INSTRUCTORS
Michele Anderson
Michele felt a deep calling to yoga in 2006. Though she knew little about the practice at the time, she instinctively recognized it as something her body, mind, and spirit had long been seeking—well before she understood the form it would ultimately take in her life. What began as personal exploration soon evolved into a devoted path of study, service, and teaching.
Her teaching style blends structure and creativity, science and spirit, playfulness and depth. Whether guiding a preschooler through imaginative movement, supporting an athlete’s recovery, or leading adults into restorative stillness, Michele creates an environment that feels both grounded and uplifting—where students of all ages can strengthen their bodies, regulate their nervous systems, and reconnect with themselves.
Jess Blake
Jess Blake (RYT-500) grew up in a family of athletes and always gravitated towards various types of movement, particularly as it related to fitness and athletics. But in her early twenties, it was in a yoga class when she realized that movement doesn’t have to have a goal. She discovered that movement could simply be a pathway for self-exploration, expression and pleasure. Jess completed her 200-hour yoga certification in 2009, followed by her 300-hour certification in 2011. With hundreds of hours of study in anatomy, restoratives, somatics, meditation, prenatal/postnatal, trauma-informed, and therapeutic style practices, her current classes are joyously informed by a love of humanity and a wonder for the natural world.
Jess’ hope is that students will leave her classes feeling more present; more embodied and aware of their aliveness and all that connects us. Jess was born in Utah, raised in Minnesota, and lived in NYC for 12 years before relocating with her husband and twins to the Hudson Valley, where they currently live in Clermont. Jess loves to dance, read, hike, swim, and drink coffee in the earliest hours of the morning.
Faith Barr
Faith is a lifelong seeker who has found great solace in the refuge of yoga. She has been elated to share the teachings with others for over 22 years. She believes we can all make our world a better place when we help each other find peace. Yoga brings a balance and calm to her life that she would love to share with you, too.
Faith is a Level 2 Reiki practitioner who completed the Forrest Yoga Foundation Teacher Training in 2003, Satya Yoga’s 200 hour training in 2009, learned about teaching Yin Yoga and Mudras with Kelly Kamm in 2020 and became certified to practice One Light Healing Touch in 2024. She studied Mindfulness Meditation with Erin Schulmann. She is also very grateful for the bliss of Kiirtan and meditation with Ananda Marga in her college years. Faith is currently learning about Crystal Healing.
Steven Pague
Steven is a founding staff of, and has been leading sessions, workshops and hosting the winter programs for The Omega Institute for more than 30 years in the U.S., the Bahamas, The Virgin Islands and Costa Rica. He is a certified and senior teacher of The Institute of Integral Qigong and Tai Chi, and is staff and teacher of The Arts of Life with The Tracking Project of New Mexico. He is a musician, singer, songwriter, poet, performer as well as a life long student of Qigong and the cultivation of Qi, vital life force.
He has been teaching workshops and classes in the local area of the Hudson Valley for many years and looks forward to sharing these wellness-enhancing practices at Elevate Play Yoga in Red Hook.
Mela Stevens
Mela Stevens (E-RYT 500) has been teaching yoga for over 15 years. She is also an Integrative Nutrition Coach, Board Certified Health & Wellness Coach and a Quantum Coaching Lifestyle coach, in holistic practice for over two decades. In addition, she is a Reiki practitioner and a writer. She believes in whole body health, with the benefits of support through learning, practice, and accountability, as the cornerstone for sustainable change. And that compassion for self and the process, coupled with use of all the senses—including the sense of humor—pave an easier path forward. And, more than anything else, through clear intention, if there’s a will, there’s a way.
Mela is a life-long learner. Currently, she is studying Improv. In addition to its fun, playful core, it also emphasizes practices of self-trust, co-creating with others, and aligned timing; all practices Mela values.
Matias Seijas
Matias Seijas is a sound healing practitioner based in Red Hook, NY. He offers sound baths and individual sessions as a way to slow down and listen more deeply, both to the world around us and to our own inner experience.
His path into this work began through a personal search for clarity and inner peace. He has spent the past several years studying and deepening into this practice with teachers including Tony Nec at the Sound Healing Academy, and Sara Auster with whom he trained in the Auster Sound Method (ASM).
Matias approaches this work with care, presence, and respect for each person’s experience. His sessions are grounded in deep listening and designed to create a calm, supportive environment where people can settle in, release tension, and reconnect with themselves without pressure or judgment.