A well-trained teacher, Naomi Saunders has meshed seemingly disparate interests into professional expertise. As an instructor in the unique movement re-education method created by Moshe Feldenkrais. Naomi Saunders embarked on her journey traditionally enough graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree in anthropology from the University of California at Berkeley. A teaching credential from Mills College in Oakland, California followed.

Her willingness to place herself in challenging situations led to a departure from her post-graduate path. Naomi has an interest in cultural diversity and is fluent in Spanish. While living in Mexico, Saunders joined an authentic regional, ethnic dance troupe in Oaxaca. Although it was highly controversial for a North American to perform as a member of the all-Mexican troupe, Saunders danced the regional "Guelaguetza." for three years in various parts of Mexico.

In the summer of 1984, Saunders volunteered her language skills to the Olympians training in Santa Monica, California, where she translated for the coach of the Spanish handball team.

Always stimulated to learn in new situations, Naomi observed how the mental and physical processes of athletes are interrelated. She became fascinated with athletics and began formal training as a physical fitness instructor.

Sparked by the intellectual and physical challenges of mastering physical fitness and the goal of teaching in a new setting, She learned to be an aerobics instructor through certification in the Masters of Motion program. Not satisfied with that level of expertise, she advanced to the nationally recognized American Fitness & Aerobics Association (AFAA) course, followed by certification in group fitness from the American College of Exercise.

Thoroughly grounded in the study of human anatomy and physiology, nutrition and the components of safe and effective exercise, Noami Saunders proceeded to teach aerobics and stretch classes to a variety of clients in Southern California, Mexico and Europe. In 1991, she discovered the Feldendrais Method of movement re-education when the pain caused by a functionally shorter right leg propelled her into a class. After the activity of one class left her pain-free, she recognized that Feldenkrais was movement at a level of self-awareness and effectiveness that was different from anything she had experienced before.

Saunders, immersion into the Feldenkrais method perfectly expresses her passion for learning by teaching a system which integrates mind and body in movement. Between 1991 and 1999, she trained with the original protégés of Moshe Feldendrais, the developer of the Feldenkrais method. Certification and completion of over 1800 hours of training as a Feldendrais instructor, combined with ten years of teaching, prove Saunders commitment to cutting edge of exercise science. In her never ending quest for knowledge in the exercise field, she has recently become trained as a Pilates instructor.

Naomi is part of an international network of Feldenkrais instructors and a member of The Feldenkrais Guild® of North America. Naomi teaches group classes in the San Francisco Bay Area and works with clients on an individual basis.

Resume of Naomi Saunders

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