The Bhagavad Gītā – Spring 2026
Live Online Immersion
Spring 2026
Practical Yoga Mythology and Philosophy – The Bhagavad Gītā and the battle to be fully human
18 hours – 12 sessions of 90 minutes engaging with the core teachings of the essential yoga text
12 Week course starting 23rd February 2026
Mondays in English
Wednesdays in French
Live sessions: 18:30-20:00 Switzerland time
The Gītā is the song of totality.
•It invites us to reclaim our sovereignty.
•It reminds us how to attune to our innate capacity for authentic rhythm and harmony.
•It prompts us to courage and growth rather than conformity to confining norms that we know do not work.
•As one of my Sanskṛt teachers said recently: ‘the need for these teachings is greater every day!’
However, the medicine, the nourishment, the tools for the energetic force shield to help us live with joy, gratitude, presence and heartfulness are all here, all available.
The time is now, the space is here, so leave aside your doubt, let go of your fear, let the timeless truths of the Gītā lift you up to a new symphony this coming spring.
Why gather online?
I would love to offer this course in person, but the online format allows us to gather from many different places. At least for now, this type of opportunity is rare and not often accessible where we live.
Participants can join even if unable to attend the live session. People may choose to listen to the sessions multiple times during the week and can send in questions by email if unable to join live.
Engaging with the teachings regularly like this, as part of a committed group can give great support for ongoing practice, inquiry and exploration.
As we’ll see, the Gītā is not the most treasured text in the yoga tracition for nothing! It is a masterwork of distillation, renowned for the extraordinarily pragmatic and relatable way it distils the vast and sometimes seemingly disparate teachings of all the Upaniṣad-s into a flavourful, nourishing and invigorating discourse, utterly human, ever-relevant and relatable, delivered with masterful psychology and rendered in memorable poetry.
It’s one of the greatest works of world literature! Come and find out why and how!
If you are hungry for a place to explore beyond the familiar, to look into your inner depths through the lens of time-proven teachings and the timeless stories that encode them, this series is for you.
All participants receive recordings from all sessions along with notes and additional resources, and you’ll have access for a full year after the course end, at least until June 2027.
The sessions will all be unique offerings. James never repeats. Every session is a heartful offering and a co-creation with the particular group.
Over the twelve weeks, we’ll soak in the wondefully flavourful and relatable teachings from the beating heart of the living yoga tradition.
This spring:
Practical Yoga Mythology and Philosophy – the Bhagavad Gītā and the battle to be fully human
In-depth introduction to the most treasured text of the yoga tradition
Mondays in English and Wednesdays in French
18:30-20:00 Switzerland time
£360
All participants have access to all recordings and course materials for the duration of the series and for a full calendar year after the culmination of the course, ie at least until June 2027. All particpants can attend both English and French sessions if desired.
Dates for the 12 sessions in both languages
Mondays (English) and Wednesdays (français) 18:30-20:00 Switzerland time
1. Feb 23 and 25
2. March 2 and 4
3. March 9 and 11
4. March 16 and 18
5. March 23 and 25
6. March 30 and April 1
Break for Easter: no class Easter Monday April 6 and Wednesday April 8
7. April 13 and 15
8. April 20 and 22
9. April 27 and 29
10. May 4 and 6
11. May 11 and 13
12. May 18 and 20
What people say about studying online with James:
“Studying online with James is different, always so genuine, so true, so familiar and welcoming. I’ve taken courses with other “big” teachers, but they are never like with James, so close to home, so filled with beauty, simplicity, and dedication.”
“Gathering in a group to explore the teachings with James gives me the benefits of being part of a church congregation, but without any dogma or having to believe anything. It’s up to me to apply the teachings as they resonate in the context of my own life, decisions and challenges. I find the ancient spiritual stories give me so much support and practical insight for the challenges I’m facing in my own life.”
“With warmth and humour James makes the teachings click like no one else I have ever experienced.”
“I want to live a good life, be decent and kind and I don’t want to feel bogged down in life as a struggle. The teachings have brought more ease into my life, helping me feel natural to make clear decisions. They give me a clear ethical compass, a frame of reference to move forwards with decency and kindness.”
Course fee: £360
Enrol here now
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need any previous experience with the Bhagavad Gītā? / What if I am new to yoga philosophy and mythology?
This course is suitable for all. If you enjoy stories, literature, poetry, live storytelling, symbolism and mythology, don’t miss this opportunity!
The yoga tradition is about inquiry. One way it encodes and communicates its teachings is through stories that include conversations. The conversation of the Gītā renders the timeless concerns, opportunities and challenges of a human life into vivid and memorable form, making them relatable and accessible wherever we are in life and on the journey of practice. If we are brand new, these teachings invite us into rich and multi-dimensional contact with the practical perspectives of yoga. As we keep exploring the stories, texts and teachings they continue to unfold. These texts are not the type that one reads once and passes along. Rather, they are lifetime companions. This course will help us instantiate and deepen a living, personal relationship with the practical support of the yoga tradition.
What if I cannot (always) attend live? Will I have access to the recordings?
All sessions will be given via zoom and recorded, with the recording being uploaded immediately after the live session. All participants will have access to all the recordings and additional notes and resources provided during the course and at least until June 2027.
If we are not able to join live on the zoom and we have burning questions after watching a recording, could we possibly email them to you?
Yes, definitely! There will be time for discussion in the latter part of each session and throughout the course, participants are encouraged to email in questions/reflections between sessions which we can then explore in subsequent sessions.
I won't be able to attend all the live sessions, can I come on Mondays in English some weeks and French on Wednesdays other weeks?
Yes, all participants can come to any and all of the sessions in both languages. If you are proficient in French and English you may enjoy attending/viewing both sessions as the teachings will surely come through slightly differently in each language and invite slightly different reflections and inquiry.