About Me
Marie Belle Pérez Rivera, Ph.D., NASM CPT, E-RYT 500, NASM CNC is a powerhouse of a teacher, athlete, artist, writer, community leader, and experience maker. A globally recognized yoga teacher and athlete, she specializes in Somatic and Embodiment Practices for Stress Reduction, Resilience, and Trauma Integration, as well as calisthenics, handstands, and intelligent strength training. As a Latina health coach, personal trainer, and small business owner, she empowers women to embody their best lives through systematic, science-backed coaching, personal training, and critical thinking, with a strong focus on women’s physiology and performance.
With an anthropologist’s eye for movement combined with a faith based understanding, Marie Belle has shared her expertise across the United States, Caribbean, Latin America, Spain, India, and Bali; bridging yoga, mindfulness, mobility, strength training, and critical thinking. She is also a proud advocate for the Fit Over 40 movement, proving that strength, flexibility, and vitality have no age limit.
Marie Belle holds two Bachelor’s degrees in Psychology and Communication from North Carolina State University, along with a Graduate Certificate in Women’s Studies from Virginia Tech. She earned her Master’s and Doctorate degrees in Developmental and Biological Psychology from Virginia Tech, with a research focus on Women as Active Constructors of Knowledge.
Marie Belle is currently pursuing her Master’s in Counseling at Houston Christian University, where she is learning to skillfully integrate faith into the therapy process. She is developing the skills to address emotional pain and psychological suffering by combining evidence-based clinical methods with spiritual resources, Bible teachings, and faith traditions. Her approach honors the role of a client’s faith in their mental health journey, fostering spiritual growth and a deeper connection with God as pathways to healing and well-being.
She currently offers public yoga classes, workshops, teacher trainings, private and group coaching, and transformational retreats in Texas, Puerto Rico, Maryland, and online. She also mentors, coaches, and provides individualized counsel online for those seeking deeper personal and professional development.
As the founder of Roots Love Yoga, a Latina-owned yoga school and creative multidisciplinary project, she fosters a global community of teachers, artists, movers, intellectuals, and critical thinkers. Her work has been featured in The Washington Post, People Are Awesome, Mantra Magazine, Telemundo, Sweat Magazine, Peace Revolution, Active Life DC, and more.
Marie Belle currently resides in Georgetown, Texas, with her 95-pound Silver Lab, Zion Zeus, along with six chickens and a rooster, inspiring others through movement, education, and storytelling.
My journey has been shaped by 18 years of devoted practice, travel, and surrender. I've been blessed to study deeply with renowned teachers like Sri Mooji Baba, R. Sharath Jois, Richard Freeman, and Sri Dharma Mittra. Cultivating a daily practice of Scripture along with immersing myself in embodiment practices has completely transformed my movement patterns, communication abilities, and capacity to perceive and offer love.
I am grounded in a daily practice that consists of mostly silence, reading Scripture, yoga, mindfulness, calisthenics, and strength training. I move with intention and love being in nature. Often I train hand balancing, contortion, and dance; all of it is intuitive movement. All of it is love. I am happy to offer yoga classes, movement retreats, workshops, and intensives in the United States, Puerto Rico, and online.
My life calling and practice has led me to travel the world and immerse myself fully in yoga and prayer through villages in south India (Mysore, Lakshmipuram, Goa, Tiruvannamalai, Varkala), mountains of north India (Rishikesh, Dharamsala), Indonesia (Ubud and Canggu, Bali), Portugal (Odemira, Mora), and United States (Boulder and The Blue Ridge Mountains), the crisp blue waters in the Caribbean (Puerto Rico, Isla Mujeres), the busy city streets (New York City and Washington, DC), and the heart of Miami Beach. In each place, I’ve listened, practiced, and received wisdom that continues to shape who I am today.
I teach with intention, care, and presence. My sessions are supported by my academic background and offer a keen awareness and integration of intellectual insight, spiritual wisdom, playful curiosity, integrity, and embodied intuition for all who are open and receptive.
To connect with me, make sure to follow my ongoing journeys via instagram and facebook.
Ph. D. in Developmental and Biological Psychology (focus on emotions and culture) from Virginia Tech University
National Association for Sports Medicine (NASM): Certified Personal Trainer (CPT), Certified Nutrition Coach (CNC)
Graduate Certificate in Women's Studies (women as active constructors of knowledge) from Virginia Tech University
Currently in school for Masters in Counseling at Houston Christian University
Completed coursework for Functional Medicine: Ancestral Nutrition, Mindfulness, Positive Psychology, Health Coaching, and Business
Continuing Education in Somatic Transformation: Trauma, Resilience, and Mindfulness
Daily practice of silence, contemplation, breath, mindfulness
Annual pilgrimage to immerse myself fully in Self-enquiry
Angelic Reiki Levels I and II
Magnified Healing Levels I and II
Oneness Awakening Blessing Giver
M.S. in Psychology (Social Emotional Development) from Virginia Tech University
Over 2300 hours of extensive yoga teacher trainings
500- hour certified in Rocket Yoga and Dharma Yoga
200-hour certified in Ashtanga Yoga, Rocket Vinyasa Yoga, Hot Yoga, Vinyasa Yoga, and completed 220 hour teacher training in Anusara Yoga
50- hour certified in Yoga Nidra & Embodied Yin
B.A. in Psychology and a B.A. in Communication from North Carolina State University
