hiya, friend. i want to help you connect deeply to your amazing body.

i'm stephanie. i'm a dancer, a teacher, and an intuitive body reader. i've been teaching bodymind methods for nearly 20 years and a mover all my life. from competitive gymnastics, to division 1 lacrosse, to all kinds of professional dance genres and performance, i've searched for movement experiences that create an expansive, holistic and connected landscape for all bodies.
​
through virtual classes and one-on-one sessions, through intuitive body readings and holistic movers retreat zoomshops at SAYEZZ PILATES & BEYOND, we move toward a better understanding of your body's story. part of my purpose on this planet is to share the beautiful harmony between the physical practice of movement and the intuitive practice of listening to your body’s own deep knowing. in this synthesis, we learn to live free in movement, from pain, and to breathe deeply and remain calm under everyday stresses. together, let's unlock your LIGHT, you rockstar!

sayezz verb | say-YES

​1. to practice mindful movement and hone your intuition to discover and to recognize your body as a badass source of joy, healing, and beauty.
​
2. to become a holistic mover, i.e. a badass rockstar who moves through life on this rock we share, shining their light utterly and completely no matter what!

example: "why say 'no' when you can SAYEZZ?"
the pilates method is my first love.
the pilates reformer builds core strength, flexibility and helps us to lose weight to boot
helping Sylvia find her alignment during footwork on the PILATES reformer

​ i found it in 2001 as a college dancer, and my own creative path led me to a contemporary approach i now share with you. each session is designed to find the ever elusive and quite fluid "neutral" pelvis, reach the deepest breathing possible, and create a connection unique to you and your body for optimal posture, core strength, flow and harmony. Just like Joe Pilates himself led a creative path of discovery to the magic circle (he took the ring off a beer barrel) and the cadillac (he strapped springs to a bed frame), we too are on a journey to deepen our self-awareness - together. 

THE PILATES METHOD

the work and its benefits

​PELVIC STABILITY & DEEP ABS – to understand, “Hey! I have abs and a back – and I can use them together!” Core strength at its best and most efficient.

RIBCAGE STABILITY – to understand, “Hey – my arms are connected to my shoulders, which are connected to my ribs, which are connected to my diaphragm, which is connected to my breath!” Breath with movement, my friend.

LEG EXTENSION – to become aware that everything in Pilates – even getting long, lean legs – has to do with core strength and stability.

SPINAL MOBILITY – to pretend we are a cat, or a cow or a frog! Yup. Our spines have limits unlike those animals, but using their images helps us get a long, strong and above all, mobile spine.

MOVING PLANES – to learn that there are a seemingly infinite number of ways to move – in fact, there are 3 planes of movements and we want to work in all of them, all the time!
​
FINISHINGS – to finish with connection, newfound awareness, and energized. Just say, “Ahhh. I feel soooo good.”
i found the GYROTONIC® method as a professional dancer.
the gyrotonic tower uses spirals to improve our posture, find space in our joints, and gain flexibility
giving hand's on to Carmen
on the GYROTONIC® tower.

​i've always loved how machines can help us find places and spaces in our body deeper than we may be able to find on our own, and this is exactly what the method does. the circles and spirals and big ranges of motion that gyrotonic exercise allows is just so yummy! "gyro" - spirals, "tonic" - healing is fantastic both physically and neurologically, helping us to stand tall, find our center, and yawn into length in our joints and muscles. it's a great complement to pilates work, and my understanding of each method continues to be informed by their differences and overlappings. 
THE GYROTONIC EXPANSION SYSTEM®

the work and its benefits
www.gyrotonic.com

ARCH & CURL – to realize, “Hey – I have a pelvis and it connects to my spine. Wait – I have a neck and it also connects to my spine. And I can move them all at the same time with balance and suppleness!” What a revelation.
​
HAMSTRINGS – to understand 1) that we sit too much during the day, and 2) that this work makes our legs and hips feel oh so good, long and strong.

UPPER BODY SERIES – to remember that, “Oh yes. My arms connect into my torso, and wait – you’re telling me I can move my arms from my torso and pelvis??” Pretty darn cool.

LEG WORK SERIES – to become aware of how much you miss the Tower and its straps (yes, that same machine that initially looked like a medieval torture device to you) because it not only makes your legs longer but your lower back and hips feel amazing!

ABDOMINALS – need I say more? Strong deep abdominals = better posture, less pain and an openness that is totally contagious.

UPPER BODY OPENINGS – you never knew how good it felt to “pop” your sternum until you circled your arms overhead and felt it release as a swell of refreshing blood rushed to your brain. 

UNWINDING – balance, balance, balance. Let’s bring ourselves back to it, baby.
GYROTONIC® and GYROTONIC EXPANSION SYSTEM® are registered trademarks of Gyrotonic Sales Corp and are used with their permission.