The Yoga Trail Team
The Yoga Trail offers yoga classes in Central Park, NYC, since 2011, and has received the Tripadvisor Certificate of Excellence for the last 4 years, and the Traveller's Choice 2020. We love to inspire people to reconnect with Nature through Yoga, even in the heart of Manhattan. Come join us!
Silvia Neri, founder
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Mark Saferstein, Yoga Ranger,
Sat 2pm, Sun noon
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Lillian Cuthbert. Mon, Tue, Wed at noon, Sat at 10am, noon
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Shane Allen. Fri at noon, Sun 10am and 2pm
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Heidi Kim
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Robbie McAllister, Thursday at noon
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MARK SAFERSTEIN (aka Yoga Ranger), 500 RYT
Teaches Saturday at 2pm and Sunday at noon.
Mark creates a safe space, for students to confidently evolve their practices and work through some of life's hurdles. A start in Ashtanga ultimately led him to earn his 500-hour Yoga Alliance certification, training at Yoga Works and Pure Yoga in New York City. By applying learning from contemporary neuroscience, Mark blends the ancient yoga philosophy of Patanjali with modern scientific knowledge.
In addition to teaching, Mark is engaged in new product development, bringing a new yoga prop to market. Informed by an accident that left both his wrists permanently injured, Warrior Blocks® are unique, patented yoga blocks, designed to maintain neutral wrists, create external rotation of the upper arms and make the physical practice of yoga more accessible. New product development is part of a diverse life experience Mark brings to his teaching. He reaches millions park lovers in his role as editor-in-chief at American Park Network, publisher of the familiar green Oh, Ranger! guides.
He has an MBA from the University of Michigan and a BBA from Emory University. With years of public speaking experience, Mark brings a sense of calm, comfort and fun to his classes.
LILLIAN CUTHBERT, 200 RYT
Teaches Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday at noon, and Saturday at 10am and noon.
Lillian found yoga at an early age and immediately recognized its many benefits. She fell in love with the practice and the way it enhanced her other physical activities, such as mountaineering, rock and ice climbing, running, and tennis. She completed the 200-hour training at Yoga Vida in 2018 and further studied under the guidance of her mentor, Sangeeta
Vallabhan. She is now in progress to complete an additional 300 hour training at Yoga Vida.
Lillian’s classes are athletic and challenging, yet balanced, safe, and accessible to all. She believes that a mindful yoga practice extends beyond the mat and infuses everything we do. With that in mind, Lillian aims to have people leave her classes feeling stronger, calmer, and more connected to the world around them.
SHANE ALLEN, 500 RYT
Teaches Friday at noon, Sunday at 10am and 2pm
The way we move tells a story. The liberty in our steps or the rounding in our spine, silent communicators of where we've been, and what we've inherited along the way. Shane's intention is to listen. His hope is to encourage self love and compassion for others. Applying the ancient principles of chinese medicine (Science of Self 300 RYT) and the oral tradition of the vedic chakra system (Daya Yoga 200 RYT) his classes are intended to celebrate the body. And perhaps more importantly, to have fun! Laughter is contagious, but falling in class doesn’t have to be! Don't forget the real practice transcends the mat. Shane is also a proud and active volunteer at SAGE- Advocacy & Services for LGBT Elders, as well as staying active with refugee resettlement within the Tri-State area.
ROBBIE MCALLISTER, 200 RYT.
Teaches Thursday at noon.
Robbie is a 200 hour certified Vinyasa Yoga teacher as well as a Reiki Master Teacher (ART Master certified). Merging the spiritual with the physical, Robbie believes that by becoming more aware of the breath and in tune with the body, we can correct physical and energetic imbalances caused by injury, trauma, and chronic conditions. His path began with an interest in meditation and eastern philosophies developing over time into a love for yoga and body movement modalities. In Robbie's classes you can always expect a focus on breath and body alignment through integrating multiple schools of thought. His classes may range from dynamic power classes that will get you sweating, fundamentals to get back to basics and alignment, and a variety of meditation and breathing techniques - sometimes you may even encounter guided self massage. Whatever the class, you can be sure to leave being more in touch with your body and sense of self.
HEIDI KIM, 200 RYT.
Heidi first discovered yoga when she courageously moved to a new city by herself. As her practice deepened and her curiosity grew, she began to realize that yoga was more than just an exercise. It is representation, reflection, and a lifestyle. By connecting the mind, body, and spirit, Heidi aims to empower students by safely guiding them through their yoga practice while offering opportunities to challenge their fears and mental blocks to see what they can achieve without limitations, both physically and mentally. Heidi's classes are fun, challenging, safe, and accessible to all because yoga meets you where you are. Movement is beautiful and it is amazing how our body on our mat is a metaphor of the current season of our lives.
JENNIFER DRAPKIN, PhD, 200 RYT
Dr. Jennifer Drapkin, PhD, is a licensed clinical psychologist and yoga instructor, living in New York City. She received her doctorate from Columbia University, where she conducted her dissertation research on how yoga affects the way we process emotions. Jennifer began practicing yoga after the September 11th attacks in 2001 and has been finding solace in yoga ever since. She earned her yoga instructor certification from Laughing Lotus College of Yoga in 2012 and has taught at the Urban Yoga Foundation and Columbia University’s Spirituality Mind Body Institute. She feels profoundly grateful for the practice of yoga because it not only helps find peace during difficult times, but it also deepens our capacity for joy, love, and compassion. Jennifer hopes that by building better inner worlds, we can build better outer worlds, too.
KATE DOWDY, 500 RYT.
Kate grew up in London (UK) and had been practicing yoga for four years before traveling to India in 2015, where she completed her first 200 hour Yoga Teacher Training in Hatha yoga at Shiva Shakti. After her second 200 hr training in Ashtanga/ Vinyasa Yoga at Kranti Yoga, she moved to New York to attend NYU, where she is currently studying the intersection of eastern and western healing modalities, with consideration of the relationship between the mind and the body. Kate has attended many additional trainings including “Trauma-Sensitive Yoga Training” and “LifeForce Yoga: Yoga for Mood Management" in 2016, and a 300 hour training in Bali with Zuna Yoga in 2017. Kate's classes focus on listening to the body and connecting with the breath.
CECILIA FONTANESI, PhD, 200 RYT.
Cecilia is a dancer, yoga teacher, contact improviser, and researcher. Cecilia completed her 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training at Laughing Lotus (NY), is a certified movement analyst at the Laban/Bartenieff Institute of Movement Studies, LIMS (NY), and holds a MPhil in Neuroscience from CUNY, The Graduate Center. She recently became a Dance/Movement Therapist and currently works with people living with Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease. Cecilia also collaborates with Jody Oberfelder, and is a co-founder of the Parcon NYC dance collective.
About the Founder
SILVIA NERI, E-RYT500, Founder of The Yoga Trail
Silvia's Yoga teaching focuses on a strong connection between breath and movement, as a means to honor the body, calm the mind, and find harmony within, acknowledging our divine nature.
We all have unique bodies with limitations and strengths, so understanding the individual range of motion and anatomical differences is key for a safe practice that stimulates the deep potential within ourselves, while recharging the body, and releasing tension and stress.
Sivia developed the idea behind The Yoga Trail in 2011 while she was traveling in Latin America, sharing her yoga practice with fellow travelers immersed in beautiful Nature: what an inspiring and powerful combination! Everybody should experience it!
Silvia was born and raised in Italy and lives in NYC since 2004. She received her 200hr Yoga Teacher Training at Ananda Ashram, NY under the guidance of David Hollander, and her 300hrs training in India with Raghunath and the Supersoul Yoga Team, focusing on Bhakti, Yoga Vedic phylosophy and Ayurveda. She is a certified Yin Yoga teacher after a training with Corina Benner at Integral Yoga, NY. Silvia is also a second level Usui Reiki practitioner. and she incorporates the flow of Reiki energy in her classes to stimulate the natural healing processes in the body.
Silvia has her own channel at Online Yoga TV, a video platform powered by Yoga Magazine, and she appears on Yoga Downloads in the Life Force Project channel.
Silvia's Yoga teaching focuses on a strong connection between breath and movement, as a means to honor the body, calm the mind, and find harmony within, acknowledging our divine nature.
We all have unique bodies with limitations and strengths, so understanding the individual range of motion and anatomical differences is key for a safe practice that stimulates the deep potential within ourselves, while recharging the body, and releasing tension and stress.
Sivia developed the idea behind The Yoga Trail in 2011 while she was traveling in Latin America, sharing her yoga practice with fellow travelers immersed in beautiful Nature: what an inspiring and powerful combination! Everybody should experience it!
Silvia was born and raised in Italy and lives in NYC since 2004. She received her 200hr Yoga Teacher Training at Ananda Ashram, NY under the guidance of David Hollander, and her 300hrs training in India with Raghunath and the Supersoul Yoga Team, focusing on Bhakti, Yoga Vedic phylosophy and Ayurveda. She is a certified Yin Yoga teacher after a training with Corina Benner at Integral Yoga, NY. Silvia is also a second level Usui Reiki practitioner. and she incorporates the flow of Reiki energy in her classes to stimulate the natural healing processes in the body.
Silvia has her own channel at Online Yoga TV, a video platform powered by Yoga Magazine, and she appears on Yoga Downloads in the Life Force Project channel.