James Knight
Somatic Movement Therapist & Founder of Gentle Somatic Yoga®
James Knight is a Somatic Movement Therapist and the founder of Gentle Somatic Yoga®, an innovative approach to self-healing and embodied wellbeing.
With over 35 years of experience as a movement educator, yoga teacher, body-oriented psychotherapist, and bodyworker, James was among the early pioneers bridging the principles of Hanna Somatic Education with traditional yoga practice. His work helped shape a more embodied, nervous-system–aware, and compassionate approach to movement and healing.
Gentle Somatic Yoga® integrates Somatic Movement Flows®, therapeutic yoga, and neuroscience-informed practices to support chronic pain relief, improved mobility, nervous system regulation, and sustainable self-care for people of all ages and abilities.
Through Somatic Wellness™ programs, teacher trainings, online education, and international retreats, James is devoted to empowering individuals to reconnect with their body’s innate wisdom and cultivate greater ease, vitality, and inner peace.
Join James Knight, founder of Gentle Somatic Yoga®, in this inspiring interview with Avi Gordon, Director of the Integral Yoga Teachers Association.
In this rich and heartfelt conversation, Avi explores James’ journey in developing Gentle Somatic Yoga, his approach to integrating somatics with traditional yoga, and the spiritual values that guide his teaching. Together, they dive into deep topics such as conscious movement, healing through embodiment, and living yoga as a path of inner freedom.
Whether you’re a yoga teacher, student, or wellness seeker, this episode offers insights into the intersection of somatic awareness, yoga philosophy, and personal transformation.
Read a recent interview-article with James by SDVoyager
James Knight’s Education & Experience:
James has been honing his skills as a movement educator and integrative 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 (IAYT) 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 YogaUOnline
Featured Facilitator and Retreat Leader at Yogaville, Satchidananda Ashram
Guest Teacher and Partner with Inner Peace Yoga Therapy School
Guest Presenter for the Yoga Teachers Association (YTA) ~ Intregral Yoga
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, JAI Yoga+Meditation Yoga Studios, Seoul, South Korea
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 Kwantlen University, 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.
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.
Trained and worked as a Master Ayurvedic Massage Therapist at the Deepak Chopra Center in Carlsbad, California.
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.
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?