CAROLYN COWAN is a London-based yoga teacher and psychosexual and relationship therapist. Before her career as a therapist, she worked as a fashion designer and photographer. In the 1980s, Cowan earned to become a makeup artist in the famous pop music video industry. She also works to taught body painting at the University of the Arts London for more than 20 years. Recently, Carolyn founded and launched a new form of yoga, Kundalini Global, in answer to the rapidly growing and profound need for yoga to become more inclusive and serve a wider demographic
Cowan’s professional life is now largely focused on her work as a psychosexual and relationship therapist. She is a member of the College of Sexual and Relationship Therapists (COSRT) and accredited with the National Counselling Society (NCS). She works in all manners of addictive behaviors and sexual dysfunction, including working with same-sex couples, pre- and post-natal relationships, and sexual issues.
Carolyn is also known as an international Kundalini yoga teacher. She told us that she discovered yoga in India and was heavily inspired by Hindu spirituality. During her interview with British Vogue, she said, “yoga builds confidence, connections, and friendships. In addition, it eases loneliness, gives you faith in yourself. By attending her regular classes, you will join a community and a worldwide tribe; with yoga as a part of your main focus, you can go on to train as a teacher, empower yourself and change the lives of others as well.”
In addition to her therapy practice, Cowan also provides training for the treatment of drug and alcohol addiction and sexual compulsion, gambling, shopping, compulsive porn, and cutting her Mastering the Addictive Personality Teacher Training course, which provides the practitioner to work in prisons and several rehab centers. Cowan also explores addiction and anxiety through the lens of trauma, shame, and abuse rather than the widely accepted 21-step disease model. Thorugh her other workshops focus on topics such as shame, the anatomy of posture and hormones, female arousal, and menopause.
Exhibitions and Shows
- (1996) Indian High Commission
- (1997) Egg
- (1998) Horniman Museum
- (1998) The Sun and Doves
- (1999) Bhuj Museum, India
- (2010) Lingering Whispers
- (2011) City of Women – Slovenia
- (2012) WeDo Gallery, Bangkok
- (2015) Taylor Wessing Photographic Prize, National Portrait Gallery, London
