Curriculum Vitae
Alexandra Berger
Education
Syracuse University, Ph.D. Candidate, Religion.
Concentrations in South Asia; Communities & Identities
Languages: Hindi, Urdu, Sanskrit
Loyola Marymount University, M.A. Yoga Studies, 2017.
Completed “Yoga and Jainism” course through International Summer School for Jain Studies, Delhi, India (2016)
Research Assistant to Professor Christopher Chapple (2017)
Designated Outstanding Student in Yoga Studies (2017)
Hobart & William Smith Colleges, B.A. Dance, 2009 (magna cum laude)
Minors: English, Asian Languages & Cultures
Semester abroad in North India, including independent fieldwork project on Kathak dance (2008)
Awards and Fellowships
2022. FLAS Summer Fellowship, Urdu. Completed at American Institute of Indian Studies (AIIS), Lucknow, India
2022 AIIS Language Fellowship, Urdu. Fall Semester program.
2020 FLAS Summer Fellowship, Urdu. Completed through South Asia Summer Language Institute (SASLI), University of Wisconsin-Madison.
2020 Finalist, Critical Language Scholarship, Urdu **Program suspended due to COVID-19**
2020 Bharati Memorial Grant for pre-dissertation research, awarded by SU South Asia Center
2019 FLAS Summer Fellowship, Sanskrit. Completed at AIIS, Pune, India
2017 Critical Language Scholarship, Advanced Hindi (AIIS Jaipur, India)
Teaching Experience
Academic
Syracuse University:
Instructor of Record
Spring 2022 REL 320: Yoga and Mysticism
Teaching Assistant
Discussion Sections:
Spring 2021 REL 101: Religions of the World (synchronous online format due to COVID)
Fall 2020 REL 300: Ghosts and Ghostbusters (synchronous online format due to COVID)
Lectures given:
Spring 2020 “Yoga and Myth” for REL 294: Mythologies
Fall 2019 “Is Yoga a Religion?: Debates Over Yoga in Schools and the Workplace” for REL 246: Religion & Popular Culture
Fall 2018 “A Brief Overview of the Historical and Textual Development of Yoga” for REL/SAS 185: Hinduism
Loyola Marymount University, Teaching Assistant
Fall 2016 Introduction to Yoga (Primary Instructor)
Susquehanna University, Guest Instructor. 9 sections of Freshman Seminar over 2 days.
Oct. 2014 Introduction to Yoga as a Contemplative Practice
Community
Meditation Facilitation
2018 Point of Contact Gallery, Syracuse, NY. “Meditation in Motion,” in collaboration with Susan Stainman’s exhibition, “Dream Bird: Hatching the Egg.”
2016 Benedict Canyon Retreat House, Beverly Hills, CA. Insight Meditation, Yoga Studies program retreat.
Yoga Instruction
2021-22 Syracuse University (fitness center). All-levels flow focusing on mindfulness and body awareness.
2018 Just Plain Yoga, Camp Hill, PA. Yoga Philosophy module of teacher training; Vinyasa classes
2015-17 Los Angeles, CA. Group classes offered at several yoga studios: Vinyasa, Hatha, and Therapeutic
2010-15 Harrisburg & Camp Hill, PA. Group and private classes at yoga studios, gyms, community centers, and private residences: Vinyasa, Hatha, Yin, Restorative.
Dance Instruction
2009-11 Danzante Arts Center, Harrisburg, PA. Ballet and Modern dance classes for children ages 5-12.
Conference Papers Presented
Oct. 2016 “Translating Yoga: New Incarnations of Old Practices.” Annual Conference on South Asia, Madison, WI.
Apr. 2016 “Translation and Metaphor: Addressing Otherness in the Yoga Tradition.” Engaging Particularities Graduate Conference, Boston College.
Service
2022 First Round Applications Evaluator, Critical Language Scholarship
2021 Organizer, Religion Department Invited Spring Speaker: Jeffrey Kripal
2020-21 Graduate Student Representative in Religion Department Graduate Admissions Committee (Syracuse University)
2019-20 “Aberrations” Graduate Student Conference organizer, Syracuse University Department of Religion **Cancelled due to COVID-19**
2019-20 Graduate Student Organization senator, Syracuse University
2019 Critical Language Scholarship Alumni Mentor
Other Trainings Completed
Kathak Dance:
Intensive one-on-one training with Ridhima Bagga, New Delhi, India, began August 2022 (ongoing).
Fourth-year course (in-progress), Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing (ISTD). Under the guidance of Seema Sureshkumar, Syracuse, NY.
Intensive one-on-one training under the guidance of guru Pandita Maneesha Sathe and her senior disciples. Maneesha Nritalaya, Pune, India. Summer 2019.
Short-term training: Jaipur, India (Summer 2017), Mussoorie, India (Sept. 2008)
Contact Improvisation: Intensive Workshop with Martin Keogh, Los Angeles, CA. 2017.
Cunningham Technique: Trained under Tamsin Carlson and Chard Gonzalez, Los Angeles, CA. 2016-17
Yoga and the Healing Sciences Teacher Training: 200-hr training, Loyola Marymount University. 2016.
Laban Movement Analysis/Bartenieff Fundamentals: 40-hr intensive, Integrated Movement Studies (Salt Lake City, UT). June 2014.
Vinyasa Yoga Teacher Training: 40-hr Ashtanga-based training, Just Plain Yoga (Camp Hill, PA). 2010.
Performance Experience
Kathak Solo, Fulbright House, New Delhi, India. Accompanied by Samuel Cushman on Pakhawaj and Anil Mishra on Sarangi. October 2022.
X-Fest, Lowell, MA and online. Collaborative improvisational performance. 2020, 2021.
Solo Dance on Film: “Dream Voyage,” Syracuse, NY. Facilitated by Point of Contact Gallery, inspired by and featuring Susan Stainman’s exhibition, “Dream Voyage: Hatching the Egg.” February, 2019.
Third Space Dance Company, Harrisburg, PA. Co-founder, co-director, performer. Collaborative community-based contemporary dance company. 2011-2014.
National Music Festival, Floyd, VA. Role of Princess in staging of Stravinsky’s “A Soldier’s Tale”; Improvisatory Playoff in collaboration with violinist Dana Goode. June 2011.
Hobart & William Smith Colleges, Geneva, NY. Performer: Faculty Dance Concert, Koshare Student Dance Collective, Senior Dance Concerts. Choreographer: Student Dance Concert, Senior Dance Concert. 2005-2009.