Dave Gerdes

Dave Gerdes began adult life as a typical male of his generation (perhaps slightly more alternative than typical). Married at 23, he was certain he was supposed to “succeed” by competing, achieving visibility and acquiring appropriate status symbols of the unquestioned American male life. Dave started out in high-end retail corporate America doing several management gigs, studied cooking at the California Culinary Academy, founded an Asian-French influenced catering business, and trained in personal fitness. He simultaneously explored alternative arenas, working on understanding his relationship to the world of Eros, bisexuality and Feminism. Then the arrival of a new son changed everything. By mutual agreement with his wife and partner, Dave became the primary stay-at-home caregiver for the couple’s infant child … new job, Mr. Mom, and no more a typical male.

While discovering the ineffable joys and challenges of parenthood, he worked part-time as a personal trainer at a neighborhood gym, then became involved in running a community-based retail business that featured local artists and characters in San Francisco’s Haight-Ashbury district. After moving with his family north from San Francisco, Dave co-founded another business, aimed at helping companies cope with diversity in the workplace issues. With his partners, Dave designed and internationally marketed a best-selling interactive game, teaching companies how to gently diffuse misunderstandings that arise from diversity issues. During this time, he also cooked part-time at the renowned Greens Restaurant.

At this stage, Dave’s life was focused primarily on childcare, with plenty of time to reflect. His understanding of human life issues deepened, with Eros and gender relations as the core map of discovery. Dave realized that profound healing can result from uncovering and resolving crippling conflicts in the forbidden zones of Eros and male-female energies in the flesh. Dave then headed full tilt into bodymind integration: his journey to Eros Coaching and Bodywork developed through real life experiences and from going back to grad school. Along this path he discovered that current modes of thinking and working often make us sick and spirit-weary … and that nurturing, caring and remembering the Body are the antidote.

He is thoroughly convinced that with intention, gentle prodding and body-based realizations, many people can transform their lives to a more balanced and joyful whole.

Dave Gerdes is a personal and organizational coach, certified massage therapist, Renaissance man, and intense and laughing Trickster … one who may help others see new truths and possibilities. He lives and works in a Marin County forest where Nature is the primal reminder of the wisdom of Eros.

M.A., O.D.T., California Institute of Integral Studies

B.A., University of Iowa

R.Y.T., New Dawn Yoga Therapy

C.S.B., Institute for Advanced Study of Human Sexuality

C.M.T., Esalen Institute

C.M.T., Breema Center

C.M.T., Body Electric School