Lori Ruth Federman

Lori Ruth Federman, known as Ruth, is honored to join the Breathing Project as a co-teacher in the Yoga & Mental Wellness class with Bess Abrahams and Elizabeth Plapinger (two of her respected teachers). She is teaching wellness through a balance of massage, movement, self-care acupressure, and healthy alternatives with a yogic approach and flow. Her intention is to help empower her students to develop a balanced presence in their bodies through a personalized self-care practice that arises from and reflects the wisdom of their individual inner physician and is supported by the Universal Self.

Ruth teaches yoga through compassion and a grounded heart. She encourages the establishment of a strong vehicle (a well balanced foundation, healthy boundaries, the ability to go inward & interact outwardly). She concentrates on creating a safe yogic space where the mental realms of the magical, the mythological, and the rational can integrate dissolving the schisms in the mind. Likewise, Ruth approaches bodywork through the heart and spirit of yoga and often carefully incorporates work from Craniosacral Therapy, Shiatsu, and Reiki within this framework to touch upon the many levels and layers of Being and the body. In this particular class continuing students who elect to have bodywork will receive short 10-15 minute sessions over their clothing, in a chair, on a mat or massage table and will be given ample time to process the results together.

Ruth currently has a private practice at the Park Avenue Center for Well Being, teaches yoga and wellness in a school for emotionally and disciplinary challenged teens, and provides massage for Breast Cancer patients at Beth Israel Hospital. A number of years ago Ruth began conceptualizing project PAEAN (a healing song of triumph), to bring yoga and bodywork to special populations, particularly those suffering within the mental realm. It is a blessing to begin this endeavor.

Ruth was certified as a yoga instructor by Sri Dharma Mittra (2003), deepened her therapeutic studies with Anusara teacher Ellen Saltonstall, and furthers her internal practice studying Body-Mind Centering with Amy Matthews, Bonnie Bainbridge Cohen and the North Carolina program. Ruth has been highly influenced and guided by both Dr. Rudolph Ballentine and Dr. Todd Lafargue, groundbreaking psychiatrists in the field of holistic medicine. She studies Brain Gym with OT Mari Miyoshi, and honors the teachings of Integrated Movement Therapy. Currently she is also pursuing certification in flower essence therapy.

Ruth’s academic experience includes a Masters in Anthropology, Bachelors of Science in Ecological and Evolutionary Biology, and an Associates degree and license in Massage Therapy. Professional experiences include creation of an urban youth media arts program within a non-profit in the District of Columbia, conservation work mothering ex-captive orangutans to return them to the wild in Borneo, as well as co-producing and assisting in documentary films honored by the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts & Sciences.

She can be reached at lfeddy@gmail.com