Born near the Smoky Mountains in Knoxville,Tennessee, Marisalena Manchego's love of family roots, respect for the land and her sense of adventure have resulted in her taking the high road many times just to see what was on the other side of the mountain! Marisalena has been a practitioner of the Art of Bellydance since the age of 18, when she began her studies with Scheherazade in Columbus, Ohio. Using the art form as an internal journey of self discovery as well as the strengthening of her physical body, she has been blessed to have studied with many greats throughout the years. Notably, she was co-founder, along with Gay Hedges, and director of Farashi, an award-winning Tribal Fusion Bellydance Company in 2002. She has taught and/or performed in several states in the USA, Mexico and Ireland. In 2019, she co-founded and is the Creative Director of Sierra Sáhir, a Bellydance Fusion Tribe, based in the Ruidoso Mountain area and Silver City, both in New Mexico. In addition to that, for over 25 years, Marisalena has delighted in bringing better health and wellbeing through the joy of movement. Her background of Dance, Music, Massage Therapy, Sound and Movement Therapy, has provided a supportive, cheerful atmosphere for many clients and students. Marisalena is also a Board Certified Instructor with the Tai Chi for Health Institute to teach Tai Chi for Arthritis, Tai Chi for Arthritis and Fall Prevention, Seated Tai Chi for Arthritis and Tai Chi for Arthritis 2. From motorcycles to massage, fiddle to finger cymbals, Marisalena's passions lead her down a colorful road of community and compassion wherever she hangs her hat, and these days it is Roswell and the Ruidoso Mountain area. Her debut book, "My Invisible Friends: An Inspirational True Story of a Quirky Soul's Journey", serves both a fascinating survival memoir and also a "spiritual guidebook" for those on journeys of spiritual awakening and self discovery!Read more about this authorRead less about this author