Hello I’m Joanne Jackett and welcome to my Shraddha Yoga Centre web site

Shraddha Yoga Centre has been established in Brighton since 1985, but my yoga journey began in 1975 at the Gita School of Yoga where I attended classes in Hatha Yoga, Yoga Philosophy and Progressive Yoga Relaxation with Margrit Segesman.

I qualified to teach in 1979 and remained as a teacher and student at the school until 1985 when I then began teaching independently.

In recent years I have furthered my studies in Meditation and Yoga Philosophy becoming a member and student of the Self-Realisation Fellowship who disseminate the teachings of Paramahansa Yogananda.

I hold regular Hatha Yoga classes welcoming beginners and experienced students.  Monthly relaxation sessions are also held throughout the year and an annual Yoga Meditation Retreat.

I also teach Meditation and Yoga Philosophy for those who are interested in exploring deeper levels of the teachings.

My recordings of relaxation and meditation can be listened to free of charge or downloaded from this web site for a minimal cost.  These recordings and others, can also be found on the free ‘Insight Timer’ app. Please use this direct link insig.ht/joannejackett  and you can listen on your phone.

Please feel free to contact me any time.   Blessings and warm wishes.

I believe in creating a balanced life. For this to happen, one must first see the reason for achieving this. The inspiration may come through some form of life or health challenge or it may come through the teaching of someone who demonstrates a balanced life. The important point is that we maintain an open mind and a spirit of enquiry.

I believe in the long term benefits of a yoga practice, including yoga relaxation and the integration of yoga philosophy into ones daily life. This can thoroughly support us in our endeavour to create a balanced life. With a positive attitude, life is limitless in its possibilities. Life is exciting and can be a continuous adventure.

Yoga means ‘union’. Ultimately, union with the Divine. But as we are so deeply entrenched in the physical, we need to acquire certain skills and knowledge to take us further.

Yoga has many branches. For most of us a good place to start is Asana Practice….Hatha Yoga. This provides us with the means to achieve more flexibility, strength, greater concentration, clarity and most importantly, relaxation. Relaxation, not just at a superficial level, but at a depth that enables us to maintain calmness and stability when faced with life’s challenges. Relaxation that helps the body to function at optimum health and allows us to tune into the depth of wisdom that is within us all.

My teaching incorporates Asana practice, pranayama, relaxation, chanting, meditation and philosophy.
“Intuition is soul guidance, appearing naturally in man during those instants when his mind is calm…The goal of yoga science is to calm the mind, that without distortion it may hear the infallible counsel of the Inner Voice’ Paramahansa Yogananda, in Autobiography of a Yogi.

The twists and turns that took place in my life led me in 1974 to seek answers to some of life’s ‘big questions’.  A business associate at the time, said to me one day – ‘you have a permanent frown on your face, you really should do yoga’. Hearing this made me think that perhaps I should do something about it. So it was on that day  I enrolled as a beginner at the Gita School of Yoga, which was then located at 21 Alfred Place, just off the Paris end of Collins Street.

My first impression as I walked into the school was inspiring. The energy was peaceful and warm. A total escape from the hectic city pace. From that very first class to this present day I have enjoyed the exciting journey of discovery along the yoga path.

Margrit Segesman was the founder and principle of the Gita School and I was most fortunate to be her student for many years. Her inspiration and teaching led hundreds of students to practice Hatha Yoga, Yoga philosophy and Yoga relaxation. She believed that ‘there exists within mankind a power which  can be used as wings to explore new dimensions of freedom and self development.’ She also believed that there is a way by which people can free themselves from anxieties, fears, tensions and ‘hang-ups’, and achieve fulfillment of themselves by using all the potentialities of their unlimited minds.

I learnt from Margrit that with a positive attitude life is limitless in its magnitude, it can be a continuous adventure.