Charli Van Ness
Senior Faculty 200 & 300–hr Teacher Trainer · E–RYT 500, YACEPA teacher, trainer and school founder with boundless energy and warmth, Charli’s joyful, heart–led approach has inspired hundreds of teachers over two decades. She works at the intersection of creative movement, somatic enquiry, KulaKids (Children's Holistic Yoga), AcroYoga and Women's Wellbeing , and brings a rare lived authority to teaching neurodivergent students. Off the mat, she lives with her Husband and their four kids in Devon, where Wild Dartmoor and Raw untamed beaches are her favourite places to decompress and rebalance, climbing with the family and dancing in the kitchen keeps her practice honest.
Movement as medicine. Teaching as transformation.
Approach
Charli teaches the way she lives – with humour, sensitivity, vitality and a refusal to separate the practice from the person. Her classes are creative without being performative and rigorous without being rigid. Students are met exactly where they are and gently invited to their edges. She has a particular gift for working with bodies and minds that don't fit a standard template, including those who are in recovery, neurodivergent, in palliative care and going through IVF.
200 & 300–hour Teacher Training · Kids Yoga · Yoga for Neurodivergence · Somatic Yoga · Menstrual Health & Women's Wellbeing · Inversions, Arm Balances & Backbends · Tibetan Sound Energy Medicine · Creative Sequencing Charli Van Ness
Early years
Movement has been Charli's first language since she was two years old. Long before yoga, there was dance, acrobatics and the trained discipline of NATD ballet, modern and tap. She qualified as an acrobatics teacher and trained in physical education and biology, and this foundation still shows in the precision and care with which she breaks down a challenging pose. Yoga arrived as the natural deepening of a life already organised around the moving body and then it added new layers and dimensions to that physicality. Charli began her teaching journey whilst living in Tofino, Vancouver Island, Canada (2005) teaching Adults and Children of the community. Following Canada Charli moved to France and taught to the locals, seasonnaires and tourists (Adults + Children) in the Alps, Serre Chevalier, France.
Training & influences
Her formal yoga training began in 2007 with a 200–hour Power Yoga programme in the UK. This was followed in 2017 by Yandara's 300–hour Advanced Training in Mexico and Hawaii, for which she became the first British recipient of the Yoga Alliance International Advanced Training Scholarship. This training gave her an immersive grounding in classical asana, philosophy and the more intuitive, ceremonial side of the practice that has shaped her teaching ever since. Yoga Therapy (2012), Meditation for Life (2015) Yoga Nidra (2015), AcroYoga (2023), Tibetan Sound Energy Medicine (VibroAcoustic Therapy) (2015), Trauma Informed Yoga Training (2025) and The Five Movements Yin Yoga Teacher Training (2025) followed, each one deepening a particular thread rather than diversifying for its own sake. What threads it all together is infinite curiosity and the conviction that a teacher must tap into their own inner nature and also keep being a student. “Stay True. Be You” is her mantra for the students she trains.
Teaching today
Before joining the Shala, Charli led her own independent RYS–200–hour trainings with Yoga Alliance (2007–2026) and she now teaches across the Shala School's 200–hour and 300–hour programmes (2022–Present). Her CPD modules convey the extraordinary depth and breadth of her knowledge. These include Holistic Kids Yoga, Somatic Yoga, Yoga for Neurodivergence, Creative Sequencing, Menstrual Health and Inversions, Arm Balances & Backbending. She also offers Tibetan Sound Energy Medicine and Womb Mandala Healing privately and in groups. In addition to leading courses Charli loves to teach at Events and on location for Retreats; Private Bespoke, KulaKids, Community and Corporate.
“Balancing in yoga and life is a reflection of our inner state. Can we dance with change? Can we fall and try again with playfulness?” Shiva Rea
Specialisms
200 & 300–hour Teacher Training · Kids Yoga · Yoga for Neurodivergence · Somatic Yoga · Menstrual Health & Women's Wellbeing · Inversions, Arm Balances & Backbends · Tibetan Sound Energy Medicine · Creative Sequencing
What Charli Van Ness's students say
“You give all the energy and effort, your generosity is boundless, creativity pours out of you and your teaching is always clear, supportive, warm and FUN! You have encouraged us all to teach with what resonates, and the fact that i enjoy putting together a class that weaves spiritual, energetics, prana, creative sequencing and depth is something I will always take with me as a teacher. Thank you for helping us find out who we are as teachers and not just teaching ‘cookie-cutter’ sequences. You truly are an inspirational teacher but also an inspirational human too"
Jade, 200–hour Graduate“Thank you for the light that you share and for helping my inner flame glow brighter. “Stay True Be You” will always stay with me! You are a sunshine – your presence, kindness, your smile and energy bring so much to every class. I’m so grateful for the light you share so freely!"
Jeannine, 200–hour Graduate“Charli encourages every student to bring out their own unique teaching style, in a nurturing environment. Her teaching style and her support – both during the course and after completion – is exemplary. I have the utmost respect and gratitude for Charli.”
Francesca Deith, 200–hour Graduate"Charli is an incredible person, teacher trainer and mentor. She radiates love and joy, and is so very inspirational, warm and nurturing – always leading from the heart."
Saara Vance, 200–hour Graduate“Charli is warm–hearted and knowledgeable, encouraging and passionate – everything you need in a teacher.”
Helena, CPD Trainee“Charli was an excellent facilitator. She made me feel incredibly comfortable and confident to try new things – I learnt so much both personally and from a teaching perspective.”
FJ, CPD Trainee“I went on this course intrigued and inspired – first and foremost by the teacher. Charli got me out of my head and into my body and supported every one of us in finding our own way.”“Charli is a beautiful and experienced yoga teacher. Her style is inspiring – she helped me remain enthused and capable as a teacher.”
Yoga Teacher, CPD Trainee“Love Charli's teaching style. She is warm and genuine, and very inclusive of everyone's needs.”
Yoga Teacher, CPD Trainee
Interested in training with Charli Van Ness?
Whether you're considering one of our trainings, a specialist CPD, or simply want to ask a question — we'd love to hear from you.