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Location
Maraka Healing, Bronx, NY
Business Hours
Mon, Thur, Fri 10am-4:30pm
Wed:
9am-11am
Tues:
10pm-2pm
Welcome
Greetings, community! I’m Maria Rivera, Founder of Maraka Healing, you can call me Mara. Proudly native to Puerto Rico, a Caribbean soul with a diverse ancestry, and now based in the Bronx, NY, I’m passionate about co-creating safe and nurturing spaces where individuals are able to tune into the profound wisdom of their bodies and activate their own empowerment process.
With credentials as a Board Certified Dance/Movement Psychotherapist, Licensed Creative Arts Therapist, Spiritual Life Coach, and Energy Medicine LightWorker, my practice at Maraka Healing is a sanctuary for holistic well-being—addressing mind, body, and spirit. Specializing in body-based therapeutic and healing practices, we will delve into the intersections of body, culture, and spirit. My focus is on supporting Black, Indigenous, and people of color individuals and communities and helping them reclaim their bodies as a tool for wellbeing and transformation.
ABOUT MARIA "MARA" RIVERA
BC-DMT, LCAT, SLC
María “Mara” Rivera is a native Puerto Rican dance/movement psychotherapist, somatic wellness practitioner, educator, Energy Medicine Lighworker, and Spiritual Life Coach, who currently lives in the Bronx, New York. She has acquired extensive experience (15 years +) serving servicing children, adolescents, and adults of diverse backgrounds both New York and the Caribbean. Her exploration of African-based cultural dances in Puerto Rico, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Trinidad, Jamaica, and Haiti has deeply influenced her psychotherapeutic practice, integrating Afro-Centric values, Afro-Caribbean dance aesthetics, and its foundational spiritual/healing principles.
Recognized with the “Excellence in Education Award” by the American Dance Therapy Association (ADTA) in 2021, she is the visionary behind the 4 Levels of Empowerment (4LOE). 4LOE is a holistic therapeutic model, which states that embodied medicine is accessed and claimed through our bodies, our collective spaces, cultural identity, and spiritual technologies in order to resist oppressive ideologies and sustain physical, emotional, and spiritual health. Join Mara on this unique and transformative journey at Maraka Healing!
ABOUT MARAKA HEALING
Established in 2015, Maraka Healing is a sanctuary of movement and somatic psychotherapy, integrating dance/movement therapy techniques, Afro-Centric principles, and energy-based techniques. We specialize in a co-creative process to incorporate movement and body-oriented techniques (Dance/Movement Therapy, Somatic Wellness), creative art explorations (Creative Art Therapy), and energy balancing tools (Energy Medicine) as a way to access and reconnect with your own internal resources.
Our philosophy is founded on the notion that cultural-spiritual healing traditions and rituals, especially those found Indigenous and African Diasporic cultures are the foundation of modern psychology and practices. Our roots lie in African-based dance healing practices, psycho-spiritual perspectives, and principles of body energy systems. We hold a deep belief that to effectively support the healing of emotional distress, mental health challenges, and traumatic experiences in black and brown bodies, a decolonial approach rooted in culture, psycho-spirituality, and social justice is essential. Understanding the body as a vessel for cultural memory, resistance, and liberation.
Maraka Healing strives to provide its clients with a personalized path and journey towards healing. As a result, this journey has the potential to dissolve emotional and energetic blockages, disrupt intergenerational cycles, drive social change, or be guided by your own intuitive gifts. We understand that everyone’s healing path is unique, and we are wholeheartedly committed to supporting you on your individual journey towards lasting well-being.
We believe in showing deep respect for your individuality, your process, your multiplicity, and your humanity, guided by compassion and care.
Maraca [Maraka]: an indigenous instrument made out of the fruit of the “higuera” tree. Its round and circular shape serves as a container to hold seeds. When shaken, it produces sounds which support and manifest the keeping of rhythm, calling for the divine, and uniting with the earth. Both a catalyst and a vessel, it traditionally accompanies the sacred arts of singing, dancing, praying, and conjuring.
OUR VALUES
At Maraka Healing, we’re all about embracing the following core values to make your journey unique and meaningful. These values are the heart and soul of what we do at Maraka Healing:
Honoring Your Story
We're here to honor the wisdom of your story or stories because every part of your journey matters, affirming your unique path towards healing
Strength-Based Approach
We believe in working with the healthy aspects of your being, and your body’s natural tendency towards healing through a strenghts-based and non-pathological approach
Body Wisdom
We believe in creating a safe space for you to tap into your body's wisdom as way to connect to your intuition, internal resources, and true self.
Decolonizing Soma
We honor diverse cultural healing traditions, reclaim embodied wisdom, and see the body as a site for resistance, healing, and liberation.
Spirit & Spirituality
We're open to exploring spirituality and how it fits into your healing process, respecting the unique dimensions that are meaningful to you.
HEALING SERVICES & OFFERINGS
MOVEMENT PSYCHOTHERAPY & SOMATIC WELLNESS
Movement -based and somatic wellness techniques are tailored to support individuals in coping with stress, overcoming depression, anxiety, healing from trauma, and/or navigating psycho-spiritual challenges. Rooted in decolonial approaches, we honor the body as a site of resistance, healing, and liberation.
Dance/Movement therapy is the psychotherapeutic use of movement and body-oriented techniques aimed at supporting the integration of the physical, emotional, social, historical, and spiritual aspects of your personhood.
Somatic Wellness practices uses body (soma) oriented techniques and explorations to support you in cultivating, developing, and honoring the practice of “inner listening” as a way to foster a deeper connection with your true self.,
OFFERINGS
Individual 1-1 Session Fee: 50 mins: $175/50 min (limited sliding scale available)
Note: For NY residents only. Virtual sessions are mainly offered at this time. Limited in-person slots are available upon request (location: Bronx, NY).
ENERGY MEDICINE
Our Energy Medicine practice draws inspiration from the ancient practices and wisdom of Kemet (Ancient Egypt) along with other Caribbean traditional healing practices to help you gain energetic balance and harmonize your energy systems. Utilizing life force energy, we will be able to guide the flow of energy in your body in order to reduce stress, address energetic constrictions, and promote your system’s self-healing abilities.
This offering can be your standalone healing journey, seamlessly complemented with somatic and energy balancing exercises or alongside your movement psychotherapy sessions, enhancing your overall therapeutic experience.
OFFERINGS
Aritu /Chakra Reading and Alignment (75-90min): $150
Aura Cleansing (45min): $100
Kemetic Vocal Toning (45 min): $85
Note: Energy Medicine is currently unavailable. We are in the process of updating this offering to better meet your needs. Feel free to inquire how to integrate it into your psychotherapy and/or wellness sessions. Please check soon for updates!
“MOVING SEEDS”™ AFRO-CARIBBEAN MOVEMENT WELLNESS (NEW 1:1 SERVICE)
Our ‘Moving Seeds’™ Wellness Sessions are a unique opportunity to tap into the healing power of movement as an individual journey. Utilizing Afro-Caribbean/Diasporic movement and aesthetics, Energy Balancing Practices, and adding a Creative Arts component, you can explore the therapeutic aspects of traditional movement to manage daily stressors, increase creativity, energy balance, and overall wellness. These sessions are for adults (21+) regardless of cultural/ethnic background.
OFFERINGS
Individual 1:1 Sessions: 50 mins: $100/50 min (limited sliding scale available)
Note: Virtual and in-person sessions available.
HEALING SERVICES & OFFERINGS
MOVEMENT PSYCHOTHERAPY & SOMATIC WELLNESS
At Maraka Healing, our Movement Psychotherapy and Somatic Wellness services offer you a unique and holistic approach to healing…
Offerings
Individual 1-1 Session Fee: 50 mins: $175/50 min
Note: This offering is for New York Area residents only.
Virtual sessions are mainly offered at this time. Limited in-person slots are available upon request (location: Bronx, NY).
*Mara is not in-network with any insurance, but she will support you in getting reimbursement from your insurance company if you have out-of-network benefits.
ENERGY MEDICINE (RA-SEKHI-KEMETIC REIKI)
Our Ra Sekhi (Kemetic) Energy Medicine practice draws inspiration from the ancient wisdom of Kemet (Ancient Egypt) to help you gain energetic balance and harmonize your energy systems…
Offerings
Aritu/Chakra Reading and Alignment (75-90min): $150
Aura Cleansing (45min): $100
Kemetic Vocal Toning (45 min): $85
Aura Cleansing (45min): $100
Kemetic Vocal Toning (45 min): $85
Note: In-person healing sessions are available; please schedule 1 week in advance (location: Bronx, NY)
“MOVING SEEDS”: AFRO-CARIBBEAN MOVEMENT HEALING SESSIONS
Our ‘Moving Seeds’ Afro-Caribbean Movement Healing Sessions are a unique opportunity to tap into the healing power of movement either as an individual journey or within a supportive community…
Offerings
**Please reach out to us for more details on these groups, availability, and fees.
MOVEMENT PSYCHOTHERAPY & SOMATIC WELLNESS
At Maraka Healing, our Movement Psychotherapy and Somatic Wellness services offer you a unique and holistic approach to healing.
Dance/Movement therapy is the psychotherapeutic use of movement and body-oriented techniques aimed at supporting the integration of the physical, emotional, social, historical, and spiritual aspects of your personhood.
Somatic Wellness practices uses body (soma) oriented techniques and explorations to support you in cultivating, developing, and honoring the practice of “inner listening” as a way to foster a deeper connection with self and others.
These transformative movement-based and somatic techniques are tailored to support Black and Indigenous people of color in dealing with stress, managing emotions, overcoming depression, anxiety, healing from trauma, and navigating psycho-spiritual challenges.
Your path to well-being begins with us.
Offerings
Individual 1-1 Session Fee: 50 mins: $175/50 min
Note: This offering is for New York Area residents only.
Virtual sessions are mainly offered at this time. Limited in-person slots are available upon request (location: Bronx, NY).
*Mara is not in-network with any insurance, but she will support you in getting reimbursement from your insurance company if you have out-of-network benefits.
ENERGY MEDICINE (RA-SEKHI-KEMETIC REIKI)
Our Ra Sekhi (Kemetic) Energy Medicine practice draws inspiration from the ancient wisdom of Kemet (Ancient Egypt) to help you gain energetic balance and harmonize your energy systems. Utilizing life force energy (Ra-Sekhi), we will be able to guide the flow of energy in your body in order to reduce stress, address energetic constrictions, and promote your system’s self-healing abilities.
This offering can be your standalone healing journey, seamlessly complemented with somatic/energy release exercises or alongside your somatic/movement psychotherapy, enhancing your overall therapeutic experience.
“Energy is not created nor destroyed…. It flows through our bodies like blood flows and it connects us with all of Nature” ~ Rekhit Kajara Nia Yaa Nebhet
Offerings
Aritu/Chakra Reading and Alignment (75-90min): $150
Aura Cleansing (45min): $100
Kemetic Vocal Toning (45 min): $85
Aura Cleansing (45min): $100
Kemetic Vocal Toning (45 min): $85
Note: In-person healing sessions are available; please schedule 1 week in advance (location: Bronx, NY)
“MOVING SEEDS”: AFRO-CARIBBEAN MOVEMENT HEALING SESSIONS
Our ‘Moving Seeds’ Afro-Caribbean Movement Healing Sessions are a unique opportunity to tap into the healing power of movement either as an individual journey or within a supportive community. Utilizing techniques and principles of Movement Psychotherapy, Afro-Caribbean Dance aesthetics, and Energy Systems, you can explore the therapeutic aspects of Afro-Caribbean dance to manage daily stressors and connect with your cultural body. These sessions are customized to address your specific needs, whether you’re an individual seeking personal growth or part of an organization looking to boost collective well-being.
Offerings
**Please reach out to us for more details on these groups, availability, and fees.
TESTIMONIALS
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CLINICAL SUPERVISION
Clinical Supervision (For Movement Therapists, Mental Health Practitioners, and Students)
A safe and accountable space is co-created in order to support mental health practitioners, somatic wellness practitioners, creative art therapists, and dance/movement psychotherapists or students fulfill their professional goals and delve into the path of developing an anti-oppressive, anti-racist, psycho-spiritual, and culturally-informed clinical practice.
In our supervision sessions, we co-create your journey towards developing and crafting your own unique therapeutic approach to make a meaningful impact on your clients.
Offerings
Individual 1-1 Supervision Fees:
Professional 1:1 rate: $100-125/hr
Student 1:1 rate: $85/hr
Organizations/Institutions: $150hr-$175/hr
Note: Only virtual sessions are offered at this time
MEDIA
The Afro-Caribbean Dance Healing System
Connection, Meaning and Power
"The Afro Caribbean Dance Healing System (Rivera, 2018), later renamed “The Four Levels of Empowerment” (4LOE), is a holistic theoretical and therapeutic model based on my own ethno-racial-cultural-spiritual identity development journey and research on cultural dance traditions in the Caribbean and the African Diaspora. This work honors my ancestors, elders, teachers, and colleagues for their support, guidance, and wisdom."
-Mara Rivera, Founder of Maraka Healing