About Sayer Mansfield
Sayer grew up in the woods of Massachusetts where she was raised part in the garden and part in her mother’s yoga studio. Movement has been the love language from the get go, that and any time spent outside.
Sayer is dancer, performer, choreographer and teacher who has spent the past decade dancing with Pilobolus Dance Theater (NYC) and Compagnie Marie Chouinard (Montreal, QC.) She holds a BFA in Dance from NYU Tisch School of the Arts, is a 500hr RYT and has been teaching yoga, dance and somatic movement for over 15 years.
Sayer is currently dancing with The Metropolitan Opera, as a guest artist with the Mark Morris Dance Group and working as a freelance artist and teacher based between the Hudson Valley and New York City.
link to artist portfolio
about Innerstanding
Innerstanding is a unique movement methodology created by Sayer Mansfield that explores a body-based understanding of how one relates to oneself and the world - it is an embodied way of living.
From a place of innerstanding, we tap the reservoir of deep knowledge and connection that already exists inside all of us - engaging our physiology and physicality. You already hold so much wisdom and instinct in your body & mind. Innerstanding practices invite you to trust that knowing and dive deeper, igniting new pathways of mindbody connection and physical capacity.
Innerstanding pulls from the familiar movement lineages of yoga, dance, pilates, somatics, and functional fitness. Innerstanding transforms the familiar with artistry, sequencing, imagery and language, revealing a unique physical practice.
How can we feel really connected to our house, the body that we live in? If the mind, body, heart and spirit are not all genuinely present and co-creating the experience, not much is integrated in a movement practice beyond literally “going through the motions.” What feels so much more powerful is when you are truly inside the movement - the movement is not eating you up but you are eating the movement up. You are creating from a place of innerstanding.
How do we tend to our bodies in a less prescriptive, comparative, punishing culture that has become the “project of fitness.” How about the project of innerstanding, how does that look and feel?
Rather than focusing on external validation or comparison culture, innerstanding invites practitioners to tap into their personal wisdom and capacity. We all are powerful movers, it is what our physical body is designed for and wildly capable of. These practices offer rigor and permission. Scale to your body and your desire. Innerstanding is born out of a deep passion for movement, effort and pleasure.
Dive in.
Testimonials
-
There are very few teachers that are able to weave a practice that is intelligent and conscious of subtle energy, the myofascial structures, nervous system, endocrine system and yoga anatomy. Sayer masterfully combines knowledge in all these areas. Her teaching is grounded in clear and specific alignment cues that are offered in a soft and poetic fashion with a beautiful use of imagery. Additionally, I feel nurtured by her non-judgemental and unassuming vibe.
Dee Y
-
Feel like I suddenly am starting from the very beginning, but finally doing it right and I'm so grateful. (Innerstanding) is already improving my quality of life and I just love the way Sayer teaches - its so intelligent and thoughtful and no bullshit.
Grace M
-
I feel like I am having a movement renaissance...
Katie W