Martina Serra

My name is Martina and I am a movement performer and director with a BA in Communications and an education in Visual and Performing Arts. 

I did my professional training in London and Northern Italy, and attended various workshops and professional classes both around Europe and the U.S.

I had the pleasure to work/collaborate professionally with companies such as Ricci | Forte, ENZ danzateatro Sociopoetico, Levantes Dance Theatre, East London Shakespeare Company, Nobody’s Child Theatre Company, The Mostly Everything People and Studio Festi. 

I am very grateful to have had such wonderful and diverse experiences. From each of them I have learnt a great deal and I am more than excited to be able to share some with you! 

A while ago I also started approaching movement from a more therapeutic perspective as I found myself testing out different methods for my own healing purposes (in my practice you might in fact recognise some Yoga and Pilates elements and rehabilitation exercises too).

...............................

Due to an injury, I let pain take control of my life for a long time.

According to some doctors, I should have renounced my dancing career unless I wanted the situation to worsen. I was told I should get accustomed to back and hip pain regardless as after a certain age bodies are much more difficult to “fix”. 

I almost did renounced my dancing career…Till I found a way to prove all these people wrong. 

How I did that?

Acceptance - of my body status each and every day, as every day is different;

Motivation - in wanting to feel better and becoming the best version of me both mentally and physically;

In 2017 I was introduced to the Non-dual Yoga approach, which helped me free myself from the extra pain all those misconceptions had caused. I finally realized there are healthier ways to deal with physical pain and that it is possible to work with it and not necessarily around it. 

Yoga in general is still crucial in helping me deal with my anxiety issues and usually allows me to find some balance back whenever I feel off - again both mentally and physically (there’s a reason why it is referred to as “the Science of the Mind” amongst other things ;) ). 

Keys to my success, and I’m sure you heard this one before, were constancy - in making the time for practice - and faith - in knowing a change for the better was going to happen. 

Once I embraced this life-changing attitude I managed to:

• re-acquire control over my body and mind;
• restore and gain flexibility; 
• improve my proprioception (the dancers' sixth sense);

I know, I know...Finding time and motivation to start a movement practice every day is no easy thing, no matter how beneficial you know it will be in the long run.

As a matter of fact during Pandemic times I too struggled. And aside from all the more personal reasons, let me explain to you why...

Movement practices are usually conceived as a social event: a way to share bits of life and knowledge with others whilst reconnecting with our inner self. 

Its social aspect is usually what makes any practice more fun, isn't it? 

I started offering online classes because I wanted to find a way to keep that "fun" alive when gathering up was simply not an option. 

Technology has gifted us with this whole new way of being "social" so why not taking advantage of it, right? 

My classes are generally directed to people of all ages and all levels of experiences with any set movement vocabulary. 

If you are someone who: 

• re-enstablish a relationship with your body;
• would like to work on flexibility painlessly and efficiently; 
• is in need of some relaxation, a peaceful moment to dedicate to yourself...

Well you have stumbled across the right page! :)

Please feel free to add me on other social media and PM me if you have any specific questions.

Hope to see you soon :)

Take care,

M.