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The staff of the Spiral Movement Center gather at a window on a rainy day

Staff

Adapted Spiral Praxis founder Yuji Oka stands at a window

FOUNDER

Yuji Oka

I graduated from the school of dance at Ohio State University, with a background in physics. With my former partner Stephanie Gottlob, we developed the Motion! curriculum at the Positive Education Program in Cleveland. 

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I have been studying somatics and movement for over 30 years, and the Spiral Movement Center and its curricula are a product of those years of study and research.

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INSTRUCTOR

Andrew Hlavats, RSMT

I have studied under Yuji Oka at the Spiral Movement Center for the last 5 years, and in 2018 received my Spiral Praxis Teacher Certification, as well as the ISMETA Registered Somatic Movement Therapist (RSMT) designation. I have been teaching children with special needs for the last two years in private sessions, group classes, and intensives.

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I'm passionate about teaching and discovering creative and fun ways of presenting our movement and yoga curricula. I am deeply committed to helping everyone I work with, young or old, find their own creativity and potential.

Adapted Spiral Praxis instructor Andrew Hlavats standing at a window

INSTRUCTOR

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Pamela Andrews, RSME

I have always loved children and have worked with kids most of my adult life. Later in life, I was blessed with 2 children of my own. My son, Aidan (now 16) was born with HIE and later diagnosed with cerebral palsy. After his birth, I immersed myself in studying anything that might help him.

 

In 2012, I took the Adapted Yoga training at the Spiral Movement Centre and it changed the course of my life. In 2016, I started the SPASP training. I am now a certified Somatic Movement Educator. I am passionate about helping others connect to their own inner awareness through simple somatic techniques.

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