In the Heart of the
Adirondack Mountains

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Mary Bartel, B.S., ERYT (500)
Structural Yoga™ Therapist
Certified Professional Kripalu Hatha Yoga Instructor


 

Mary is the owner/director of Inner Quest Yoga & Wellness Center.  She is a certified Structural Yoga™ Therapist and Professional Level Kripalu Hatha Yoga Instructor and Pilates Fitness Instructor teaching since November, 2000.   Her advanced training and personal practice has her teaching with an eclectic style and emphasis on the Classical Yoga tradition.

Mary guides her students to deepen their awareness and sensitivity on all levels, allowing the experience to unfold from within, synchronizing body movement with breath and cultivating a connection to spirit.  Mary emphasizes sound principals of alignment based on functional anatomy in her practice and teaching and offers adaptations when needed.

 

Mary began practicing yoga and Pilates as a holistic approach for healing chronic stress, neck and back discomfort.  Her practice has resulted in many and some profound benefits. 

 

Mary wishes to help you find what is innately yours:  peace, love and much joy in life body, mind and spirit. 

 

“Practice with no expectations and you too will find yourself open in many unexpected ways - grace happens!”  Mary Bartel

 
Structural Yoga Therapy and individual and group private Yoga Class sessions are available by appointment.


 

Leigh Ann Tahash, B.A.

Dance of Light



Leigh Ann studied ballet while earning her Bachelors of Arts degree from Virginia Intermont College in Bristol, Virginia in 1984. In addition to her extensive dance training in college, she has studied and taught children and adults at many prominent schools in the Washington D.C. metropolitan area. Leigh Ann is popular and well respected for her teaching philosophy which encourages a deep understanding of the body, and movement, through proper placement, alignment and technique.

Leigh Ann credits Lucy Bowen McCauley, a former faculty member at the Academy of the Maryland Youth Ballet, with the method of stretch technique which is a strong part of her background. She also credits much of her success to teachers Maureen Basta Miller, Eric Hampton, and Michelle Lees.

Leigh Ann has taught for the Georgetown School of Ballet, the Wyngate Elementary PTA Ballet Program in Bethesda, MD., and the Arlington County Department of Parks and Recreation. Most recently Leigh Ann was on faculty at the Arlington Center for Dance from 1990-2004, and the Academy of the Maryland Youth Ballet from 1996-2004, in addition to her work at Joy of Motion Dance Center from 1992-2004.


Jim Hoit, L.M.T.|
Certified Tai Chi Easy
® Qi Gong Facilitor


Jim has been studying and practicing Tai Chi and Qi Gong for a number of years.  If you live in or around Saranac Lake you might have seen him in one of the parks practicing this meditation in motion. Jim has wanted to share this healing modality with others for quite some time as he has witnessed its many benefits.  In June, 2006 he committed to this calling, trained and became certified as a facilitator of Tai Chi Easy® Qi Gong at the Omega Institute. 

Jim is a 1999 graduate of Finger Lakes School of Massage in Ithaca, NY.  Since graduation he has completed a 110 hr. reflexology certification program at the Omega Institute and a 200 hr. essential oil certification at Finger Lakes.  He has also studied Chi Nei Tsang with the Healing Tao Institute & Chinese medical theory with Michael & Lesley Tierra.  Currently he is a student of the Ohashi Institute.

 


 

Jackie Foster

Mad Dogg Athletics Certification in Spin Pilates and Spinning

 


 

New to Saranac Lake Jackie has been a frequent visitor for many years.  Her teaching experience includes Pilates and Spinning classes at the Four Seasons Fitness Studio in Owego, New York.  The atmosphere there is relaxed and friendly, allowing participants to work at their own threshold.  I offer modifications through out the session so that everyone can make progress without feeling overwhelmed.  I hope to bring that same practice to my classes here at Inner Quest Yoga & Wellness Center.  Core strength is vital to good health and posture maintenance.  It is also essential for enjoying the many outdoor pursuits this beautiful area has to offer.  Jackie looks forward to making many new friends at Inner Quest, and sharing the healthy benefits of an active lifestyle.

 

 


Donna Calderone
Certified Hatha Yoga Instructor,
Aerobics Instructor and Personal Trainer


Donna has been a teacher and fitness professional for over 25 years.  She is a certified aerobics and yoga instructor and is a personal trainer.  Donna offers sports nutrition.  She has taught classes regularly at a fitness center in Saranac Lake.  Donna has taken advantage of an opportunity where she can takes trips to Caribbean locations and gets complimentary lodging at resorts for teaching fitness classes while she is there.

 

Donna has lived in the Saranac Lake area for over thirty years.  She is married with 3 children.  She loves to be outdoors, love animals and has two dogs and three cats.

 

 


Shannon Delaney
Certified Hatha Yoga Level I Instructor


Shannon was born and raised in the neighboring village of Lake Placid, tucked away in the Adirondack Mountains. Growing up in this environment has filled her with a deep passion for nature and all of its creation, as well as a passion for living a healthy and holistic life style. The key towards unlocking these passions began through studying and practicing yoga with Mary Bartel over six years ago. This practice soon gave her to the key to unlock her new passion for yoga, and its beautiful philosophy of union; the union of the body and mind to achieve a state of inner balance and realization (samadhi).

 

Shannon has just returned to the northeast from San Diego, California where she achieved a Level 1 certification in Hatha yoga, and is a candidate to become a Registered Yoga Teacher in the Jivamukti yoga style. She has brought her unique yoga experiences and studies from the west coast with her to the east coast, and is eager to share them with the community. She incorporates mindful meditation, gracefully sequenced poses (asanas), and complete relaxation for a balanced and rejuvenating yoga practice.

 

Shannon’s goals are never static; they are ever changing, much like the flowing energy (prana) within all beings. She hopes to challenge others to go with the flow and live fully and completely in the present moment; just be, and let be. We invite you to join our classes and start an Inner Quest that we hope will bring you the multitude of benefits that Yoga has brought so many people.

 


 

Namaste (I bow to the light within you)

Mary Bartel




Meditation Buddha