CNY Healing Arts Wellness Center & Spa

Syracuse Staff

Below is a list of our staff members operating out of our CNY Healing Arts Wellness Center and Spa that is located at 195 Intrepid Lane, Syracuse, NY 13205. If you have any questions about our services or would like to speak with one of our practitioners please call 315.671.5755. We look forward to hearing from you soon and invite you to tour our lovely center.
Chelsie Redmond, BA, Wellness Coordinator
Chelsie graduated from Cazenovia College with her bachelors in human service. She has worked at CNY Healing Arts Center from the very beginning, when the doors first opened for business in July, 2007. Chelsie excels in client care, she can recommend treatments, make appointments and ensures each client’s experience at CNY Healing Arts Wellness and Spa is relaxing and enjoyable.
 
Donald Clarke, L.Ac.
Donald studied Pre-Med at Evergreen State College in Olympia , Washington. After graduation he studied Chinese Medicine at Bastyr University in Seattle, Washington. In 2000 Donald moved back to CNY to practice Chinese Medicine. He was in private practice in Syracuse until the spring of 2007 when he joined the team at CNY Healing Arts.
Donald’s training is in Acupuncture, Chinese Herbal Formulations, Chinese Medical Nutrition, Japanese Acupuncture Techniques, Tui Na “ body work“ Chinese and Japanese Moxibustion . Donald approaches illness through diet and lifestyle. When combining simple lifestyle and nutritional changes with Chinese Medicine, health and well being are achieved more readily. Specialties include: fertility, headaches, back pain, sinusitis, stress, anxiety and TMJ.
 
ChiChi Heon Yi, L.Ac.

Chi graduated from South Baylo University in Anaheim, CA with an M.S. in Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine. He was trained and built experiences, before and after the acupuncture program, under his father who has also been an acupuncturist for more than 40 years. Chi is a New York State Licensed Acupuncturist and holds various certificates. He was born in Korea and raised in Queens, NY and was in private practice in Queens before coming to Syracuse in 2006. He joined CNY Healing arts in 2008 and enjoys having green tea ceremonies. Chi views life as a journey to enlightenment through learning and experiences. His approach to good health is a balance between mind, body and soul. HIs treatment plans are based on this philosophy and aim to correct disharmonies in everyday life. He is honored to be part of the integration of Eastern and Western treatments here at CNY Fertility and Healing Arts. He enjoys life in Central NY with his wife and two children.
Paola Begley, L.Ac.

Paola Begley is a licensed acupuncturist and clinical herbalist with a Masters of Science in Traditional Chinese Medicine. Her work stems from a deep desire to help people overcome physical as well as emotional challenges to improve their health and well-being and to feel good. As a primary healthcare provider, she sees many patients with a wide variety of conditions and treats each person and their unique condition through an individualized treatment plan.

In 2005, Paola began her graduate study in Traditional Chinese Medicine. In 2009, she completed her four-year Masters program offered by the Pacific College of Oriental Medicine in San Diego, CA. Paola also holds certification in massage therapy, Bach Flower Essence Therapy and Reiki.

Paola utilizes her passion of healing to bring a sense of heightened wellness and peacefulness to all of her patients. In her practice, Paola focuses on gynecological disorders including fertility treatment, women’s health, pain relief, stress relief, anxiety, depression and digestive disorders as well as treatment for the common cold. She feels that balance and harmony can be achieved in the body, mind, and spirit of each individual leading them to a fulfilling life for themselves and in turn for others.

Vincent Nalli, BA, LMT, CIMI
Vincent studied at The Onondaga School of Therapeutic Massage in Syracuse, NY and earned a license in massage therapy in October 2003. He also holds a Bachelor of Arts in psychology from SUNY Potsdam. Vincent has had extensive experience working with a variety of clients at local spas and PT clinics as well as with the mentally and physically handicapped. Vincent also provides massage for the Syracuse Crunch AHL hockey team and has worked with a number of national recording artists. As Clinic Director for the Onondaga School of Therapeutic Massage, Vincent excelled in providing both instruction and customer service. His experience working with families and children in the social welfare profession is accented by his work as a Certified Infant Massage Instructor.
 
Gillian Boucher, B.S., LMT, RN
Gillian is a New York State Licensed Massage Therapist trained in Swedish, Deep tissue, Connective tissue, and Trigger point therapy. She graduated from the Onondaga School of Therapeutic Massage and began working at CNY Healing Arts in the spring of 2010. Gillian also earned a Bachelors degree in Communications from Cedarville University and graduated from the nursing program at St. Josephs College of Nursing. In addition to working at CNY Healing Arts, she works with an organization that provides massage therapy to children with life threatening illnesses and their families. Gillian enjoys being a part of an integrative profession that provides pain relief, relaxation and rejuvenation to clients. She tailors each session to address specific issues the client has.
 
Angela Wart, LMT
I am so happy to be a part of the CNY Healing Arts team! I began cultivating my massage career at the Onondaga School of Therapeutic Massage where I graduated in 2005. After graduating, I began work at a local upscale spa, where I was quickly promoted to the lead therapist position responsible for training and overseeing spa operations. Accumulating thousands of hours of bodywork and spa experience, I developed a strong passion for the industry and creating unforgettable bodywork experiences for my guests. Over the past 6 years, I have also trained at the Esalen Institute in Big Sur, California. My studies at Esalen have helped me create a specialized bodywork style that is unique and effective. Bringing balance and harmony to the body through a healing touch and open heart, my sessions assist clients in crossing the bridge to well-being. If you have any questions regarding my bodywork style, appointment availability, or just want to chat, feel free to contact me any time! Specializing in stress management, chronic pain relief, relaxation therapy, and energy work.
 

Terry Bowers, LMT
“Becoming a massage therapist was more than a career.  After many years in the govt. (retired Active Duty Army Aviation) and private sector, “needing” massage as a means of relieving stress and muscular aches and pains, I found a greater meaning to life on my journey to becoming a LMT. Since then, I have engaged Alternative Health Care, including Yoga, Acupuncture, Dance, Nutrition and Meditation. As a professional having been on the “other” side, I feel I can connect to people and understand their needs. I look forward to working with you as a person, listening and addressing your needs, and the opportunity to develop a treatment plan that will lead to a healthier, happier, and complete you.”

Yvette Hayden, LMT
Yvette’s work is based in her belief that massage is essential to maintaining basic well-being and balance—physically, mentally and emotionally—as well as to restoring health to bodies affected by illness and injury. She integrates a variety of techniques into a nurturing, connective bodywork experience that addresses each client’s specific needs. Yvette graduated Valedictorian from Onon. School of Therapeutic Massage in 1999, and holds a B.S. in Communications from Syracuse University. She has been a certified Aromatherapist for 19 years. She embraces the benefit of using natural elements, such as heated stones, essential oils, mineral salts and herbs to enhance the work of massage and support wellness. Yvette has a private practice, and has also worked at several spas before joining CNY. She taught massage at the Onon. School of Therapeutic Massage, and is nationally approved provider of continuing education programs that she developed and teaches to massage therapists throughout the Northeast. She created EarthStone Hot Stone Massage Therapies which she has taught to hundreds of massage therapists over the past 12 years. Yvette also designs signature body treatments and custom aromatherapy products for high-end spas.

Amy Laratta, LMT - Massage Therapist CNY Healing ArtsAmy Laratta, LMT
Amy graduated from the Onondaga School of Therapeutic Massage as valedictorian of her class in June 2010 and received her license to practice massage in October of the same year.  Having been trained in Swedish, Deep Tissue and Hot Stone Massage, Amy utilizes a variety of techniques as well as varying levels of pressure to customize each massage session to accommodate the needs and preferences of each individual client.  Amy is passionate about holistic health and wellness and deeply believes in the benefits of massage therapy for the body, mind and spirit.

Betsy Rengert, LMT - Massage Therapist CNY Healing ArtsBetsy Rengert, LMT
As a professional LMT, Betsy has focused her practice on orthopedic and rehabilitative massage.  She has studied under the leading professional trainers and has been utilizing her skills for the past 12 years.  Beyond the hands on work Betsy performs she also focuses on the Mind,Body, and Spirit.  She feels that she can do the work to guide clients toward physical wellness and relaxation as well as allow them the time to honor themselves.  As part of Betsy’s work she focuses on the “the Seven Wheels of Light,” the “Chakras.”  She studies under different theories but honors her studies with Anondea Judith.  Betsy performs core energy work which focuses on each chakra and releasing blockages from within.  As a LMT Betsy also offers other therapeutic massage such as Hot Stone, Swedish, Prenatal, reflexology and Deep Tissue.  She firmly believes in living, in loving light, and honoring the light that shines in all of us.

Kelly Vasquez, Licensed Esthetician
Kelly is a NYS Licensed Esthetician and graduated from the Aesthetic Science Institute in 2007. She has experience in many specialized skin care services, including facials, advanced chemical peels, microdermabrasion, and full body waxing. Kelly is certified and trained using the Cutera CoolGlide Laser system. She performs laser hair removal, laser vein therapy, limelight treatments, laser genesis, and titan skin tightening. Kelly’s passion is to make every client look and feel their best both inside and out. Her energy and kindness allow her clients to feel comfortable and reassured that they are receiving the best in quality service.
Chelsea Shorney, Licensed Esthetician
Chelsea is a New York State licensed esthetician. She is a graduate of Atelier Esthetique, Institute of Esthetics in New York, NY. Chelsea holds an ITEC Diploma which is widely recognized to be the highest professional standing that an esthetician can hold worldwide. She also is certified in paramedical esthetics. Chelsea worked in Manhattan for three years at a medical spa and a boutique spa. She specializes in facials, microdermabrasion, chemical peels, body waxing and makeup.
Natalie Peltz, Wellness Specialist
Natalie is currently a student at Le Moyne College studying communications with a minor in business managment. She has recently joined the CNY Healing Arts team in July 2011. Natalie enjoys greeting clients and loves the interaction with everyone, making sure that everyone feels welcome. She helps clients make appointments, recommends new treatments based on a client’s needs and creates an atmosphere of peace and healing during each client’s time with us.

Kerstin Spina, Wellness Specialist
Kerstin holds a Bachelors of Science degree from Babson College School of Business Management in Wellesley, Massachusetts. She spent time living in the Boston area working for Harvard University. A Syracuse native, she moved back home for a career in the Computer Industry holding finance, management and sales positions. Married with 3 children, Kerstin continued to work part-time in the areas of customer service and education while raising her family. She joined the CNY Wellness Retreat Team in January 2012 to pursue her professional interests in sales, marketing and event planning. “This is a dream come true, working in a truly beautiful environment with a wonderful staff of amazing people all interested in health and wellness. I couldn’t be happier!”

Cynthia Powers-Broccoli, Yoga Instructor
Cynthia currently instructs the Yoga for Fertility class at CNY Healing Arts Center in Syracuse. After receiving her Bachelor of Arts Degree from Boston College in 1993, Cynthia spent many years in New York City, Los Angeles, and London in the Financial Services Industry in human resources, administration, and executive recruiting. She has helped place top executives at some of the most prestigious organizations around the world.
Cynthia was also a founding member of the Global Renaissance Alliance (now called the Global Peace Alliance), a Not-for-Profit organization dedicated to responsible citizen activism founded by Marianne Williamson in 1995.
Seeking balance amid a stressful career, Cynthia took her first yoga class in 1994. Her passion for Yoga was precipitated by her own difficulty conceiving a child. Dedicating herself to a daily practice of yoga asana and meditation, Cynthia gave birth to her first son in 2004. After her experience, Cynthia knew that the ancient yogic techniques she had learned would be incredibly meaningful for others challenged by infertility. Receiving her 200-Hour Yoga Teacher Training in 2005, Cynthia remains committed to sharing the healing benefits of yoga and meditation to women and men struggling with infertility.

Catalina González, Yoga Instructor
Catalina´s Yoga journey started in Bikram, later on exploring Anusara, Jivamukti, Kundalini, Vinyasa and Power Yoga. Catalina has trained with Simon Park and John Vitarelli at Dhyana Yoga in Philadelphia and with David Vendetti and Todd Skoglund at South Boston Yoga in Boston, where she completed her 200-RYT.  Catalina has also studied Tai Chi and Reiki, important influences in her yoga practice and teaching.  According to Catalina, “Alignment is important but Yoga is a practice to free yourself in the world—to be happier and more aware. To be connected to your true self and to others. That is the spirit of Yoga that I want to bring to the mat.”   Catalina’s class is inspired on smart, energetic and vigorous flows intended to release tension and to free the mind with the ultimate goal of healing.

Kaye Smith, Yoga Instructor, RYT 200 HR
Kaye has had a longtime interest in yoga. She picked up her first yoga book at a library sale in the 70′s and explored a yoga practice at home. After working at a nursing career, getting married and raising two wonderful boys, she found time for a formal Yoga Class. Here she developed a deeper interest in yoga and began a regular practice in Vinyasa Flow, Movement with Breath and Meditation. In 2008, Kaye completed the Yoga Teacher Training at East Street Yoga. She finds joy in sharing the gifts of Yoga through teaching.

Katrin Naumann, Yoga Instructor, MFA, E-RYT
Katrin Naumann, Director of Inner Balance Life Works: (R)evolutionary Self-Transformation, has made extensive study of Hinduism, Buddhism, the Western Mystery Schools, Hermetics, Kabbalah, Tarot, and Astrology. She received Level III Qi Gong Therapy Certification from the Qi Gong Institute of Rochester, under Lisa O’Shea. She studied Vibrational Healing with Elizabeth Wright of SpiritWorks. She has undergone the Journies of Profound Healing and Awakening, and studied Transformational Healing with her guru, Her Holiness, Sai Maa Lakshmi Devi.A practitioner of Yoga for 18 years, and a teacher for the past 8, she holds Essential and Advanced Hatha Yoga Certification in the Iyengar tradition from Open Sky Yoga Studio, under Master Teacher Francois Raoult.  Katrin currently teaches an array of classes at CNY Healing Arts. She also teaches at the Jewish Community Center, Syracuse University, LeMoyne College, Syracuse Stage & SU Drama, St. Joseph’s Hospital, and to private clients in the area.Katrin designs and leads dynamic experiential workshops, sacred services, and rituals, which provide practical tools for realizing one’s full Life and Soul potential. She is in the process of writing three books with her spiritual teacher, and developing her own series of Meditation cd’s. Katrin holds a BFA in Fine Art from St. Lawrence University, and an MFA in Design and Technical Theatre from Syracuse University.
JeanMarie Russo - Yoga Instructor CNY Healing ArtsJean Marie Russo, Yoga Instructor
Jean Marie has been practicing various styles of yoga for the past 8 years. She spent four months doing a Karma Yoga program (Seva) at Kripalu Center For Yoga and Health and was certified to teach Vinyasa Flow in 2011. Yoga has become more than just a hobby as she tries to weave the principles into her daily life. Jean Marie is deeply grateful for all her past yoga teachers and teacher in life in general.

Heidi NoceHeidi Noce, RN, BSN, Yoga Instructor, RYT 200 Hour
Heidi has always had an interest in nutrition and exercise.  After the birth of her son, she was searching for a way to exercise, but never cared for the gym scene.  She finally tried yoga and never stopped.  After practicing under Kaye Smith and Judiann Cesta, the opportunity arose to attend teacher training through East St. Yoga and graduated in 2011.  Heidi has attended workshops at Kripalu and continues to look for opportunities to expand her knowledge base.  Through yoga she has transformed spiritually, changing interpersonal relationships at work and home.  Heidi loves teaching, and finding moments everyday to integrate yoga in her daily living.

Gina Galli - Yoga Instructor at CNY Healing Arts Syracuse, NYGina Galli, RYT 200 hour
Gina went through several specialized workshops that included breathing  techniques, relaxation and stress reduction, meditation, Yin Yoga, partners yoga, yoga nutrition, Aryvedic practices, Yoga for Arthritis, Yoga Therapy, wall yoga, Yin Yoga, vocal practice in yoga, Yoga Nidra and several workshops in class sequencing.

She had the great pleasure of beginning her program with a 4 day intensive with the master gurus from Yoga Institute in Santacruz, Mumbai, Dr. Jayadeva Yogendra and Smt. Hansaji Yogendra. It was an amazing introduction to the lineage of classical yoga from the oldest organized yoga center in the world. This is where she was introduced to the Eight Fold Path which became the foundation of what is taught in the program at YogaLife Institute.  In July, Gina attended a weekend intensive program for advance teaching techniques. In this program they broke down yoga postures and learned various modifications as well as understanding contraindications for each poses.  They also covered how to make adjustments and alignments in a safe manner for students.

Gina’s personal journey through yoga started with taking classes in 2003 when she was riding on a long distance cycling team. She began to see the physical benefits of yoga as well as the  great benefits obtained through utilizing breathing techniques. Through college, Gina had a strong interest in Anthropology and was drawn to the study of various cultures, religions and philosophies. Her love of music, art and nature seemed to churn in the depths of her soul and within the past few years many elements seemed to meld together. Yoga means “union” and Gina has begun to personally cultivate a union of all things that make her who she is. Practicing yoga and being a student in the past few years has truly helped her life blossom and provided her with great tools for walking her path on this earth. Through Gina’s  passion for yoga she  hopes to continue to be part of a strong community of yogis, share with others the powerful path of yoga and the various therapeutic attributes of a yoga practice. She enjoys teaching others and encouraging them through their personal discovery. In Gina’s teachings she blends various breathing techniques, meditation, guided relaxation, restorative, spiritual teachings as well as beginner and more vigorous asanas and vinyasa. She likes to end her classes with one of her favorite blessings… “May the longtime sun shine upon you, all the love surround you and the pure light within you guide you on your way.”

Kelly Schalk - Yoga Instructor CNY Healing ArtsKelly Schalk, Yoga Instructor, RYT 250 hour
While receiving her Bachelor of Science degree, with a premed focus, from the University of Wisconsin in Green Bay, Kelly competed as an NCAA Nordic skier.  She went on for a Master’s degree in Molecular Biology at the University of Wyoming, with a cellular physiology and athletic performance focus. In 2009 Kelly completed her PhD in science education from the University of Maryland. During her years in Wyoming, Kelly was also professional skier representing Rossignol and the US nationally and internationally.

She has been studying different limbs of Yoga (Yamas, Niyamas, Pranayama, Pratyahra, Dharana and Dhyana) as a child, but began her study of asana as a young adult. She has had the chance to study under many Yoga masters throughout her athletic and academic careers and began teaching Yoga in 2000. She had worked with people of ethnic, physical and physiological diversity. Kelly was recently awarded a scholarship to Kripalu (center for Yoga and health) for a continuing education program for her work in communities. She has a 250 hr Vinyasa teacher certification and will complete her 500 hr Yoga teacher certification from Kripalu in 2014.

Having studied different styles of Yoga such as Ashtanga, Anusara, Kripalu, Dharma, Yin & Yang Yoga along with meditation, pranayama and Qi Gong, Kelly brings to the mat a flow that assists students with understanding their intentions and energy.  Having moved back to Syracuse in 2011, she currently teaches Yoga in the city of Syracuse, Dewitt, Manlius and Marcellus along with working with children through the Say Yes to Education program in the city.  She does workshops for many non-for-profit organizations, offers private instruction to children and adults, athletes, rehabilitating patients, people with special physical and physiological needs. In addition to her work as a Yoga instructor Kelly also teaches ecology at Bryant and Stratton College, enjoys the time she shares with family and friends, and embraces growth by volunteering at different places in the city such as the Francis House.