James Happe Yoga

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James Happe Yoga

I am a Johannesburg based yoga instructor with certifications in Iyengar and Jivamukti styles. I offer private group and one-on-one training. For now.”
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In addition to the physical practice I facilitate meditation and mindfulness trainings. "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 17 years ago. It’s always seemed like such a natural system 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 yoga, 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.

02/10/2024

It's been a minute, but I'm starting to record my evening classes again. Here's the latest one:

A simple "maintenance" sequence that was designed for one of my students so that they could keep conditioned while away on holiday. The sequence covers all of the basic postures from standing poses to backbends to forward folds. It is different from the daily flow sequence in that each posture is ad...

04/01/2023

To test out my new booking system I am incentivising people by offering classes for R100 per class for the month of January. Book a class today https://jameshappeyoga.co.za/bookings/

25/08/2022

A few weeks back a student attended one of my yoga classes and afterwards wrote me a very critical review of my class and teaching style. I would like to share my response here (I can't share the original message without permission) since in responding I had the opportunity to clarify and share some of the thoughts behind my approach to teaching. I'd love to hear your thoughts.

"Hi ###XX.

Thanks for your honest and candid feedback. It's very useful and I can tell that it took you a lot of time and thought. The fact that it is so diametrically oppositional to the feedback that I usually get back from my students reminds me of the philosophical aphorism that suggests that "we don't see the world as it is but rather as we are". Nevertheless I welcome your perspective and have taken some time so that I could give sufficient reply to some of your observations.

Firstly with regards to the scientific approach to yoga: it has been my experience that yoga has only recently come under rigorous scientific scrutiny. Ironically, this is probably because of the greater exposure that yoga has now had in the West. This scrutiny has, unfortunately, revealed that many of the claims that have been made by yoga in large part are anecdotal and not readily verifiable. Yoga is often seen as a spiritual practice and as such affords itself a lot of freedom to make statements that are largely subjective or based on esoteric theories. Therefore to refer to the practice of yoga, Iyengar yoga included, as scientific is problematic. This doesn't take away from it's experienced benefits, which are the same benefits that come from many other forms of physical exercise.

My referral to asking permission to travel between bodies was a joke, albeit not a very good one. While I accept that my humour is not always very accessible, I would hope that the people attending my class would see that that statement was completely nonsensical, and therefore laughable.

This brings me to your point of me being an entertainer rather than a teacher. It has been my experience, in both the martial arts and yoga, that people generally take themselves too seriously. The result is not psychological flexibility, but rather rigidity. This in turn can lead to negative judgment of both the self and others.

The people who come to my class are not unique in the sense that they have difficult lives and often judge themselves harshly. If not addressed, this judgement can actually be stimulated by a traditionally rigid and disciplined practice like yoga. I try to provide them with some levity as I feel that what they need more than imposed discipline is to smile, take a deep breath and then explore their capacity on their own terms. Is it necessary to be serious in order to do something with care? Is it wrong to smile while in an asana? Does it take away from the practice?

Discipline that is imposed externally, rather than adopted and practiced willingly, is tyranny. The "guru" principle is no longer applicable in my opinion. Each person needs to accept personal responsibility for their own practice and not hand that responsibility or agency over to anyone. My class is about offering possibilities without judgement, neither external nor internal. So yes, laughing is allowed and encouraged, even if it is at my expense. That doesn't mean that there is not a correct way to execute each asana.

I don't really have anything to say about your inference to w**d or psychedelics other than that might be something for you to personally reflect on. I don't encourage the use of substances during or outside of class. I think you'd be surprised to learn that many of the people in the yoga community drink alcohol which is statistically much more problematic, but they are lay practitioners and not "yogis", so I suppose that sort of things is to be expected.

Lastly I'd like address your statement about mixing styles. BKS Iyengar was an innovator that developed and added to the yoga that he was taught. He drew from his own experience and constantly evolved the practice of yoga. Is he not a founder of a self-made style of yoga? As a teacher it is my duty to myself and my students to constantly be learning. Sometimes that includes accessing information outside of the "pure" Iyengar tradition. I want to honour the legacy of BKS Iyengar as an innovator as well as other great teachers, not by only repeating their teachings, but by trying my best to add to those teaching when new information becomes available.

While I can understand your experience of my class I hope that my responses here have offered you some other possible explanations for what you experienced. Thank you for giving me an opportunity to revisit some of the reasons that I have chosen this teaching style. I accept that it won't be for everyone and respect your decision to not attend any further classes with me.

I am glad that I was able to offer some alternative perspective on sirasana (headstand) so that you didn't leave the class without something useful. As a matter of interest, that information was obtained from various sources including anatomy lectures during my Jivamukti yoga teacher training, an online anatomy course and discussions with a qualified biokineticist. It's my hope that the information will help in minimising potential damage to your cervical spine in the future. In itself that should seem to "justify" your payment for class. My banking details are below.

Namaste and good luck.
James"

15/09/2021

I created a yoga teacher survey for South African yoga teachers and I need help :)

If you are willing and able to help, please complete the survey and share it least 5 other yoga teachers and encourage them to take part in the survey (as only word of mouth and personal endorsement can).

Here is the the link to the survey: https://forms.gle/pw9pdCNDcjb7oXjW8

From the survey:

"The purpose of this study is to establish a benchmark report using data based on the yoga teacher community in South Africa. This data includes biological, geographical, social questions as well as info pertaining to yoga teaching. Participation is completely voluntary. In order to participate you simply need to complete the survey. Although all info will be protected and completely anonymous, you are free to request that you information get deleted at any time. You will not be paid to participate in this study, and you will not bear any expenses.

The results will initially only be made available to the participants for the study, so you'll have access to the data sooner. Once we have gathered enough data we will potentially release the findings to the public. The study is being conducted as a private project by me, James Happe, and I am not receiving any funding, nor is this study associated with any institution or organisation.”

Thanks in advance,
James

06/09/2021

Hi all,

I have completed the initial South African Yoga Teacher's Survey. Thanks to everyone that submitted their names and gave feedback on the info that they would like included in the survey. You can participate, and encourage other yoga teachers to do so, by filling it in here: https://forms.gle/y7j4zAZjDi6Sa1RU7

What is the purpose of this survey?
The purpose of this study is to establish a benchmark report using data based on the yoga teacher community in South Africa. This data includes biological, geographical, social questions as well as info pertaining to yoga teaching.
Participation is completely voluntary. In order to participate you simply need to complete the survey. Although all info will be protected and completely anonymous, you are free to request that you information get deleted at any time. You will not be paid to participate in this study, and you will not bear any expenses.

What are the benefits of being involved?
The results will initially only be made available to the participants for the study, so you'll have access to the data sooner. Once we have gathered enough data we will potentially release the findings to the public.
The study is being conducted as a private project by me, James Happe, and I am not receiving any funding, nor is this study associated with any institution or organisation.

Your email address will allow you to receive the results of the survey and ensure that only one survey is completed per participant

16/07/2021

"The disciplines, say of yoga in Hinduism or of the various forms of Buddhist meditation do not require you to believe in anything. And they have no commandments in them. They do indeed have precepts, but they are really views that you undertake under your own responsibility. They are not in any obedience to anybody. They are experimental techniques for changing consciousness. And the thing they are mainly concerned with is helping human beings to get rid of the hallucination that each one of us is a skin encapsulated ego." - Alan Watts

21/06/2021

This week's bi-weekly outdoor class will be cancelled due to the international zoom workshop, hosted by Raya Uma Datta (because I'll be participating). The online event is open to anyone and registrations close on the 23rd June.

25/05/2021

Here's a sneak peak of what to expect from one of the bi-weekly outdoor yoga sessions: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OZh7bACpg_s

(It's a full hour long class so you're welcome to use it for one of your home practices.)

If you'd like to join us this Sunday for a "live" and in-person outdoor sesh then sign-up for the event on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/379290956802768

Or reserve your spot through Ubindi: https://app.ubindi.com/James.Happe

A sneak peak of what to expect from one of the bi-weekly outdoor yoga sessions.

11/05/2021

Here is the link to latest video lesson. As usual it's free and accessible to all. It's a bit different from the daily flow sequence in that we address each of the postures individually.

If you would like to be notified via email when these lessons are added to the site you can sign-up for my mailing list here: http://eepurl.com/djUERz

https://jameshappeyoga.co.za/daily-maintenance-sequence-11-may-2021/

04/05/2021

Just wanted to let you know about 2 new weekly classes in Blairgowrie. Starting this week I will be hosting classes on Mondays and Wednesdays at the Bantam Holistic Hub.

Class times are:
Mondays from 17:00-18:30 (an hour and a half); and
Wednesdays from 17:30-18:30 (an hour)

The Bantam Holistic Hub is located at:
22 Bantam Dr, Blairgowrie, Randburg, 2194
Here's some more info: https://www.facebook.com/bantamholistichub/

Please contact me to book your class as spaces are limited. Hope to see you there :)
Book online via Ubindi: https://app.ubindi.com/James.Happe
Email me on yoga@jameshappe.com;
Or send me a WhatsApp +27824565099

Regards
James

My classes follow a workshop format where questions and dialogue are welcome. The classes are based on the Iyengar yoga system with extra information from other schools and disciplines. During the class we work methodically on alignment, correct muscular activation and explore basic principles of bi...

20/04/2021

Here's a little sequence I put together for a client so she could maintain her practice with all of the public holidays in April and May. If you want a guided video of these postures subscribed to my Youtube channel. I'll be filming it this week. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmWOUhrV33WFjZvAI0eZ5Xg

14/04/2021

Community yoga class in the Breezeblock courtyard, in Brixton tonight from 17:30-18:30. R50. RSVP required due to limited numbers. Hope to see you there.

10/03/2021

Hi all. I have uploaded a new free video to my website. If you would like to be notified via email when these lessons are added to the site you can sign-up for my mailing list here: http://eepurl.com/djUERz

https://jameshappeyoga.co.za/lessons/

This is a collection of free online videos that I created for my travelling students and anyone else that is unable to attend classes "in person". While I have endeavoured to include as much instruction as possible, I don't believe that online yoga can adequately replace instruction with a teacher a...

08/03/2021

New practice space for Monday night's classes. Check out the schedule on https://app.ubindi.com/James.Happe

16/02/2021

Just uploaded a new video to the website. This one is a focus on the shoulder blades and some of the supportive muscles that et used in surya namaskar (sun salutations). Enjoy :)

12/02/2021

A brief discussion about some of the reasons that meditation is useful for life on Planet Earth.

18/01/2021

Starting a new weekly class from next Monday 25 Jan, 17:00-18:15 in Emmarentia at Core & Soul. All COVID observed and spaces are limited as a result. Check out my schedule on my website or book directly through Ubindi: https://app.ubindi.com/James.Happe

Address

5 Emmarentia Avenue, Parkview
Randburg
2193

Telephone

+27824565099

Website

http://jameshappeyoga.co.za/

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SA Yoga Benchmark Survey

I created a yoga teacher survey for South African yoga teachers and I need help :) If you are willing and able to help, please complete the survey and share it least 5 other yoga teachers and encourage them to take part in the survey (as only word of mouth and personal endorsement can). Here is the the link to the survey: https://forms.gle/pw9pdCNDcjb7oXjW8 From the survey: "The purpose of this study is to establish a benchmark report using data based on the yoga teacher community in South Africa. This data includes biological, geographical, social questions as well as info pertaining to yoga teaching. Participation is completely voluntary. In order to participate you simply need to complete the survey. Although all info will be protected and completely anonymous, you are free to request that you information get deleted at any time. You will not be paid to participate in this study, and you will not bear any expenses. The results will initially only be made available to the participants for the study, so you'll have access to the data sooner. Once we have gathered enough data we will potentially release the findings to the public. The study is being conducted as a private project by me, James Happe, and I am not receiving any funding, nor is this study associated with any institution or organisation.” Thanks in advance, James