Testimonials
Testimonials - some thoughts and kind words from previous yoga students and teaching colleagues.
If you're considering joining us for the next yoga teacher training course, please email Catherine and she can speak with you. She can also l put you in touch with previous yoga teacher training graduates.
Ben Wright
Choreographer / Movement Artist / Teacher
Yoga Teacher
"The IYTT programme has radically liberated my movement practice and expanded the way I hold space for others.
The programme encourages deep attention to the realities of our bodies - to better support our ability to find freedom and facilitate our students to do the same.
The course offers a sophisticated approach to study, rooted in sensorial attunement, philosophical discourse and the most up to date research in anatomy.
It is a life changing experience, highly relevant for its insights into Yoga’s past and in its commitment to foster dynamic, curious teachers for the future."
Mariann Rand-Weaver
Retired academic and scientist
Yoga teacher
"Intelligent Yoga Teacher Training - simply the best!
Catherine Annis is an exceptional trainer and with her team delivers an inspiring and life-changing course that prepares you to be the best you can be. Rigorous and challenging, this beautifully structured course helps you make the most of the learning opportunities and gives you confidence to share your practice with others. The modern, anatomically-informed approach to yoga is a journey of (self) discovery, always accompanied by Catherine’s passionate and generous sharing of her experience and expertise.
For me this has opened a new chapter in my life - dreams really can come true!"
Jody Barber
Neurological physiotherapist
Yoga teacher
"I deliberated for several years before finding a yoga teacher trainer who I hoped would resonate with my knowledge, skills and background as a neurological Physiotherapist.
Catherine Annis has by far exceeded my expectations not only does she have a wealth of experience as a yoga teacher, her anatomical and biomechanics and movement knowledge is extensive. Her professionalism and passion to teach, share and exchange knowledge and skills in yoga and movement has been so valuable in enabling me to develop as a yoga teacher but has also immensely enhanced my treatment approaches in my physiotherapy practice. The best training I have done in years!"
Karen McCoss
Yoga teacher
"This teacher training course has been a fabulous experience, a huge learning curve and worth much more than the money invested in it.
I really appreciate the breadth of the course, which incorporates a thorough history of the philosophy of yoga, essential anatomy and physiology and a well-structured approach to posture work, exploring asana in depth for personal practice while progressively developing our teaching skills in small and large group settings.
The format allowed me time to revise and assimilate the learning through well matched assessments and to have the confidence and knowledge to begin to practice teaching yoga, which has been a joy.
It is a journey of self-discovery, at times intense, but always rewarding. I have thoroughly enjoyed every minute and cannot recommend this yoga teacher training in London enough."
Michael Spark
Yoga teacher
"This is such a wonderful life-changing course. Challenging and hard work but incredibly rewarding.
Catherine and the other great tutors have given me so much confidence with their depth of knowledge and experience. The way the course is structured works really well and it has been working just as well now it has had to move online to Zoom.
The course gives time to digest all the learning and properly research the home study elements.
I chose the training more to develop my own practice and learn more about yoga and was not convinced I would or could end up teaching. I feel very lucky to have found this course – and to my surprise – I am now teaching."
Sarah Druce
Higher Education Administer
"I was feeling a bit lost with my yoga practice, after 30 years of attending classes, and realised that I really didn't know what I was doing.
My objectives for doing the teacher training were to deepen by knowledge and my practice, and I was open to where it might take me. Without a doubt the course has helped me to achieve my aims. The course is rigorous, underpinned by both theory and practice, which is what I wanted. The content is well designed and structured so that it supports your learning and prepares you for the key milestones along the way.
Whilst it feels intense, if you trust the process you'll have an amazing journey and come out of it feeling confident as a teacher, sharing your own practice and having developed your own voice.
Catherine brings warmth, humour and integrity with her 40+ years' experience and has curated a training programme with input from other incredible, leading professionals.
It has been one of the most inspirational things I have ever done and I feel so grateful that I was able to make time for it. The course has awakened a curiosity in my own practice, and I know I will continue wanting to learn about that and to share it with others."
Gillian Bowden
Clinical Psychologist
"I benefitted from attending yoga classes with great teachers for many years and wanted to extend and deepen my knowledge, though not necessarily to teach yoga myself. My longstanding yoga teacher suggested IYTT and I’m so glad she did! This course took my understanding of yoga to another, much deeper level.
The gentle wisdom of the teachers has been truly inspirational and transformed my approach to and practice of yoga. I’ve surprised myself by learning ways to teach yoga and now want to do more of this and to combine elements of this in my psychology work. I’ve really enjoyed being part of a great learning community over the past couple of years with other trainees who bring their wealth of experiences. I’m happy to say this contact and support is ongoing."
Dana Andrew
Yoga teacher
"Really enjoying the teacher training course with Catherine Annis. I’m finding it life changing. So thought provoking , challenging, inspirational and progressive. All the trainers have so much experience, knowledge and passion to share.
I can't recommend this training enough. The teachers are extremely generous with their knowledge and very supportive. They really encourage us to celebrate our individuality and creativity as yoga teachers (within a safe framework grounded in the latest anatomy research) and are not interested in churning out 'robotic' yoga teachers who teach by rote or teach set sequences. The students I have started to teach have responded really positively to this approach."
Jo Racle
Physiotherapist
"I came to IYTT after extensive researching. Training to be a yoga teacher is a big investment, financially and time-wise, so I wanted to get it right.
I like that I was vetted for the course; I like that I had to put a strong application in.
The course has been handled masterfully by the leaders. The content is superb: interesting, varied and challenging, with proper homework.
I can't think of anything that I would modify at all: the admin has been brilliantly organised, we have a WhatsApp group that is such a lifeline, and the dynamics between the students themselves, and between students and tutors is really warm and collaborative."
Agni Scott
Actress
"As the name suggests this is truly an intelligent approach to yoga teacher training. I had been looking to train for years and I couldn’t find the right course. I’m so glad I found this.
It has changed my life. I was taught by brilliant teachers. If you are looking for yoga training that goes deep into exploring why how we move, and why we do certain poses, that is based on understanding human anatomy, and working with our own body from within, then this is the right course for you."
Annie French
Yoga Teacher
"Having just finished this teacher training course, I can honestly say it has prepared me for teaching yoga.
It is taught with such rigour and kindness and challenges every aspect of yoga practice. Hard work, but highly recommended."
Marta Martinez
Data Scientist
"This training course has been a truly transformational experience. I chose this course because I wanted to really deepen my practice. I wanted to explore, to learn, to question, to feel, to embody, to listen, to understand and to develop the confidence to "maybe" teach some day. And I can honestly say - it was one of the best decisions I've ever made.
Catherine and the team are remarkable teachers, not only for all the knowledge they generously share during the 18th months, but for the incredibly supportive and safe space they created for us to make this journey truly ours."
Mary Fellowes
Fashion editor, Vogue
"Catherine’s yoga is refreshingly down to earth, ‘non-smug’ yoga … Her teaching is intelligent, soulful, spiritual, intuitive, spontaneous, surprising and a total joy. How she helped me alleviate a really painful back problem is another example of how hugely generous in character and spirit she is, and always goes that extra step further to interact with her students on a deeper and more personal level than any other instructor I have worked with."
Olga Fedori
Actress (Holby City, Eastenders)
"Catherine’s yoga teaching is inspired. We have all met those yoga teachers along the way who manage to let their light and wisdom shine so very brightly yet make it so personal and applicable to you. Catherine is one of these gifted teachers who have influenced my being, my body and the way I approach my practice and my teaching in subtle yet profound ways. I would go even further to say that having studied with her changed things fundamentally.
One often hears: “Do yoga from the inside.” In Catherine’s classes I finally realised what this means - it’s priceless. I highly recommend studying with her in any way you can: privately, group classes, retreats, immersion, trainings or all of the above. Namaste!"
John Stirk
Yoga teacher and osteopath
"I have known Catherine since 2001. During this time she has been my student, yoga colleague and friend. It has been a pleasure to act as her mentor.
I have been impressed by her enthusiasm and the intelligent way in which she has immersed herself in all aspects of yoga. She continues to add her own flavour that arises from her dedicated practice. Her teaching reflects her understanding of this broad and valuable subject."
Dominique Antiglio
Wellness Entrepreneur, Author and Sophrologist
"I am lucky that I have been practising yoga with Catherine since 2015.
I am grateful for our sessions that are always highly transformative physically, mentally, and emotionally. Not only has she supported me in gaining strength but also in overcoming the belief I had that my body wasn’t strong enough. It does make a big difference in my daily life now!
Thank you Catherine for your expertise and kindest support."
Sara Mohr-Pietsch
BBC radio broadcaster,
curator and writer
"Catherine is a wonderful yoga teacher. She is firm but compassionate, and I feel completely safe with her.
Her yoga teachings have changed the relationship I have to my body – I’m more confident physically, and I’ve learned to trust my own experience through her teaching.
This is seriously deep and wise yoga!"
Alicia Moran
Pilates foundation
(Director – retired)
"Catherine belongs to an elite group of yoga teachers who are at the top of their practice. Her understanding of the body and the language she uses to describe movements and poses is vivid and sophisticated. Her Scaravelli yoga classes are invigorating, challenging but also deeply relaxing. She has inspired my work as a Pilates teacher and introduced me to a broader understanding of how to achieve release and balance in the body."
Amy Day
Entrepreneur & Business Woman
"I’d never done yoga before being offered a yoga class with Catherine through my work.
Catherine focused on our scrunched up office bodies and I quickly became hooked on gently and intensely stretching with her gentle yet firm and interactive approach.
I have gained strength, flexibility and the ability to relax my body and mind all at the same time!
I loved these classes so much that I’ve just come back from her yoga retreat in Kerela- one of the best trips I’ve ever been on, probably the best money you could spend on you and your body."
Koy Thomson
Yoga Teacher
"I highly recommend Catherine.
She is a quite exceptional teacher no matter where you are in your yoga journey. Catherine has guided me to a yoga which has fired my curiosity and sensitivity to observe the movements of my body, mind and consciousness.
The way Catherine teaches shows that she trusts us to develop our own natural intelligence in sensing and feeling, so that postures unfold when they are ready and are never forced.
But while kind, gentle and frequently humorous, Catherine’s yoga is not ‘floppy’. It is also demanding of attention and right effort. I am very glad that I found her. Your body and mind will thank you."
Dr Ondine Barrow
"I have been a regular student of Catherine's since 2013 and feel blessed to have found her.
I had been practising yoga for over 25 years but it is through Catherine that I have learnt most about my body, how it works and how to move it so that it feels good.
I have also learnt so much about my mind and nervous system - all lessons which I can take beyond the classroom.
Catherine has a wonderful perceptive generous teaching style. It is hard to put into words how much she has taught me."
If you'd like to sample a Scaravelli inspired yoga class, join one of Catherine's weekly online sessions at Catherine Annis Yoga.