of an international organisation which positively impacted the lives of 150,000 street children.  She is a direct disciple of Pujya Swami Dayananda Saraswati, having studied Vedanta, Sanskrit and Vedic chanting at Arsha Vidya Gurukulam in a residential, intensive three year course in Coimbatore and Rishikesh. She studied part time with Swami Brahmavidananda for about twelve years.

Catherine Cook-Cottone, PhD, C-IAYT is a Licensed Psychologist, Certified Yoga Therapist, and Professor at University at Buffalo, SUNY. She is creator and director of the Mindful Counseling Advanced Certificate program and co-founder and president of Yogis in Service, Inc. a not-for-profit organization that creates access to yoga. Catherine’s research specializes in embodied self- regulation (i.e., yoga, mindfulness, and mindful self-care) and psychosocial disorders (e.g., eating disorders, substance use, and trauma). Catherine has written ten books and over 85 peer reviewed articles and book chapters. She was awarded the American Psychological Association’s Citizen Psychologist Presidential Citation. She is co-editor in chief of Eating Disorder: Journal of Treatment and Prevention and author of Embodiment and the treatment of eating disorders: The body as a resource in recovery (W.W. Norton) and Mindfulness and yoga for self-regulation (Springer), and Mindfulness and yoga for schools (Springer).

Lisa Kaley-Isley, PhD, E-RYT-500, C-IAYT is a yoga practitioner, teacher, therapist, and educator. She combines her knowledge and experience as a clinical psychologist and yoga psychotherapist to offer person-centred care and practices. Lisa is a long-term student of Pandit Rajmani Tigunait and Rolf Sovik of the Himalayan Institute, where she was initiated into mantra yoga practices. She studied yoga therapy with Gary Kraftsow where she learned to adapt the vast field of yoga practices to the current condition and interests of individuals. Lisa is faculty on the Yogacampus Yoga Therapy Diploma course based in London. She is a certified yoga therapist by the International Association of Yoga Therapists (IAYT) and a founding member of the Global Consortium on Yoga Therapy. Lisa has published articles and book chapters on yoga therapy for young people and she is an international speaker delivering invited talks on yoga therapy at conferences around the world.

Angela Hope-Murray is an Ayurvedic Practitioner who has been in the Health Care profession for over 40 years. She has devoted her life to the promotion of complementary medicine. She has a broad understanding of health and is a Podiatrist, Osteopath, and President of the Marmapuncture Association. She has written 3 books on Ayurveda and lectures worldwide on the subject.

Co-author of the ‘Yoga for Me’ approach to teaching yoga to teens and adults with Learning Disabilities. Lisa has written articles on behalf of Teen Yoga for SEN Magazine, taken her yoga classes to World Yoga Festival (with Teen yoga) and delivered accessible yoga at Camp Bestival. Lisa is interested in research and has commenced her PhD exploring yoga and falls reduction for those with Leaning Disabilities.

Lorna is a Communications Consultant, with 20+ years experience in Public Relations. She is also a trained executive and personal development coach, six-time marathon runner and a journaling advocate. Whether working together as coach, mentor or strategist, Lorna's mission is to ensure you and/or your business don't stand still.

Robyn works for The Schools Advisory Service which insures schools against staff absence and works in partnership with Yoga in Schools.

Nicky has been volunteering for the Teen Yoga Foundation since becoming a TeenYoga Teacher in 2016; a former Project Manager for British Airways, she has organised the TeenYoga Summit since 2018. Nicky is a full time therapeutic yoga teacher, Chinese Medicine Practitioner and Sleep Specialist, and founder of Claygate Yoga Clinic. She believes in guiding her adult and teen clients to optimal health and happiness using a variety of holistic modalities.