Josetta grew up in the inner city of Southampton, the child of a Jamaican docks worker and an English doctor’s receptionist. They spent their late teens at Greenham Common Women’s Peace Camp, which had a profound impact on shaping their ethics and politics, and then lived in Bristol and Cornwall. It is in Cornwall that Josetta discovered their passion for yoga and enjoyed learning and practicing on beautiful Cornish cliffs. They spent several years in Brighton where they gained their 500 hour British Wheel of Yoga Teacher Diploma, and worked in the Mental Health sector, before moving to Walthamstow in East London where they taught for six years. They teach a mixture of NHS mental health wards, private students and community classes, including free/donations classes for queer and trans people. Josetta returned to Brighton early 2018. They love to teach, particularly to people who don’t think yoga is for them or who can’t easily access yoga classes. Josetta is now available to take on new private students and NHS sessions in Brighton/East Sussex. Josetta is a non-binary yoga teacher, pronouns are they/them/theirs. They are queer, and have been vegan for over 30 years. They love nothing more than practicing yoga and meditation out in the sun and nature.

Yoga experience:

Josetta has been practising Ashtanga since 2001 and qualified to teach with the British Wheel of Yoga in 2010, they are also on the Register of Exercise Professionals (REPS). They have been lucky enough to study under some of the top international teachers; Manju Jois (son of Pattabhis Jois, who founded and developed Ashtanga), Nancy Gilgoff and Ryan Spielman http://www.trueryan.com/.

Josetta has taught and practiced in Mexico, Goa, Berlin, Cornwall, Brighton and London. They hold a British Wheel of Yoga Diploma so is fully qualified and insured to teach generic yoga posture classes as well as Ashtanga yoga (see here for more on different yoga styles). They have completed Primary and Secondary Adjustment courses with Manju Jois, Nancy Gilgoff and Ryan Spielman. They also completed several post diploma courses ranging from teaching athletes and sports people to teaching people with ME/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

They are dedicated to equalities and inclusion and run regular classes for marginalised groups for instance, on NHS mental health wards and Queer and Trans Yoga classes. They are particularly interested in teaching yoga to individuals and communities that find it hard to access mainstream yoga studios and gyms. They see yoga as a tool for better mental and physical health and believe that everyone can benefit with the right support and guidance.

they specialise in beginners and improvers classes as well as one-to-ones. They come with a portfolio of recommendations (for a sample see their testimonies page here), and is known as an approachable and supportive teacher.

Josetta also works in Mental Health as a Senior LGBTQ Mental Health Advocate for MindOut LGBTQ mental health service. Previously they worked as an advice worker for Mind in Brighton and Hove, an advocate at MindOut, an LGBTQ homeless case worker for the Albert Kennedy Trust and as a Senior Manager for mental health charity PACE. Their interest in mental health stems from managing mental heatlh conditions and autism traits themselves, which led them to focus their degree on mental health and racism, and after graduating with a first, they began volunteering for the mental health charity Mind in Brighton and Hove.  This makes Josetta a unique yoga teacher; they focus on developing positive mental well being along with strengthening and healing your body.

 “I have trained all over the world, but teach in London and Brighton. I live in Brighton but commute to London to teach on mental health wards and see private clients. I tailor my classes to suit each student, whether it is Ashtanga, more gentle yoga or chair yoga for people with dementia, serious mental health issues or physical health problems. Ashtanga is for people who want to have a strong supple body as well as positive mental health as it calms and balances the mind. I just love to share this amazing practice!”

Josetta Malcolm, Josetta Yoga, Brighton