Q&A with James Payne

Where are you from originally and where do you live now?

I have always lived in the UK. I am based just outside SE London.

Please tell us about your story and why you do what you do.

I originally started using yoga as a stretch out class to help me perform better in martial arts. My kicks were becoming higher, recovery times were shorter, yoga was a great tool for this. However, it wasn’t long before I started to realise the mental and emotional benefits that were creeping in, that had been cultivating in the background the whole time. I soon started to realise that I was becoming a lot more patient, a better listener, able to empathise and understand a lot more. These qualities enabled me to be the best version of myself. Now, I use this as my main motivation. To pass these tools on to my students. Whether it be physical, mental or emotional. I love hearing how much yoga has changed people’s lives. Now, with Urban medicine, I help people find their calm amongst the chaos, through yoga asana, meditation and plant medicine.

How do you look after your physical and mental health ?

Practicing self love. I always ensure that I give myself some alone time, normally as the sun is rising, I dip into meditation with my cacao. This is the best start to the day. Then I always ensure that I keep my own physical practice.

Tell us one of your life hacks.

Definitely has to be using a hairdryer nozzle to dry wet socks. Thank me later.