about seara

Seara’s Philosophy & Approach

Seara Mainor (MPP, E-RYT 200) is a dedicated yoga practitioner and teacher, fitness enthusiast, strategy consultant, and contemplative thought leader based in the Washington, D.C. area. Her work explores the intersection of embodied practices and thoughtful introspection, drawing from yoga, meditation, calisthenics, philosophy, and contemplative science to spark inner growth. Seara knows that through dedication and devotion, we can all minimize the habitual patterns of the mind and transform into our most authentic selves, with loving-kindness at the core of this transformation.

Seara was first introduced to yoga in high school while seeking refuge from the years of physical strain competitive sports left on her body. In her first yoga class, set in the 26×2 tradition, she experienced not only physical relief from the tightness of her muscles, but also a refreshing mental stillness that felt entirely new and needed. That life-changing experience began her decade-long commitment to learning how the intersection of movement, breath, and awareness can both strengthen the body and still the mind.

Seara believes yoga is a practical framework for understanding the relationship between mind and body, while simultaneously serving as a spiritual medium to release from attachments and reunite with our Higher Selves. She approaches the practice as a moving meditation—one that builds awareness, patience, and equanimity no matter the posture or position. She emphasizes consistency over intensity and humility over performance, pushing back on the idea that yoga is something to achieve. Instead, her work focuses on developing discipline, self-awareness, and the ability to observe patterns—both mentally and physically— over time.

Training & Teachers

Seara is forever indebted to her teachers and her teachers’ teachers for passing on the sacred wisdom of yoga and meditation from generation to generation.

  • Ashtanga Yoga Practitioner (2023 – Present), trained under:
    • Saraswati Jois (daughter of Patabhi Joyce) | Mysore, India (Jan 2026)
    • John Bultman (Sharath Jois Certified Ashtanga Yoga Teacher) | University of Virginia (2024 – Present)
    • Faith Schmecca (Sharath Jois Level 2 Authorized Ashtanga Yoga Teacher) | Washington, D.C. (2023 – Present)
  • 100-Hour Ashtanga Teacher Intensive with Mark Robberds and Deepika Mehta | Bali, Indonesia (Jul – Aug 2026)
  • Vipassana Meditation 10-day Course | Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam (Mar 2026)
  • 2-week Pranayama Intensive under Sri S. V. Venkateshaiah | Mysore, India (Jan 2026)
  • Insight Dialogue Meditation Group | Washington, D.C. with Downtown Dharma (2025 – 2026)
  • Registered Yoga Teacher (E-RYT 200) with Yoga Alliance | Washington, D.C. at Flow Yoga Center with Marie Belle Riviera Perez (Dec 2023)

Education & Professional Experience

Seara received two Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degrees in Biology and Cognitive Science with a Concentration in Philosophy at the University of Virginia (UVA) in 2020. During this time, she studied the relationship between the mind and the body in both her academic coursework and her applied research at the Contemplative Sciences Center (CSC). There, she was introduced evidence-based stress reduction and yoga therapy, further shaping her interest in the measurable impact of these techniques on health and well-being. She later completed her Master’s in Public Policy (MPP) at UVA’s Frank Batten School of Leadership focusing her studies on psyco-social dynamics, problem diagnosis, research methods, and systems-level change.

After graduating, Seara moved to Washington, D.C. where she began her career as a Transformation & Strategy Consultant in the public sector at a globally recognized technology consulting firm. In this role, she worked with mission-driven organizations to design and implement large-scale, enterprise-wide change initiatives, strengthening her ability to analyze complex systems, identify root causes, and develop tailored solutions side by side with her clients.