Elyse Shafarman

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

Ms. Shafarman is faculty San Francisco State University’s renowned Holistic Health Studies Department and Studio ACT. She offers private Alexander Technique lessons in San Francisco and Berkeley.

Ms. Shafarman completed her 1600 hr Alexander Teacher training with Frank Ottiwell at the Alexander Training Institute of San Francisco (2003), and assisted Ottiwell’s classes for many years. 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.

Ms. Shafarman was on the faculty of 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, The French American International High School, and former faculty at ACT’s Summer Training Congress and Berkeley Rep School of Theatre.

Ms. Shafarman’s background as a modern dancer and training in Psychology, Yoga (RYT 200), and Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (60 hr practicum), as well as numerous allied somatic modalities including Feldenkrais and Body Mind Centering influence her approach to teaching. She writes regularly about mind body connections on her blog and dances for exercise and joy.

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 joy, freedom and ease in movement.

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