Fitness & Activities at Hemlock:
Yoga, Hiking, & Outdoor Adventures

LeeAnna Maniace

LeeAnna Maniace, from Batavia, NY, discovered her love for yoga in a local studio, inspired by her 16-year dance background. She began with Anusara Yoga, later earning a degree in Psychology and Health and Wellness, expanding her yoga knowledge during college. LeeAnna's teaching blends Vinyasa with influences from Baron Baptiste, Ashtanga, and Anusara.

She earned her teaching certification at a Dania Beach ashram, deepening her practice while working on a local farm. Now based in the Catskills, LeeAnna owns The Yoga Space and co-owns Sprouting Dreams Farm. Introduced to Iyengar Yoga by mentor Erin Dudley, she integrates teachings from Nikki Costello and Nikki Vilella into her practice.

With over a decade teaching yoga and a Reiki certification, LeeAnna combines psychology and wellness in her classes, fostering a holistic approach. Her mission is to empower students, fostering deep connections through yoga and nature, establishing her as a leader in holistic wellness.

Lesley Lotto

Lesley Lotto began practicing yoga over 25 years ago in Los Angeles where she grew up. Her journey deepened during her radio career in Montana, particularly in Missoula where she explored Hot Yoga to combat the cold. She developed a sincere appreciation for diverse yoga styles and lineages.

During this time, Lesley completed a rigorous 200-hour certification through Prana Mandir Yoga in New York, focusing on yoga history, philosophy, sequencing, and teaching techniques. This training inspired the founding of Yoga Yay! with three close friends who shared her passion.

Since then, Lesley has pursued extensive training including 300-hour Bhakti Yoga, Yoga Nidra, Restorative Yoga, Reiki 1 & 2, Thai Yoga Bodywork, and Kundalini Yoga. She also studied Medical Qigong and EFT Tapping during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Based in upstate New York, Lesley operates an at-home yoga studio, offering private and virtual classes. Passionate about Karma Yoga, she also manages Remote News Service, enjoys hiking, plays guitar, and continues to expand her practice with renowned teachers.

Liridona Duraku

Liridona Duraku is an artist, herbalist, yoga instructor, breathwork and meditation facilitator. She currently lives in the Hudson Valley and spends most of her time outdoors studying the local fauna. She has completed multiple Yoga Teacher Trainings, specifically Ashtanga and Katonah practices; and has studied Herbalism through 6 different programs around the world, her most influential being Sacred Warrior in Brooklyn & Scotland. She comes from a long lineage of Balkan Herbalists, Farmers and Intuitives that inspire all of her work. She reads tarot and astrology and enjoys all forms of ritual and mysticism. She shows artwork in local galleries and has published poems and short stories in various literary magazines. She is currently receiving a second degree in art and psychology at SUNY New Paltz with the intention of pursuing higher education in Creative Arts Therapy.

Joseph Comando

Joseph Comando is a martial artist with over 25 years of experience teaching and training in various martial arts including Tang Soo Do Karate which he currently holds the rank of a 3rd degree Black Belt. He has studied and taught Tai Chi and various other martial arts as well, including Tae Kwon Do, Mudo Mixed Martial Arts and Do In Healing Arts. Joseph’s personal favorite arts are those involving swords. Kenjutsu/Kendo the way of the japanese sword, HEMA or Historical European Martial Arts as well as other sword arts. Joseph is also an accomplished outdoorsman and primitive wilderness survival enthusiast.

Teaches: Tai Chi

Christine LaFiura

A life-long fitness advocate, Christine LaFiura is a NASM-certified personal trainer who is passionate about helping people achieve their fitness goals. A competitive long-distance swimmer and avid biker; Christine loves teaching aqua fitness at Hemlock Neversink!

Erin Dudley MFA, E-RYT, YACEP

Erin Dudley began teaching yoga asana throughout NYC  in 1996. She served 5 years as faculty for Stony Brook University’s Center for Dance Movement and Somatic Learning. Following 20 + years in the NYC dance and yoga community Erin relocated with her family to the Catskill Region of NY State where founded The Yoga Space and served as Executive Director for a not-for-profit Arts Complex in Sullivan County New York. In response to the growing needs of her family and community, Erin returned to teaching full-time with private clients in 2023 and is currently pursuing certifications in yoga therapeutics and trauma.  Erin continues to lead workshops, retreats, and teacher trainings.

Kate Ball

Kate is born and raised in New Jersey. Recognizing the need to slow down, her and her fiancé moved to the Catskill Mountains 7 years ago, and have since planted roots. 

Kate is a 200 hour RYT having received her certification locally at the Sivananda Yoga Ashram, having lived on site there for a month in the Summer of 2023. Upon graduating she immediately began teaching, and has been since. She considers herself to be passionate about inspiring others to find their own unique way of curating a playful and patient connection with their body & mind, doing so through yoga philosophy, postures, breathwork, and meditation. She hopes to be able to show her students the delicate balance of trial and error, ease and strength, & breath and movement through each of her uniquely structured classes involving every aspect of the Yoga Philosophy, guiding from 8 years of personal experience on her own yoga journey. 

When Kate is not teaching yoga, she enjoys dedicating her spare time to assisting individuals with Autism and other complex disabilities. She works full time as a Wellness Program Coordinator for a local Holistic Wellness Center in Wurtsboro, NY, and you can also find her hiking the many paths and trails of the Catskills, writing, and spending time with her chihuahuas!

Michelledana Shafran - E-RYT-500

Before becoming a 200 hour certified and registered yoga teacher back in 2013, Michelledana Shafran studied many different genres of dance and began performing and teaching at a very young age. In 1999, Michelledana received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Language and Culture from Purchase College and, in 2008, went on to receive a Master of Science degree in Creative Arts Therapy, specializing in Dance/Movement Therapy, from Pratt Institute. Michelledana received her 500 hour yoga teacher certification through Stone Wave Yoga in October 2022.

Extensive educational and performance experiences in dance, theatre, music, and art over the last four decades have helped to shape Michelledana's teaching style.  From her upbringing in the lower Hudson Valley of NY, and with having lived in Brooklyn and Tel Aviv, Michelledana has had incredible opportunities encountering new lands, new people, new languages, and new cultures, that have not only inspired her teaching, but have also greatly ignited her flair for her other passions, like cooking and fashion.  In addition to living in the Middle East, travels and time spent in Europe and in Asia have positively helped to peak Michelledana's many interests and curiosities. Additionally, Michelledana is a multipotentialite; proficient in Hebrew, a visual artist, loves to write, works as a personal chef, and absolutely must get into nature on a daily basis, being an avid hiker, biker, and long distance swimmer. 

Throughout the last thirty years, Michelledana has worked in diverse settings with all ages of people from infants to the elderly. In so doing, she has gained an immense understanding and appreciation of her love of movement and passion for promoting wellness. 

Teaching nourishes Michelledana’s love of connecting with others particularly in acknowledgment of the power that yoga, dance, music, and art behold and how when practiced and shared with intention, they help to build community and uplift the spirit.  This is what profoundly motivates Michelledana to pursue all that she does, filling her with the utmost joy and gratitude. 

Dance Cardio

A musically-driven, non-stop dance cardio workout that infuses dance movements with conditioning exercises. Dance like nobody's watching in this free-spirited (and shoeless) workout designed for all dance levels - zero dance experience is required!

Tai Chi

In this introductory class we will cover the basics of short form Yang Style Tai Chi. Focusing on posture, flexibility, movement, balance and overall health from guided movement. The objective of this class is to give you an experiential introduction to Tai Chi movements and discipline.

Aqua Fit

Think 80's dance party meets a step aerobics & strength class - in a POOL! Has exercise ever sounded more fun?! Join us for a challenging, low-impact water-based workout that will challenge the athlete and the dancer in you. Guaranteed to leave you feeling energized & joyful! Open to all ages and abilities.

Forest Walk & Zazen Meditation

A slow, mindful walk through the forest, basking in the sights, sounds & smells of the natural world. With a clear and present mind, we begin our journey inward with a mantra-based Zazen Meditation of the Zen Buddhist tradition. Defined as the art of seeing life as it is, Zazen Meditation is a simple and direct way to observe & discover your truest thoughts & feelings.

Breathwork & Yoga Nidra Meditation

This open-level class utilizes breathwork techniques to steady the mind and bring our focus inward, followed by a Yoga Nidra meditation. Also known as yogic sleep, Yoga Nidra is a systematic form of guided relaxation that brings you to a state of consciousness between waking & sleeping.

Vinyasa Flow

This open-level vinyasa flow class links a series of postures with your breath and concludes with a brief guided meditation. This class is structured to be simple enough for beginning students, while also providing optional variations to challenge all levels and abilities.

Stretch

Stretching sessions enhance flexibility, improve posture, and promote relaxation. These sessions are designed to alleviate muscle tension and promote a sense of well-being.

HIIT

Open to all levels and abilities, this bodyweight (and shoeless) High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) class is sure to get your blood pumping. Each class is designed to build strength and elevate your heart rate using short bursts of strength & cardio exercises followed by brief periods of recovery. A light stretch at the end of class rounds out the experience and helps your body assimilate the work put in.

Guided Hike

We believe fresh air and a walk in the woods is good for the soul, year-round. Join us for a guided hike immersed in nature. Wear weather appropriate clothing and be prepared to walk approximately 3 miles.

Tabata & Strength

Accessible to all bodies & ages, this bodyweight (and shoeless) Tabata & Strength class begins with a light warmup before getting into the heat-building Tabata - Bursts of high-intensity movement followed by recovery intervals, done at the ratio of 2:1 work-to-rest intervals. Following Tabata will be more traditional strength exercises to improve muscular strength.

Personal Fitness Training

Our friendly, certified trainers offer tailored exercise routines to fit your individual pace and skill level, ensuring safety and correct form above all. Each session provides easy-to-follow techniques and a home training plan so that you can continue your practice after your visit to Hemlock Neversink for sustainable health.

Yin Yoga

Yin Yoga is a slower paced, meditative style of yoga that gently holds each posture for a longer period of time. This aims to encourage a deeper stretch and release within the rarely-used connective tissues, often focusing on the hips, hamstrings, and upper body. Yin Yoga also teaches you how to breathe through discomfort and sit with your thoughts, a wonderful practice for the mind. (60 min)