Hey, I'm Jess
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Hey, I'm Jess ✦
Hey, I'm Jess
✦
Hey, I'm Jess ✦
An English yoga teacher based in Geneva, Switzerland.
I lead yoga trainings and immersions - both online and in person.
I specialise in yoga education for curious students and committed teachers. If you’re craving more than a weekly class, or want to know the why behind the what, then come and get your geek on with me.
My teaching style?
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Honouring yoga’s roots.
My teaching respects the spiritual, philosophical, and energetic foundations of yoga, but without freezing them in time. I care deeply about where these practices come from, but appreciate the importance of sharing them in a way that’s relevant for modern life.
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Making yoga make sense.
I love geeking out over anatomy and breathing just as much as I love learning about philosophy or neuroscience - but I share this nerdy info in an accessible way, so you enjoy the benefits, without any brain boggling.
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Energy isn’t woo - it’s wow.
I work with the subtle body and energetic sides of yoga in a grounded, practical and tangible way. The body-mind-breath frameworks are backed-up by science, but I love blending the two approaches together so you get the best of both worlds.
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Accessible isn’t a style - it’s an approach.
Yoga should be accessible full stop, not an adapted version for people who can’t do the pretzel poses. Accessible goes beyond asanas too - the language, atmosphere, and overall vibe should always be inclusive.
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Yoga is super important, but it doesn’t need to be so serious
Learning lands better when people feel relaxed, supported, and human. Humour and light-heartedness are welcome in my classes - and so are you.
5 things you’ll never hear me say in class…
“Hands shoulder distance apart and middle finger pointing forwards” - for vinyasa
Why? This alignment goes against everything we know about wrist / arm / shoulder anatomy and doesn’t make sense for the majority of people (or their skeleton).
“Engage your core to protect your back”
Why? Because engaging your core doesn’t actually protect your back.
“Use a block if you need to”
Why? Blocks are awesome, but language matters. “Need to” has a different energy to “want to” or “try a block and see if it’s helpful” or “I use a block because it’s more comfortable.”
“Inhale, exhale” - to cue every single movement
Why? Because the breath can become robotic and mechanical. I prefer working with it in different ways, so it doesn’t become background noise.
“Square your hips” - in Warrior One
Why? Because it’s anatomically impossible for 99% of people. And honestly, does it actually feel good for anyone?
My yoga journey
It wasn’t love at first sight.
I didn’t enjoy my first yoga class. Having come from an intense sporting background and grown up with a “no pain, no gain” attitude, it wasn't something that I instantly resonated with and as I lay in my first Savasana, I remember willing it to end.
Then everything changed.
I got a new job, moved cities, and found an amazing studio with a bunch of down-to-earth, knowledgeable and friendly teachers. Before I knew it, I was hooked. My yoga practice moved way beyond the poses, and I finally understood what everyone was going on about.
But I kept trying.
I continued going to classes more out of curiosity than passion. Yoga was gentle exercise and a welcome excuse for a longer lunch break.
I quit my job…
…flew to Thailand, and embarked on my first yoga teacher training.
And today?
I teach yoga to people like you, who want to learn more about the various parts of the practice - or even become a teacher themselves.
Since then:
Yoga has been a massive part of my life, and my full-time career. I’ve taught in some incredible places around the world and dedicated almost a decade to deepening my understanding of bodies, minds, breath, and movement.
Quick-fire facts.
I’m originally from the English countryside.
I’m currently based in Geneva, Switzerland.
I have two cats that I adore - they’re sisters but very yin and yang.
I’ve taught yoga in 11 different countries.
If I could pick a superpower I’d love to talk to animals.
Half Moon is my favourite yoga pose.
I could give up chocolate easier than I could give up bread.
I have tiny feet so I save lots of money buying kids shoes.
I love geeking out about the mind-body-breath connection.
My guilty pleasure is reality TV - please don’t judge me.
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These are just some of the wonderful teachers that I’ve trained with over the years:
➜ Brea Johnson (Heart and Bones Yoga): 300 hour YTT (inc.) Decolonising Yoga and Cultural Appropriation with Kallie Schut and Meditation and Mindfulness with Kat Boehm
➜ Nina Vukas (Spanda Institute): 300 hour YTT | Somatic Awareness and Body-Oriented Psychotherapy
➜ Prasad Rangnekaar: Emotion Management through Yoga Philosophy | Pancha Mahabhuta (The Five Elements) in Relation to Yoga
➜ Tiffany Cruikshank (Yoga Medicine): Yoga Anatomy | Traditional Chinese Medicine
➜ Rocky Heron: Intelligent and Creative Sequencing
➜ Eva Hamilton: 50 hour Yin Yoga | Myofascial Release
➜ Doug Keller: Yoga History and Philosophy
➜ Nikki Myers: Yoga Ethics
➜ Michelle Johnson: Yoga in Action
➜ Andrew McGonigle: Anatomy for Yoga Teachers
➜ Jim Bennitt: Fundamentals of Pranayama
➜ Jeanne Heileman: The Subtle Body
➜ Valerie Knopik: Stress Physiology and Yoga
➜ Samma Karuna: 200 hour Yoga Teacher Training
Alongside these “official” trainings, I’ve spent hundreds of hours reading books, listening to podcasts, watching webinars, and collaborating with different teachers to continue to learn from each other.
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Since becoming a certified Yoga Teacher, I’ve been fortunate to teach around the world in a variety of roles. I’ve been…
…a travelling yoga teacher - mainly around Asia, working in various retreat centres for a few weeks or months at a time.
…a live-in yoga teacher at a retreat centre in New Zealand, where I was also the Marketing Manager for NZ’s biggest yoga festival.
…employed full-time as a yoga teacher at one of Edinburgh’s most popular yoga studios.
…a pop-up yoga teacher offering various events such as yoga brunch clubs and outdoor classes.
…a studio owner - I had a my own successful studio for 4+ years in Fribourg, Switzerland. Unfortunately I had to close it when we relocated to Geneva for my partner’s job.
…the teacher / host / organiser of over 15 sold out yoga retreats.
…a Zoom yoga teacher to survive the 2020 years.
…the lead teacher of my own 200 hour yoga teacher training, as well as many shorter trainings and educational yoga events.
…a yoga mentor for aspiring new teachers, or seasoned teachers looking for some additional support.
➜ I’ve taught group classes for up to 100-ish people, private classes, corporate classes and mini-workshops.
➜ I’ve taught yoga both online and in-person, and recently started creating my own online educational courses.
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In-person events:
➜ Yoga mini-training: anatomy, alignment and asanas.
A 12-hour weekend workshop in Geneva, Switzerland.
28th February - 1st March
➜ Yoga mini-training: all about the breath.
A 12-hour weekend workshop in Geneva, Switzerland.
2nd + 3rd May
A one-week immersion in Geneva, Switzerland.
4th - 10th July
➜200 hour yoga teacher training.
A hybrid format: 16 days in-person followed by a one-year online mentorship.
25th July - 9th August
For yoga teachers looking to improve their class planning.
22nd - 25th October
Online courses:
A project dedicated to students and teachers who get sore wrists on their yoga mat.
➜ My online schedule for 2026 will be announced soon.
Stay tuned.