Flora D.H. Ojanen, M.AmSAT, RYT
 Flora D.H.Ojanen
Flora D.H. Ojanen has been very successful in guiding people of all walks of life feel and live better through attaining a more harmonious relationship to their body. She truly loves teaching the educational process of Alexander's work to individuals, which enables an integrated, conscious and pain-free way of life. Born in East Berlin, she holds a degree in Sociology (1994) and trained as a massage therapist in 1996. In 1997 she began taking private Alexander lessons to treat a painful back condition and a mild form of depression that had lingered since the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989. After finding not only relief from back pain but also an unknown joy and empowerment that just kept on getting better with time, she decided to train as a teacher herself after moving to San Francisco in 1999. Flora graduated from the 3-year Teacher Training at the Alexander Educational Center in Berkeley, California. She has taught the Alexander Technique since 2002 and is a teaching member of the American Society for the Alexander Technique. In 2006 Flora became a Yoga Alliance certified Yoga Teacher (RYT 200). In a typical yoga class, she often observes students trying too hard to fit their bodies into a pre-conceived "yoga shape" or "yoga pose". The fact that "off the mat" habits and daily tensions always show up "on the mat" has inspired her to create new ideas to integrate the principles of the Alexander Technique into the way yoga can be accessible for any body shape, age and ability.  Artfully poised on a one-legged stool.
Flora continues to investigate Alexander Technique applications for asana practice at bodymapyoga.com, and offers workshops and individual classes in body mapping for yoga. Being a long-time student of traditional Chinese Martial Arts, Flora's teaching is also strongly influenced by the brightness, directness and ease of Daoist thought and philosophy. She started teaching Tai Chi with an Alexander Technique focus in San Francisco in 2013. Flora has been a guest teacher at the Alexander Educational Center in Berkeley, CA, the Alexander Technique Centre in Galway, Ireland, and thought and assisted at the 10th International Alexander Congress in Limerick, Ireland in 2015. This summer, she co-lead a 4-day Continuous Learning Workshop at the 11th International Congress for the Alexander Technique in Chicago, alongside Richard Brennan, renowned Alexander teacher from Ireland. |
Flora teaching the Alexander procedure called "Constructive Rest".
Considerations
As a teacher, Flora D.H. Ojanen does not diagnose or treat specific physical conditions. She educates her students in the principles of the work of F.M. Alexander and helps them to develop the awareness necessary for constructive change.
The technique does not belong to any philosophy or belief system. Its theory and practice is supported world-wide by the medical community, and research in neuroscience and the workings of the Alexander Technique is continuing.
Doctors familiar with this work recommend it to their patients. If your doctor does not yet know about the Alexander Technique, Flora will be happy to provide any information upon request.
Certification
The American Society for the Alexander Technique (AmSAT) ensures the highest standards of professional practice and conduct. AmSAT certification represents at least 1600 hours or 3 years of intense training.
Flora is also certified by Yoga Alliance.
The American Society for the Alexander Technique (AmSAT) ensures the highest standards of professional practice and conduct. AmSAT certification represents at least 1600 hours or 3 years of intense training.
Flora is also certified by Yoga Alliance.
