Meet Alison

Franklin Method Faculty & Educator
Registered Somatic Movement Educator
Certified Yoga Therapist/Teacher

Alison believes in making movement accessible, creative, enjoyable and functional.

She started her company, Movement at Work, in 2008 as a way to bring movement where and when people work, in their offices and online.

Alison coordinates and assists Franklin Method Teacher Trainings and co-wrote Understanding the Pelvis: A Functional Approach to Yoga with Eric Franklin.

She shares ongoing yoga/movement classes and embodied study with such wonderful organizations as Guide Dogs for the Blind, eBay, Kaiser Permanente, Oregon School of Massage, Rebound Physical Therapy and the Portland Opera. She leads in-person, hands-on cadaver dissection intensives as well as online experiential anatomy courses with her cherished colleague, Ann Teachworth.

Alison lives for studying what we’re made of, and is forever fascinated with how we communicate with ourselves and others.

When she’s not diving into movement, anatomy or philosophy, you can find Alison studying Spanish, writing songs/plays/stories, kickboxing with her dad, singing, dancing Salsa, spending precious time with her one-of-a-kind husband and stepkids, or training their two wildly spoiled German Shepherds. 

Alison’s life changed in 2011 when she woke with no feeling in her left leg.

After extensive tests, Alison discovered she had 3 herniated discs. Although immediate surgery was recommended, she decided to follow the advice of a physical therapist who gave her the hardest task: to lie face down and be still for 10 days. During those 10 days, Alison turned to one page in the Franklin Method book, Dynamic Alignment Through Imagery. With one glance at an image in the book, vertebrae as corks floating in water, immediately there was sensation in her leg and healing had begun.

She found instant relief through imagery and through studying the intricacies of the spine via the Franklin Method. Alison has been endlessly curious about the connection between the mind, movement and healing ever since.

Body-Centric Self Discovery

Alison empowers all her students to acknowledge and step into their strength.

In her classes, labs and one-on-one work she encourages participants to ignite discoveries through movement and awareness. There’s no “one-size” approach here. Accessibility is KEY.

Change is possible. Find your own profound connection.

Alison is clear, calm and an utter inspiration. She puts so much energy, care and creativity into her sessions and helps you experience the work, not just learn. Although she knows her stuff, she never makes you feel like she’s the expert, but rather makes you feel like you’re collaborating.
— Chris

Education & Training

Gil Hedley | Integral Anatomy 

10-day Intensive Hands-On Human Dissection Course: 2021

6-day Intensive Hands-On Human Dissection Course: 2019

6-day Intensive Hands-On Human Dissection Course: 2018

 

Franklin Method | New York, NY | Faculty/Level 3 Educator

Level 1 Training with focus on bones/ligaments: 2013 

Level 2 Training with focus on muscles/fascia: 2017 

Level 3 Training with focus on organs/nervous system: 2019

Bhakti Yoga | Portland, OR | 2014

500 hour Yoga Teacher Continuing Education

Ananda Seva Mission | Santa Rosa, CA | 2009

500 hour Yoga Teacher Training/Yoga Therapy Certification

Prananda Yoga | Portland, OR | 2007

200 hour Yoga Teacher Training

Doug Keller Yoga | Portland , OR | 2012

40 hour study Therapeutic Yoga

Bodhi Tree Language Center | 2010-2014

Level 2 Sanskrit 

Zumba Level 1: 2021

Pilates Sports Center | Mat Pilates Teacher Training | 2020