Rita Rivera BodyMind

Rita Rivera BodyMind Private Work and Classes that Focus on Healing the BodyMind Continuum to Discover the Power Within.

Frederick Matthias Alexander (1869-1955) was a Shakespearean orator who developed voice loss during his performances. After doctors found no physical cause, Alexander reasoned that he was doing something to himself while speaking to cause his problem. His self-observation in multiple mirrors revealed that he was contracting his whole body prior to speaking. He developed the hypothesis that this ha

bitual pattern of pulling the head backwards and downwards needlessly disrupted the normal working of the total postural, breathing and vocal mechanisms. After experimenting to develop his ability to stop the unnecessary and habitual contracting in his neck, he found that his problem with recurrent voice loss was resolved. While on a recital tour in New Zealand (1895) he began to realize the wider significance of head carriage for overall physical functioning. Further, Alexander observed that many individuals commonly tightened the musculature of the upper torso as he had done, in anticipation of many other activities besides speech. Alexander believed his work could be applied to improve individual health and well being. He further refined his technique of self-observation and re-training to teach his discoveries to others. He explained his reasoning in four books published in 1918, 1923, 1931 (1932 in the UK) and 1942. He also trained teachers to teach his work from 1930 until his death in 1955. In the 1960s, there was enough interest to start the first dedicated school, called The American Center for the Alexander Technique, in New York City. Famous people who have studied the Alexander Technique include actors Michael Caine, John Cleese, Jamie Lee Curtis, Judi Dench, Suzanna Hamilton, William Hurt, Jeremy Irons, Hugh Jackman, Sir Ben Kingsley, Kevin Kline, Patti Lupone, Paul Newman, Mary Steenburgen, Hilary Swank, and Robin Williams; musicians Madonna, Paul McCartney, Yehudi Menuhin and Sting; playwright George Bernard Shaw; writers, Robertson Davies, and Aldous Huxley; and Nobel Prize winner for medicine and physiology Nikolaas Tinberge

06/05/2026

Balls & Soft Rolling Classes starting again soon!

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04/29/2026

https://www.facebook.com/gloria.mclean.92/posts/pfbid02A1nL5ZanJVp8VtB3XcKQbRfAAXUcyVsfFwYXPrYWUwfV9y7bCLWEe5jTUBP6jr2Kl

Happy BIrthday (April 23rd), Erick Hawkins! and thank you, colleagues, for these posts. Erick's revolutionary thinking about dance transformed my life and career. He opened so many connections to Somatics and understanding embodiment in dance. His aesthetic of radical theatrical immediacy is still radical, especially as we numb ourselves more and more with technology. Erick would say: "Believe your senses!" and "Just because it is possible does not mean that it is desirable." Thank you, Erick, rest in peace.

Monday April 6th, in Chi-gong & Embodied Anatomy we begin to work with the Heart.Self- LoveFlow of Love and Honoring the...
04/03/2026

Monday April 6th, in Chi-gong & Embodied Anatomy we begin to work with the Heart.

Self- Love
Flow of Love and Honoring the Cycles of Life

Heart / Circulation / Blood
Cardiovascular System – includes heart, small intestine and thymus. Includes the tongue, eyes and blood.

This Monday in Chi-gong and Embodied Anatomy, will begin to work with the digestive organs, specifically the small intes...
01/11/2026

This Monday in Chi-gong and Embodied Anatomy, will begin to work with the digestive organs, specifically the small intestines and the mesentery.

Connecting SM & Mesentery to the lower chakras and the Sacred Flame.

12/12/2025

Hello Peeps –

I am looking for a space to teach my Monday morning Embodied Anatomy / Chi-gong class.

I have been holding the class at Breath + Oneness Yoga Studio in Capitola – which I LOVE – but the room is a bit small for the size of the class.

Anyone have any leads? The class is from 10 AM – 11:30 AM.

Any leads are appreciated – from Santa Cruz to Aptos.

Infinite Love & Peaceful Holiday Season to All
Rita

Yep, I agree. The Alexander Technique is essential for body mind awareness and integration! www.RitaRivera.com
12/06/2025

Yep, I agree. The Alexander Technique is essential for body mind awareness and integration! www.RitaRivera.com

If anyone has been thinking about doing some private work, Breath+Oneness is offering a Holiday Discount. If you book th...
11/30/2025

If anyone has been thinking about doing some private work, Breath+Oneness is offering a Holiday Discount. If you book through their website, you receive 15% off a private session.

But - Holiday Discount ends on Sunday Nov 30th.

15% OFF any of our 1:1 therapeutic appointments for your first booking! Use code WELLNESS at check out. Perfect as a gift for a loved one on their healing journey, or as a gift for yourself.
G o to the appointments tab, where you can book as session with myself or two other skilled professionals.

https://www.breathandoneness.com/

Private sessions are an excellent way to address your specific body, offering tools for developing more ease in movements.

Happy Holiday!

Capitola's largest gathering place for nourishing and strengthening the mind, body and soul. Breath+Oneness offers the surrounding Santa Cruz area a variety of weekly classes such as: restorative yoga, sound bath + reiki, introductory breathwork & meditation, Vinyasa yoga and much more. Classes

11/28/2025

Embodied Anatomy & Chi-gong Schedule for December:
Dec. 1st - 22nd. No class on the 29th.
We'll continue to deepen into cellular awareness/embodiment for healing and integration.

Balls/Rolling & Restorative Movement all Tuesdays in December.

Happy & Peaceful Holiday Season
Rita

11/28/2025

One thing I miss about NY! Love the fluidity...

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1651 El Dorado Avenue
Santa Cruz, CA
95062

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Monday 9am - 7pm
Tuesday 9am - 7pm
Wednesday 9am - 7pm
Thursday 9am - 7pm
Friday 9am - 5pm
Saturday 9am - 5pm
Sunday 9am - 7pm

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+18314197816

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