In Field's new Dance and Yoga Studio, students face an unexpected challenge, one that differs dramatically from the world they navigate through small screens. Teacher Alisa Claire observes that this generation is typically "locked in to that phone" with "very tight movements" that don't translate well to larger spaces. Her goal is straightforward: "I want them to break out of that and expand their movement, their mind, and how they walk through life, and to take up that space."
Even in the first few weeks of school, Alisa finds that her students consistently discover through dance and yoga that they are "more capable than they realize."
This transformation happens through a comprehensive program that addresses both physical and mental growth through two distinct yet complementary practices. Dance builds what Alisa calls essential foundations: "confidence, creativity, body awareness, team building." Students learn proper alignment, core strength, and how to bend their knees correctly—skills that extend far beyond TikTok-inspired movements.
Yoga offers a different but equally valuable set of benefits through its various modalities. "You can use it as a fitness tool for strengthening, for flexibility, for muscle tone, endurance, but you can also use it for restoration for healing," Alisa notes. The mental benefits prove equally significant, as the yoga mat becomes "a place for detox and let your mind either wander or be quiet with meditation."
Central to both practices, the studio environment itself becomes part of each student's self-discovery process. With two walls of mirrors, Alisa teaches students a crucial lesson: "You use the mirror as a tool, but it is not judgment." She often redirects students to focus inward, encouraging them to reflect on how a movement feels rather than how it looks. During yoga sessions, students face away from mirrors entirely, allowing them to stay "present on the mat and work on their breath and not what they see."
The dance curriculum follows a thoughtful progression that begins with foundational ballet training. "There are ballet terms used in absolutely everything. Even with street jazz and hip hop, you're still having to learn how to engage your core properly," Alisa explains.
From this classical foundation, students explore jazz, which features more parallel movements that may feel more natural to them. The curriculum then expands to include genres that incorporate character development, storytelling, and emotional expression, such as Broadway jazz and contemporary dance. Ballroom styles, such as salsa, merengue, and swing dance, connect students to cultural traditions. At the same time, hip hop and street jazz acknowledge the subgenres students encounter in popular culture, all while grounding them in proper technique.
These movement skills transfer beyond the studio in ways that directly support Field's mission of developing bold, creative thinkers. Dance training "helps you with public speaking, maintain confidence, or even just not being afraid to make a move," Alisa says. Students learn to stand out, make choices, and try something new—exactly the kind of distinctive path-finding that Field champions. As Alisa encourages, "Open your mind and do not limit yourself, and do not be afraid to try."
When students engage in dance or yoga, Alisa recognizes where they hold themselves back. "They have a mental block of where they think they're supposed to be," she observes. Through biofeedback and simple physical adjustments, she guides students past these limitations. "All of a sudden they've gained two inches in their stretch."
These breakthrough "ah-ha" moments, watching students confront their perceived limitations, are what Alisa finds most striking as a teacher. In Field's new Dance and Yoga Studio, students don't just learn movement; they learn how to take up space boldly, discover their authentic selves through various modalities, and break through the physical and mental barriers that hold them back. The confidence they build in the studio translates into the courage they need to be trailblazers in today's world.
