About
Steve James is a researcher, writer, and podcaster exploring religion, intellectual history, and the formation of belief.
Steve is the host of the Guru Viking Podcast, which features in-depth conversations with teachers, scholars, and practitioners of meditation, spirituality, and religion.
He is currently pursuing a DPhil in Asian and Middle Eastern Studies at the University of Oxford. He holds an MPhil in Tibetan and Himalayan Studies (Distinction) from Oxford.
He leads international workshops in somatic enquiry and contemplative practice. He is the creator of the Movement Koan® Method, a fusion of joint-nourishing movement and body-based mindfulness.
He designed and delivers the teacher training programs for Michaela Boehm Inc. Graduates have applied these methods in psychotherapy, refugee counselling, and professional coaching.
Steve’s private consulting practice focuses on the interpersonal and strategic challenges faced by highly visible individuals in the arts, media, and leadership.
-
Steve’s interest in movement began with martial arts and physical training in childhood.
During his teens, he was a member of the Scottish Fencing Team and developed an interest in human performance.
He went on to train as a yoga teacher under Godfrey Devereux (400hrs), and continues his study of yoga, qigong, and movement
He is a qualified Sowa Rigpa Practitioner (800hrs+), including field training in Nepal, and Sowa Rigpa Counsellor (400hrs+) through the Sowa Rigpa Institute.
He is the creator of two instructional films: ‘The Movement Koan Method®’ and The Movement Koan Method ® Part 2.
-
Steve’s contemplative practice includes meditation, silent retreat, and study of theology, religion, and contemplative traditions.
His training has included study and co-teaching with meditation teacher Shinzen Young, one-to-one training with Tibetologist Glenn Mullin, and ongoing study of comparative religion, literature, and classical languages with Dr Alexander Arguelles.
-
Steve’s interest in resilience has included practical training in wilderness survival, emergency preparedness, and human performance under stress.
Trainings have included
A 7-day advanced winter survival scenario with no food and minimal equipment.
An 11-day arctic survival expedition in the boreal forests of Sweden, employing cold-weather survival strategies used by the British and Swedish militaries and Sámi people including arctic shelter techniques (no tents), winter navigation, and extreme cold weather strategies.
Various week-long trainings in tracking, outdoor emergency preparedness, and outdoor first aid.
Steve continues to train in the field of emergency preparedness and outdoor survival.
-
Before his current research and teaching activities, Steve worked professionally as a session guitarist, touring internationally with pop artists, and working extensively in live performance, film, television, and studio recording.
Steve’s original music was featured on the Netflix series ‘(Un)Well‘, and in the official trailer for Netflix series ‘Sex, Love & goop‘ featuring Gwyneth Paltrow.
-
Guru Viking Podcast. Weekly in-depth interviews with practitioners, teachers, and scholars of meditation, spirituality, and religion.
"Dr Chencho Dorji: Bhutan's First Psychiatrist" article in Sowa Rigpa Journal, Issue 01, Mental Health (2024).
Movement Koan Method Vol 1 (DVD/Digital Download)
Movement Koan Method Vol 2 (DVD/Digital Download)
AS FEATURED IN
Steve has taught at the Esalen Institute and 1440 Multiversity, the Science and NonDuality Conference (San Jose), Radiant Intimacy (Scotts Valley), and the Sarnath International Nyignma Institute (SINI). He has lectured at The Summit Series, Summit at Sea, The Sowa Rigpa Forum, and the National Health Service.
His work has been featured in international media such as the BBC, Channel 5, The Times, CP24, the Netflix series (Un)Well and Sex, Love & goop, and the Sowa Rigpa Journal.
Online & Digital Resources
-

Guru Viking Meditation Club
The Guru Viking Meditation Club is an opportunity to explore meditation and practice together live on Zoom. Open to all levels.
-

Guided Meditations
Steve’s guided meditations are available on the Insight Timer app (search Steve James), and on YouTube and SoundCloud (search Guru Viking).
-

Movement Koan Method®
The Movement Koan Method® is an innovative fusion of joint-nourishing movement and body-based mindfulness created by Steve James.
-

The Guru Viking Podcast
The Guru Viking Podcast specializes in in-depth interviews with remarkable figures in the world of meditation, spirituality, and self development.