James Onnikian is a Golden Gloves boxing champion and World Kickboxing champion turned Yogi.

James has extensive training in boxing, kickboxing, yoga, and has apprenticed as a Jeet Kun Do instructor (Bruce Lee’s fighting method) from 1993 until 2006 at Ray Longo’s Mixed Martial Arts Academy (RLMMAA).
During this time he trained with fellow champions Matt (the terror) Serra former UFC champion , Peter (Drago) Sels, Luke Cummo, Joe Diablo, Tim (bring on the pain) Lane, and many other champion fighters. With their support and friendship he earned these following titles:
KICK Long Island Super Middleweight Champion in 1999, KICK US Super middleweight Kickboxing champion in 2000, USKBA World Kickboxing Champion 2001, and the Daily News Golden Gloves Boxing Champion in 2001.

He then found his yoga teacher Sri Dharma Mittra in NYC and has practiced extensively with him since 2004. During this time he took an interest in partner yoga and Acro yoga, and studied with the founder of Acro Yoga, Jason Nemer and his partner Jenny Sauer-Klein.
In 2007 James went to the worlds oldest Thai Massage school, Wat Po in Bangkok, Thailand and was certified in Thai massage. Since 2007 James has apprenticed with Dr Bill Akpinar in Acupuncture and Natural Medicine healing modalities.

This extensive history of training and learning, James brings to his students a no nonsence, educational and inspirational class that blends intensity with a sense of light heartedness, allowing every student to have fun and feel good while getting the best workout of their lives.

James teaches at Maui Hot Yoga & at Yoga Oasis. He is on the faculty of our teacher training programs.

For more info visit www.jamesonnikian.com

James in Vismaritasana