Era Martin, MEd, the founder of Rutanda, is an integrative health and wellness coach, speaker, and educator with more than three decades of exceptional experience teaching, guiding, and supporting individuals on their journey toward healing and personal growth. Ms. Martin earned her Master of Education in teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (known as ESOL) from the University of Wollongong in Australia in 2000 and holds a Bachelor of Arts in music from Mills College at Northeastern University in California, obtained in 1988. Her academic background reflects her passion for education and the arts, a defining aspect of her diverse and spiritually centered career.
Ms. Martin has always been drawn to holistic practices, and this deep interest culminated in the founding of Rutanda, a meditative yoga movement practice designed to help individuals return to their essence. She began practicing then teaching Rutanda in the late 1990s after a profound journey of self-discovery that spanned multiple continents and cultures. Rutanda offers a holistic approach that gently addresses the hidden traumas of childhood while fostering love, compassion, and wisdom in its practitioners. Through Rutanda, Ms. Martin has empowered countless individuals to heal from their past and live more present, balanced lives.
In addition to Rutanda, Ms. Martin has explored various educational roles, most notably as an English as a second and foreign language (or ESL/EFL) professor at universities and colleges in the United States and abroad from 2001 to 2022. She also spent a decade as a teacher trainer with Oxford Seminars, preparing others to teach English as a foreign language. Ms. Martin’s international career began in Japan, where she spent 12 years teaching English and exploring new opportunities. During this period, her passion for education merged with her dedication to spiritual practice, creating the foundation for Rutanda and her other creative pursuits. She obtained permanent residency in Japan in recognition of her work for world peace and cross-cultural cooperation.
Ms. Martin is deeply committed to her spiritual path, which has been influenced by extensive studies in meditation and religious practices across the globe. She has lived in several countries, including Japan, Egypt, Taiwan, Saudi Arabia, and China, and has traveled to more than 25 others. She has studied and performed with Grammy Award-winning artists, both in the United States and internationally, as a jazz vocalist. These experiences have profoundly shaped her understanding of different cultures and societies, giving her a unique perspective. She believes learning and understanding different cultures is critical to creating harmonious relationships and promoting peace. Her diverse background has enhanced her effectiveness as an educator and allowed her to approach her practice with deep empathy and understanding.
Beyond her work in education and wellness, Ms. Martin co-founded the Kayu Pasak Scholarship Program in 1992, which provides educational opportunities for underserved communities in West Sumatra, Indonesia. She remains an active co-director of the program, helping students access education and resources. Her commitment to social justice and civic engagement is also reflected in her contributions to organizations such as Amnesty International, the Native American Rights Fund, and Doctors Without Borders. Ms. Martin emphasizes the importance of small, collective efforts, noting that even modest donations can create significant change when combined with the contributions of others.
A published author, Ms. Martin released her book “Rutanda: Return to Your Essence through Meditative Yoga Movement” in 2022, which delves into the principles and practices of Rutanda. She also contributed a chapter titled “From Grief to Grace” in the anthology “Visionary: The Future Belongs to Those Who Can See in the Dark.” She is currently completing “Chair Rutanda”, a book tailoring Rutanda to those with limited mobility, scheduled for publication in 2025. Ms. Martin extends her teachings and insights to a broader audience through her writing, offering readers tools for personal reflection and growth.
Ms. Martin credits much of her success to the inspiration she draws from the divine and those who have inspired her. She is particularly motivated by the suffering she has witnessed in the world and strives to use her talents to alleviate pain, resolve childhood trauma, and foster healing wherever possible. Her work reflects this mission as she continues to guide others toward self-awareness, healing, and empowerment through Rutanda’s somatic system and her integrative health guidance.
As she looks to the future, Ms. Martin is focused on expanding Rutanda by developing a comprehensive learning management system and certifying people to teach the practice. She also is pursuing certification from the National Board for Health and Wellness Coaching, also known as NBHWC, which will allow her to support others in improving their health. Her interest in integrative health aligns with her goal of contributing to world peace and feminine empowerment.
Ms. Martin enjoys spending time in nature, gardening, hiking, and writing in addition to her work. Her love for the natural world is reflected in her support for environmental organizations such as the Arbor Day Foundation, the National Audubon Society, and the World Wildlife Fund. Further, she is an active Seal Beach Lions Club member, continuing her lifelong commitment to community service and philanthropy.
Ms. Martin’s career has been shaped by her belief in the power of understanding, compassion, and connection. Her teachings, whether through Rutanda, her writing, speaking, or her work as an educator, center on the idea that we can create a more harmonious and peaceful world by fostering greater awareness of ourselves and others. She remains dedicated to this mission as she continues to share her knowledge and inspire others on their paths to personal and spiritual enlightenment.