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About Us

Valerie Patrick –Owner and director of Fitness & Dance of CNY.  She is a certified 3rd Generation Pilates Instructor, a 200 hour Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT) and is listed among the Yoga Alliance Teacher's Directory

Valerie has an extensive fitness and dance background and over 25 years of teaching, performing and choreographing experience.  Dancing since the age of 4, she has years of experience in body mechanics, alignment and technique.  A certified and experienced professional with over 600 hours of training in Yoga and Pilates, Valerie has trained with master trainers such as Mari Windsor, Alycea Ungaro, Seane Corn, Baron Baptiste and Doug Swenson. 

Valerie received her Pilates certification from Power Pilates in NY, NY with 2nd Generation Pilates Instructor Susan Moran Perich and from Balanced Body University in Boston, MA with Zanya Gold.  Valerie is one of the only teachers in the area to be trained on the entire repertoire of Pilates equipment which includes mat, reformer, chair, tower and barrel.  She is also a member of Yoga Alliance. Valerie's extensive training includes Yoga for Seniors, Kids and Pre-natal and Post-natal.

As an instructor at Syracuse University, she trained the women's crew team in Pilates and Yoga along with students and faculty.  Valerie holds corporate classes at Crouse Hospital, the Syracuse Post Standard, AXA, Hutchings and with Onondaga County employees. Valerie was also the past director of dance at the CNY Gymnastics Center and the National School of Gymnastics. Valerie has also trained the Cirque du Soleil Alegria National Touring Performers.

Choreography credits include Chicago, Fiddler on the Roof, Jesus Christ Superstar and Bye, Bye Birdie. In addition to choreographing several local stage productions, Valerie has also played numerous roles in many musical theater productions, including Chorus Line, Chicago, Cabaret, Anything Goes, Can Can and The King and I.

Valerie is a contributing writer for Syracuse Women's magazine.

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Annette Stein – Certified Pilates and Yoga Instructor

Annette has been practicing yoga for 10 years and Pilates for 6 years.  Originally as a way to stay fit, yoga and Pilates helped Annette reach her fitness goals.  Now Annette Rejoices in bringing fitness to others.  As an instructor Annette is Certified in Pilates through Power Pilates, a student member of Pilates Method Alliance and is currently working towards her 200 hour Registered Yoga Instructor status through Yogafit Training Systems.  Annette has also trained in Yoga Seniors and Yoga Kids.  Continuing education is an integral part of Annette’s strong belief in building a firm foundation to bring quality instruction to her clients.   Annette has trained with 2nd generation, classically trained Pilates guru Mari Windsor as well as Ellie Herman.  Annette’s continuing education for yoga includes training with Doug Swenson, Lisa Black and Doctor Ray Long. Most of all Annette enjoys helping others find the mind body connection.  “The attitude of physicality is an amazing connection to make and once made, it can change your life!”  Working exclusively for Fitness and Dance of CNY Annette is committed to making sure clients safely enjoy reaching their fitness goals.

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Emily Janisch – Certified Zumba Instructor

I have always loved working out and taking classes at my gym. As much as I loved working out, there wasn’t anything that I ever really wanted to teach, that was until I started taking Zumba. I was very nervous to take my first class, but when I did I absolutely fell in love with it. After taking classes for a few months, I decided that I was going to go for my certification. I love everything about Zumba, including the endless results. It doesn’t even feel like I’m working out because I have so much fun and the music is awesome. I don’t have a favorite song or style because there’s just too much to choose from! I can’t wait to see what they’re going to release each month. I love sharing my passion of Zumba with other people and getting them to love it as much as I do!

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Heather Erikson – Certified Zumba Instructor

Hi! My name is Heather Erikson and I'm a newly licensed Zumba Instructor. I have loved to dance my entire life so Zumba is a perfect fit. I began taking Zumba classes in October of 2009 and after my first week of classes, I was hooked. It didn't even seem like I was working out! Every class feels like a party! Come join me and you'll see what I mean. You don't even have to know how to dance. Just move your body and follow my lead. It's easy! Come try it, I guarantee you will have a blast!
Currently, I am licensed to teach basic Zumba and Zumba Toning. I am also CPR/AED certified.

I have had 10 years of formal dance training in tap, jazz and ballet at studios including Empire Center of Dance in Marcy, NY and United Academy of Performing Arts in Oneida, NY.

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Theresa Masse – Pilates Instructor

I have always been an athlete and have a passion for working out and staying fit.  I was a division 1 collegiate lacrosse player in college and started running competitively when I finished my final season in 2003.  Like many athletes, my muscles were tight and I had chronic back pain.  A year and a half ago I was in physical therapy three times a week because of bulging discs and was faced with the fact that I may never run again. The Physical Therapist discharged me after 6 weeks and suggested I try Yoga or Pilates to stretch and strengthen my core muscles. At 28 years old, I was willing to try anything rather than deal with chronic pain. This is when I started taking Pilates from Val and Annette at CNY Fitness and Dance….the rest is history!!!  My back is free of pain and I am running faster and stronger than I ever have in my life! On November 21st, 2010 (my 30th birthday) I ran my fourth marathon 25 minutes faster than I have ever run before.  I finished the Philadelphia Marathon in 3:35 and qualified for the Boston Marathon.  This accomplishment could not have been possible without Pilates and the strength that I have gained from it. 
I decided to become certified to teach Pilates this past fall because I believe in it and I know personally the depths of it’s healing power. As a high school varsity lacrosse coach in the area, I plan to have my team practice Pilates once a week to help prevent injuries and to strengthen their core- the key muscles for athletic performance. I am so excited to spread the word and my love of Pilates to others in the community!  

Errin Musengo Klein – Certified Pilates Instructor

I hold a Bachelors of Arts degree in economics from Potsdam State University with a minor in health science and business economics.  I am certified through the Pilates Institute of America in pilates matwork level I and level II and beginner and intermediate reformer certified.  I hold a fitness certification from the National Exercise Trainers Association and am experienced in instructing step, Cycle Reebok,  Schwinn Spinning, aquatic aerobics, resistance training, Resist-A-Ball, low impact aerobics, kickboxing, circuit, BOSU , Body Bar, gliders and Fit Kids.   

I have been teaching general fitness classes for 13 years and Pilates classes for 7 years.  I believe in conducting fun and challenging classes that clients look forward to returning to. 

Susan George – Certified Yoga Instructor

I started my practice of yoga several years ago after retiring from a 30 year career in nursing. During my first yoga class, I immediately felt the “Meditation in Motion” that helps facilitate the mind/body connection.  Something I had observed over and over again in my nursing career.
Wanting to take my practice deeper, I began the 200 hour Teacher Training Program which will be completed this fall.  Incorporating proper alignment into the Vinyasa Flow approach, yoga has tied together my love of people and my love of yoga.
“Everyone can benefit from yoga.  The benefits may range from a simple healing of a physical ailment to a degree in which one’s life is transformed and enlightened.  Either way, every person should be given the opportunity to let yoga enrich his or her life.”  Namaste

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Amy Ligoci – Yoga Instructor

Amy has been teaching yoga for over 10 years around the Syracuse area.  Since discovering the joys and benefits of yoga in 2000, she has dedicated herself to the practice, study and teaching of Hatha yoga.  Amy has had the pleasure of instructing classes for West Genesee Adult Education for 8 years, Ballys Fitness Centers, Club Body and Salt City Karate.  She is currently continuing her yoga education through Aura Wellness Center.

~If I'm losing balance in a pose, I stretch higher and God reaches down to steady me.  It works every time, and not just in yoga.~

 

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Lisa Parsons – Yoga Instructor

Lisa is very excited to share her love of health and fitness with others! In addition to working as a Registered Nurse and Nurse Practitioner for nearly two decades, she has been a certified group fitness instructor since 2006. Training in the YogaFit style, Lisa expects to fulfill the requirements to become a 200-hour Registered Yoga Teacher in 2011.  She is also trained in Yoga Seniors and Pre-natal Yoga.  Lisa is truly honored to be able to inspire others to live more healthy, tranquil, and spiritual lives.

 

Yoga StretchMission and Philosophy

My goal is to educate people on the benefits of fitness.

I see fitness as preventative maintenance. For the body to be strong, the core must be stable. Pilates strengthens the core muscles and the surrounding spinal muscles. Yoga is beneficial in relieving stress through stretching and breathing. Dance is a fun way to burn calories and sculpt your body at the same time. And what better way to improve your golf game! All classes are different and taken separately are a wonderful compliment to each other.

Making fitness a part of your weekly routine will leave you feeling refreshed and accomplished. We all need to do things for ourselves. Setting goals and attaining those goals gives people a sense of self satisfaction.
We all take time for our busy lives, our families and our jobs. Knowing that you have done something for yourself is important. If you are apprehensive about being in a class setting private sessions are always an option. A private session is a great preemptive to a group class.

As a certified professional, I work with each client individually to ensure modifications are followed and that all students train at their own level. Every student is challenged to work at their full potential in a non-competitive relaxing atmosphere and all levels are welcome.