Jaya
My journey with yoga began in 2003 when I started to explore yoga classes at Temple University while pursuing a degree in cello performance. Two years later I learned about Hot Yoga through a friend and took my first class at Hot Yoga Philadelphia. It was a life changing experience for me. The healing effect of the heat helped me cope with the long hours of sitting required in my cello playing. I trained to become a Hot Yoga teacher at the Bikram Yoga Teacher Training in California, in 2011. I have since taken other yoga teacher trainings including Jivamukti Yoga, Vinyasa Flow, and Hatha Yoga. I got introduced to bhakti yoga and mantra meditation early on in my yoga journey, and these wonderful practices have become a beacon of light in my life, which revolves around sharing yoga, bhakti, and music. My goal as a yoga teacher is to help students tap into their physical and spiritual potential through the many effective and amazing tools yoga has to offer. I love spending time in nature, creating music, designing, swimming and surfing.
Katelyn
In 2003, I took my first Bikram yoga class and it was love at first sweat. My mind felt clearer, my energy brighter and I knew this practice was life changing.
What I didn’t realize then was how yoga would actually save my life. A few years later, I was hit by a car while riding my bike through the streets of Philadelphia. The accident left me paralyzed, with 19 broken bones, a cervical spine injury, and a crushed pelvis. It was one of the most challenging experiences of my life. With patience, hard work, and a lot of love and support, I began to heal and soon returned to yoga with a fierce determination. Yoga didn’t just help me rebuild my body—it gave me a new purpose.
I became a teacher in 2008 and soon after became the owner of Hot Yoga Philadelphia. The studio was my second home for over a decade where I built lasting friendships and even met my husband. In pursuit of wellness, I dove into the ancient wisdom of Ayurveda and became a registered nurse along the way, for a balanced perspective.
I am extremely passionate about this yoga and I’m pretty sure it shows in the classes I teach. I love using humor as a tool to connect and have fun during classes. Let’s get sweaty together!
Certifications:
2008 Bikram Yoga Teacher Training
2012 Ayurvedic Institute
2013 Yin Yoga Teacher Training
2016 Synergy Partner Yoga Teacher Training
Doug
I decided to commit to yoga for the rest of my life 20 minutes into my first class, back in 1996. In my journey, I have been fortunate to study under Sarita Rocco, Doe Wails, Joel Pier, Mary Ann Blefko, JoAnn Morrell, Rajashree and Bikram Choudhury, Erich Schifmann, Alan Finger, Desicichar, Rama Birch, Bri Maya Tiwari, and Jimmy Barkan among others. I have a daily practice of the Rites of Rejuvenation (except on the days I skip). I was given the opportunity to teach Yoga at Penn State University in State College for 19 years where I opened a small Studio called Yoga in State College. My Motto is “Be Happy Now ~ For No Reason Whatsoever”. I have authored two books ~ A Guide to Practical Yoga which is a Multimedia experience and A Short Course on Yoga and Meditation.