Somatic Movement, Qigong, & Tai Chi

Dr. Roger Jahnke, OMD, is one of the most revered luminaries in the fields of mind-body practice, wellness, and integrative medicine. Dr. Jahnke, who’s dedicated his professional life to sharing the powerful ancient healing traditions of China, is the director and chief instructor of the Institute of Integral Qigong and Tai Chi (IIQTC) in Santa Barbara, California, and a co-founder of the National Qigong Association. He’s the author of several highly-regarded bestselling books: The Healer Within and The Healing Promise of Qi.

With 30 years of clinical practice as a physician of acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine, and 10 research tours to China, Dr. Jahnke has emerged as a key spokesperson for and master teacher of Tai Chi and Qigong. He’s studied hundreds of forms of Qigong with master teachers and visited numerous hospitals, institutes, training centers, temples, and sacred mountain sites in China, focusing on the cultivation of Qi and mastering the art of Qi Medicine.

Body language expert Lavinia Plonka has helped people improve their movement, behavior, relationships, and careers for over 35 years. Her unique expertise connects the dots between posture/movement, emotions, and the mind.

Lavinia’s training and professional career have included theater, dance, yoga, and the martial arts. She has taught the Feldenkrais Method for over 25 years and is also a certified Assistant Trainer. She is a level CL4 teacher of the Alba Method and an Emotional Body Instructor. She was an artist in residence for the Guggenheim Museum, and a movement consultant for theater and television companies around the world, from the Irish National Folk Theater to Nickelodeon.

From Esalen to the Council on Aging, from Beijing to Mexico, Lavinia’s popular workshops explore the intersection between movement, emotions, and the mind. She is the director of the Asheville Movement Center in Asheville, North Carolina. Lavinia’s writing includes several books and audio programs.

Lee Holden first discovered the healing power of Qigong and Tai Chi after experiencing injuries that nearly sidelined his varsity soccer career at the University of California, Berkeley. Impressed at how these ancient practices healed his body and allowed him to return to playing, he made their study a priority. Today, he is an internationally known instructor in meditation, Tai Chi, and Qigong, as well as a licensed acupuncturist, herbalist, and author (7 Minutes of Magic). His popular library of Qigong DVDs have made him a regular fixture on American Public Television and over 105 PBS stations throughout the U.S. and Canada. Lee’s unique Qigong programs have been seen in over 50 million households.

Lee’s expertise and down-to-earth teaching style have made him a popular speaker and workshop facilitator. He’s worked with world-famous author Deepak Chopra as well as Mantak Chia, a widely revered Qigong expert. He is also a stress management consultant to top Silicon Valley corporations like Apple, 3Com, and Cisco, and has been the on-set wellness consultant for several Hollywood film productions.

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Lee is a graduate of UC Berkeley, with a BA in Psychology. A Doctor of Chinese Medicine, he is a graduate of Five Branches Institute in Santa Cruz, a leading acupuncture college in the U.S.

There are no good or bad, light, or dark emotions. Only ones that need to be expressed.
— Bernadette Pleasant

Intoxicating and energetic, Bernadette Pleasant is a fiery and sensual speaker, somatic healer, somatic dance therapist, and creator of The Emotional Institute LLC and Femme!, a mind-body wellness program. She has spent a lifetime exploring creative visualizations and celebrations of the human form, from sensual dance to somatic movement healing. A gifted healer, dancer, and entrepreneur, she channels her personal journeys and her radical empathy into transformative, immersive experiences that empower and celebrate people of all genders, ages, sizes, and fitness levels. Bernadette travels globally empowering all through classes, private workshops, retreats, and conferences.

With certifications in Emotions-Centered Coaching, Nia Technique, Nia 5 Stages, Ageless Grace, Pole Dance, Somatic Healing, Reiki, and Integrated Energy Therapy — and studies in African, Tribal, and Free Dance — Bernadette promotes emotional freedom through movement and empowerment.

Bernadette regularly leads discussions on emotional healing, grief rituals, inclusive movement, and empowerment for all. Her authenticity, charisma, and warmth allow her to empathize with and inspire those ready for a journey of emotional exploration and affirmation. Intuitive and engaging, Bernadette is a vibrant, sensual speaker who connects with those who have been silenced and shut down to support their physical, emotional, and healing journeys — whether in a classroom, from a podium, or one-on-one.

Bernadette, a woman of color, comes from a long line of natural healers who have used touch and somatic movement to help others find peace, empowerment, and wellness. Her classrooms welcome participants without judgment and support their paths to finding comfort in their own skin. In the Femme! experience, Bernadette creates a safe space for all ages, backgrounds, body types, and dance skills to explore their sensual selves. Everyone is empowered to fully embrace and embody all of their emotions and fully express them through somatic movement and therapeutic dance; joy, sorrow, rage, ecstasy, and more are all welcome at Femme! In Femme! everyone is infused with the affirmation, “It’s your body; you can do whatever you want with it — including love it unapologetically!”