About Jo
I first came to yoga over two decades ago, looking for a way to manage the stress of a demanding job. I soon became hooked – not just on the physical practice, but on the way yoga could change how I felt, both physically and mentally.
As a Human Biologist by training, with a BSc (Hons) in Applied and Human Biology and 20 years' experience in medical research, I have always been fascinated by the relationship between movement, the nervous system and our physical and mental wellbeing. That curiosity continues to shape the way I teach today.
I am the founder of Wise, Wild & Well Studio, a peaceful countryside space near Chippenham and Calne created for yoga, movement, rest and gathering.
The studio grew out of Wise, Wild & Well retreats, which my friend Jane and I began running together in the years following Covid. What started with a shared love of bringing people together for yoga, good food, time outdoors and proper rest gradually grew into something much bigger. The studio is the next chapter for Wise, Wild & Well – a permanent home where some of what we created on retreat can become part of everyday life.
Over the years, my own yoga practice has taken me to retreats and trainings around the world and given me the opportunity to learn from many different teachers and traditions. I have a particular love of yogic philosophy and enjoy bringing the ancient teachings to life, exploring how they can help us navigate the very ordinary challenges of modern life, both on and off the mat.
As a Human Biologist by training, with a BSc (Hons) in Applied and Human Biology and 20 years' experience in medical research, I have always been fascinated by the relationship between movement, the nervous system and our physical and mental wellbeing. That curiosity continues to shape the way I teach today.
I am the founder of Wise, Wild & Well Studio, a peaceful countryside space near Chippenham and Calne created for yoga, movement, rest and gathering.
The studio grew out of Wise, Wild & Well retreats, which my friend Jane and I began running together in the years following Covid. What started with a shared love of bringing people together for yoga, good food, time outdoors and proper rest gradually grew into something much bigger. The studio is the next chapter for Wise, Wild & Well – a permanent home where some of what we created on retreat can become part of everyday life.
Over the years, my own yoga practice has taken me to retreats and trainings around the world and given me the opportunity to learn from many different teachers and traditions. I have a particular love of yogic philosophy and enjoy bringing the ancient teachings to life, exploring how they can help us navigate the very ordinary challenges of modern life, both on and off the mat.
How I Teach
My classes combine movement with breathwork, meditation and relaxation. Increasingly, my teaching also draws on strength and mobility work, reflecting what we now understand about the importance of maintaining strength, balance and confidence as we get older.
I don't believe there is one right way to move or practise yoga. I offer different approaches and adapt practices to suit the person in front of me – whether you want to build strength and balance, move with greater ease, feel more confident in your body, manage stress, or simply have an hour in your week when you can slow down and breathe.
You don't need to be flexible, fit or experienced; we start with where you are.
I particularly enjoy working with people who may not feel well served by more vigorous or conventional approaches to exercise – whether they are returning to movement after illness or injury, adjusting to changes in their body, or simply looking for a gentler and more thoughtful way to look after themselves.
Above all, I want my classes to feel friendly, open and accessible. Many of my students have been practising with me for years, and creating an environment where people feel comfortable and supported matters enormously to me.
My aim is to give you the confidence to work with your body rather than against it – knowing when to challenge yourself, when to adapt and when rest might be exactly what you need.
Quite simply, I want you to leave the room feeling better than you did when you came in.
I don't believe there is one right way to move or practise yoga. I offer different approaches and adapt practices to suit the person in front of me – whether you want to build strength and balance, move with greater ease, feel more confident in your body, manage stress, or simply have an hour in your week when you can slow down and breathe.
You don't need to be flexible, fit or experienced; we start with where you are.
I particularly enjoy working with people who may not feel well served by more vigorous or conventional approaches to exercise – whether they are returning to movement after illness or injury, adjusting to changes in their body, or simply looking for a gentler and more thoughtful way to look after themselves.
Above all, I want my classes to feel friendly, open and accessible. Many of my students have been practising with me for years, and creating an environment where people feel comfortable and supported matters enormously to me.
My aim is to give you the confidence to work with your body rather than against it – knowing when to challenge yourself, when to adapt and when rest might be exactly what you need.
Quite simply, I want you to leave the room feeling better than you did when you came in.
Training & Experience
I completed my 200-hour yoga teacher training with Claire Murphy Yoga in 2016 and am a registered Senior Yoga Teacher with Yoga Alliance Professionals. Alongside my original teacher training, I have completed more than 500 hours of advanced training and continue to study and develop my teaching.
My further training has included Yoga Nidra, restorative yoga, yoga for back pain, stress, anxiety and emotional wellbeing, anatomy and physiology, yoga philosophy, one-to-one teaching and sequencing. I have studied with teachers including Donna Farhi, Bo Forbes, Charlotte Watts, Jason Crandell and Kate Ellis, and more recently trained in Mindful Strength with Kathryn Bruni-Young.
My scientific background remains an important part of my approach. Research around movement, strength, ageing and wellbeing is continually evolving, and I aim to bring together the traditions of yoga with a modern, evidence-informed understanding of the body.
My further training has included Yoga Nidra, restorative yoga, yoga for back pain, stress, anxiety and emotional wellbeing, anatomy and physiology, yoga philosophy, one-to-one teaching and sequencing. I have studied with teachers including Donna Farhi, Bo Forbes, Charlotte Watts, Jason Crandell and Kate Ellis, and more recently trained in Mindful Strength with Kathryn Bruni-Young.
My scientific background remains an important part of my approach. Research around movement, strength, ageing and wellbeing is continually evolving, and I aim to bring together the traditions of yoga with a modern, evidence-informed understanding of the body.
Come and practice with me
Whether you have been practising for years or are just beginning, you are very welcome. Explore what’s happening at the studio and find something that feels right for you.