Marcela is a Senior Yoga teacher and a Movement Therapist, specialised in experiential anatomy and physiology of movement. She is a Pulsing and Mayan Shawl Massage bodywork practitioner. Authorised to facilitate Dance of Awareness™ workshops, a dance group therapy licensed by Tim Brown and Clare Osbond – the creators of this group based therapy. As well as she offers Cacao Ceremony workshops blending her Mexican indigenous traditions, somatic movement explorations and Japanese Butoh Dance.
Her influences are base in a famine approach of working with the body with practices steaming form continuum movement and Body Mind Centering
She has developed her own clear insight in how to blend all her practices from a deep introspective and experiential knowledge in Anatomy and physiology of movement, which she expresses in a fascinating and easy way following the essence of her indigenous background and heritage.
Marcela’s main focus is to bring the attention to the inner-self through being in touch with the body and working with breath awareness, using the practices as a moving meditation.
She invites students to experience the anatomy and physiology of their own bodies and expression of the felt sense with somatic exercises, conscious explorations, imagery, and visualisations.
she is the Co-host of The Body Knows, a Podcast that explores the human capacity for healing, transforming and awakening to life, right here in the body
What Marcela says:
I am very exploitive and curious by nature, so my embodied practices have a blend of what I have been learning along the way. All of my classes are open for total beginners and for advance inquire practitioners.
My Teachings are deeply rooted in a somatic sense of the Self. Somatic is a Greek word which means “Pertaining to the body, experienced and regulated from within” Thomas Hanna was the first person who coined this term. On his own words Somatics is the field which studies the soma: namely the body as perceived form within by first-person. Hereby Somatics is the study o self from the perspective of one’s life experience, encompassing body, mind and spirit.
My style of teaching drowns in this field of observing the body as a process to find health, strength and resiliency.
My classes might be challenging as I will encourage the participant to take self responsibility in the course of the experience. Once the psyche enters the field of self perception by feeling the movement and allowing the space of inquiry, a sense of ownership of the body and mind will arise. In other words you will know what are you doing with the technic you are undertaking and you will learn to listen to your own teacher: the body
I will guide you through the process to find the present moment where mind-body-spirit are in communion. The physiological respond is delicious. From ancient indian practices this is called sidis: powers form the Sadus, indian masters who find themselves by self-observation.
READ TESTIMONIALS BELOW
Certifications
A degree in Contemporary Dance and teaching since 1997. Pilates certification studying with Michael Miller since 2003, Chrystal Healing therapy and Chakra Balancing therapy since 2004, a yogi since 2006. Marcela is a Senior yoga teacher certify by the Yoga Alliance Professionals UK. Other certifications include: Hatha yoga in the well renewed yoga center ‘Ananda Yoga’ in Argentina; Ashtanga Yoga and Pregnancy Yoga certifications with the ‘BSY Group’ in London; Vinyasa Flow Yoga with Still Flowing Teacher Training, ZhiNeneg QiGong Certification by the Integral Institute in Mexico City in 2014, Dance of Awareness facilitator certify in 2015 by Brighton School of embodied Therapy and a current Pulsing bodywork practitioner, studying with Guy Gladstone and Richard Lawton.
She teaches anatomy and physiology of yoga and movement in:
Still Flowing Yoga teacher training since 2009, at the Yoga Garden teacher training since 2012, and Om Yoga London Teacher Training since 2017.
Arts & Therapy
Marcela studied Contemporary Dance at Sonora University, Mexico, (1997-2003) She is a profesional dancer and has had her own Dance Company with which she has perform in multiple locations. Additionally she studied Crystal Healing with the renowned therapist Ana Silvia Serrano with whom she studied the healing effects of gems and crystals in the human body and the Psychology of the chakra system. She is also the creator of “Organodanza”, a workshop where she blends chakra therapy, crystal healing and contemporary dance. Currently she is exploring in her advance inquiry workshops with Dance Therapy, Authentic Movement and Dance of Awareness.
PULSING BODY WORK PRACTITIONER, Marcela trained and qualified with Guy Gladstone and Richard Lawton students of Curtis Turchin the founder and creator of Pulsing technic.
MAYAN SHAWL MASSAGE, An ancient Mexican massage technique that utilizes blankets and shawls to achieve an important emotional connection, creating a rhythm in which relaxation and self healing activate the metabolism. She studied this technic with her curandero (Healer) mentor Rogelio Villalobos in Mexico
Below is a list of teachers who have inspired me and who shaped my understanding of this practice, teachers I had the honor to be with and receive their knowledge from, all my gratitude goes to you!
Bo Forbs, Liz Koch, Gemma Mallol, Sarah Powers, Aki Omori, Ajahn Sucitto, Sabrina Rosenberg, William Holtby, Paddy McGrath, John Stirk, Catherine Annis, Michael Miller, Guy Gladstone, Tim Brown, Clare Osbond, Cherionna Menzam, Sarah Powers, Eduardo Osegueda, Rogelio Villalobos, among many more amazing teachers.
Testimonials
YOGA
Marcela’s teachings was hugely inspiring so alternative to each pupils needs and beautifully combining dynamic Vinyasa Flow, detailed allignment, meditation and theory with fun laughter and passion.
Martha Heiland-Allen
Marcela is amazing, for both beginners and advanced she guided us through a completely different routine every session to work through our entire body, breathing techniques and meditation. Marcela is so inspiring and motivating. I never thought I would have the patience or stamina to last twice daily for the week, but thanks to Marcela I’ve been able to attend every class and continue the good work now I’m back in the UK.
Jess Gywther
I look forward to Marcela’s class, and am disappointed when I have to miss it through work commitments. Marcela’s class combines Pilates, Yoga and Mindfulness. After my weekly class, I feel centered, stretched, invigorated, uplifted and more attune with my body. After one year of taking the class I feel stronger, more grounded, my body is more aligned which helps me in my life and work.
Judy
Marcela was a fantastic patient teacher with me, as a yoga beginner, making me feel like I could do any of the poses and helping me to do just that.
Becky Owen
I just wanted to thank you for the beautiful insights you gave me in anatomy and the sense of the body in general! I do a lot of self-practice every day now, doing non-habitual movements, “weirdo-movements” I have such a different feeling of my body now. I feel light and relaxed and this is great! And I am grateful for this. Your approach and your way of teaching it, really impressed me and changed my view of yoga and the daily practice. Thank you!
Jane Pain
PILATES
Sara Raeburn Make Up Artist and Beauty Expert
I have been attending Marcela’s weekly Pilates class for the last 3 years. Each of her lessons concentrates on different parts of the body which means it is always interesting and varied and never boring! Marcela ensures she takes into account each persons individual needs and capabilities as well as the needs of the class as a whole. She always explains each movement carefully and regularly demonstrates how it should be done ( and not done!) Marcela has a regular and loyal client group which only goes to prove what an effective teacher she is. I also had a weekly pulsing bodywork with Marcela for 9 months. She was very intuitive and sensitive to the changing needs of my body and I found the whole experience decreased my stress levels and mobility. I loved it!
Line Götz
I really enjoy and benefit from regular Pilates classes with Marcela. I really like the mix of Pilates and mindfulness, and Marcela is always a joy to work with. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend her classes to all age groups, and do try the Dance of Awareness sessions as well if you are up for a new experience!
Andra King
“I have been attending yoga for beginners and Pilates and can not tell you how much these have helped me. Ana Marcela has the most amazing calming nature and her classes are so therapeutic for the mind as well as the body. She explains each movement so thoroughly and the reason why and wear you should feel it, so you completely understand how it impacts. Ana is so patient and kind and will gently, subtly help shape you into where you should be. Her lovely accent also adds to the ambience. There is no pressure to worry if you are doing it correctly as in some other classes I have previously attended and the small classes ensure you do get personal attention. Ana really understands the body and gives us all complete confidence in the fact that we are helping ourselves by being there. When her class is finished, my body feels totally different and my mind feels totally calm and happy. I LOVE it! Ana Marcela is a real credit to the Yoga Garden”
Annie, Yoga Garden
“I started Pilates with Marcela a year ago because I was training for a marathon and wanted to work on my core. What I wasn’t expecting, was to find the most exceptional teacher in Marcela”
“She is kind, patient, supportive and funny but most important is the breadth and depth of her knowledge when it comes to the body, how it moves and Pilates. She is truly amazing and the reason I have kept going for the last year and will continue to. The way she teaches is awesome in every sense of the word”
“Each class is different but consistently leaves you feeling amazing. My core has improved and in turn my running but most importantly that hour every week has taught me how to connect with my body in a different way than ever before in my life”
“After one class where we used a ball to get our pelvis in to a neutral position as well as our upper back I could not believe that when I got in my car the next morning I was actually sitting inches taller! To the extent that I had to adjust my rear view mirror and contact Marcela to thank her”
“I would highly recommend her class to anyone wanting to start Pilates. Classes are always welcoming and one of the things I love most is about 90% of it is done with our eyes closed, so you can really focus on your own body and how it is reacting to each movement. This takes away any uncomfortable feeling that people might see you doing something wrong and lets you really engage with yourself and concentrate”
“I have also found Marcela’s teaching techniques so clear that I do many of the stretches at home now too between classes as I have learnt to recognise when tension in my muscles is pulling me out of alignment and making me ache. Marcela’s classes have given me the tools to relieve this any time, any place”
“Thank you for everything Marcela”
Becky Pratley, Lancing
THERAPY
“I am 52 and have suffered with fibromyalgia with severe restless legs, chronic stiffness and lower back pain for several years and have also had 5 major surgeries in the last 5 years so subsequently had become weak, unfit and over weight. Previous to this I had been a keen horse woman and walked my dogs 10 miles a day without blinking. That fitness stopped about 7 years ago”
“I have been doing Structural Therapy with Marcela for a few months and consequently, I have not experienced a flare in my conditions since mid December (I used to have a flare at least every 10 days) . My stiffness has greatly reduced and am a lot more flexible than before. My mood has improved greatly and I feel that Marcela has changed my life for the better in the short time I have been attending the classes”
Amanda Jones
“Marcela’s approach is fascinating, her invitations to explore are full of texture and she help me feel my full self; a magnificent organism. I felt completely free inside my body. I felt beautiful and able to express myself with more fluidity than I imagined possible”
Rachel, Brighton
After 18 months of suffering chest, neck and head pain and basically feeling dreadful and getting nowhere fast with conventional GP methods, I looked elsewhere for help. I had battled for so long in pain and with very little sleep, I couldn’t see I how could go on much longer in such an exhausted state. How long before I broke completely? I found myself crying so much, I stopped engaging with others in case they asked how I was
Marcela showed me how to relax and how to release the tension in my body, especially that held in my jaw and neck. By following her practice and allowing myself to just be really helped, especially with my sleep. She concentrated on my areas of pain and gave me simple movements to do to relax these areas. Sometimes the movements included making sounds, which after an initial feeling of self consciousness, I found very effective.
After our 5 sessions of Movement Therapy I feel more energy and practical no head / neck pain. The need to take pain relief for headaches has gone. My children have noticed a difference in my mood, which was so needed. I feel more positive and able to socialise more. This is due to now knowing a few simple techniques to calm my body when I start to feel it tense. How to alter my posture to release the building tension. I would 100% recommend anybody with ongoing / chronic pain symptoms to seek help from Ana. Stress and tension on the body begin to affect your daily life in ways you can never imagine until it happens to you. The movements she uses are so simple and adaptable anybody with any complaint could benefit from them. The need to broaden our minds and look further than the pharmacy for help.
Melanie Brown