The Play- Finding Truths
About the Creator
Yi Martins is a multidisciplinary therapist, performer, and creator whose work bridges Eastern philosophy, somatic psychology, and expressive arts. Her name, meaning “one,” reflects a foundational belief instilled by her father—that “one is the beginning of everything.” This philosophy continues to shape her approach to healing, creativity, and human connection.
Raised in a deeply philosophical environment, Yi was introduced at a young age to classical Chinese teachings, including the Dao De Jing and Confucian thought. These early influences cultivated her understanding of unity—where mind, body, and spirit are not separate, but inherently interconnected.
Yi began her professional journey through yoga, later expanding into somatic psychology at the California Institute of Integral Studies. Her work today integrates multiple modalities, including:
Somatic psychotherapy
Mindfulness practices
Yoga
Systems-Centered Therapy
Autobiographic Therapeutic Performance (ATP)
She specializes in working with individuals and couples navigating emotional disconnection, trauma, and relational challenges—guiding them toward reintegration, balance, and what she describes as “coming home” to the self.
Beyond therapy, Yi is also an artist at heart. Despite early discouragement from pursuing dance and visual arts, she has reconnected with these passions through performance, painting, and storytelling. Her work now embodies a full-circle return to her creative identity—integrating healing with artistic expression.
Artistic Themes
Identity
An ongoing exploration of self—layered, evolving, and shaped by both personal and collective histories.Migration & Belonging
Stories that move across borders, navigating the complexities of home, displacement, and the search for grounding.Relational Truth
An honest look at human connection—how we love, misunderstand, and find meaning through one another.Embodiment
Returning to the body as a site of memory, presence, and truth—where experience is not just told, but felt.
Testimonials
“Your one-woman performance touched me to the core, opened me to your truth and freedom, and inspired me to reenergize my quest to explore and be present with my family history. Your courageous example ignited my spark, and I look forward to seeing it grow. Thank you!”
— John O’Grady— San Francisco.
“Yi’s performance piece is an engaging and unique monologue with Yi playing multiple characters and incorporating minimal and highly effective props. Her story line, an unfolding of a coming-of-age story into maturity brings deep insights into her characters, drawing on her background as a couples therapist, educator, mother, immigrant, and a creative.”
— Kay S— San Francisco Bay Area.
"Finally, a show that makes you feel truly alive. I was deeply moved, laughing, and captivated from start to finish. Yi’s stage presence is remarkable—using masks, costumes, and mystical figures to breathe life and lightness into profound themes of grief, generational trauma, and personal growth. It is a beautiful 'Shero’s journey' filled with adventure and a sense of 'feel-good' relief. Totally worth it!"
— Fabrizio Dellabernarda— San Francisco.