My Teaching & Collaborations
I am an author and yoga teacher with the belief that collaboration and exchange are at the heart of learning and teaching and are essential for growth, understanding and gathering of new skills. It is from this two-way dialogue that I write and offer a somatic style of vinyasa yoga and movement which stems from a listening within, so the body’s knowing wisdom and resilience can be heard, felt and valued.
Connecting with the breath as the movement source and the earth for support, I weave traditional and contemporary principles into movement sequences to experience felt presence and safely draw participants beyond perceived limitation and closer to true potential and confidence.
As a curious lover of movement and creativity I have spent (and still do spend) much of my life exploring bodywork disciplines, travelling and practicing yoga. I discovered yoga whilst training as a dancer. It soon then became an integral part of my life, developing alongside my career as a contemporary performer and, perhaps more importantly, alongside my own personal learning and growth.
Adopt the pace of nature
her secret is
patienceRalph Waldo Emerson
I originally qualified as an Iyengar yoga teacher in 1995, and since then I have continued to study different forms of yoga, movement and spiritual practices with many great teachers from diverse backgrounds. Of particular influence are the teachings of Pema Chödrön, Bonnie Bainbridge Cohen (Body Mind Centre) and Dr. Andreo Spina (Functional Range Conditioning).
Through collaborating with other teachers and artists who share a flame for the expressive body, most notably Liz Lark, Anna Ashby, Aki Omori, Mimi Kuo Deemer and Karen Yeomans, my own development and understanding has been greatly fed and supported.
As well as being an author of yoga books, I also teach open classes in London and am a co-founder of Daoist Flow Yoga Level 1 and triyoga’s Advanced Teacher Training. I also offer one to one tuition, yoga workshops, retreats and holidays in the UK and abroad.
Certification:
Yoga Alliance Professionals (UK) – SYT: Senior Yoga Teacher
Yoga Alliance (US) E-RYT-500: Experienced Registered Yoga Teacher.
MA in Performing Arts
Books
BREATHE
Simple techniques for a calmer, happier life
Quadrille Publishing
Astanga Yoga & Meditation
A Practical Guide to Yoga Postures
Abbeydale Press
Astanga Yoga
A In-depth Guide to the Primary Series
Anness Books
Everyone triyoga
Everyone triyoga
In association with Triyoga
Testimonials
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‘When I practiced with Jean Hall, my whole understanding of yoga, movement and breath turned upside down. She guides you to that sweet point of ‘effortless effort’ or ‘flow’ when everything is working in sync, when the mind is quiet, the breath is long and deep, and the movement is free.’
Katt Wright
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‘Jean, I have to say thank you and thank you again for your class this afternoon. I often do, within the space you hold for us, find a strength and also peacefulness within. I, all at once, feel content to rest in my gentleness and, like a new child - eager to learn the feeling of the movements.’
Michelle Erkiert
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‘What beautiful yoga, what fun and I feel I’ve learnt so much and have carried so much away and back into my life! Thank you also for being so generous with your time, and all the ideas you brought into our practice and generous adjustions which are still very much reverberating strongly!’
Emily Bruni
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‘I spent countless hours in this bookstore near Embankment – and I found your beautiful book “Astanga” and would pour over it for hours. Finally one day I just shelled out the money to buy it and it has become one of the most sacred and precious belongings of mine. Six years later and I am now teaching in Canada and now on Maui. Back when I was in London, it never even occurred to me to find you in London and study with you but your book and teachings provided much insight and yogic companionship on my journey and for that I am eternally grateful.’
Pia Lo
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‘For several years I begin each day rotating to one of your three yoga sequences, Back Alignment, Activating Energy, or Tension Release and practicing the asanas. Each time feels like a fresh, new experience. Your book, YOGA, a practical step by step guide, Abbeydale Press, 2003 has changed my life for the better. I am writing to thank you.’
Suzanne McLaughlin
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‘What I find amazing about your teaching method is that by taking students into an asana a certain way, by preparing the body and taking attention to seemingly small angles, muscles, alignment, we find ourselves in asanas we thought we couldn’t achieve. It’s quite an experience!’
Petra Coveney
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‘What I really liked about your class is that you care about your students. The care, the engagement, the love of your craft stands out.’
Tim Mygind