Renee Salerno: A Life of Movement, Wellness, and Holistic Beauty

Renee Salerno is a woman who embodies energy, curiosity, and resilience. She is an endurance athlete, mountain biker, yogi, skier, and entrepreneur who has built a business around her passion for health, wellness, and self-care. Through her company, NamastEsthetics, she blends holistic skin care with movement practices like yoga, offering clients a comprehensive path to feeling and looking their best. Her journey weaves together athletics, personal growth, and entrepreneurship into a story of someone always pushing boundaries—both physical and professional.

Early Roots in Movement

From an early age, Renee was drawn to movement and self-expression. She grew up dancing—taking tap and ballet classes as a child—not necessarily out of passion at first, but as a way for her parents to keep her engaged. Still, those early classes planted the seeds of body awareness and rhythm that would shape her later pursuits.

Running was her first true sport. She found joy in the meditative rhythm of putting one foot in front of the other, appreciating the clarity and freedom that came with distance running. That love of running eventually led her into cycling, and later, mountain biking. Though she admits to plenty of spills on the trails, she values the sport for its demand to stay fully present. “You’re in the zone, in that flow state,” she explained, reflecting on how the sport forces you to stay a step ahead, both mentally and physically.

Over time, Renee expanded her athletic endeavors into cross-country skiing, skate skiing, and even rock climbing. Each new sport humbled her and gave her the gift of being a beginner again. Whether she was gliding on snow or pedaling up steep inclines, Renee discovered that movement was more than just exercise—it was a way to connect with herself and with others.

The Path to Yoga

Renee’s yoga journey began as a way to cross-train for cycling. She entered her first hot yoga class intimidated but quickly became addicted. She pursued teacher training through Hot Yoga Saratoga, splitting her time between Saratoga Springs and Lake Placid in an intensive program that demanded discipline and resilience. Out of that experience, she found her own teaching style: playful, flowing, and infused with dance-like transitions.

Yoga became not only a physical practice but also a spiritual and emotional anchor. It helped her through pivotal moments in life, teaching her how to tune into her body and calm her mind. Over time, her approach evolved. Once a devotee of fiery hot yoga sessions, she now gravitates toward restorative practices that prioritize longevity and balance. Still, her classes often carry a creative, dance-inspired flair, making yoga accessible and enjoyable for those intimidated by rigid structures.

Building NamastEsthetics

Beyond her athleticism, Renee is a licensed esthetician and the owner of NamastEsthetics, a business dedicated to holistic beauty and wellness. She describes skin care not as vanity, but as a vital part of overall health. “The skin is our largest organ,” she often reminds clients, emphasizing the importance of nourishing it just as one would nourish the body with good food.

At NamastEsthetics, Renee offers more than facials. Each appointment is both restorative and educational. Clients learn how to care for their skin, which products suit their needs, and how aging or lifestyle might affect their regimen. At the same time, they are treated to calming massages and therapies that soothe the nervous system. Her approach is about merging science, mindfulness, and self-care into a single experience.

But NamastEsthetics is not limited to skin care. Renee integrates her yoga expertise into her offerings, leading private sessions, corporate classes, and even bachelorette party yoga flows. She works with beginners who want to build confidence before returning to studio classes, as well as with individuals recovering from injury. Her mission is to create safe, supportive spaces where people can reconnect with their bodies without fear or judgment.

The Athlete’s Mindset

Renee’s background as an athlete deeply informs her approach to business and wellness. She understands the importance of balance—fueling the body with the right nutrients, training with variety, and resting when needed. She speaks passionately about endurance nutrition, experimenting with both traditional gels and whole foods (she once carried meatballs on a ride, to the surprise of her fellow cyclists). Her curiosity extends to how nootropics, adaptogens, and alternative fuels might enhance performance.

That same curiosity drives her entrepreneurial spirit. Just as she dives headfirst into new sports, she approaches business as a series of challenges to be embraced and learned from. Whether teaching a yoga class, guiding someone through skin care, or brainstorming new wellness products, Renee embodies the mindset of a lifelong student—always willing to adapt and grow.

A Holistic Vision of Wellness

What sets Renee apart is her ability to merge her passions into a cohesive lifestyle and business. She doesn’t see wellness as compartmentalized—fitness here, beauty there. Instead, she views it as a holistic practice where skin care, yoga, nutrition, and athletic pursuits all support one another.

For Renee, wellness is about empowerment: giving people tools to move with freedom, feel confident in their bodies, and care for themselves with intention. It’s about making self-care approachable and enjoyable, whether through a restorative yoga session, a thoughtfully crafted facial, or simply encouraging someone to lace up their shoes and try something new.

Looking Ahead

As Renee continues to grow NamastEsthetics and expand her athletic pursuits, she remains committed to living fully and authentically. She is proof that wellness is not about perfection but about showing up, moving, learning, and caring for oneself in meaningful ways.

Her story is one of resilience, joy, and creativity—a reminder that health and beauty are not separate from how we live, but deeply intertwined. Whether she’s on a bike trail, in a yoga studio, or in her esthetics practice, Renee Salerno inspires others to embrace movement, mindfulness, and self-care as essential parts of a vibrant life.