about

Murat Demirtas was born on the Aegean Sea in Mugla, Turkey where his family lived for generations amongst the ancient ruins of one of the first gymnasiums erected in the Hellenistic city of Stratonikeia. Inspired at an early age by the athletic achievements of his ancestors, Murat took an early interest in dance performance and fitness. He studied and competed as a gymnast and cultural dance performer learning the rich and varied regional dance forms across his native land.

Although he wanted to further his love of dance to a higher degree, his family insisted he go to University to study law. He was accepted at the prestigious Marmara University in Istanbul, where he would later graduate and pass the bar exam, but his real passion was dance and fitness and he knew the best opportunities were in Istanbul. He sought out visiting instructors from Europe and gathered local dancers together to refine and explore the possibilities of various dance forms. He studied under Turkish gymnast champion Gulhan Sanda and Live Acts Holland Dance Group (Irene Scholtes + Astrid Van Deweerd). Simultaneously, he was working with Ceylan Capli, he formed his own dance group that became well-known in Turkey and Europe. He helped train many Turkish dancers that later came to fame.

different direction

The rise of health and fitness centers in Istanbul spurred Murat to take a different direction and he began to explore ways in which he could fuse dance and exercise together. He found inspiration in the Serra Cerrahoglu’s health club called Motus. Here he explored forms that were considered unique and even risqué for the time and place in which he lived. He developed chair dance classes, strip tease and fusion aerobics classes that became so popular and advertised in the city that he was chastised by the Istanbul Bar Association and ordered to cease immediately as a lawyer/dancer was considered un-professional to the reputation of lawyers. The health club, Motus, was closed but he would not let this stop him.

Undeterred, Murat continued working as a lawyer but began to explore all aspects of fitness training. He found a new home at an up and coming health club Mars Athletic. He studied pilates with Roxy Menzies and Michael King. He also returned to some of his cultural dance roots and experimented with Turkish belly dancing. This led to his personal discovery of a form of exercise he calls vibration. His classes became even more popular where he regularly had studios with 50 participants eager to explore Murat’s unique classes. His fame spread and he began doing courses for Nike and a variety of health related venues in the exploding fascination of fitness in Istanbul.

different direction

exploring dance & fitness

Political winds and freedoms in Turkey began to change and Murat decided to leave the country to continue his exploration of dance and fitness abroad. He moved to Hawaii where he found a new home at Still and Moving Center in Honolulu. Here he learned more forms of exercise including Fitness Cue and Nia. He also broadened his base of clients from not just the young but to all ages focusing on not only physical and mental forms of health but also on how to help repair muscle deterioration and flexibility.

Starting from his humble village in Stratonikeia to the metropolis of Istanbul and finally to the healing island of Ohau, Murat feels that when he vibrates his body he his vibrating the world.

Murat believes we are happiest when we move. Murat’s mission is to create an environment that guides people to evolve to their full potential. Recently, he has adapted Turkish belly dance movements into a new version he calls vibration. His popular and successful classes are a fusion of cultural dances that help to bring an awareness of an individual’s inner power.