Meet Our Team of Instructors

"We love what we do, and it shows!"

Passion | Compassion | Excellence | Community | Fun

Tish Biesemeyer

When Tish was 22, she started reading SHAPE magazine and got hooked on Jazzercise. She took a certification class and “auditioned” at the local Y when she first got married in Oswego NY.

Since then she has not looked back. For 35-plus years, she has been teaching group fitness. During that time Tish became certified in Spin and went to a world conference, where she became further involved so many other areas of fitness which led to other certifications: SPIN, Senior Fitness, Water Aerobics, Aqua Barre, Barre, and Pilates. Tish is now studying for the ACE Personal Training Certification.

"It may be a cliche but I really do love what I do. I am constantly learning new approaches to fitness/wellness. The members who regularly attend my classes, I can watch them get stronger and have fun getting fit."

Joan Kelleher

Yoga has been a part of Joan's life for over 25 years, and her ongoing practice has taught her newfound life skills. Yoga brings a stronger sense of awareness, expansiveness, and purpose. She believes yoga is an essential form of self-care and she loves helping others achieve alignment both physically and mentally. Joan has been teaching here at the fitness center for the last five years and the dedication and energy of the gym members never ceases to inspire her! Her mission is to share her own passion and joy in her classes.

Joan completed her 200 hour Vinyasa Flow teacher training in 2018 with High Peaks Yoga, led by Julie Bell and Julie Coluccio. Additionally, she studied with Emily Garret at Laughing River Yoga for her first Yin Yoga certificate, and in 2019, her second Yin training, through Bhakti Marg with Keli Latita in Saranac Lake. Many workshops later and a pause for Covid, she is about to finish her 500-hour Yoga and Ayurveda certification with Gretchen Mills AND her Yoga Sculpt certification with Marda Zechiel.

Out of the gym, you’ll find Joan behind her easel, cooking up a feast for my friends and family, in the woods with my dog, or taking chill time with a book.

"I am forever grateful for the daily inspiration of the Adirondacks and the wisdom of my teachers past and present."

Vicki Kirchner

In her career as a Speech Language Pathologist at Lake Placid Elementary School, Vicki’s motto has always been “If you can teach a child anything, teach them enthusiasm”. This carries over to her classes, and her enthusiasm for fitness and dance is contagious. Vicki has 15+ years of dance experience, and she is licensed to teach Zumba, Zumba Step, and Zumba Kids. During her free time, Vicki enjoys cooking, cycling, hiking, and, of course, dancing when the spirit moves her.

“Dance has always been a part of my life, and I truly enjoy sharing it with others. Whether it’s hip hop, line dancing, or Zumba, the opportunity to dance with others is extremely rewarding.”

Steve Wyle

Steve became a student of Yang-style Tai Chi in 1982 in New Haven, Connecticut. I was studying the form of Master Da Lu who was living in New York City at the time. By 1985 he moved to Saratoga Springs, N.Y., and began studying with Master Paul Gallagher for two years in Bennington Vt. while also attending summer retreats in the Vermont area.

Paul was a disciple of Master P.B. Chan and Master T.T. Liang who were both very highly respected Tai Chi Masters.

Steve later went on to participate and assist in teaching the Yang style 24 postures form in Saratoga, Springs, N.Y. Recently Steve obtained my certification in the "Fundamentals of Tai Chi for Osteoporosis, Balance and Health" from the "Tai Chi for Health Institute" under Dr. Paul Lam.

Dr. Lam is recognized as having one of the top three programs available in Tai Chi for Health in the U.S. as well as Australia.

"What I love most about what I do is the enjoyment, health benefits, and peace that comes from doing Tai Chi and I am grateful to have the opportunity to share it."

Patti Hammond

Bio coming soon...

Kim McGowen

Kim is a new resident of the Lake Placid area. After coming to Lake Placid for a ski weekend with her family is 2016, she fell in love with the area and ended up buying a small chalet in Jay! After 7 years in Jay, they are now moving permanently to a home they purchased in Lake Placid. Kim fell in love with yoga in 2013 and it became her true passion. In 2019 she enrolled in a 200-hour training program in NJ. Currently, she is in the process of completing her 500-hour certification! Along the way, she developed a strong liking to Pilates as well and her studio in NJ urged her to begin training and learning. She is now a Pilates instructor as well. She has created unique classes offering a yoga/barre blend and a Pilates/barre blend. She has been teaching senior citizen chair yoga for the past few years as well as restorative yoga which is beneficial for all athletes to help recover from their hard work.

Kim enjoys skiing, running, hiking, biking, kayaking, and SUP. Basically, anything to keep her moving. Peloton enthusiast and avid strength trainer too. The Adirondacks are a great place to call home!

"Exercising and moving is a privilege, take care of your body, and be proud of whatever stage of your journey that you are in. Know that I will be here to support and encourage you every step of the way!"

Nikki Warren

Falling in love with Yoga was a head-over-heels kind of tumble for Nikki. Enjoying the improved flexibility and ease that came along with her practice that began in 2012, Nikki followed the flow she’d found herself in and immersed herself in 500 hours of Vinyasa Yoga Teacher Training. Inspired and committed to growing as a teacher, she would go on to complete 800 hours of Yoga Therapy training and 50 hours of Yoga Nidra training. Nikki has brought her experience to students around the globe in various settings, encouraging them to explore the connections between the mind, body, and breath. From her fiery vinyasa flow classes to her soft and sweet restorative sessions, her dedication, curiosity, and creativity allow her to weave her unique knowledge & magic into every sequence she designs.

Marci Wenn

Marci Wenn is a 400+ Yoga teacher. She has a 200-hour training in both Hot Vinyasa and Bhakti Yoga. Some of her trainings include; Yoga for Cancer (Y4C), Qigong, Pilates, and Zumba and she is a Blue Belt Nia Teacher. Marci brings her love of movement to each and every class and hopes to encourage and inspire in others their own personal joy of movement.

Marci is a lifelong learner in all things beautiful, such as poetry therapy, flowers, psychotherapy, creativity, animals, Nia dance, yoga, and other expressive therapies, such as writing and collage art making. Her classes are filled with humor, knowledge, awesome music, and gratefulness as she works to create sequences that are creative, dynamic, and full of meaning.

Amy Spiegel

Exercise and staying fit have always been a part of my life. I played volleyball in college and learned how to use the gym effectively. Downhill skiing and mountain biking are a couple of my favorite activities.

I believe strongly that committing to being in the gym is imperative to enjoying the outdoor activities that I love.

Later in life, I found running and enjoyed it competitively. Eventually, I wanted to find a workout that was as effective as a good run but with a bit less impact on the body. This led me to the spin bike. Spinning is a quick, easy way to get a good workout in. More importantly, it can be creatively adapted to be enjoyable with a group.

When I learned about the science behind spinning to good, inspiring music, I knew I wanted to become an instructor.

Most recently, I studied to become certified with the American Council on Exercise (ACE) in order to be qualified to teach additional classes at the Adirondack Health Medical Fitness Center. In addition to my spin classes, my schedule now includes: kettlebell, dumbbell resistance, and circuit classes.

My goal for all of my classes is to have fun while listening to good music and almost forget that you are getting a great workout!