We had the good fortune of connecting with Kristi Salerno and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kristi, Let’s talk about principles and values – what matters to you most?
What matters most to me is being true to myself. There is so much to compare yourself to out there. So many success stories and people with similar ideas that are even perhaps doing it “better” than me… but at the end of the day, the only thing that matters is what my heart is calling me to do. There is no greater feeling than going where you feel called and giving the highest and best version of the gifts have to give. I’m not for everybody. Everybody is not for me. But aligning to my truth– my heart– is the surest way to attract those whom I AM for. So being true to my heart… that’s my only job.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I recently re-birthed my business… I’ve been teaching movement for a decade, and throughout that time, my work has evolved just as I have. What started in my garage in 2012 as “Dance for Actors” in Los Angeles has become a transformative healing practice that I call KRIA METHOD.

KRIA METHOD is a healing movement practice that incorporates somatic embodiment, self expression and dance for the purpose of aligning with the wisdom of the body to transform trauma into wholeness. KRIA wasn’t something I created … so much as it emerged and revealed itself TO ME over the years. The transformations I saw again and again in my movement classes had a pattern— an undeniable rhythm that moved & healed people– and I knew it was my purpose to guide people in this practice on their own healing journeys.

Speaking of journeys, it was a JOURNEY to get here. I feel like I literally just gave birth to this new incarnation of what I do– and it took several years of frustrated searching for that baby to reveal itself to me. For so many years, I showed up in room after room, holding space for artists for arrive more fully into their bodies– helping them to express themselves with more freedom & find their joy. I had no idea that what I was doing would take on such a magical life of its own.

The journey to KRIA is my healing journey– from burnt out, body dysmorphic, sexually traumatized, victim– to love embodying self-healer . Little did I know that the epic journey I embarked on to heal my past traumas would shape and guide what was happening in my classes– to the point that the work became its own healing modality. KRIA METHOD holds within it all of the practices that I found the most profoundly healing on my journey: self love, embodiment, meditation, self expression, and celebration, to name a few.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I love LA– it’s where I became an artist and the birth place of KRIA and of my healing journey! There are so many amazing places that shaped me, supported me, and gave me such treasured memories! My perfect day in LA would include… a peaceful hike in Laurel Canyon, followed by brunch at my favorite vegan brunch spot: Sunshine Cafe in Studio City. Then I would saunter over to Silverlake and stroll the shops on Melrose or catch a Dodger game in the afternoon. For dinner it would be Gracias Madre for vegan Mexican food and then I’d catch a live outdoor show at either the Hollywood Bowl or The Greek Theater…but that just scratches the surface! Some of my other favorite spots are Hotel Cafe for intimate live music, The Wiltern… I mean, I love a good touring Broadway show at the Pantages or downtown at the Ahmanson. I could go on and on… LA is FULL of inspiration. It’s 10 cities in one. So much to do!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I dedicate this shoutout to my students over the years– the ones who took a chance and believed in me from the beginning when I was just a girl teaching in her garage– you know who you are! I would NOT be here without you. I would not have found this path, this healing, this joy. I am forever grateful for you ALL for pointing me in the direction of my heart. I love you forever!

Website: www.kristisalerno.com

Instagram: @kristi_salerno_

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbrRmM_GnD660kdAIPVBM1Q

Image Credits
Meghan Branlund (Color photos) @risephoto.co Leila Rader (KRIA graphic) @leilarader B&W anonymous

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