Our Director
Erica Santiago received her BFA in Ballet and Modern Dance from Texas Christian University in 2003. After graduation, Erica continued her training at intensive workshops with great artists such as Alonzo King and Doug Varone. 22 years ago, Erica became a mother to her incredible daughter, Crea, which completely changed the trajectory of her life path. Through the birthing process and early childhood years with her daughter, Erica became a seeker of truth. Not knowing where to begin, in 2005 she came home to Austin seeking soul healing. She enrolled in Dharma Yoga of Austin's yoga teacher training under the direction of Keith Kacthik and became a certified yoga instructor. Erica has been teaching yoga around Austin for nearly 20 years.
As a dance artist, Erica continued to work as a dance teacher. She became a member of Kathy Dunn Hamrick Dance Company where she stayed for 6 years and had the honor of being nominated “Best Dancer” by Austin Critics Table. As her dancing life continued, she was gifted with the opportunity to perform with Contemporary Dance Fort Worth, Contemporary Ballet Dallas, Ballet East Dance Theater, Wild Goose Chase, and Lisa Nicks and her Wild Band of Ponies.
In 2011 Erica took a sabbatical from the dance world to pursue her love of yogic philosophy. By the grace of Mother Divine, she was introduced to Vedic rituals and the study of the vedas of ancient India. Over the last 10 years, she has had the good fortune to study with authentic teachers from Chinnmaya Mission and Sri Rajarajeshwari Peetham and learn the sacred chants and rituals as well as be initiated into mantra sadhana. She integrates the healing potential of yogic philosophy into her movement practices and choreographic explorations to round out her teaching style as a universal approach to conscious living through artistic expression.
Trained as a massage therapist at Lauterstein & Conway and mentored by Dr. Arthur Peterson, D.C. and Jeff Johnson, LMT she learned (and continues to explore) ways to harness that energy and focus it for the well being of others. Erica has learned that dance, yoga, massage, and meditation are all different tools in her toolbox of healing modalities through the years. Her deepest passion addresses the whole being, body, mind, emotion, and consciousness in an intuitive and creative way that affirms one with his/her most profound knowing of truth for their greatest benefit. Erica co-creates actively with her clients to bring them into a profoundly transformative space where they have the choice to bring into conscious awareness that which no longer serves and therefore release at the cellular level.
Erica founded Shakti Moves Dance Company seven years ago to provide a place to explore philosophy, the human condition, and artistic expression.
Erica is currently self employed through Elemental Bodyworks where she uses movement, meditation and massage to support people on their healing journey. For more information, click the link below.