About
Barbara Vogel
The connection between self, health, and movement has always been a driving force in Barbara’s life. Below is a summary of the path that began with teaching methodologies for the physical arts, and led her to pursue knowledge and accomplishment across the globe.
Born and raised in Switzerland, Barbara began her professional accomplishments early, acquiring a diploma in Gymnastic Pedagogy; a degree in teaching methodologies for physical education, and a focus on the connection between health, movement, and well-being. Barbara accomplished this goal by 1985, by which time she had simultaneously acquired a diploma in sports therapy and massage, as well as classic massage techniques from the CELSAN school for massage in Zurich.
For more than two decades, Barbara’s passion for movement as health and as expression kept her closely involved in teaching, as well as continuing her own education and expanding her horizons through theatre. However, by the early 2000’s, she had reached a point whereby she sought greater accomplishment in moving and massage therapies, and began to further enhance her formal training. This led to a global pursuit, studying and learning in China, where she competed in Taijiquan at the insistence of her teacher. Not only was Barbara the only foreigners to do so, she surprised everyone (including herself) by winning two bronze medals, one in sword technique, and one in Chen style Taijiquan Dajia.
Barbara’s pursuit of knowledge and certification continued in the years that followed. She has 350 hours of yoga teacher training in Devaya Yoga, certification in Lomi Lomi, learned both in Switzerland and Hawaii, as well as certification in Ashiatsu, and more recently in Gyrokineses.
Barbara currently resides in Costa Rica, where she has lived and practiced for almost a decade, teaching Yoga, Taijiquan, as well as water gymnastics and fitness for older generations. Moving Crafts represents the culmination of years of knowledge and practice, something she is now driven to share. It is her sincerest hope that her teaching allows others to enjoy the experience of life more deeply, as these practices have always done for her.
philosophy of practice
The philosophy underlying Barbara’s practice is best expressed in simple and direct ways. Your body is the vessel you have been given for your journey here on earth. It belongs to you and you alone. You have a right to feel comfortably at home in your body.
While in one way this defines you in terms of body rights, we may also think of body responsibilities. If you embrace the responsibility to respect your body as the place where you live, and to translate this respect into body care, your experience of life will likely be better. And, as you pursue this notion of self respect through body and therefore movement technique, your practice, if pursued with diligence, will lead you to many forms of discovery.
This is perhaps what we mean when we talk about the mind-body-spirit connection. It is something that is always present, but best experienced and understood through technique, perseverance, and commitment to self.
While the techniques and methods Barbara presents are available to everyone, success and growth is most likely for those who embrace three qualities; an openness to teaching methods, a willingness to experiment, and a commitment to time and practice. The teachings on this site can be used by people with different levels of experience, however, they are not meant to be merely a general introduction to these practices.
Barbara offers a deeper connection with technique in particular, something which, if properly pursued, can elevate the student and the practitioner to a higher outcome. This means simply that the technique is simply the technique. What you yourself are willing to commit to it, in the hands of the right teacher, will lead you to different and greater rewards. Barbara’s goal, and her talent, is found in aiding others in this very pursuit. This is true whether it is a given massage technique, a movement technique, or something as simple as breathing and warming up.
A deeper connection, found through technique and commitment to practice, enhances all of these experiences, and forms them into a greater achievement of life.