Maggie Newman

Tai Chi Teacher

Maggie Newman taught me about slowness, about precision, and repetition. She taught until she was 88.

After class, a student comes up to Maggie and says, “I’m practicing, but I am bored. It is all so slow. What should I do?” “Go slower.”, Maggie said.

Marjorie Barstow

Teacher of F.M. Alexander’s Work

Marj Barstow was like a potter working at her spinning wheel. We were like clay under her hands. With the lightest touch, she’d lengthen us up and open us out, creating great space within us, forming us into works of beauty. She taught into her mid-90’s.

There is nothing to get, there is only something to lose.

Erika Whitaker

Teacher of F.M. Alexander’s Work

Erika was quiet, observant, perceptive. She was a teacher who didn’t teach. She entered into conversation. Offered fresh insights. She taught into her mid-90’s.

Breathing is a shared silence between you and God.

Richard Gummere, Jr.

Philosopher of Education

“Buzz” knew how to ask the right questions. Like Socrates, he made you reconsider what you thought you knew. He’d bring you into a state of constructive doubt, of not being certain, of wondering anew. Buzz taught into his mid-90’s.

“How are you Buzz?” “Never better!”, he’d said every time, and every time he meant it.

Eva Fuhrmann

Physiotherapist and Alexander Technique Teacher

Eva teaches me how, through example, to live alone with dignity. She shows me how to stay in shape physically, mentally, and spiritually. Eva is 92, still rides her bike, drives a stick shift, and lives in an apartment on the 3rd floor (no elevator). She hikes and swims every week, goes to QiGong classes and yoga classes every week, and sings in the choir.

To have friends, you have to know how to be a friend.

Ed Young

Tai Chi Teacher, Interpreter for Chang-Men-Ching, Illustrator

Ed Young is, at once, plain and elegant. A quiet scholar. A quiet artist. He is 92 years old. Still teaching.

Listen to your teachers as if you alone are responsible for passing on their work.

Elizabeth Walker

Alexander Teacher

Watching Elizabeth hike up a hill in her 80’s was like watching a mountain goat. When swimming, she was like a fish. On a bike, she was like a child. She taught until she was 99.

Don’t try. Let it all seep in like rain.

Peg Gummere

Painter, Poet, Violinist & Alexander Teacher

Peg Gummere saw beauty everywhere she went. She lived to be 100 years old.

“Ah, look at that.”

SEN Genshitsu (Soshitsu XV)

Urasenke Chanoyu (Japanese Tea Ceremony)

The one time I served Oiemoto tea was a life changing experience. A story to be told in my class. Oiemoto is 100 years old.

It is an especially Japanese sensibility towards beauty to cut away and cut away, abbreviating to the point where nothing more can be removed and thereby creating a thing of great beauty.

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