James Knight
About
At age 17, I was recruited to be a high fashion model because of my appearance. But this career left me feeling empty inside. I felt that I wasn’t contributing anything of real value to others and my soul yearned to express in a more meaningful way. As a result I’ve spent years dissolving limiting beliefs and images that I placed on myself and others.
I found ways to integrate my life traumas and dismantle the defense structures that my body held in its tissues. Instead of reacting to life’s stresses, I found healthful ways to respond. Today, this is my main spiritual practice: staying present in each moment, listening to my body’s messages, and making conscious choices that will nourish and sustain me. This is why my motto is “Awaken the Possible!” All of us have the power to shift into a more joyous and conscious way of living. And every answer, indeed, every solution is found within. Instead of just surviving, we can move into natural states of thriving.
Through these processes I realized that it was my soul calling to share my experiences with others and to empower people to live a life of peace, wellbeing, and vibrant health.
Gentle Somatic Yoga® (GSY) is the culmination of my life’s work. Along the path, I have trained to become an experienced yoga teacher, certified Hanna Somatic Educator, body-oriented psychotherapist, a bodyworker from multiple disciplines, a watsu-aquatic therapy practitioner, a reiki and energy worker, and author. All of these modalities are woven into GSY as my gift to the world. GSY is a unique and powerful method of easy and reliable everyday self-care.
Many people I have met on this journey comment on my non-hierarchical approach to facilitating events and private sessions. This humbleness is my authentic self, which allows me to both hold reverence for others on their paths and a compassionate space for wherever they are on their journey.
My deepest joy is helping others shift their consciousness into a more fulfilling state. I am committed to illuminate myself and, in turn, help awaken what’s possible for YOU on every level! With these values guiding my intentions I invite you to join me on a continued journey of self-discovery and personal growth, so that together we can elevate the collective consciousness of humanity into more optimal states of peace and unity.
Respectfully,
James Knight
Join James Knight and Avi Gordon, Director of Integral Yoga Teacher’s Association, in this interview and podcast.
In this conversation Avi asks James some great questions about how he developed Gentle Somatic Yoga, his spiritual values as a yoga teacher, and his philosophy on many deep subjects.
If you want to get to know James currently, the above video is hot off the press as of August 2022.
James Knight’s Education & Experience:
James has been honing his skills as a movement educator and therapist since 1990. Gentle Somatic Yoga® is a culmination of his years facilitating yoga events, customized bodywork sessions, and other healing modalities. It was greatly influenced by Thomas Hanna and Eleanor Criswell through The Novato Institute for Somatic Research and Training.
Guest Presenter for the International Association of Yoga Therapists annual SYTAR Conference
Guest Instructor at Maryland University of Integrative Health, Graduate Studies in Yoga Therapy Dept. & Professional and Continuing Education Dept.
Guest Presenter, Program Collaborator, and Blog contributer for YogaU Online
Guest Facilitator at Yogaville, Satchidananda Ashram
Guest Teacher at Inner Peace Yoga Therapy School
Guest Presenter for the Yoga Teachers Association (YTA)
Curriculum Developer, JAI Yoga+Meditation, Seoul, South Korea
Guest Presenter at the Association of Hanna Somatic Education Annual Convention, Novato, California.
Curriculum Developer at the Natural Healing Institute (NHI), Encinitas, CA. NHI offers Professional License and Certification Programs for Yoga, Natural Healing, Holistic Health, Naturopathy and Bodywork.
Curriculum Developer at the Yoga Vista Academy (YVA), Vista, CA. YVA is an advanced yoga teacher training school specializing in Gentle, Senior, Chair and Yoga Therapy.
Faculty at Sonoma State University, Rohnert Park, CA. Classes taught: Psychology of Yoga (Somatic Yoga), Psychology of Meditation, Eco-psychology, Psychology of Wilderness, and Physical Education.
Faculty at Kwatlen College, Vancouver, B.C. Class taught: Health and wellness.
Founder and Director of Carlsbad Center for Awareness, Carlsbad, CA
Founder and Director of the Awareness Research and Training Institute, San Francisco, CA.
Certified Master Feng Shui Consultant: International Feng Shui School. Trained by Amanda Collins.
Graduate Studies in Eco-Psychology, Sonoma State University, CA.
Bachelor of Arts, Cum Laude, Environmental Studies and Planning with a minor in Psychology from Sonoma State University, CA.
Received Advanced Study Certifications in Hanna Somatic Education, Core Energetics (Body-oriented psychotherapy), Brainwave Biofeedback, Massage Therapy, Watsu (aquatic bodywork), and various methods of Yoga.
Make An
Appointment
with James
- Are you a person with chronic pain, stiffness, and/or other physical limitations that are persistent and would like to have immediate relief with long-lasting results?
- Would you like to develop a customized home practice for ongoing self care?
- Are you a yoga teacher, yoga therapist, or movement educator and would like support designing group movement classes? Or would you like to review a case studies of a student or client?