Our Teachers
Shain Fishman
Shain, a weekender since 1983 became a full-time Highland Lake resident in 1996. Shain has been the owner/director of Highland Yoga & Dance since 2002. Shain began her training in Classical Ballet when she was 8 years old. At age 13 she was accepted into a program of classical ballet at Julliard's School of Dance. At the age of 16, Shain entered Hunter College and 3-1/2 years later graduated with a degree in Speech & Theatre and Elementary Education. She taught first and third grade in the NYC school system. Introduced to yoga in the 1970s, Shain has studied with teachers in New York, Florida, and Arizona. In 2001, Shain became a part-time yoga instructor. She expanded her studies and teaching qualifications and received her 200-hour teaching certification in 2008 from Inner Journey Yoga.
Owner/Director/Teacher
Catiebelle Bulmer, 500ERYT
Yoga & Kirtan Teacher
Yoga educator, kirtan leader, & visual artist, Catiebelle leads group classes, trainings, & retreats on the power of body acceptance, vocal expression, & re-weaving intentionality into our every day lives. Her teachings blend the practices of traditional yogic philosophy with modern, trauma-informed self care, and her classes are known for combining playful vinyasa sequences (Iyengar + Ashtanga influenced) with soulful bhav. A passionate bhakti yogi & musician, all of her classes include some form of sacred sound & its ability to return us to our inner reservoirs of joy. Catiebelle has 900+ hours of YA certified training in yoga methodology & makes frequent pilgrimages to India to nurture her continued study.
Catiebelle came to yoga through a 10-day silent Vipassana Meditation with teacher Anthony Markwell in Thailand, which revealed how little freedom she truly had from the dictatorship of her mind. From there, she dove head-first into a daily yoga practice, studying in Portland Oregon with Michele Loew of The Yoga Space (200hr), and with Sarah Robinette of The People’s Yoga (100hr). In 2018 Catiebelle travelled to India for a 10-week advanced studies immersion program at Vinyasa Yoga School (500hr). In 2019 she spent another 6 weeks in India studying Kirtan & Bhakti Yoga (100hr) under Raghunath Cappo & Madhuri Pura Das. Her education has also been greatly influenced by the heart-teachings of Ram Dass and Krishna Das.
Outside the world of yoga, Catiebelle has received a BFA in Graphic Design & Illustration, an MFA in Advertising Art Direction, worked on creative teams for international brands such as Crayola, Kashi, and Secret, and taught design as a University Professor at the Art Institute of Portland. For more about Catiebelle head to www.yogicselfcare.com
Blake France
Yoga, Pilates, & Step Teacher
Blake holds a B.F.A. in Theatre from UNC-Greensboro, an M.A. in Dance from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and is a graduate of the American Musical and Dramatic Academy, NYC. Blake was an Assistant Professor of Dance at the University of Southern Mississippi before returning to New York and following a professional career as a dancer in Musical Theatre in NYC, regional theaters and on tour across the United States. She also taught dance at the American Musical and Dramatic Academy, Lee Strasberg Theatre Institute, New York Conservatory Theatre and Circle in the Square.
After leaving NYC she opened Highland Studio for dance and yoga in Highland Lake, NY. Blake lived in Sullivan County, New York for fifteen years, before moving across the river to Pennsylvania. She has worked at The Lodge at Woodloch, a Destination Spa, for over 14 years as an instructor teaching Fitness classes, Pilates, Yoga, Yoga Wall, Yoga Tune Up Therapy Balls, Indo Row, Barre, Bosu and Step Aerobics. Blake is a certified Yoga Therapist through IAYT, 500 hour Yoga Teacher specializing in TriYoga and an ACE Personal Trainer.
Rebecca Acker
Yoga Teacher
Rebecca believes that if you breathe and have a body YOGA can be an assist to you. “Yoga helps us be our best through developing strength flexibility, stamina, and equanimity of mind, body, and spirit.”
Rebecca was a weekly yoga class attendee for most of her adult life. At 55, when some people become less active, Rebecca took her yoga teacher training at Studio 34 in West Philadelphia. Her certification is in alignment, movement, and breath. Since that time she has been teaching yoga and continues her practice and study in the tri-state area, Hudson Valley, and on-line. Rebecca is a student at the Himalayan Institute in Honesdale Pennsylvania.
Rebecca loves nature and the out of doors. “Yoga helps me do the things I love by keeping me strong, flexible, resilient, and compassionate.” She likes working in clay, gardening, hiking, cooking, water activities, maintaining trails, travel, being with family, and, socializing.
Rebecca is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania. She has worked as an occupational therapist in mental health, pediatrics, and physical rehab. She has lived in Glen Spey for 25 years. Highland Yoga and Dance has been a place of wellness and community for Rebecca and her family for decades. “I am thrilled to be a part of my local community through sharing the ancient wellness practices of yoga. “If you have a body and breathe then yoga can help you be your best and do the things you love to do. It is delightful to be assisting folks to achieve their goals while enjoying the present.”