Our Director
Erica Santiago received her BFA in Ballet and Modern Dance from Texas Christian University in 2003. After graduation, Erica continued her training with great artists such as Alonzo King and Doug Varone. 23 years ago, Erica became a mother 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 and 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 philosophy. The study of ancient wisdom traditions and rituals, esoteric yogic practices and scripture brought her in contact with authentic teachers from India. This has taken her deep into studying universal consciousness and astrology. She integrates the healing potential of philosophy and archetypes into her movement practices and choreographic explorations.
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 kinetic energy and focus it for the well being of others. Erica’s deepest passion addresses the whole being, body, mind, emotion, and consciousness in an intuitive and creative way that affirms one with his/her/their most profound knowing of truth for their greatest benefit.
Erica founded Shakti Moves Dance Company in 2016 to provide a place to explore philosophy and the human condition through movement art.
Erica is currently self employed through Elemental Bodyworks where she uses meditation and massage to support people on their healing journey. For more information, click the link below.