Class Instructor Bio's

Wellness Class: Instructors Biographies

• Sue Benjamin
  Sue is an elementary school teacher in Marcellus, N.Y. She has been a fitness instructor since her graduation from Syracuse University with a B.S. degree in elementary education. Sue received her M.S. degree in education from Cortland State University and a C.A.S. degree in educational administration from Oswego State University.
  
  In the fitness realm, Sue has coached women's gymnastics at Marcellus High School, specializing in choreography for balance beam and floor exercise. She received her certifications in group exercise instruction and step instruction from AFAA. Sue taught aerobics and step at the Bally Total Fitness Center in DeWitt for two years. She has also choreographed musical productions for the Skaneateles Summer Theater and for the Skaneateles High School. Sue received her certification in yoga instruction from the FITOUR Organization and has been a yoga and aerobics instructor for the Mirbeau Inn and Spa.
• Susie Birchenough
  Susie is a Certified Yoga, Pilates & NIA Instructor, with over 20 years experience. She has earned an advanced yoga teaching certification with Yoga Master, Erich Schiffman. Susie also has studied with Rod Stryker, John Friend, Shiva Rea and Donna Farhi. Susie’s style of yoga is her unique blend of various techniques, with a strong basis in Iyengar. Susie’s passion, study and understanding of movement, meditation, pranyana and postural alignment have led to her internal awareness of the oneness of the mind~body~spirit. She teaches with clarity and a great sense of lightness and joy. Susie’s gift is her ability to bring the true experience of yoga to each participant regardless of age, experience or level. Susie teaches retreats and workshops throughout the world.
• Debbie Bobbett
  Debbie Bobbett earned a BS in Health Promotion/Exercise Physiology & Gerontology from Lynchburg College in 1998. She is currently working towards a Masters in Health Education from SUNY Cortland. Debbie is a Certified Personal Trainer/Group Exercise Instructor through AFAA- Aerobic and Fitness Association of America, Certified Health Education Specialist through The National Commission for Health Education Credentialing, Nutrition Specialist through Lifestyle Management Associates, Pilates & Sport Yoga Instructor through National Exercise and Sports Trainers Association, Certified Perinatal Instructor through Healthy Moms Corporation, and Indoor Cycling Instructor. She attributes her success to her passion for health & wellness, ability to motivate & work with all populations.
• Judiann Cesta
  Judiann Cesta is a graduate of Synergy Center for yoga and the healing arts in Miami Beach, Florida. She is registered with the Yoga Alliance as an e-ryt with over 1,000 hours of teaching experience. In addition Judiann has trained more experienced yoga students to become yoga teachers. She has been teaching yoga at Mirbeau for over 9 years.
• Tyson Chang
  Tyson is an AFAA Certified Personal Trainer and continually educates himself about the latest in exercise science, nutrition and sporting trends. His training philosophy is to emphasize functional movements and core strength, through fun and varied workouts. He has always been passionate about fitness and is an avid soccer and hockey player. Tyson finished two marathons and various other races at shorter distances. While training for these races, he identified a real passion for helping his friends meet their fitness goals. He loves investigating the best methods to improve and achieve muscular strength.Tyson's goal is to have you feel more positive about your appearance and abilities and improve your functional strength.
• Chris Cornall
  Chris Cornall is an ACE certified personal trainer with extensive emphasis on weight loss and core conditioning.
  He has had a life long interest in physical fitness that began at a young age and led to volunteering for and completing the U.S. Army's Elite Ranger School. Afer serving 13 years as a broker on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange, he left to pursue a career in fitness and personal training. Chris understands that physical fitness is really as much about spiritual and psychological well-being as it is about confidence and appearance. Witnessing his clients achieve their goals while overcoming mental and physical barriers is incredibly rewarding.

• Michele Gardner
  Michele Gardner is a Yoga Alliance 200 ryt certified yoga teacher. Michele's classes combines her passions of Vinyasa flow yoga and Therapeutic Grade Essential Oils. She has participated in numerous Yoga workshops and conferences to broaden her teaching and personal practice. Most recently, Michele attended a workshop by Rodney Lee and Colleen Saidman Lee on Yoga and Essentials Oils.
  
  Michele is a distributor of Young Living Essential Oils. In 2008, she harvested and distilled Lavender at Young Living's St. Marie's, Idaho Lavender Farm and worked with Gary Young, Founder of Young Living. This life changing opportunity provided Michele with a clear understanding of how beautiful and powerful these gifts of nature are chemically as well as spiritually.
  
  Michele is a Graphic Designer by training and has run Michele Gardner Design for over fifteen years. She has experience in retail, medical, hospitality, fashion and financial services. Recently she has been working with Mirbeau Inn and Spa.
• Gigi Michel
  Gigi is a Certified Group Exercise Instructor. He has been involved in the fitness industry for over 10 years. Her goal is to help people realize there true fitness and health potential.
• Allison Pflug
  Allison Pflug is a graduate of James Madison University, Harrisonburg VA where she received a B.S. in Biology with a concentration in Human Sciences, including Human Anatomy and Physiology. From a young age through early adulthood she participated in many forms of Dance and has always enjoyed various forms of exercise, including Aerobics, Running, Racquetball and Yoga. Allison is currently certified in Principles of Health and Fitness, Group Exercise, Group Cycling and Pilates. She also holds current certifications for CPR and AED use.
• Tina Ramsden
  Tina Ramsden is registered by Yoga Alliance, E-RYT. Her trainings include Yin Yoga, Sarah Powers, Vinyasa Yoga, Shiva Rea, Baron Baptiste and Sean Corn. As well as Therapeutic Teacher Training in Self Awakening Yoga with Dr. Don Stapleton. She earned a BSE in the field of health education as a Recreational Therapist  from SUNY Cortland. Tina is Certified through The American Council on Exercise and a Certified Kripalu Danskinetics Teacher as well as a Certified Personal Trainer. Tina has 25+ years’ in health & wellness and is currently working on advanced yoga training in the style of Anusara and Yin Yoga.  She continues her studies to bring back fresh and new perspectives to students!
• Georgia Stormes(RYT 500)
  Georgia is an Interdisciplinary Yoga Teacher Graduate of the Nosara Yoga Institute in Costa Rica. Her training allows an integrated approach to Hatha Yoga postures, Self-Awakening Yoga® conditioning movements, structural Yoga Therapy, Vinyasa Flow, pranayama (breathwork), and relaxation. Her background as an RN and her second level Reiki training add to her understanding of the body-mind on many levels.
• Bradley Benjamin
  For the past decade, Skaneateles native Bradley Benjamin has performed professionally on Broadway, National Tours, Radio City, and on television. Bradley received her dance training at the Center of Ballet & Dance Arts under the direction of Deborah Boughton and she attended prestigious summer programs at The Juilliard School, NYSSSA, Hartford Ballet, and The American Theatre Dance Workshop.
  Bradley began her yoga practice in 2001 at Jivamukti in NYC to counteract the imbalances of dancing in 8 shows per week. In her classes, Bradley blends her training from distingushed instructors throughout the country, including Bryan Kest, Baron Baptiste, and Shiva Rea, with a love of helping her students attain the benefits of vinyasa yoga . Bradley received yoga teacher certifications from YogaFit and Sherry Goldstein's Yoga Sanctuary in Las Vegas. Bradley's additional teacher certifications include Burn at the Barre, Zumba, and Hoopnotica. Bradley has a B.A. in Performing Arts from the Saint Mary’s College LEAP program.
• Chris Hueber
  Chris is an avid cyclist.  She has completed several century rides and charity rides, and in 2010, she began participating in triathlons.  Chris has qualified to compete at USA Triathlon Nationals in 2013.  Chris is a USA Cycling Coach.