I earned my teaching certification from the White Lotus Foundation, studying under Ganga White and Tracey Rich. Continued practice with teachers including Aadil Palkhivala, Lisa Walford, Frank White, Harry Mastrogeorge and many, many others - including my students - have further influenced my approach to teaching.
My goal is to demystify the process of exploring yoga postures and safely assist those who join me as they discover and celebrate the uniqueness of their bodies and their yoga practice. I teach an eclectic and energetic practice with an enthusiastic regard for the evolutionary art and infinite possibilities of Hatha yoga. I'm on the teaching staff at the Center for Yoga in Los Angeles - founded by Ganga White in 1967 - and I've assisted Tracey and Ganga in their teacher training at White Lotus. We even team up for weekend retreats from time to time.
I feel the best way to deepen our understanding of something we are passionate about is to teach it to someone. Sharing the spark that ignites our inner flame - our joys and devotions - makes it burn hotter, brighter and draws the light closer to the surface. It's the highest form of learning: to step back into the circle with an offering, even a flicker of what we've acquired from the radiants who have inspired us, a ray of sunlight or a lightening bolt drawn from the cloud of mystique that hovers above us all. St. Francis said where there are shadows, we should bring light. Of course he's right, but I think the shadows can show us a lot, too.
"The beauty and respect which James brings to the practice of Yoga is a natural emanation of his creative nature. As an inspired, successful playwright and actor he adds a dimension and depth of feeling to his classes that encourages his students to look beneath the surface. We love him for his ease, his spark, his poetry of soul and wisdom beyond his years shared in wry humor that makes it all worth the price of admission. We know you will too."
----Tracey Rich and Ganga White
Listen to an interview with Ganga White from Lime radio's Fitness Guru (mp3 file, approx. 11.5 min).
White Lotus Weekend
Join me in Santa Barbara this summer - July 3-6 weekend - for my 3rd annual White Lotus Weekend Event.
My Yoga Story
Or, What I Did, Have Done and Am Doing On My Yoga Vacation
I started flirting with yoga while I was in high school. The attraction was purely physical... continue reading »
photo: Riad Galayini
