Claudia Rosenhouse Raiken

Claudia Rosenhouse Raiken’s formal training consists of a Masters from NYU in Dance and Kinesiology; Dance Therapy training and certification with Blanche Evan, a pioneer in her field; Alexander Technique (trained and certified by Alan Katz); and CranioSacral Therapy (through the Upledger Institute and Biodynamic CranioSacral through the Wellness Institute). Since 1996, Raiken has been a practitioner of Alexander Technique, and since 2004, a CranioSacral therapist. Her training at the School of Images began in 2003. She became the catalyst, playing a crucial part in the development of DreamBirth Imagery, becoming a certified practitioner in 2010. She began giving private sessions through the school in 2010 and is a member of the faculty, currently teaching DreamBirth classes and running the DreamBirth certification program. Raiken is a certified Birth Doula and Childbirth Educator, and co-founder of The Birth Studio where DreamBirth Imagery was the primary modality used. Imagery is now the main component of her work: as it has been integrated into her body-work practice and is the primary modality in her work with conception, fertility, pregnancy and birth. Claudia works privately (claudiaraiken.com) and through the School of Images (theschoolofimages.org).

It was during Raiken’s Alexander Technique training however, that her real adventure and passion for Imagery began. A visiting professor came to one of her classes, suggesting a very specific and quick “image.” Instantly her neck and back released, making her whole body free and easy, her spine deliciously long. Astonishing! One quick image become equivalent to months, or in some instances, years of work. A few months later, at a CranioSacral Workshop, Claudia’s life changed. After watching her work, one of the assistants told her about The School of Images. And so, in 2003 Raiken asked Catherine Shainberg to teach her imagery for pregnancy and childbirth. Claudia was hooked. So not only did Claudia participate in a weekly class with other birth professionals, but Claudia began to take all classes given at the school, as well as a weekly private session with Catherine. Since 2003, she has been taking classes continuously at the school, including Supervision and Prayer, and has participated in every workshop Catherine has given in New York and many in Europe. In 2012 Claudia assisted Catherine when she presented DreamBirth to a group of obstetricians in Russia.

Two years into the work Raiken developed cancer of the uterine lining. The discipline she was teaching her clients suddenly became life or death for her, using imagery to help fight the cancer and to face the demons and underlying emotions that were emerging. The imagery alleviated the side effects of both chemotherapy and radiation. When Claudia beat the cancer, the very real benefits of the work became crystal clear. She claims that her experience with cancer gave her a PhD in Imagery. It jump-started her into the creative and revelatory aspects of the work, allowing her to become a grateful recipient of the healing it promoted. As Catherine often says, “You plunged in—and the work took on a life of its own, showing you the way.” The imagery still informs Raiken and is the ever-present presence in her life and work; amazing her daily with what it can do, and the richness it gives all who work with it.

Listen to Claudia Rosenhouse Raiken’s podcasts:

The publisher I. Murphy Lewis and IML author Jacqueline Gay Walley discuss with the author Claudia Rosenhouse Raiken the launch of her Messages from the Womb: