Serena Smith
If this is your first time meeting me, welcome. If not, welcome back! I found Yoga in 2016, when I took my first 26&2 class and fell addicted to the heat. Starting with my Inferno Pilates certification in 2017, then my 200 hour YTT in Vinyasa in 2020. Now in the process of my 300 hour YTT. Making my way to HYQ in 2018; I found my Yogi family. I recently took ownership of this special community and I am honored to be given the opportunity to lead it. I am excited to practice with you. Stay Humble, Hustle Hard!
Brittany Ramos
Hi! My name is Brittany and I’m honored to be a part of your practice. My HYQ journey started in 2020 and ever since has flourished into developing meaningful lifelong connections and a pathway to improving health and happiness. I am passionate about and most fulfilled when helping others. I’m a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW-R) that aspires to be the best version of myself so that I can give you an amazing experience. Understanding the mind-body-soul connection changed my life for the better. Allow me to help reduce stress, release neurotransmitters that significantly improve mood, build strength, and achieve set goals! Growth only happens when you step out of your comfort zone. We’re in this together! Welcome to the HYQ community, where everyone belongs.
Surrender to the flow~ Namaste.
Heather Lapham
H. Lapham
B.S. Chemistry, M.S. Science Education/Chemistry, YTT 200 hr
Hello! I taught high school chemistry for 24 years, later working for the New York State Police in Forensics, before recently retiring. I am the mom of two amazing young men and wife to a great guy I’ve been lucky enough to call my best friend for more than 30 years!
I found my way to HYQ through a friend eight years ago. The studio was non pretentious and inviting. I felt wonderful after my first class and with regular practice noticed my joints hurt less and my body began to change for the first time in over a decade! I became stronger and leaner and then the most incredible thing…I noticed increasing mental strength and calm, not just during class but off the mat as well. I was hooked!
I’d be honored if you’d join me on the mat! No matter where my yoga training and practice take me, I will always be a student first.
Jacquelyn Sturdevant
Hi! My name is Jackie and I am eternally grateful for the opportunity to be a part of your practice. I am 200 hour Yoga Teacher certified through Adirondack Asana Academy. Yoga has been life changing for me, emotionally, physically and spiritually. As a busy mom, it has really helped me to find myself! If I am able to pass on even a small portion of the love and growth I’ve found in this practice and community to others, I have found my purpose. Come to your mat, get funky and let’s flow!
Bonnie Farrelly
Bonnie Farrelly, mother of three, certified ACE personal trainer, and experienced healing practitioner has been teaching many variations of yoga for over 14 years. She started her yoga teaching journey with vinyasa over 14 years ago and then began instructing nurturing Restorative (certified w/Judith Lasater/Mary Aranas & Anne Biasetti) and supportive Prenatal/Postnatal (certified w/Anusara teacher, Sue Elkind) yoga over 10 years ago. Currently, Bonnie is creating lighthearted, strong flowing Certified Barkan Yoga classes along with her energized Vinyasa and spirited Yin yoga classes. This summer come and soak up some feisty Hot Pilates …you don’t need the beach to walk out wet!
Bonnie Farrelly is a certified Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapist through Turtle Back Craniosacral Educations teacher Margery Chessare. Bonnie has also trained with Dr. Micheal Shea focusing on Biodynamic Cardiovascular Therapy. She is currently offering private sessions to adults; including prenatals and postnatals, in the Queensbury and Saratoga, NY areas. Please email her at bonfarrelly@gmail.com for more information.
Emily Portuese
As a practitioner of yoga for almost 20 years, it has guided me through many journeys in my life: athlete, pre-pregnancy, pregnancy, postpartum, and weightlifting supplement. My practice has ebbed and flowed throughout these life changes and I wish to make yoga a part of any body’s journey, no matter where they are. As a full-time working mom, I know the stresses our bodies take. I hope to share how yoga has truly transformed not only my physical being, but also the ability to quiet the mind and focus.
Johannah Spero
Award-winning author, mom of 3 boys, and adjunct English instructor at SUNY Adirondack, Johannah Spero began her yoga journey with Baptiste Power Yoga Boston over two decades ago and has been hooked since. Trained in YogaFit style, she has taught at numerous resorts throughout the Adirondack region, including Hope Jo Farm, and at the Glens Falls YMCA. A long-time regular at Hot Yoga Queensbury, she is thrilled to be part of the HYQ team!
Kelsie Godfrey
Hi! I’m Kelsie and I am a 200 hour certified vinyasa instructor. I found my mat 12 years ago and haven’t stopped practicing since. It’s a place to truly be you and I knew I wanted to explore more. I feel honored to be able to share yoga with each and every one of you. It truly has changed my life in so many positive ways. Whenever you need to reground yourself, your yoga mat is there. Everytime we show up to our mat, we get to be 100% ourselves and learn something new. Wherever you are today, is exactly where you’re supposed to be. I can’t wait to meet you on your mat!
Christina Litwa
BS, RN, CPAN, RYT-200, (CURRENTLY ) 300-HR YTT, REIKI LEVEL II, AROMATOUCH
Hi Friends! I’m Christina. A little bit about me and my yoga journey. In 2016, I found myself struggling personally. I needed something more in my life, but I didn’t know what. Then poof….YOGA! I discovered Hot Yoga Queensbury and haven’t looked back! After practicing for a year and a half, I knew I had found my new passion and path. I decided to take the plunge and attend my 200 HR-YTT through YOGASOUL at HYQ. Under the guidance of Cindy Lundsford, Stephanie Angelucci, and all the other AMAZING teachers at HYQ, I completed my training. In 2018, I began teaching at HYQ, which has been wonderful!!! Being a Registered Nurse, I have cared for others for 20+ years. For me, YOGA is an extension of the care I provide to others. I am currently finishing up my 300-HR YTT with Julie Bell, another amazing Yogi and human being! Yoga is now an essential part of my Life, and always will be! It is truly and honor to share the Gift of Yoga with the HYQ Community! My goal is to help others feel as Wonderful as I did the very first time I took a Yoga class! Besides Yoga, I enjoy, Pottery (another new passion), my 3 Fur-Babies, Luna, Saucy, and Carlos James, Family, Friends, Concerts, Comedy shows, and Cycling! See you on the Mat!
~PEACE~LOVE~LIGHT~
Amy Glasser
Kate Fisher
Hello it's me Kate - a mom, of 3 big kids and my Labradoodle, social worker, foodie, lover of nature and movement of all kinds. An occasional yogi over many years, hot yoga drew me in initially for it’s physical challenge and rigor. The copious sweat along with the strength and stamina-building gave “results”. Yet, it is the gentle but deep reprieve and reconciliation of this life’s rigor and the sweet discovery of soul that keeps me returning to my mat . My high impact and “running from” response to manage and cope with work and personal stress was reaching it’s threshold of benefit vs. cost.
With yoga the breath and movement releases tension while resilience of body, mind and spirit builds. In the studio on my mat I feel such peace and serenity.
As my practice has deepened the learning has transcended the body level asanas, sparking deeper self-discovery, awareness and conviction that has been life-defining. There is such truth in the adage that yoga is learning about breathing through, acceptance and stillness in all the commotion life presents to us. It has been a gift to me off the mat both personally and professionally for both grounding and healing.
As a yoga instructor I continue to develop my sense of self as I serve others. My hope as a yoga teacher - and an eternal student - is to be a guide to others on this path. I am honored to hold space for, energize, encourage and challenge students to find their light within and to shine it outward.
Kim fitzpatrick
My name is Kim and I am honored to be a part of the HYQ community. I have been a group fitness instructor in since 2010. I became a member of HYQ in 2021, which inspired me to complete my 200 hour vinyasa certification. Yoga has changed my life; not just my body, although I am stronger. It has changed my thinking, calmed my nervous system and enhanced my ability to respond to stressful situations both on and off the mat. The best form of exercise is the one that you will do. It is my intention to provide a welcoming, judgement free environment to explore yoga wherever you are on your journey towards becoming your best self. I look forward to practicing with you!
Mike Wilson
Mike’s passion is Hot 26 yoga, the original Bikram series, and his dedication to the practice is easily seen in the studio. He completed the nine week Bikram teacher training in the spring of 2012 and taught full-time in Los Angeles for four years before moving back home to Glen Falls to teach in the area were he grew up. He recently completed a 200hr Vinyasa teacher training and has been studying and practicing Tibetan Buddhism and martial arts since 1997.
Leslie Paddock
Leslie’s aim is to authentically share the transformative potential of yoga to her students through a relatable approach of teaching. Having a background in behavior health, Leslie views yoga as a holistic therapy that helps to increase body awareness, decrease stress, improve self-regulation, and promote physical release in the body. Leslie infuses all of her teachings with an impassioned knowledge of functional movement and an overall zest for playful vinyasa adventures. Drawn to the practice for its holistic healing, physicality, and capacity to cultivate equanimity, Leslie completed her first 200-hour training in 2015. Always a student, she continues to learn through many functional movement teachers & diving deeper into continued self-study & psychology of Yoga.
+ 200 HOUR YA certified Vinyasa
+ 100 Hour Journey into Power with Baron Baptiste
+ Advanced Art of Assisting
+ NUpowerYOGA Sculpt
+ Yoga Anatomy & physiology
+ Autism & Yoga
+ Yoga Detour certified
Bridging the gap between yoga and other movement modalities like strength training and mobility work