About Annie Martens
Annie is passionate about exploring how to make artistic dance spaces welcoming therapeutic environments.
Dance Background: Annie began her dance training at 2.5 years old. Annie has studied at Ballet Met, Chautauqua Ballet, and the American Ballet Theater. Annie graduated cum laude from the Boston Conservatory under the guidance of Emiko Tokunaga and Yasi Tokunaga. Annie performed professionally in Erie, PA, Boston, MA, and New York City. In 2003, Annie began her career as a personal trainer and certified comprehensive, 3rd-generation Pilates instructor (mentors were Kathy Van Patten and Bob Liekens). Annie later went on to study Gyrokinesis®, Gyrotonic®, as well as yoga to support dancers in their pursuits. Teaching creative movement, ballet, conditioning, and other modalities, she has instructed a range of ages from toddlers to adults, with mixed conditions.
Occupational Therapy Background: Annie earned her doctorate in occupational therapy and has clinical fieldwork experience in outpatient pediatric settings, a preventative senior care center, a level 1 trauma unit at Duke University, outpatient mental health, pelvic health, and the Chapel Hill-Carrboro school system (preschool through high school, mixed conditions). Annie's research contributions include a doctoral capstone on maternal occupational therapy programming and a mixed-methods study that explored occupational participation (barriers and facilitators) among neurodivergent children.
Maternity and Infant Background: Annie is also the owner of Bella Bellies®, www.bellabellies.com, which focuses on promoting overall well-being during pregnancy, postpartum, infancy, and childhood. She has been featured in Kiwi Magazine, Max Fitness Magazine, Fit Pregnancy Magazine, and more. Annie has spoken on 'National Public Radio,' at the 'Pilates Method Alliance Conference,' on 'Telemundo NBC,' 'Fox Broadcasting', 'NBC Broadcasting,' and more. To promote health and well-being, Anne has worked for Cleveland Clinic and UPMC, designing preventative programs and classes for maternal women and infant caregivers.
Explore the website for more information, and feel free to reach out with questions to info@bellabellies.com