Our Instructors
LeeAnna Maniace
Owner/ Vinyasa, Restorative Yoga
LeeAnna was born in Batavia, NY, where she studied ballet, tap, jazz, and contemporary dance at The Dancing Place Dance Academy for 16 years. By fate, she was introduced to the local yoga studio where she first learned about yoga, a world that encompassed not only the physical but the spiritual too. Here she studied Anusara Yoga.
She went on to graduate from the University of Buffalo with a Bachelorβs Degree in Psychology and Health and Wellness. Throughout college, LeeAnna learned other forms of Yoga, such as Baron Baptise and Ashtanga (mostly Vinyasa-based). After graduating college, she moved to the Catskills and started a small organic vegetable farm in Liberty, NY, Sprouting Dreams Farm.
She seeks to share her passion for movement and health with individuals and groups in the community, wishing to increase the prosperity, health, and well-being of all.
With over a decade of yoga training and consistent teaching experience, LeeAnna now owns The Yoga Space Catskills in Hurleyville, NY. Her teaching style and most popular classes are creative alignment based vinyasa as well as restorative yoga.
Elysia Palmieri
Vinyasa, Core & Restore
Yoga first drew Elysia in with its unique balance of movement and self-reflectionβa practice that encouraged her to look inward without judgment while also building physical strength and flexibility. What started as an attraction to the peaceful energy of her instructors and the depth of Eastern philosophies became something much more personal. When she began practicing more regularly in 2013 while living in Southern California, Elysia found herself not only feeling better physically and emotionally, but also becoming more aligned in her lifestyle and relationships.
Over time, Elysia's yoga practice allowed her to cultivate confidence, clarity, and authenticity in all aspects of life. She teaches because she wants to share this same sense of connection and empowerment with others. Her classes focus on fluid energetics and resilience, helping students release limiting narratives and step into greater awareness and self-trust. She integrates movement, breathwork, and mindfulness techniques to break unhelpful patterns, shift mindset, and raise vibrational energy, encouraging students to take intentional steps toward elevating their lives.
Elysia completed 200 hours of Hatha & Vinyasa training with Lotus Seed Yoga in Portland, Oregon, 150 hours of Vinyasa training with Frog Lotus Yoga in Andalusia, Spain, and 100 hours of Kundalini Yoga training with Kia Miller in Rishikesh, India. Beyond the mat, Elysia feels most at home in nature. She is a sun-seeker who loves to spend time with her husband and dogs. She enjoys hiking, paddling, seeing live music, cooking fresh, local food, and creating meaningful connections with friends old and new.
Michael Konecni
Tai Chi
Mike Konecni teaches Yang-style 24 form Tai Chi as a practice of harmony between body, mind, and nature. Rooted in two years of Tai Chi and three years of Zazen meditation, his approach emphasizes stillness within movement and awareness within breath. Mike also trains in Hung Gar Kung Fu, exploring the balance between strength and softness. Beyond the practice hall, he finds the same meditative flow while fly fishing and walking in the quiet of the outdoors
Katelyn Fox
Vinyasa
Kate has been practicing and embodying yoga philosophy as a way of life for well over 10 years. She received her 200 hour certification at the Sivananda Yoga Ashram in 2023, and has been teaching classes since.
She enjoys creating asana practices that not only engage the body, but strengthen the heart and mind. From fiery vinyasa to grounding Hatha, she curates each class with the priority of holding space in all forms for her students.
When not teaching, Kate works full time at local Non-Profit The Center For Discovery as a Program Coordinator, for a residential home supporting individuals with complex needs.
While she loves to keep busy, you can find her strolling through Smallwood often with her dogs and son.
Aly Steingart
Pilates Fusion, Power Pilates, Barre Fusion
Aly Steingart is a dedicated Pilates instructor with a strong background in the fitness industry, bringing both experience and passion to every class. With over 6 of experience, Aly specializes in creating results-driven workouts that blend strength, control, and mindful movement.
Her approach to Pilates goes beyond the basicsβfocusing on core stability, functional strength, and total-body conditioning. Known for her high-energy yet intentional teaching style, Aly incorporates elements like resistance training, leg weights, and dynamic sequencing to challenge clients while maintaining proper form and alignment.
Bhadra Legari
Guided Meditation and Group Reiki Healing
Bhadra is an empath counselor, reiki master, and certified crystal healer. As an empath with natural intuitive abilities, sheβs passionate about helping other empaths obtain balance, learn to manage their sensitivities, and uncover their true authentic selves. She has a masterβs in psychology, is an advanced certified Hibiscus Moon crystal practitioner and a certified Usui Reiki Master Teacher. Sheβs been following a spiritual path and practicing meditation and yoga for over 30 years. She currently lives in Woodbourne, NY part of the year and Henderson, NV part of the year with her family and pets. Bhadra offers Angelic Reiki and Empath Counseling by appointment as well as Group Guided Meditations, Crystal Grid Group Healings, and Full Moon Ceremonies. She also teaches various workshops and Usui Reiki I & II Certifications.