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Meet Mariane Karou of Dance Alive® in Santa Monica

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Today we’d like to introduce you to Mariane Karou.

Mariane, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I am one of the pioneers of the current body-mind integration field. When I was 18 yrs old, straight out of high school, I got a job as an asst. teacher in a preschool, brought in my guitar, played a few chords and led the kids in movement and relating games. The shy, withdrawn kids became more outgoing and interactive, the hyperactive and aggressive kids became calm and centered and all the kids became more expressive, balanced and interactive. I was promoted to teacher and then “Drama & Dance Director” within four weeks. I got results and then went from school to school teaching movement. I soon after began working with adults as I found they had a huge impact on the kids and I loved seeing little and big people grow, expand and become more balanced. I started teaching “Movement Expression” with my sister, Eve Athey Ray and then went on to create “Dance Alive® ” Dynamic Life Movement. I have been teaching steadily for the last almost 50 years now. I love results!!!! I love seeing that anyone who is open and willing can change their lives, the way they move, think and interact with this simple, dynamic system I’ve created. 

More of my personal background: I saw the power of dance therapy at a young age. My older brother became schizophrenic when he was 15 years old. For a period of time when he was in the hospital he did dance therapy and balanced out again, then they removed the program and he returned to all the same symptoms. I got a glimpse of what might be possible. He later committed suicide and as a result of this family trauma, I found movement as a way to heal myself. I studied all kinds of movement modalities and did different body-mind therapies and went on to have a highly functional and great life. I found also what I saw was missing, which was so much of the interactive and relating skills that were often not in movement programs. So I developed my own system which worked. I’ve been married 40 years, raised 3 kids, now all married and have grandchildren and have led my life living all that I am teaching. I believe in the power of the human spirit when given a vital, nourishing, encouraging and creative environment, we all flourish. 

I have taught all ages, all backgrounds, and led classes, workshops, retreats, trainings, conferences and found that movement, meditation, and leadership is a universal language that all respond to if they are open enough to explore these pathways. 

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
I am very consistent when it comes to meeting every challenge in front of me. Yes, I’ve had plenty of challenges!!! I would say the biggest challenge I’ve had is that people really didn’t understand the value, the depth and the impact of the movement work. It is not just exercise or mind over matter, it’s a culture and to create a different culture when most of the world lives with a fixed, judgemental mentality, is one of the obstacles I deal with, and have dealt with, daily. It doesn’t stop me. When I started there were two yoga studios in all of Los Angeles, women didn’t go to gyms and workout and the alternative health world was just starting. 

So to bring in a movement that didn’t exist was a challenge in of itself. I was inspired and continue to educate people, meet them where they are, build rapport and then guide them into how to start to free themselves from limiting thoughts and movement patterns. Equally important is to guide people on how to observe, identify and make sense of feelings as well as manage and direct their minds so they create harmony, teamwork, and functionality all around them. The challenge is in dealing with extremes, people who want to be free and not disciplined or who want to be structured and feel threatened by creativity. The goal is to bring these people into a balanced, expressive, interactive life. I love the challenges because I know I have the power of the universe behind me and there is a way to build strong healthy teams that work together cooperatively and produce results. This is what I DO. People need to be willing to be honest, to change and to dedicate themselves to living their lives fully. The more in tune we each become with ourselves the more we can work well together. This challenge requires my DAILY DEDICATION to the path I am living, breathing and leading! 

So, as you know, we’re impressed with Dance Alive® – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
My business is DANCE ALIVE® Dynamic Life Movement. I am the Creator, I teach, I have a fabulous staff, I am highly intuitive, spontaneous, and I create in the moment workshops, and programs all the time. I constantly improve the quality of my work and my business. I have a strong value in serving my students and my staff working together well. I have my own Dance Alive Center in Santa Monica, a beautiful, pristine, artistic, movement studio where we offer programs hosted by other teachers as well. 

Dance Alive® builds your vitality and confidence as a Life Tri-Athlete. I consistently encourage students to take committed, courageous and inspired actions as they drop into deep stillness and rest. By diving deep inside and drawing on their own internal resources, they can generate the amount of energy they need to produce, perform and team play in a healthy, balanced and sustainable way. I always say, “Your best resources are inside you and all around you. An athlete is always training, playing or performing. My program is about being able to go the long haul, with joy and inspiration as you move through all the waves of your life. I believe in you and guide you to use your innate intelligence as you navigate the world we live in, the way it is. As we grow from infancy to being an elder, we have the opportunity to grow new roots and branches of ourselves at each stage. I am offering you tools that are needed so you can Meet and Move with ALL the new opportunities for growth that arise at each new increment in your life.” 

What I am most proud of is the quality of my work. I customize my programs to meet the needs of each person and see each person as a unique, creative individual and respect them for who they are. I believe in all my students. I believe in their ability to learn, grow and expand themselves at a very organic and sustainable rate. I produce results! 

I’m also proud of the community that forms as a result of my family orientation. I’ve created a culture that not only feels like family but members of my own family also work in my business and participate in the program. 

What sets me apart is, I keep my business small enough that I can track all the consistent students and give them the quality education and attention they need to flourish. I am highly creative and am always on the pulse of what needs to happen next, while I am absolutely dedicated to not skipping steps and not rushing or hesitating but keeping the balance in my own life. I have a family and I take care of me and keep my work steadily growing. I keep balancing as I go in all directions. I live the meditation and movement that I teach. Anyone who knows me knows I am the same person at work, at home and everywhere I go. I live and breathe movement. 

So, what’s next? Any big plans?
On Jan 1st, 2019, I opened the Dance Alive® Center, a creative community of movers, healers, doctors, dancers, musicians and leaders who invite you to experience our warm, and welcoming environment. 

Pricing: 

  • Weekly Classes (Inner Rhythms + Ride The Wave) $20 / Series 8 classes $148 
  • 4 Hour workshops (Inner Rhythms + Ride The Wave) $65/Series 4 workshops $200 
  • 4.5 Hour Embodied Leadership Program (Take Charge Now) Series of 7 classes $700 or a la carte classes $150 
  • Full Weekend Intensives (Moving Into Action) Sat+Sun $300 / One day $175 
  • 3 hour Empowerment Pods $225 
  • 1+ hr. Private Movement Coaching $Varies w/Coach

Contact Info:

 

Getting in touch: VoyageLA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.

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