Empower Your Life

Enriching and inspiring lives through movement, mentorship and coaching.


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Our Offerings

Learn more about our offerings.

Personal Growth/Life Coaching
Dance/Expressive Movement
Yoga For All
Reiki for Healing & Vitality
Mentorship for Teachers
EMBRACE Your Life
Consulting for Movement Plan Integration
Neurodivergent/ Specialized Programs
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Testimonials

Embrace with Mary Ann reviews

"I've attended Mary Ann's Kripalu class for 10+ years. It's improved my flexibility and my core is so much stronger. It brought out my spiritual awareness for better mental health. When I leave class, my shoulders aren't up so high, I feel taller, I'm much more relaxed and feel a greater sense of balance. I highly recommend it for better health."


Celine, Yoga

"MaryAnn has been my yoga instructor for many years and is a wonderful teacher. She is knowledgeable and caring and I look forward to our yoga practice every week. We work on breathing, strength, flexibility, and balance and I always leave class feeling more relaxed—physically and mentally. Thank you, MaryAnn!" 


Lyn, Yoga


"I was 63 when I decided it was time to learn to tap and was very lucky to find Mary Ann to study with. Her passion for dance and her dedication to her life's work are unmistakable as she demonstrates a mastery of form and a facility for teaching. She is a patient and articulate instructor whose classes are both rigorous and delightfully fun. I leave each session eager to practice - always looking forward to the next one."


Kristina, Adult Dance


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About Mary Ann

Growing up in Western Massachusetts, Mary Ann has formulated her life in helping others through her teaching. With a foundation as a graduate with her Masters in Special Education, and a dancer since the age of 3, Mary Ann has cultivated a career that encompasses her passions in life of teaching and movement.

Her professional path started as a teacher of the inclusion model, which dates back into the 1990’s. Utilizing her degree in Special Education, Mary Ann fell in love with the idea of integration as a way of life. Her passionate style of teaching interweaves this foundational commitment in whatever work she immerses herself in.


Mary Ann was the owner and Artistic Director of the Holmes Studio of Dance Music and Wellness for 23 years. It is there that classes grew in her commitment that the arts are for every “body”. Mary Ann’s quest for accessibility of the arts and wellness for all, formed and held shape for the duration of the business. This was best exemplified through her development of music and movement classes, along with the creation of instrumental and vocal lessons, dance and yoga classes for children and their families through adulthood. 



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    In her 10-year role as choreographer of musical theater in the Pioneer Valley, she continued to persevere her commitment that every person is a dancer and a mover. That belief is instilled in her students which in turn allows them to flourish their own belief, in becoming the best they can be. The skies the limit!


    Later on, she found her way to Berkshire Hills Music Academy, located in South Hadley, Massachusetts, serving students who are neurodivergent or have physical “limitations”. She has served as the Supervisor of Movement and Dance there for the last 12 years. Mary Ann also continues to teach adult yoga and dance. Consistent with her strong beliefs in continuous learning, she is constantly attending workshops and attaining certificates from her trainings in life coaching, dance, yoga and wellness.  


    “What can YOU do next” is a concept that has stirred Mary Ann. It has helped her blossom, once again, her own business of helping others achieve whatever goal they are committed to manifesting, into reality.


    It is in the EMBRACE, that there is first an established belief of yes I can!...and then the space and tools to grow into anything you are meant and know to be.


    With all her experiences as a teacher, a learner, and a human being in this crazy life, Mary Ann is committed to helping people bring their gifts, their passions, their joys to fruition and light.


    So, whether it’s a private one-on-one session, a group class, or even a workshop, we hope you find what you’re looking for here to help facilitate and support you in your next phase of growth.


    By Adadoligi Nigada

    We do not become healers. We came as healers. We are.

    Some of us are still catching up to what we are.

    We do not become storytellers. We came as carriers of the stories we and our ancestors lived. We are.

    Some of us are still catching up to who we are.

    We do not become artists.  We came as artists. We are.

    Some of us are still catching up to who we are.

    We do not become writers …dancers…musicians…helpers…peacemakers…

    We came as such. We are!

    Some of us are still catching up to what we are.

    We do not learn to love in this sense. We came as love. We are love.

    Some of us are still catching up to who we truly are.


Mary Ann
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Latest Articles

3 Benefits of Reiki for Healing

By Embrace with Mary Ann • April 20, 2022
Reiki is a form of energy healing that has been around for centuries. The practice is said to help clear the mind, body, and spirit, and it can be used to treat a variety of health conditions. Reiki is a Japanese form of energy healing that can help to reduce stress and promote relaxation. It can also help to improve mental clarity, boost your immune system, and increase your overall sense of wellbeing. In this article, we'll cover three benefits of Reiki for healing. 
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