James Happe
Yoga and Meditation instruction
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Articles and musings
March 13, 2018
A lot of my students ask me about if I think that headstand (sirsasana) should be taught or not. My general answer is a diversion: "headstand is a very complicated posture with many moving parts and considerations and it's very difficult to do it correctly without some distortion or subsequent damage."
December 2, 2015
In this video, Sam Harris says that stress-reductive benefits of meditation are rather trivial compared to the insights one can discover about the nature of the […]
April 29, 2015
A great post about the difference between yoga (as a broad discipline) and asana (as one of its components). “Are you always doing yoga in an […]
November 3, 2014
I recently received a coffee cup as a gift with the message, “Yoga is 99% Practice and 1% Theory” printed on the side. I’ve been thinking […]
September 22, 2014
There’s a big difference between practicing yoga and doing yoga. From my perspective here is how I would describe the two.* Doing yoga is fun. It’s […]
September 3, 2014
With the passing of Mr. Iyengar last week I have been thinking about how I responded to his death and some of the implications of having a […]
August 10, 2014
A Zen story: “Once a group of monks were practicing their morning meditation when the sound of construction that was taking place outside the meditation hall […]
July 27, 2014
There is an increasing trend of new activities being branded with the word “yoga”. This is usually included as part of a more marketable name (kite-flying […]
July 14, 2014
In his lecture series “The Science of Enlightenment“, Shinzen Young discusses the possible implications of not being able to sit with discomfort. In a nutshell the […]
Obligatory photo shoot of me teaching people yoga
Education
2018Bachelor of Honours in Psychology
Completed my honours degree in counselling psychology through UNISA. Modules included: Research Methodology, Psychopathology, Developmental Psychology, Psychological Assessment, Ecosystemic Psychology, Therapeutic Psychology, Community and Health Psychology and a research report on Moral Development in Adolescents.2017Completed Iyengar teacher trainingcertification
Completed the final year of the 4 year Introductory Certificate teacher training in the Iyengar method of yoga instruction.2016A.C.T. Therapist Certification
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy certification obtained under the instruction of Russ Harris. A.C.T. is a mindfulness based coaching and counselling methodology. Tell me more. Book a session2014Certified Recovery Coach
Participated in and completed the Recovery Coaching training through the Foundation Clinic (formerly SHARP recovery centre).2013BSC Psychology - University of South Africa
Got a degree after reading a LOT of stuff about how everyone is basically not OK. No exceptions.2012Advanced Thai Massage certification
Level 3 certification obtained in therapeutic Thai massage techniques. Totally legit.2011300 hour Jivamukti yoga teacher training
Obtained my second certification in the Jivamukti yoga method under the mentorship of Jules Febre. The course was facilitated by the founders of the Jivamukti school, Sharon Gannon and David Life.2008Introduction to Ayurvedic Principles certification
Completed an introductory course in the basic principles of Ayurvedic thought to supplement my yoga training.2006200 hour Hatha yoga teacher training
Certification obtained through the Yoga Vidya Dham School under the tutelage of Cherryl Duncan.
What is "the yoga"?
"I started yoga by mistake. I was interested in a Tai Chi class at the Lim Rim buddhist centre and thought the yoga would be a great warm up since there was a yoga class scheduled before the Tai Chi. The yoga kept going and the Tai Chi fell away. That was 18 years ago.
It has always seemed like such a natural practice for me that still to this day I don’t identify myself as a “yoga” person. It’s just a part of my life like eating or sleeping. I definitely think about the system a lot and have spent a lot of time learning and refining my perspective of what yoga is, but I don’t think I’ll ever have a strictly definitive answer. For now I see it as a life system, a method of training the body and mind to make life a little less coarse and a little more fluid.
I do, however, see yoga as a discipline and not as entertainment. It’s hard work, not for hard work’s sake but because it requires effort. It’s a practice of will-power (intentionally directing the mind and body), a practice of self study (watching the response of the mind and body), a practice of compassion (initially for the self) and ultimately a practice of surrender (finding out when not doing something is more effective and impactful than doing something). The discipline results in freedom because there can be no true freedom without discipline.
In the context of my practice, discipline is the act or process of intelligence, of understanding what is good for you and what isn’t, of compassionate restraint, of learning when to work hard and when to be soft. This is what yoga has taught me and what yoga is for me. For now.”
Atha yoga anushasanam (Now this is yoga as I have perceived it in the natural world.)
—Yoga Sutra 1.1
Stuff my practice has taught me
Mentorship
If you've completed your yoga teacher training, you're currently on a teacher training and need more guidance or you just want to have some personalised feedback on your practice, consider a part-time mentorship. Mentorship has a broad scope, is tailored to each mentee's specific needs and includes:
- Feedback and "another set of eye" on your physical practice
- Working through obstacles in your practice and/or teaching
- Teaching coaching
- Learning more hands-on assisting techniques and in-depth usage of props
- Meditation coaching and additional training
- In-depth sequencing for specific needs and goals
- Planning and executing workshops
- Online marketing ideas, tips and tricks
Sign up today to take your first step on the next part of you personal yoga journey!
Ask a question
I might have an answer that could work. If not I can always refer you on to someone who could help.
Teaching schedule and events
Upcoming events
There are no upcoming events.
Sign-up for updates
Share your email address with me and I'll send you stuff that I think is interesting and let you know about upcoming events.
[mc4wp_form id="278"]
Or you could...
Articles and musings
March 13, 2018
A lot of my students ask me about if I think that headstand (sirsasana) should be taught or not. My general answer is a diversion: "headstand is a very complicated posture with many moving parts and considerations and it's very difficult to do it correctly without some distortion or subsequent damage."
December 2, 2015
In this video, Sam Harris says that stress-reductive benefits of meditation are rather trivial compared to the insights one can discover about the nature of the […]
April 29, 2015
A great post about the difference between yoga (as a broad discipline) and asana (as one of its components). “Are you always doing yoga in an […]
November 3, 2014
I recently received a coffee cup as a gift with the message, “Yoga is 99% Practice and 1% Theory” printed on the side. I’ve been thinking […]
September 22, 2014
There’s a big difference between practicing yoga and doing yoga. From my perspective here is how I would describe the two.* Doing yoga is fun. It’s […]
September 3, 2014
With the passing of Mr. Iyengar last week I have been thinking about how I responded to his death and some of the implications of having a […]
August 10, 2014
A Zen story: “Once a group of monks were practicing their morning meditation when the sound of construction that was taking place outside the meditation hall […]
July 27, 2014
There is an increasing trend of new activities being branded with the word “yoga”. This is usually included as part of a more marketable name (kite-flying […]
July 14, 2014
In his lecture series “The Science of Enlightenment“, Shinzen Young discusses the possible implications of not being able to sit with discomfort. In a nutshell the […]
Obligatory photo shoot of me teaching people yoga
Education
2018Bachelor of Honours in Psychology
Completed my honours degree in counselling psychology through UNISA. Modules included: Research Methodology, Psychopathology, Developmental Psychology, Psychological Assessment, Ecosystemic Psychology, Therapeutic Psychology, Community and Health Psychology and a research report on Moral Development in Adolescents.2017Completed Iyengar teacher trainingcertification
Completed the final year of the 4 year Introductory Certificate teacher training in the Iyengar method of yoga instruction.2016A.C.T. Therapist Certification
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy certification obtained under the instruction of Russ Harris. A.C.T. is a mindfulness based coaching and counselling methodology. Tell me more. Book a session2014Certified Recovery Coach
Participated in and completed the Recovery Coaching training through the Foundation Clinic (formerly SHARP recovery centre).2013BSC Psychology - University of South Africa
Got a degree after reading a LOT of stuff about how everyone is basically not OK. No exceptions.2012Advanced Thai Massage certification
Level 3 certification obtained in therapeutic Thai massage techniques. Totally legit.2011300 hour Jivamukti yoga teacher training
Obtained my second certification in the Jivamukti yoga method under the mentorship of Jules Febre. The course was facilitated by the founders of the Jivamukti school, Sharon Gannon and David Life.2008Introduction to Ayurvedic Principles certification
Completed an introductory course in the basic principles of Ayurvedic thought to supplement my yoga training.2006200 hour Hatha yoga teacher training
Certification obtained through the Yoga Vidya Dham School under the tutelage of Cherryl Duncan.
What is "the yoga"?
"I started yoga by mistake. I was interested in a Tai Chi class at the Lim Rim buddhist centre and thought the yoga would be a great warm up since there was a yoga class scheduled before the Tai Chi. The yoga kept going and the Tai Chi fell away. That was 18 years ago.
It has always seemed like such a natural practice for me that still to this day I don’t identify myself as a “yoga” person. It’s just a part of my life like eating or sleeping. I definitely think about the system a lot and have spent a lot of time learning and refining my perspective of what yoga is, but I don’t think I’ll ever have a strictly definitive answer. For now I see it as a life system, a method of training the body and mind to make life a little less coarse and a little more fluid.
I do, however, see yoga as a discipline and not as entertainment. It’s hard work, not for hard work’s sake but because it requires effort. It’s a practice of will-power (intentionally directing the mind and body), a practice of self study (watching the response of the mind and body), a practice of compassion (initially for the self) and ultimately a practice of surrender (finding out when not doing something is more effective and impactful than doing something). The discipline results in freedom because there can be no true freedom without discipline.
In the context of my practice, discipline is the act or process of intelligence, of understanding what is good for you and what isn’t, of compassionate restraint, of learning when to work hard and when to be soft. This is what yoga has taught me and what yoga is for me. For now.”
Atha yoga anushasanam (Now this is yoga as I have perceived it in the natural world.)
—Yoga Sutra 1.1
Stuff my practice has taught me
Mentorship
If you've completed your yoga teacher training, you're currently on a teacher training and need more guidance or you just want to have some personalised feedback on your practice, consider a part-time mentorship. Mentorship has a broad scope, is tailored to each mentee's specific needs and includes:
- Feedback and "another set of eye" on your physical practice
- Working through obstacles in your practice and/or teaching
- Teaching coaching
- Learning more hands-on assisting techniques and in-depth usage of props
- Meditation coaching and additional training
- In-depth sequencing for specific needs and goals
- Planning and executing workshops
- Online marketing ideas, tips and tricks
Sign up today to take your first step on the next part of you personal yoga journey!
Ask a question
I might have an answer that could work. If not I can always refer you on to someone who could help.