Welcome, I’m Charlotte

TCTSY-F, RYT 500, BSC HONS (UCL)

I teach bodywork, breath-focused and meditative tools from the Yoga, Tantra & Buddhist traditions, as well as modern techniques based on an understanding of the neurobiology of stress and trauma, that equip you to regulate your nervous system and sustain greater physiological, mental and emotional stability. This supports a capacity for safe, mutually nurturing relationships, adaptability to an ever-changing world and thus openness to curiosity and joy in life. Through teaching others to guide their own practice, without needing always to rely on classes and subscriptions, I encourage self-leadership.

LEARN TO SELF-GUIDE YOUR OWN EMBODIED PRACTICE

My 40-day Engineer Stillness® method is bespoke, guided one-to-one & combines neurobiological research with traditional tools from the Yoga, Tantric, Buddhist & Daoist traditions to support you in developing a self-practice. As a certified trauma sensitive yoga facilitator, all my teaching is trauma informed as needed.

If you would like to book a free initial consultation chat, fell free to book using this link. If you have questions you’d like to ask first, you can send me an email or fill in the form below.

  • “Charlotte created a really thoughtful daily practice for me that worked in subtle and intriguing ways. I found I was more calm and more relaxed through the little things that didn't work out day to day. I learned how to be more gentle with myself. I ended up keeping a diary because little lessons bubbled up every day. I found the program well-structured and paced. I'm still practicing almost daily (3 years later). I never imagined being a self-guided yoga practitioner, yet here I am.”

    Steli Efti, co-founder & CEO, close.com, US.

  • "I feel very connected to my body. I feel like a whole, not two separate parts. I feel like my body is being heard - there is a special space for my soul to breathe. There is a level of control over my emotions, I don’t feel like I get carried away by them now. I have an anchor, a tether that can always put me back in control and back in a calmer, more stable and safe place. I know what to build on to keep and develop that warm sense of stability. I absolutely trust and love my practice. And I liked that during our check-in calls I could talk about what I wanted and it never felt rushed - Charlotte never cut me off or stopped me because of time (I hated that in talking therapy!)"

    Sophie, Documentary Producer, London.

  • “Everything inside of me said, ‘Don’t do it, it won’t work, you’ve tried everything else, why should this work?’ I felt really unstable, my nervous system was really shaking, there were a million other things I could have done and my mind telling me that all of those other things are more important. Don’t sit still. But after doing the practice each morning I thought, ‘Well nothing that happens now is going to kick me out of my balance. It gave me more confidence working towards my future goals. I also really had issues even touching my toes a couple of years ago and I thought, I could never do yoga. But it’s not the physical flexibility that is important, it’s your mental capacity to be flexible or still actually. It completely changed my sense of what yoga is.”

    Alexander Faubel, founder & CEO, Essentiya, Germany.

  • “The first sessions were hard, especially my inner critic was very loud and very harsh, but my inner voice turned into a gentle, understanding friend. I feel more loving towards myself. Even though I am not yet at the weight or strength I’d like to be I feel more confident and happier with myself! A huge difference compared to day 1 when the only thing I knew was this harsh voice in my head pointing out everything I’m doing wrong. It gave me so much more confidence and strength during that time / situation. I feel so much more aligned with my body AND soul.”

    Diana, an assistant schoolteacher, now a yoga teacher herself, Germany.

  • "I signed up to this program because I wanted to overcome anxiety, find my way and connect more to myself. I had practiced some yoga before but it was always very body-orientated and never empahsised breath mindfulness or meditative practice. Compared to day one of the practice I am more in connection with myself, strong, stable and balanced. I have a very conscious sense of myself and how to stabilise using these tools. The almost daily practice is my anchor in myself. So Important and i'm so grateful."

    Kristin, Psychotherapist, Germany.

  • "My body feels more upright and open, has become a little firmer and stronger overall, and my concentration has improved. My view goes a little more straight into the world. Charlotte responded very clearly to my concerns and goals. Also to the capabilities of my body. For example, by consciously encouraging me to get suitable aids for the asanas. There was always the lovely phrase "... your choice" - an implicit invitation to always think about your own abilities. Great. I had no idea beforehand how good such bodywork could be. In this respect, the programme exceeded my expectations".

    Veit, Psychotherapist, Germany.

  • "I had the feeling that Charlotte knew exactly what I needed. Better than I perhaps knew myself. I was able to learn to listen better to what my body was telling me. I became more self-confident and calmer. Everything worked out very well for me and I am glad that I experienced the practice and that the concept is such that I can continue on my own".

    Johanna, Trainee Midwife, Germany.

  • "it's a completely different kind of yoga and the practice has been adapted to my needs. Day by day I felt more confident and could hardly wait for the next practice. I only expected physical effects of yoga. With each new lesson, I also felt mentally changed, more open, more curious. My body became more flexible day by day. After 2 weeks, I was able to sleep through the night almost regularly and I feel more balanced and mentally stable today. I feel that it is only beginning, and I am looking forward to deepening my practice."

    Gabriela, Retired Professional Sportswoman, Germany.

ENGINEER STILLNESS® METHOD step-by-step

  • You can take your time to reflect and feel free to email me with follow up questions. Please note - no previous experience of Yoga is required, nor any special clothing or equipment, nor is it necessary to be flexible. Anybody may do this program and it can be done entirely remotely.

  • This form gathers the information I need - including any relevant medical information - to properly support you and fulfil my duty of care towards you. It is also outlines my responsibilities towards you in terms of client confidentiality and privacy.

  • We make sure that we are in agreement about your goals and I outline my proposed plan for your practice and we may at this stage mak. some refinements together, as this is a collaborative process. I will also talk you through the next steps and we will agree some dates for our teaching/practice sessions.

  • We adapt them for your body and experience as needed. I will record this session and send it to you for reference.

  • This will almost always feature a combination of bodywork postures, breathing practices and a short, guided meditation. I will practice alongside you.

  • I may also send other recordings of supporting practices, or re-edit your practice recording as necessary, for example, when you know it by heart and would like me to take some of the instruction out.

  • This explains scientific research into the efficacy of body-breath-mind practice for health and wellbeing, the historical and philosophical contexts of the practice, and offers practical guidance.

  • This repetition develops a new neural pathway supporting this as a positive new habit. Committing to practice as often as possible, ideally daily, will have the biggest impact. You get to know your practice by heart, and may eventually take your audio/my voice away and self-guide your practice.

  • You can use these check-ins as needed - for accountability, for reflection on your process, to ask technical questions about the practice or adjust an aspect of it. For example, I can re-edit your practice audio recording, which you get to know by heart, to take out some of my voice instruction and leave more space for quiet and stillness.

  • Checkin calls drop back to monthly for another couple of months after the initial 40-days. You can use these as you like, for example to discuss developing your practice, if the time feels right. Further follow up calls can be scheduled if desired, at extra cost.

  • 500 Euros per month over four months, which includes all classes, a workshop, all calls, all bespoke, professionally edited practice recordings and any further editing required, plus a practice handbook.

OTHER WAYS TO WORK TOGETHER

picture of yoga teacher seated in studio

COMING SOON: ONLINE SELF-GUIDED COURSES

A range of online courses based around my core teaching approach will be available through my online studio. These will be lower cost and self-guided. If you like, you can request an email notifying you when the online studio launches using the button.

psychedelic ceremony circle

PSYCHEDELIC preparation and INTEGRATION SUPPORT

I have had my own experiences working therapeutically with psychedelics and through my work with Netherlands-based Essentiya have extensive experience supporting clients before, during and especially after a psychedelic experience, as they work through their integration process. This has often been done in tandem with psychotherapeutic support. My Engineer Stillness® method can be adapted for purpose, or a course of regular one-to-one live sessions may be more appropriate. Feel free to book a free initial consultation chat to discuss your needs.

PRIVATE INDIVIDUAL SESSIONS

I reserve a certain amount of time each week for anyone who just wants to book some time to practice privately with me. If you are a new client, email me and let’s arrange a free initial Zoom call first to discuss your needs. Otherwise, feel free to email me with your preferred day/s and time/s using the button below.

ABOUT

I am an 900+ hour certified experienced teacher trained in numerous styles of Yoga and other embodied practice modalities.

I first set foot in a Yoga class about 20 years ago. It has been by my side as a stabilising resource through eating disorder recovery, divorce, burnout, a period of anxiety and the inevitable profound grief of loss.

I obtained a Bachelor of Science - Human Sciences, BSc Hons - at University College London followed by a successful 15-year career in UK broadcasting as a documentary producer and factual programme development executive at the BBC and in the independent sector. I left broadcasting after undertaking my first Yoga teacher training in 2017 to make it my primary focus.

I have also facilitated during legal psilocybin retreats and supported individuals with trauma-informed embodied practice as part of their integration process during psychedelic therapy. I have worked with individuals living through anxiety, depression, compulsions, dysregulated eating and complex PTSD.

I’m from England but live in Valencia, Spain.

photo portrait of charlotte nicholson

PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS

TRAUMA SENSITIVE YOGA

  • 300 hrs Trauma Center, Trauma Sensitive Yoga Facilitator (TCTSY-F) certification, Centre for Trauma and Embodiment, Massachusetts. The first empirically validated, Yoga-based clinical intervention for complex (relational) trauma or chronic, treatment-resistant PTSD.

  • Trauma sensitive yoga teacher training for delivering adapted classes for refugees and asylum seekers, delivered by the charity Ourmala, UK.

TRADITIONAL HATHA YOGA

  • 300 hrs advanced Traditional Hatha, Kundalini Yoga & Yoga Nidra training – The Practice, Bali.

  • 50hrs Traditional Tantric Hatha Yoga teacher training – The Practice, Bali.

VINYASA YOGA

YIN / DAOIST PRACTICE

  • Yin teacher training with Norman Blair – Yogacampus, London.

BUDDHIST PRACTICE

  • Buddhist Śamatha meditation practitioner.

CONTINUING DEVELOPMENT

Registered RYT 500 advanced yoga teacher, registry ID: 410649. Yoga Alliance is the largest nonprofit association representing the yoga community. Teachers can register as RYT® 500 if they have successfully completed a 500-hour teacher training that is registered with Yoga Alliance, or a combination of a 200-hr teacher training plus 300 hrs of advanced training from a RYS 300 (registered yoga school). They are required to meet minimum continuing education standards.