Certified Instructors

Our extraordinary instructors are certified experts in their field adapting every class to assure that participants benefit on every level.

Leslie LeBlanc

Owner/ Instructor BMoFit / Rock Steady Boxing SRQ
ROCK STEADY BOXING

Rock Steady Boxing is a unique workout that combines the power of boxing techniques with the benefits of physical fitness, making it the perfect way to improve your core agility, balance, and coordination. This is a non-contact boxing inspired fitness program.

ABOUT LESLIE

Leslie is an avid sports enthusiast, participating in tennis, running, golf and rowing. She became certified as a Fitness Instructor in 2012, receiving a number of specialty certifications through ACE and NASM, including Group Fitness Instructor, Speed, Agility and Quickness Training, Youth Fitness Specialist, Golf Fitness Specialist, Senior Fitness Specialist, Certified Rock Steady Boxing Instructor and RYT-200 Yoga Certification. Leslie has worked with all ages and fitness levels. She enjoys sharing her love of fitness and well-being with others while coaching and encouraging her clients along their fitness journey.

Carolyn Brown

A.S.F.A Group: Aerobics, Water Aerobics, Spinning Hydro Ryder American Heart Association: CPR/AED
FUN FITNESS & PEDALING FOR MOVEMENT DISORDERS

Fun Fitness is like, pulling out the spatula and lifting our bodies into action! Our movements are fun, energetic and will provide excise for standing and sitting aerobics.  Here you can tone, balance and increase endurance while moving to music.

ABOUT CAROLYN

Exercise is a way of life! that is, for 19 years I worked out at the YMCA doing exercises that ranged from swimming, spinning, yoga, Pilates, weights and various floor aerobics exercises.  I decided that with all this training that I could share the energy with people who wanted to improve their health. 

Lynn Burgess

RYT 500, E-RYT 500
YOGA 4 MOVEMENT DISORDERS

Meditation, breathing and ability based poses that unite body, mind and spirit for a sense of mental and spiritual well-being.

ABOUT LYNN

Lynn is the founder and director of Sarasota’s most established studio, Yoga from the Heart. She is registered with Yoga Alliance at the highest possible levels as an RYT (Registered Yoga Teacher) 500 and E-RYT 500 instructor. Lynn has trained, graduated and certified dozens of local instructors. She is known for her inspiration in relating the philosophy of yoga, revealing to her students how yoga can infuse everyday life with meaning and purpose. Lynn has adapted her Gentle Yoga class to assure that everyone can participate no matter what their age or condition.

Please VisitYoga from the Heart

Michelle Del Giorno

Owner and head coach/instructor at Epic Martial Arts in Sag Harbor, New York
WARRIOR WORKOUT
This class is a non-contact fighting inspired fitness program that anyone can participate in no matter what their age or condition.

ABOUT MICHELLE

Michelle Del Giorno is the owner and head coach/instructor at Epic Martial Arts in Sag Harbor, New York, home to Rock Steady Boxing Sag Harbor. A 35 year veteran of teaching and training, she specializes in teaching self-defense, martial arts, boxing and kickboxing to men, women and children of all ages.  In addition to teaching Martial Arts and Rock Steady Boxing, she is a personal fitness trainer, serving clients in and around the Hamptons, Long Island.

Michelle has a long, successful and competitive career in Sport Karate with many National and World titles. Her greatest accomplishment however is working with her Parkinson’s Warriors. Their relentless courage and determination to fight back is truly inspiring!

Robin Mandel

American Medical Association Recognized; Rock Steady Boxing Certified Parkinson’s Disease Fitness Instructor
DANCING THROUGH THE DECADES

Improve gait and balance, boost your mood and stimulate cognitive function listening to music while exercising.

ABOUT ROBIN

Robin Mandel is an international master-level fitness guru from NY, NY. She holds certificates as a Life coach, Law of Attraction coach, AFFA GF, SCW aquatics, Pre/Postnatal, Parkinson’s, cycling, rebounding, and foam rolling.

Stephanie Smolen-Lomazov

Certified Speech-Language Pathologist Owner and Founder of Neuro Speech Therapy LLC.
KEEP YOUR BRAIN STRONGER LONGER

A cognitively stimulating class designed to engage your brain with fun activities and helpful tips! Learn strategies to strengthen your language, memory and cognition.

ABOUT STEPHANIE

Stephanie Smolen-Lomazov is a bilingual (Russian/English) Medical Speech-Language Pathologist and owner of Neuro Speech Therapy, LLC in Sarasota, Florida.

Stephanie holds a Clinical Master’s degree from Northwestern University and has practiced in both Chicago and Florida in a variety of medical settings. She is a specialist in working with adults with neurogenic conditions including post-stroke, Parkinson’s disease, and traumatic brain injury and helps individuals with their cognition, speech, language and swallowing. Stephanie is on the Board of Directors for the Aphasia Community Center where she spreads awareness and works with individuals and their families who have aphasia. She has a passion for working with adults and their families and is a firm believer in connecting with others to solve their challenges and improve their communication and quality of life.

Please Visit: Neuro Speech Therapy

Elyse Gordon

MS, CCC-SLP
SAY IT LOUD & CLEAR

Upbeat, educational and motivating workshop on the voice and communication overall to empower and maximize your message

ABOUT ELYSE

Elyse is a graduate of Syracuse University with Master of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders. She is ASHA certified and FL licensed Speech-Language Pathologist. Elyse has 25 years plus experience working with adult population with expressive and receptive language, cognitive-linguistic and swallowing deficits including diagnoses of stroke, Parkinson’s disease, dementia, aphasia, and voice deficits. 

 

Flora Kirwan

AFAA Group Fitness Instructor Aerobics, Conditioning, Spin American Heart Association: CPR/AED
FUN FITNESS

Fun Fitness is positive energy, using inner strength, feeling good vibes, for enhancing movement, stretching, balance, toning and endurance. This fun experience is for all ages in a seated or standing format conducted to high motivating music.

ABOUT FLORA

Flora was born in NY, moved to Sarasota at the age of 10 and has 35+ yrs. of extensive experience in the fitness industry. Her passion is to help individuals enhance their commitment and drive for their well-being. Flora’s enthusiastic personality provides a nurturing, entertaining and encouraging atmosphere.

Pam Polowski

CADDCT, CDT, CDP, CMDCP
CAREGIVERS ONLY CLUB

While attending the Caregivers Only Club, you’ll gain support, coping skills and survival strategies.

 ABOUT PAM

Pam Polowski is a cognitive health practitioner that recently joined HomeWell Care Service as their dementia educator.  Over the years she has worked in several home health agencies, the Alzheimer’s Association and private practice, bringing more than 20 years in healthcare leadership, training, and cognitive health expertise.  Pam is also a 2016 nationally distinguished dementia practitioner, awarded from the National Council of Certified Dementia Practitioners. 

Pam is a NCCDP Dementia Practitioner/Dementia Care Trainer.  She is certified through USF to teach Level I  and Level II Alzheimer’s courses in ALF’s, Home Care Agencies and to caregivers in the community.  She also holds a license as an Assisted Living Administrator.  Pam is a facilitator for the Virtual Dementia Tour.  She is a powerful advocate for families and facilitates several support groups.

“As a former and present caregiver, I understand the confusion of navigating medical and insurance issues, resources, education and support aspects of a disease that no one wants to talk about.  Throughout my career, I have had the pleasure to interact with families to educate them about the disease process and support them on this journey. Joining their journey is an honor and allows me to pay it forward for my own loved ones.”-Pam

Neddy Thompson

TAI CHI FOR MOVEMENT DISORDERS

Studies indicate that the practice of Tai Chi may:

  • Slow progression and alleviate symptoms of Parkinson’s 
  • Help reduce medication 
  • Improve balance and control of movements

 

“Remarkable Exercise for Parkinson’s Disease”

 

ABOUT NEDDY

Lauren Vines

Certified Fitness Professional, Certified in Spinning, Water Exercise, Yoga, Pilates and Personal Training.
PEDALING FOR MOVEMENT DISORDERS

We pedal our way with a proven method for improving overall health and endurance. It is a workout that is challenging and fun.

ABOUT LAUREN

 

Sue Marillier

ACE and NASM Group Fitness Instructor and Personal Trainer, Golf Fitness Specialist, and Biomechanical Corrective Exercise Movement Specialist
FITNESS MATTERS

An enjoyable exercise program designed to improve strength, balance, flexibility, gait and posture. Gain increased confidence, mobility, and functionality in daily activities. 

 ABOUT SUE

Sue and her family moved to America from Africa in 2001. She has been an athlete and a fitness professional all her life.  Sue has taught all of the Parkinson’s classes at HealthFit for many years including the LSVT program. She loves people, fitness and music, and is passionate about helping people improve their quality of life. 

 

Mattison Beinhaus

ABT Certified Teacher Level 3
UPRIGHT POSTURE

Increase balance and enhance coordination, this class is excellent for rigidity and builds strength through expansive movement and technique. 

ABOUT MATTISON

Mattison Diane Bedinghaus spent most of her early years training with Allison Norton beginning at the early age of four. Her dedication to the art led to several offers to pre-professional training programs including The Gelsey Kirkland Academy of Classical Ballet, The Nutmeg Conservatory of the Arts, Sarasota Ballet School, Orlando Ballet School, The Rock School and The Carreno Dance Festival. She also attended the Patel Conservatory’s Next Generation Ballet Summer Intensive Program and the Sarasota Cuban Ballet Summer Intensive, both on partial scholarship. Mattison trained one year at the Margaret Barbieri Conservatory from 2017-2018 before being asked to join Sarasota Studio Company in 2018.

In addition to her performance career, Mattison was teaching at The Sarasota Ballet School and Margaret Barbieri Conservatory as a full-time faculty member for two years. During this time Ms. Bedinghaus taught a multitude of classes, levels and programs including a program specializing in Parkinson’s Disease which quickly became her favorite class to teach. She is also an ABT certified teacher in levels Pre-Primary through Level 3. 

Currently, Mattison is thrilled to be one of the founding company members with Azara Ballet which she joined in early 2022. It brings her so much joy to be a part of the partnership between Azara Ballet and Parkinson Place and to provide specialized, unique ballet classes to individuals with movement disorders. 

Deborah Belsheim

ACSM, CPT, RSB Cerified
ROCK STEADY BOXING

 ABOUT DEBORAH