James Chapman

James Chapman is a Yoga and Massage Therapist at Harbor. For more than 20 years, he has combined yoga and hands-on bodywork with work in mental health and addiction recovery.

Over that time, he has worked with treatment centres, NHS services and charities, as well as professional athletes and private clients.

James also brings lived experience of long-term recovery, which informs his understanding of addiction, wellbeing and the practical work involved in sustaining change.

Professional Background & Qualifications

James trained in Kundalini, Hatha and therapeutic yoga, including a 550-hour Yoga Therapist Diploma from Yogacampus in London.

He also holds qualifications in holistic, Indian head and sports massage, with further training in Thai massage, myofascial techniques, structural integration, pregnancy massage and medical acupuncture.

James has also completed training in counselling and complementary therapies.

He is a member of the Association for Soft Tissue Therapists, the Acupuncture Society and the International Association of Yoga Therapists.

Professional Experience

James introduced yoga to several drug rehabilitation settings in London and spent seven years teaching specialist yoga for mental health within NHS services. He has also worked with organisations including Mind and Rethink Mental Illness.

As a massage therapist, he has worked with private clients including professional athletes and business leaders.

James also works in mental health education, delivering Mental Health First Aid training. He has contributed to work on race, ethnicity and inclusion, and on raising awareness of addiction.

Approach to Care

James combines yoga, movement and hands-on bodywork, depending on each client’s needs. Alongside short-term relief, he helps clients learn practical skills they can keep using to look after their physical and emotional health.

People in recovery often feel cut off from their bodies, and much of his work focuses on helping clients feel safer and more at home in them.

At Harbor, his sessions sit alongside the talking therapies that clients receive.