Instructors/Wellness Staff
Brett Groff
Brett received his B.S. from the State University of New York at Oswego in Business Administration with a minor in Theater. He also received a certificate in Television Production from the New School Of Radio And Television in Albany, NY in 2001. Brett currently works as a Software Testing Analyst for a legal services company. Also, through his company, groffTECH he develops and maintains the Orchid Tree Yoga website and also provides consulting services for MindBody.
Coding/Website Development through resources such as the internet, Free Code Camp, Code School & Pluralsight.
Colleen Lyons
Colleen has been practicing yoga since 2005, and dove deep into her personal practice in 2014 when seeking spiritual balance, psychological well-being, and physical fitness. She has always loved yoga, but what she loves most about yoga is its holistic offerings to one’s life. Colleen received her 200 hour yoga teacher certification with Lauren Toolin, out of Heartspace Yoga & Healing Arts. Colleen has taught Hatha Yoga classes at Heartspace, Living Resources, and private sessions in people’s homes. She loves to be witness to her students’ progress and growth, help people learn how to be present in their bodies, and guide her students towards balanced living. Her focus is on safe and powerful alignment, mindful sequencing, movement with breath, and self-love.
Lauren Toolin, Meghan Hogan, John Smrtic, Pema Chodron, Thich Nhat Hahn, my daughter, Lilith
Colleen is currently saving up to take Lauren Toolin’s Yoga Vidya 300 Hour Teacher Training
| September 2015-March 2016 | 200 Hour Yoga Vidya Teacher Training |
| April 2018, 2016, 2014 | American Red Cross CPR/AED/FA Instructor Training |
Kaela Mackenzie Knoth
Kaela has recently attained her 200HR with Lauren Toolin of the esteemed school of Yoga Vidya. Kaela's mission is to cultivate her sense of peace and to help others rediscover theirs. When we reside in the place of eternal love inside of ourselves, we can learn to serve our higher Selves and better serve those around us.
Dagny Alexander, BKS Iyengar, TKV Desikachar, Meghan Hogan, Martha Moscowitz, Lauren Jay Toolin, & my son Julian
Continuing YTT300HR Modules with Lauren Toolin of Yoga Vidya Yoga For Young Ones Training May 2019
| September 2018 | Meditation Teacher Training |
| April 2019 | Yoga Teacher Training 200HR CYT |
Laurel Tormey Cole
A practitioner of OM Yoga and Iyengar Yoga, Laurel has studied yoga intensively since 1998, and been teaching since 2005. She loves the healing aspects of yoga which enabled her to rehabilitate knee, shoulder and back injuries. Laurel received her 200 hour certification with Cyndi Lee of OM Yoga, NYC.
She delights in introducing adults over 50 to the benefits of yoga, as well as challenging intermediate and advanced students to explore new realms of strength, precision and awareness. She specializes in working with students with restrictions in movement due to chronic illness, injury or physical trauma.
Following a decade of teaching at Orenda Yoga Laurel purchased the studio from Andrea Fortuin. Now Orchid Tree Yoga, the studio embraces students of all ages and abilities, bringing the benefits of yoga to pregnant women, infants, children and their families, individuals, adults over 50 and seniors.
Cyndi Lee; BKS Iyengar; Silva, Mira & Shyam Mehta; L. Fishman & E. Saltonstall; my son.
Yoga as a healing modality for arthritis and deep physical trauma; Buddhism.
| October 2017 | Trauma-Sensitive Yoga Training, 6 day Intensive - David Emerson, Jenn Turner |
| January 2017 | ACE (Adverse Childhood Experiences) Trauma & Resiliency Response Workshop - Trifoso, Pyles, Fortuin |
| Spring 2015 | Aerial ACRO/CIRQUE Series I, Series II - Jessica Lubin |
| February 2014 | Training Intensive: Application of Ashaya Yoga Principles of Biomechanical Alignment Techniques - Todd Norian |
| February 2014 | Yoga Therapy Training Intensive - Todd Norian |
| November 2013 | Anatomy - Ellen Saltonstall, co-author: Y. for Arthritis; Y. for Osteoporosis |
Lisa Battisti
Lisa has been teaching group fitness classes since 2003. She started with kickboxing, turbo kick, and piyo (pilates and yoga fusion) and discovered her love of yoga. She completed a 200 hour yoga training with Lauren Toolin in 2009 at Heartspace Yoga in Albany. She has taught at Heartspace, the JCC in Albany and Gold’s Gym. She has a passion for wellness and nutrition, which led her to become a Certified and Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and has experience counseling clients since 2008. She has been a certified personal trainer since 2009. She loves teaching chair yoga, Silver Sneakers classes, and hatha yoga currently at the YMCA in Guilderland and WE Care in Latham.
Helping people live healthier, happier lives through fitness, yoga, and nutrition.
Lauren Toolin, John Smrtic, Judith Hanson Lasater, Barbara Benagh, Shiva Rea, Seane Corn, and Kathryn Budig.
300 hour Yoga Vidya Advanced Yoga Teacher Training with Lauren Toolin
| September 2017 | Yoga Vidya 300 Hour Teacher Training |
| September 2017 | Yoga Ones Training Program |
| June 2016 | NETA Post Rehab Considerations Online Course |
| April 2016 | CPR/AED |
| April 2016 | Integrative and Functional Nutrition Academy: Therapeutic Elimination Diets |
| March 2016 | Silver Sneakers Yoga and Classic Trainings |
| January 2015 | Reiki First Degree Level |
Renee VanKuren
Renee’s journey into massage therapy began as a recipient, wondering at the healing powers of her own massage therapist. She desired to bring this relief, comfort and relaxation to loved ones suffering pain and discomfort.
At The Center for Natural Wellness/ School of Massage Therapy Renee gained the tools to become a recuperative force in the lives of others. Over the course of ten years of practice, Renee has developed an eclectic blend of deep tissue Swedish massage, Neuromuscular therapy, and Shiatsu. In addition, she has been a Reiki Master for eight years, and she brings this healing energy into her massage sessions.
Clients in Renee’s care enjoy her personal attention, empathy, and professionalism, and she employees aromatherapy and her own herbal healing oil to relax, heal, and pamper.
Sharon Zewert
Sharon has been practicing yoga at home, in the studio, and in trainings, since her early 20’s. In March of 2016 she completed her 200 hour teacher certification training with Lauren Toolin, at Heartspace Yoga, in Albany. Her passion is Gentle Yoga, Restorative Yoga, Breathwork, and Meditation. She has also taught Chair Yoga at various studios, and to the physically and intellectually challenged, at Wildwood Programs, where she has been employed for 16 years.
Lauren Toolin, Andrea Fortuin, Jennifer Venditti, Laurel Tormey Cole
300 Hour Yoga Vidya Advanced Yoga Teacher Training with Lauren Toolin.
| September 2017 | Ayurveda: The Basics and Beyond with Lauren Toolin |
| August 2017 | Restorative Yoga Teacher Training with Lauren Toolin |
| Continuing Study | Yoga Sutra's with Anne-Marie Seere |
| November 2016 to 2017 | Body Sensing/Yoga Nidra - Andrea Fortuin |
| April 2015 | Reiki II - Lynn Gelman |
| June 2008 | Reiki I - Penelope Jewell |
Svetlana Albanese
Svetlana (Lana) is a certified BarreFlow instructor. With running, gymnastics, dance, Pilates, Barre fitness and yoga experience, she shares her passion for efficiency and body empowerment through this invigorating workout that incorporates strength, endurance, and flexibility.
Developed by Karli Goering Taylor, BarreFlow inspired Svetlana to become one of the first certified instructors to raise the Barre in the world of fitness in the United States.
Karli Goering Taylor
Trained in the basics of anatomy and physiology, exercise, choreography, and teaching techniques, Svetlana continues her education by attending a variety of workshops on posture, tuck, and flow.