My career in the health & wellness industry has spanned more that 21 years. It has evolved from an energy work focus with Reiki, to a combination of Massage and Reiki and eventually to the fitness world. I have been a Reiki Master Teacher/Practitioner for over 21 years and it has been the foundation of my life and my practice. I am a licensed teacher with The International Center for Reiki Training, and both teach and offer Usui Reiki and Holy Fire® III Reiki sessions and classes.
In 2001 I became a NYS Licensed Massage Therapist. I use a combination of Swedish massage, deep tissue, trigger point therapy, cranial/sacral, and myo-fascial release, and personally design massage that is most appropriate for each client. It had long been a desire of mine to combine what I do with Reiki and massage with the movement modalities.
In 2013 I realized that dream and became a Pilates Instructor. As co-owner & co-founder of Core Concepts Pilates & Wellness it is my mission to assist you in balanced wellness through a deep connection and focused awareness of Body, Mind and Spirit. I have spent years deepening my understanding and awareness of energy and how it affects every aspect of our lives.
My career as a personal trainer, fitness instructor and coach has spanned over 15 years. It all began with a desire to help others discover the personal satisfaction that comes with being strong, healthy and fit. I received my Bachelors of Science degree in Physical Education/Adult Fitness from SUNY Cortland and have been certified through many fitness organizations including the following: American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM Health Fitness Instructor), AFAA (Primary Aerobic Certification), and Madd Dogg Athletics (Spinning Certification). Through 2001 and 2002 I studied at STOTT Pilates’ instructor training headquarters in Toronto. In addition to the standard pilates coursework, I have training in therapeutic pilates for lumbopelvic stabilization and cervical/scapular function, and injuries and special populations (including prenatal and post-pregnancy, fibromyalgia, MS, Arthritis, scoliosis, et al.). The STOTT Pilates experience transformed my training style. I always look for the right balance between joint mobility and stability as a foundation for building strength and preventing injuries. Everyone’s body is different and I look for what is best for your body. When you train with me , you will not get a “cookie cutter” type of workout.
Mary has been involved in group fitness for years and looks forward to teaching our new Stability Ball Class. She has certifications in personal training, PiYo, Spinning, Step, Mat Pilates, Cardio Kick and Slobody Yoga. Mary loves group classes because she truly believes that working out with others is not only good for your body, but your mind as well.
Yoga has been part of my life since my teenage years. What started out as a method to lose weight turned into a practice that not only made my body strong, but my mind as well. Yoga has taught me so many lessons about myself and has tremendously helped my personal growth. This is truly a magical practice and I am so grateful to be able to share it with each and every student!
Lana is a holistic mental health therapist and a reiki practitioner with a great passion for overall health and wellness. Lana discovered the world of health and fitness when she began her initial postpartum weight loss journey in 2013. Lana is AFAA certified group fitness instructor with specialty certifications for PiYo, Turbo Kick and Cize. Lana focuses on mind and body connection which makes her classes a perfect combination of working on physical and mental health
Miranda has a passion for group fitness and loves to inspire others to live a healthy lifestyle. Her class isn’t just about the amazing physical aspects of exercise, but the myriad of mental health benefits. She motivates and encourages her participants though whatever may be challenging them. Providing a supportive environment for all levels of fitness…from beginner to advanced. Her workouts are not only effective but FUN!
Michael Makowski is a lifelong lover of fitness just as his boyhood hero Jack LaLanne. Michael grew up as a fat kid loving and aspiring to play sports Michael quickly learned the importance of exercising not only for the aspect of performance but preparing his body for the rigors of baseball, basketball, hockey, wrestling, boxing and his personal favorite football. Michael went on the play football for Erie Community College as a reserve defensive back in their inaugural 2001 and 2002 seasons. Michael then enlisted into the army in 2003. Michael made it to the rank of Sargent (E-5). Michael’s was a petroleum supply specialist and was licensed to drive every vehicle in the Army earning in his Driver’s Badge. Michael was deployed to Iraq in 2005. Where he earned his Combat Action Badge. Michael spent many hours on the road as he was engaged in convoys on almost a daily basis. On his down time during his deployment you could find Michael either in the weight room or on the basketball court testing/ practicing new methods/exercises/drills/routine that he had freshly learned from one of his many health and fitness text books he had ordered for reading pleasure. Michael then became certified as a trainer once he returned from deployment Michael in 2006. In 2007 Michael earned his honorable discharge from active duty. Michael then he moved back to his hometown of Buffalo, New York to start his new career as a fitness professional, also to finish his Bachelor of Science degree in Exercise and Sports Studies at D’Youville College class of 2011. Over the past decade Michael has trained people of every demo graph. During this time Michael has also been a Strength Coach for both D’Youville and Buffalo State College. Michael has been a guy who shows passion and love for his clients/athletes. Michael believes in lifelong Fitness but also lifelong learning. “Strong mind, Strong body” Michael holds many of the industry’s top certifications with distinction NSCA-CPT*, CSCS*D, and TSAC-F*D and is aspiring to become a physical therapist. Michael is a programming expert and has been brought into Core Concepts to introduce a combat sports training method. These specific movement patterns promote more natural human movement patterns. When the “Mr. Miyagi” of training, the “Mad Scientist” of programming isn’t cooking up some new workouts he’ in the kitchen cooking (testing healthy recipes) he also likes fishing, golf or any kind of sport for that kind of matter.