A Little About Us
Here to Get You Fit - Body, Mind & Spirit
The Zen Den Inc knows what a good workout feels like, and we strive to provide opportunities for great workouts. Our classes and sessions make exercising more enjoyable and effective for each of our clients and guests. Whether you’re looking to take it easy with a few simple stretches, or really want to get your heart pumping, The Zen Den Inc provides a number of different workout programs for you to enjoy mind, body & spirit. Stop by today and see what we have to offer.
Who We Are - Meet the Team
Your Local Mind Body Experts
Kriss Young
Studio Owner & Pilates Instructor, Children's Yoga Instructor, Master Personal Trainer, Nutrition Consultant
Kriss has spent her life being involved with fitness and movement. She grew up dancing and always knew that a "normal" job just wasn't for her.
She completed her Master Personal Trainer & Nutrition Consultant Certifications with National Personal Training Institute in Orlando, FL in 2002, followed by Mat Science I Pilates and then completed Stott Pilates Reformer Certification in Las Vegas, NV in 2004. She has completed numerous continuing education courses including The Les Mills Body Flow, Children's Yoga Teacher Training thru Yogi Beans in NYC, Total Barre, Zen*ga, Halo Trainer and most recently Injured & Special Populations thru Merrithew Health & Fitness.
Kriss is also an Independent Consultant for Arbonne (a health and wellness company) and most importantly is a mother to her amazing daughter (perhaps slightly biased).
She love being able to help people become healthier, happier individuals by transforming their minds and bodies!
Emily Khazaee
Yoga Instructor & Reiki Master
Emily's story:
In 2010 I took a journey around the world with Semester At Sea! It was here that I connected with SPIRIT. I met a great teacher and friend who helped me see that healing is in creativity, and divine love is the CREATOR. I started to connect with my true-self through dance, painting, journaling, singing, and exploring. Along the way I also found yoga. As I began to deepen my yoga practice and allow my days to unfold in a creative way, I learned to trust the guidance of my intuition. I have been inspired by Divine presence in my life and hope to inspire others with this Light.
In 2014 I was called to become a yoga teacher along with giving Reiki sessions to friends and family! While working at our Domestic and Sexual Violence program, I was guided to ask my supervisor if they would pay for me to receive my teacher certification. I knew the clients we were working with could benefit greatly from the embodied experience of exploring the trauma endured by their bodies and souls. As divine alignment would have it, there were funds available almost as soon as I asked, In addition the perfect teacher training for me at the time presented itself. Everything lined up, allowing me to pursue this calling.
After completing my certification at Ahimsa Yoga in 2014, I began teaching at the Zen Den in Hamilton, NY. I began offering workshop series such as, Goddess Warrior Training, Exploring the Chakras, Beginners Yoga, and Partner Yoga. I enjoy offering opportunities for community building. I find workshops are a great way for people to get to know one another and share struggles and growth. I have also taught Yin, Restorative, and meditation classes. The newest edition to my journey is Kundalini Yoga which helps me remember the truth and knowledge of the Universe exists within ourselves. I received my certification in August of 2017 and have added this knowledge to my already existing experience with guiding others on the Hatha Yoga path.
In addition to teaching yoga, I train Reiki practitioners, give Reiki sessions and card readings. I have explored essential oils and began a program in Massage Therapy before having a baby in September 2017. In other chapters of my life, I worked in Higher Education, especially with LBGTQAI students. I received a bachelor's degree from SUNY Potsdam in 2003 in Sociology and a Master's Degree in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies at Iowa State University in 2006. I enjoy learning how to grow food for my family and friends, dancing, going for walks with my partner, and our three dogs, Petey, Daisy, and Frosty. I am open to new experiences and pushing the boundaries of my comfortable bubble. I work on the layers of self as they arise and clear away with the help of Spirit, that which keeps me from being a channel of Light and Love. I look forward to our paths crossing on this human experience.
Sat Nam
Cat Cardelus
Yoga Instructor
Yoga found Cat 20 years ago after an injury that prevented her from tree climbing (she studies the rainforest canopy as well). Yoga not only helped her injury, but also grounded her in her breath. She has taken yoga classes everywhere she goes, which has exposed her to many different teachers, styles, and spaces. She is happiest however, practicing Vinyasa Yoga as taught by her teacher, Steven Hinchliffe from Vinyasa Yoga in Wollongong Australia, who makes Pranayama and joy a part of every class. Deepening her yoga practice has been, and still is, a lovely journey and one that she hopes she can help others with.
Mary Berkery
Barre Instructor
Mary Berkery is currently a junior at Colgate University. She is originally from Rhode Island where she grew up surfing, running cross country, and skiing. She fell in love with Pilates in 2017 when she shadowed a local Pilates instructor for a school project. Following this she spent her summers in Rhode Island working and training at her local Pilates studio until she was certified as a BootyBarre instructor in September of 2018. After apprenticing alongside the studio owner, she eventually taught her own CardioBarre class during the summer of 2019. She loves exploring different types of ways to get your body moving and cannot wait to help spread endorphins across Hamilton!
Alison Mattice
Yoga Instructor
Alison has always had an active lifestyle. Starting from a young age, she was passionate about dance, fitness/sports, animals and nature. In 2016, it seemed a natural decision to learn the practice of yoga. Over the years of searching for her calling she made the decision into love herself, and what she did. One thing that never failed to bring joy was yoga. In April of 2019 the opportunity to learn to become a teacher came knocking, and she answered with a smile. Having the passion for fitness, she caters her flow to challenge herself and others to strengthen the connection to not only the physical self, but the higher self. She has a bright personality that brings a warmth, honesty, and peace to a practice. Her hope is that everyone leaves feeling refreshed, relaxed, and revitalized to seize the day. Namaste.