Jamie van Dam is a graduate of the 2003-2007 Victoria Feldenkrais Teacher Training where he studied with many well respected Feldenkrais trainers: Jeff Haller, Jerry Karzen, Beatriz Walterspiel, Alan Questel, Katrin Smithback and Bonnie Humiston. Under their guidance he completed the 800 hour training program which focused primarily on discovering mindfulness and awareness; the principles and strategies of learning; the self image and its development and functional, developmental and structural types of movements.
Jamie has been studying Buddha Dharma with Lama Mark Webber (Lama Chökyi Gyaltsen) since late 2000 and had the good fortune to also study with the Lama’s root teacher, the late Venerable Namgyal Rinpoche. During that time Jamie received the novice ordination from Rinpoche, who held the Sudhamma Nikaya lineage — an ordination lineage traditionally traced to the Buddha, received through Sayadaw U Thila Wunta.
Jamie is grateful to be studying and received teachings and transmissions of the Drikung Yangzab lineage from H.E. Lho Orgyen Drodul Dorje Rinpoche (Ratna Rinpoche), and previously received teachings from Ratna Rinpoche’s late father, the revered Kyabje Lho Ontul Rinpoche, until his passing. In 2012, Jamie and his wife received the Ngakpa ordination from Lama Mark Webber, who had been authorized to confer it by Kyabje Lho Ontul Rinpoche. This ordination belongs to a lineage transmitted through Kyabje Dudjom Rinpoche and Kyabje Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche.
Jamie was Lama Mark Webber’s principal attendant for five years, during which he helped organize international retreats, group travel and teachings. Since that time, Jamie has continued periodically as an attendant to the Lama, assisting in his scientific research and teaching Awareness Through Movement classes during retreats.
Jamie has completed numerous short and long term meditation retreats both self-directed and under the guidance of the Lama including a five month personal retreat, a five month Ngöndro and Insight retreat, a four month Abhidhamma and Insight retreat, and a three month Vajra Yogini retreat.
Jamie previously served on the Board of Directors of the Dharma Centre of Canada and the Crystal Mountain Society, and he currently serves as a Board Member for the Namgyal Yangzab Buddhist Community of Europe.
Jamie is a Visiting Teacher at the Queenstown Dharma Centre, NZ , Dharma Centre of Canada and Crystal Mountain Society Retreat & Study Centre on Galiano Island, BC
Jamie is one of the founders of the Canadian Barista Institute, alongside Les Kuan — his business mentor since 2010, who helped establish the third wave of coffee in Canada as the competition sanctioned body’s representative from 2003 to 2014. Jamie works at the Institute as a business and barista trainer. The Institute offers courses on how to open a coffee business or roastery, as well as training for baristas seeking artisan coffee employment. Jamie has trained, managed and helped open many cafés and roasteries. He also works behind the scenes for Barista Canada, an organization that promotes Canadian Coffee Competitions and community events.
