Our Teachers

Jeannie Holmes

Studio Owner.

BSOCSCI Psychology and Anthropology from University of Cape Town.

Teacher Training at Yoga Vidya Gurukul , India (2007) and The Shala, Cape Town (2015).

Yoga Therapy Diploma from

Yoga Vidya Gurukul, India (2017).

Yoga Psychology from Yoga Vidya Gurukul (2021).

Yoga Wellness Instructor

registered with AYUSH(Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani,

Siddha and Homeopathy) Ministry, Government of India (2022).

Advanced Pranayama Teacher Training, Yoga Vidya Gurukul (2023).

Taught at the International Yoga Festival, India (2024)

Practicing since 2004, with over 1200 contact hours of Teacher Trainings and over 12 000 hours teaching.

I try my utmost to teach what I learn along this path, integrating the science, philosophy and art of yoga, along with detailed structural alignment and the ever~refining intricacies of anatomy, physiology, energy and mind, attuned with breath and awareness. It is so beautiful to experience dimensions, sheaths of being and be an aspirant of uncovering the fullest expression of Self. I fascinate on our potential to heal. I fascinate on our subtleties of being and how we can deeply connect with ourselves, with each other and with our surroundings. We should all be given the tools from the onset on how to best manage and cultivate equilibrium, equanimity, symmetry and harmony to balance with ease through all experiences, and have the sense of freedom and self~reliance through taking responsibility for our own energetic systems and levels of mind for healing always. So to moving consciously through experiences for our ultimate liberation.

I engage Hatha techniques, integrated with intelligently sequenced slow~slow Vinyasa. Focusing on detailed alignment, the purpose of the techniques and health benefits. Encouraging strength, stability, balance, healing and awakening awareness to cultivate steadiness with ease to make more tangible, visceral, the subtle energetics and innate intelligence of the practice. Using the tools of yoga to know tranquility and peace; making space to perceive the ‘bigger picture’, the infinite, and aligned with the true goals of life. Nurturing a far greater capacity to move through challenges, to dissipate fear and enjoy simple and effective tools that cultivate comfort.

Over the years I am guided to the deeper and more advancing practices of Meditation and Pranayama, and I specialise in the technique of Yoga Nidra, which I first learnt in India in 2007. Yoga Nidra induces systematic relaxation where the physical body deeply rests and the mind restores in a suspended state, from where your positive healing intention can be easily planted in the field of consciousness and more readily manifest through daily, aligned actions.

I have always been drawn to experiences and learning that dawn new perspectives, and draw one closer to connection. It was at the drop zone that I first discovered yoga with freeflying instructor, Andre Du Preez who taught me yoga asana to obtain yoga/ freeflying positions in the sky.  At this time I was also completing my BSOCSCI Psychology and Anthropology at the University of Cape Town.

In 2007, inspired by teacher Marie Stander, I ventured to the university Yoga Vidya Gurukul, India to complete the 250hr Yoga Teacher Training program. When I first travelled to Yoga Vidya Gurukul, I was in high hopes of discovering methods to help me heal from digestive ailments and all its knock on effects. At that time western medical only offered daily chemical medication, which I would not try nor adhere too. Thankfully, the intelligent practical and effective programs taught during the Teacher Training, and further personal instruction from Guruji, Dr Shri Vishwas Mandlik, guided me on how to heal physically, emotionally and mentally and from there I’ve hoped to offer these tools, all that I learn, and experientially practice, to all that I meet.

I completed an additional 200hr Vinyasa Yoga Teacher Training at The Shala in 2015, as well as the Advanced Teacher Training course in 2018. Special praises to Tamsin Sheehy and the years of mentorship that will hopefully continue till the end of my days.

I finally returned to India in 2017 to experience and obtain the 250hr Diploma in Yoga Therapy. I also learnt to personally heal from mental and emotional suffering.Thanks and respect to the lecturers at Yoga Vidya Gurukul ; Kate Mandlik, Gandhar Mandlik and Dr. Prafullachandra Dorle. I look for daily inspiration and guidance from the phenomenal texts written by Swami Satyananda Saraswati, Swami Niranjanananda Swaraswati, Swami Vivekananda and B.K.S Iyengar.

Since 2017 I taught weekly therapeutic yoga lessons and meditation at Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital for the caregivers and hospital staff. I have also taught the doctors and hospital staff at Somerset Hospital.

Over the past few years I have taught at Growing Minds, DSK-German International School of Cape Town, Reddam House and Prestwitch School.

I created AWAKE Yoga Studio in Sea Point and The Healing Resolve in Claremont and The Wilderness, where I regularly teach as well as through the online platforms.

In 2021 I completed Yoga Psychology, online through Yoga Vidya Gurukul India and in 2022, Yoga Wellness Instructor registered with AYUSH Ministry (Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy) Government of India. In 2023, completed Advanced Pranayama Teacher Training from Yoga Vidya Gurukul. Recently, it was such a great honour and privilege to teach a workshop on structural healing at the International Yoga Festival at Yoga Vidya Gurukul, India.

At my practice I help students with Heart Disease, Diabetes, Arthritis, Parkinson, Multiple Sclerosis, Neuralgia, Guillain-Barré Syndrome, Diverticulitis, Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Scoliosis, Herniated Discs, Spondylitis, Spinal Compression, Drop Foot, Partial Paralysis, Hyperthyroidism, Hypothyroidism, Brain Cancer, Breast Cancer, Lung Cancer, Liver Cancer, Intestinal Cancer, Chronic Depression, Manic Depression, Schizophrenia, Panic Disorder, Anxiety, ADHD, and I specialise in chronic pain, with helping find simple solutions to help structural, neural and endocrine issues.

Years observing individual patterning with the intention of helping to heal, and from here it’s plain to see how to effectively instruct and help individualise the practices to safe, steady and effective comfort with ease.