Elyse Shafarman

Elyse Shafarman, M.A., AmSAT Certified Alexander Technique Teacher

Ms. Shafarman is faculty at Studio ACT and San Francisco State University’s Holistic Health Studies Department, where she teaches courses in Alexander Technique, Somatics and Stress Reduction. She offers private Alexander Technique lessons in San Francisco and Berkeley.

Elyse taught Alexander Technique as faculty at American Conservatory Theater’s prestigious MFA acting program for 14 years until the program closed. She has been a guest teaching artist at Stanford University and The French American International High School. She was faculty at ACT’s Summer Training Congress and Berkeley Rep School of Theatre. Recently, she taught at the Omega Institute in Rhinebeck, New York.

Elyse completed her 1600 hr Alexander Technique Teacher training with Frank Ottiwell at the Alexander Technique Training Institute of San Francisco (2003). After graduating, she assisted Ottiwell’s ACT classes for four years, gaining depth experience applying the Alexander Technique to performing arts training. She holds a Master’s degree in Physiological Psychology (2003) from San Francisco State University, where she studied the scientific underpinnings of the mind body connection and conducted original research showing that Alexander Technique can reduce forearm muscle activation for computer users; suggesting benefits for RSI prevention and recovery.

Elyse’s teaching is informed by her background as a modern dancer and training in Physiological Psychology, Yoga (RYT 200) and Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction. As a lifelong student she is influenced by her studies of Middendorf breathwork, Anatomy in Motion, Feldenkrais and Body-Mind Centering. Ms. Shafarman writes regularly about mind body connections on her blog and spends her free time joyfully dancing as part of ODC’s vibrant Rhythm and Motion Modern cohort; you might even catch her in tango shoes.

Philosophy
Revealing the power of the mind to free the body, and the intelligence of the body to free the mind is my passion. People of all ages and vocations deserve bodily joy and ease.

I am committed to creating an anti-racist teaching space and upholding the rights of LGBTQIA+ People.