In 2017, Jeanne and her husband Steve moved to Struisbaai from Cape Town. She was the founder of Struisbaai Yoga Studio, Cape Agulhas from 2020 to 2023.

Jeanne and her husband, Steve now live in Milnerton and she has the privilege of teaching at the studio where she learnt and practised Yoga under the guidance of Yvonne de Kock, Senior Advanced Iyengar Yoga teacher from 2009 to 2017.

Iyengar Yoga has an emphasis on detail, precision and alignment in the performance of postures (asanas).

Jeanne grew up in Cape Town and studied Fashion and Textile Design at the Cape Town Institute of Fine Art, together with the unique opportunity of continuing her design studies as the sole student of a Dutch master patternmaker. Further qualifications were obtained in Textile Technology, Public Relations and Marketing Management. Her career in Ladies Fashion as a Patternmaker, Designer, Senior Buyer, Senior Merchandise Manager, Fashion Forecaster and Merchandise Director encompassed manufacturing, retailing and consulting over a period of 23 years. After a short sabbatical and having obtained her Real Estate Board qualifications, she moved into the Real Estate sector for 15 years as an Independent Contractor and Sales Associate. Both careers have been very rewarding, for which she is profoundly grateful.

Jeanne is a 500hour Certified Yoga Teacher (CYT)  :  High Honours 200hour CYT Yoga Alliance Hatha Yoga, 300hour CYT Yoga Alliance Hatha Yoga , Yin Yoga CYT Yoga Alliance and Chair Yoga CYT, together with an internationally accredited CPD Diploma, with Distinction, in Yoga Teaching.

She incorporates Hatha, Iyengar ,Vinyasa, Astanga and Restorative principles in her classes. She achieved National and Provincial colours in Basketball, and awarded a 1st Dan Black Belt in Funakoshi Karate under Shihan Sanette Smit, 8th Dan. Both master teachers, Yvonne de Kock and Shihan Smit, have shaped her life’s path and she holds them in high esteem. Together with her son Chad, she summited Mnt. Kilimanjaro (19,343ft) in 2017, summited Mnt. Kala Patthar, Himalayas (18,541ft) and trekked to and camped at Everest Base Camp (17,600ft) in 2018. She has been blessed with indescribable wildlife encounters with gorillas in the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and chimpanzees in the Kibale Forests in Uganda. Jeanne is a dedicated runner and respects all forms of nature. Her daughter, Paula and son, Chad also practise Yoga. Jeanne has been practising Iyengar Yoga for 15 years and is passionate about teaching Chair Yoga to those with limited range of motion, injuries and mature students.

Letter from a wonderful yogi and lady, Struisbaai.

Dear Jeanne

How do I say thank you.

Since I found your advert in May 2020 I have never looked back. I joined you in your Yoga Studio in Struisbaai as a broken person.

Fibromyalgia had taken over my body and made it difficult for me to move with comfort. With a new health plan I joined your studio.

You took me in with all my inabilities to make certain moves: in your gentle firm way you encouraged me and motivated me to go beyond what I ever expected from my body. So much so that I trust you beyond all doubt.

Your compassion and awareness to know how your students are without even asking is amazing. With your quiet strength and encouragement you celebrated every little achievement I made.

I can say with pride that I have managed to do all the easy and most of the medium poses in the Hatha, Iyengar and Vinyasa Yoga lessons you have taught me. I also managed the head balance and all the sun salutations – amazing for someone who struggled with downward dog and couldn’t even begin to plank…

Thank you Jeanne from the bottom of my heart for helping me to believe in me.

Thank you that you helped me to realise that Fibromyalgia lives in me on my terms and not have  fibromyalgia rule my life!!!

THANK YOU Jeanne, my tutor, my friend.

I miss you and all our lessons.

Love

Frieda Freyer Apsey

27 June 2023