Steve James travels internationally teaching somatic practices and meditation, as well as leading explorations in contemplative and relational realms.
Known for his intelligent, grounded approach and his dedication to first-hand research he has extensive experience in elite athletic performance, contemplative and spiritual disciplines, the arts, extreme outdoor survival, and human behavior.
Steve’s unique range of experiences and deep understanding of human behaviour, elite performance, spirituality, and interpersonal relationships is highly sought after by leading figures at the highest levels of the arts, entertainment, and business.
In his private client practice, he specialises in the unique interpersonal and strategic challenges faced by very successful and highly visible individuals. Ongoing clients include Oscar-winning actors, multi-Grammy-winning musicians, CEO’s, and multi-billion dollar fund managers.
In addition to private client work and international public workshops, Steve designed the ground-breaking teacher training programs for Michaela Boehm Inc, including comprehensive training in the area of intimacy and relationships, coaching skills, and the original Non-Linear Movement Method®.
These programs have trained over 250 practitioners internationally. Graduates have applied the work in psychotherapy practice, refugee counseling, sexual abuse counseling, as well as general workshop and life enhancement contexts.
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Steve’s podcast, ‘The Guru Viking Podcast’ specializes in in-depth interviews with remarkable figures in the world of spirituality and self-development.
Steve is the creator of the Movement Koan Method® (see Somatics section below).
Steve has taught at the Esalen Institute and 1440 Multiversity, is a regular speaker at the Science and Nonduality Conference (San Jose) and Radiant Intimacy (Scotts Valley), and has lectured at The Summit Series and Summit at Sea. In 2020 Steve will also teach at the Omega Institute (New York) and the Mandali Retreat Centre (Italy).
Steve’s work has been featured in international media such as the BBC, Channel 5, The Times, CP24, and most recently the Netflix series ‘(Un)Well‘.
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Community Support
In response to the ongoing public health crisis, Steve is currently offering various free resources and classes to support those affected by the pandemic:
– Guru Viking Meditation Club – free weekly meditation classes across multiple time zones.
– Guru Viking Meditation Workshops – monthly 3hr immersions into meditation and movement. Each month’s theme is voted for by members of the Meditation Club.
– Pandemic Podcast Series – a special series of the Guru Viking Podcast focusing on wellness and mental health during the pandemic.
– S&M Conversations – live public Q&A Zoom calls with Michaela Boehm.
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Somatics
Steve’s background in somatic practices began with dedicated martial arts and physical training from the age of 5. A member of the Scottish Fencing team in his teens, as an elite athlete he engaged in high-level competition and peak performance strategies. He went on to study and graduate under yoga master Godfrey Devereux, and continues to deepen his education in yoga, qigong, and physical performance.
Steve has released two DVD’s: ‘The Movement Koan Method®’ and The Movement Koan Method ® Part 2 – a video presentation of his movement method, synthesizing 25 years of experience in the movement arts to blend joint-nourishing movement with body-based mindfulness. Incorporating cutting edge neuroplasticity techniques in a straight-forward, accessible approach.
Contemplative and Spiritual Disciplines
Through a chance encounter at a writing group, after winning a young writer’s award for his first novel at 14, Steve met and was later apprenticed to a Christian mystic from the Celtic tradition of Christianity, resulting in multiple years of close personal instruction in various forms of prayer, contemplation, writing, textual study, and service.
Steve continued his contemplative studies with a long-time meditation practice, many extended silent retreats, and consistent study into theology, philosophy, and world mysticism. Steve has studied with meditation teacher Shinzen Young (author of ‘Science of Enlightenment’ and neuroscience consultant for Harvard Medical School, Carnegie Mellon University, and the University of Arizona) and Glenn Mullin (Tibetologist, translator, and author of over 30 books on Tibetan culture and Buddhism).
Steve has worked in the arts as a session guitarist and musical director included international touring with multiple #1 best-selling pop artists and extensive film, TV, and studio recording work.
The Mind
Steve’s in-field, practical research approach has seen him explore the limits of physical and psychological performance in extreme outdoor survival training and expeditions, including advanced survival courses in Europe (notably a seven-day, no food, minimal equipment advanced winter survival scenario). Most recently an 11-day arctic survival expedition in the Boreal forests of Sweden at daytime temperatures of -24°C, using the cold-weather survival strategies utilized by the British and Swedish military and the Sami people including arctic shelter techniques (no tents), winter navigation, and extreme cold weather techniques.
For guided meditations, the Guru Viking Podcast and Steve’s ongoing free meditation club: guruviking.com
