Alexandra's Bio
What first drew me into this kind of work was being under the tutelage of an expert, now retired, bodyworker in Berkeley California named Lynda Caesara, a Berry practitioner. Learning to build all the joints of the body out of clay with our hands, inclusive of the surrounding muscles, tendons and ligaments, was a fascinating start to being able to see into the body. As her assistant for eight years in her private practice, I began to develop as a skilled manual therapist. Years of study ensued, in many different modalities, with an average of 200 hours of classes per year for many years on end.
Attending and graduating from Hampshire College in Amherst Massachusetts encouraged me to see differently. I was on track for pre-med, then switched to psychology. My thesis for graduating grew out of a six-month internship at the internationally renown psychiatric hospital and training center called the Menninger Foundation in Topeka, KS. After graduating, activism as a canvasser and director of the western Massachusetts Greenpeace office in Amherst, MA fueled my confidence that I could make a difference in this world just talking with one person at a time. I earned my black belt in Aikido at East Bay Aikido and a Masters degree in Spirituality/Psychology from Holy Names University, both in Oakland California. Five years of devoted time to Apple’s leading backup software developer, Dantz Development, helped augment my business background. My bodywork practice is the culmination of conjoined interests in healing, psychology and spirituality. I call this practice Manual Medicine. Currently a student of Anusara Yoga, my self-discovery process only continues to inform my bodywork practice.
I have been a practitioner of the healing arts and have maintained a private clinical practice in Oakland, California since 1995. A certified practitioner in IMT™, foundation certified in Lowen Systems, and a Reiki Master, I also hold certificates in thirteen other modalities of bodywork. I live and work in Oakland, CA and see clients in New Mexico when I'm there.
The work I do is accomplished over the clothes using non-invasive touch. My goal is to address your health concerns by restoring function and preventing disability while discovering increased body awareness and an increased quality of life.
Specializing in:
- Neck and back injuries
- Recovery from gluten and liver toxicities
- Joint injuries (shoulder, elbows, wrists, knees, etc.)
- Pre and post surgical rehabilitation
- Boosting the immune system; recovering from colds and flu's
- Musculo-skeletal issues
- Some respiratory, G.I. and urogenital issues
- Facilitating the balance of mind/body/spirit
Therapeutic Modality Education
I have earned certificates in the following modalities:
- Alexander Technique
- Berry Method®
- Lowen Systems (DMI)
- Cranial Sacral
- Deep Tissue
- Evolutionary Process
- Hydrotherapy
- Integrative Manual Therapy™
- Jin Shin Do Acupressure
- Reflexology
- Reiki
- Shiatsu
- Sports Massage
- Swedish Esalen
- ThetaHealing®