Testimonials

Teaching:

Dance

“I loved your class on Saturday! My mind got turned inside out during the warm up. It opened up a lot of awareness and possibility in relation to my connection with my body. The improv was so fun, and the whole class flowed together so naturally that I didn't even realize that I had been learning skills until they were spontaneously arising during the improv. I felt such permission. I loved when you said something like, "Trust that whatever you are doing is correct". I needed to hear that. In the end it felt like it was impossible to not be a part of the improvisation. I loved it. Amazing class! Everyone I talked to agreed.”
-Tom (Vancouver, BC) Oct 2020

“Olivia's teaching has informed my practise invaluably. Her attention to detail, vast knowledge of the body and her clarity of action and direction of movement enabled me to progress substantially in contact improvisation through just a few sessions. Already look forward to dancing with her again!”
-Caldonia (London, UK) July 2019

“Olivia is an incredibly thoughtful teacher. You will learn a lot in a safe, professional environment.”
-Magda (Vancouver, BC) April 2019

“I’m writing to say thank you to Olivia Shaffer who taught class last week. It was a great class experience from start to finish and I deeply appreciated the culture she created and supported throughout. One thing about returning to class is that it can be incredibly intimidating when you haven't been practicing and/or not in 'shape' -mental or physical.  Stepping back into a physical-based practice like CI requires both as well as good listening skills plus a modicum of confidence. I think Olivia really cultivated all of those skills within me and in our class: a gentle, sensing/listening beginning, some skill and tool building that enhanced the listening experience, a continuous shift between learning and practicing and then a very non-intimidating round robin score. It worked seamlessly! I look forward to joining in to more EDAM classes next season - and hope to catch more of Olivia's classes. Thank you EDAM for providing such fantastic teachers in our dance community!”
-Cara (Vancouver, BC) July 2018

“Olivia's classes at EDAM are beautiful. A place to be an old set of lungs breathing new and an ageless heart learning patience and grace.”
-Ziyian (Vancouver, BC) June 2018

Teaching:

Pilates

"Olivia is the best pilates instructor I’ve encountered. Her knowledge of the body and attention to detail are great, and her classes are strenuous enough, yet calm and meditative. I highly recommend her."
-Richard (Vancouver, BC) March 2019

"I love Olivia’s classes and try to attend them whenever I can. She seems to have a sixth sense that allows her to analyze your movements and help you make improvements better than anyone I’ve encountered."
-Rosemary (Vancouver, BC) March 2019

Performance

“...and there was a moment last night when Shaffer, who is such a gorgeously fluid dancer, found herself separated from the group and contrived a wonderful sitting solo for herself that I could have watched all night.”

-Peter Dickinson (Vancouver, BC) May 2018
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