Bruce Fertman

Having done so for 30 years, Bruce continues to teach annually in Europe, Asia, and the United States helping people experience the interconnectedness between physical and spiritual grace. In 1982, Bruce co-founded the Alexander Alliance International, an intergenerational, multicultural community/school, now with programs in Germany, Switzerland, Austria, England, Japan, Korea, Australia, New Zealand, and America. He trained with five first generation Alexander teachers, most notably with Marjorie L. Barstow, with whom he apprenticed and assisted for 12 years, and also with Elisabeth Walker, Erika Whittaker, Richard M. Gummere, Jr., and Catherine Wielopolska. For ten years Bruce trained as a gymnast with Olympic coaches, and with Dan Millman, receiving a full scholarship to Penn State University. He was a professional modern dancer for 12 years, completing his Master’s degree in Modern Dance and Movement Re-education at Temple University. Bruce studied Tai Chi Chu’an in New York City at the Shr Jung Institute and in Philadelphia with Cheng man Ching’s six senior American students for 8 years, and also for 8 years with Shuji Maruyama who, as a boy, lived and trained with Morihei Ueshiba, the founder of Aikido. Bruce was awarded a scholarship to study at the Uresenke School of Tea in Kyoto, Japan, with Iemoto Soshitsu Sen, the 15th generation grand tea master. He studied Argentine Tango in Buenos Aires, Berlin, and Rome. Bruce trained in Kyudo, Zen Archery, in Osaka, Japan where he lives and teaches four months a year. In addition to training Alexander Technique teachers, Bruce has worked with members of the Berlin Philharmonic, Radio France, The National Symphony in Washington DC, the Honolulu Symphony, for the Curtis Institute of Music, and for Jeong Ga Ak Hoe. He taught for the Five College Dance Program in Amherst, Massachusetts for 13 years, for the Tango community in Buenos Aires, and for 6 years, Bruce taught movement for actors at Temple and Rutgers University. For ten years Bruce taught annually for the College of Physiotherapy in Gottingen. Bruce’s heart centered approach as an Alexander teacher rests upon his extensive training in psychology and theology. Having studied the work of Eric Berne, (Transactional Analysis), Carl Rogers, (Person Centered Therapy), Frederick Perls, (Gestalt Therapy), Albert Ellis, (Rational-Emotive Therapy), Carl Jung, (Analytical Psychology), Byron Katie, (Inquiry), and Claudio Naranjo, (Enneatypal Psychology), as well as having studied with Jewish, Christian, and Buddhist scholars, Bruce’s teaching not only transforms people physically; it creates a decided shift in peoples’ personal and spiritual lives. Author of Teaching By Hand/Learning By Heart, and, Robes of the Desert – What It Means to Live a Non-egocentric Life , and is at work on his third book, The Unsentimental Practice of Love – The Physiology of Self Respect.