Our team is all about empowering YOU.
Jessica Lopez
Owner
“You should come to this yoga class with me. I think you’ll like it.” That’s what my friend said when she convinced me to go to my first yoga class in 2000. It was a bikram yoga class in NYC. In other words, sweaty, stinky, and packed. But I'll never forget the feeling I had after that class - so light, so open, so blown away. My friend was right, I liked it!
Fast forward from that first class to the spring of 2005 where I found myself in Los Angeles, immersed into a 9 week long bikram yoga teacher training. Not only did I just quit my job to become a yoga teacher, I also found out I was pregnant during those first weeks of training! Whoa. Surprised is an understatement. My first trimester of pregnancy coinciding perfectly with this 9 week transformative training made for some of the most physically challenging weeks of my life! But I did it. Not only was a I creating a new life inside of me, but I created a new life for myself teaching this yoga.
I have now been teaching for over 18 years. The challenge of that first NYC class to the challenge of my training is what has kept me here is this practice. Over and over again that challenge has proven to be worth it. The yoga, the movement, the focus, the emotional release - I’ve seen it help so many people heal physically and emotionally. Myself included. During the hardest time in my life, in 2011 when I lost my youngest daughter who was stillborn at 40 weeks, and I thought I might die it was so painful. The first time I left my house on my own to do something for myself after that loss, was go to yoga. It was hard, but it is where I went to feel good before, so it’s where I went in that moment too.
Feeling good is the goal. We all deserve to feel good in our bodies and live pain free. This yoga is empowering and I try to remind you of that every time you show up for yourself on the mat. We don’t need to move mountains everyday, or work harder than ever, or do the most. Everyday is different and you get from it what you need. But if it makes you feel good, that means you get to turn around and bring that good feeling out into the world...and that is what the world needs!
carmen medina
Carmen has been teaching fitness classes for nearly 25 years, from spin classes to a variety of training modalities. An avid runner, Carmen is no stranger to marathons and the challenges that come from intense training. Hot yoga has been a part of her training program for many years practicing hot yoga as a supplement to her personal training, so her move to hot fitness was a natural progression. Her approach to teaching comes from a “training” perspective.
She believes we come not to work out, but to train our body and mindset. To maintain her strength and wellness she runs, lifts weights, practices yoga, meditates, and prioritizes her mobility through functional training. Carmen is not only dedicated to her training and health, she is equally committed to delivering the best practices to our community through continued learning and bringing the latest progress in mobility and strength training to our students. Any class you take with Carmen is sure to be a top tier experience challenging you to connect body and mind to take your fitness to new heights.
Pavida Teratanavat
Hi! My name is Pavida. I am originally from Thailand, where everyday there feels like a hot yoga class ;) I have been practicing Hot Yoga 26 and 2 for the past 15 years. I started my first class in Bangkok when they had a grand opening of a Bikram yoga studio there. I was hooked from that first class and have never stopped since then. The reason I can stick with it for so long, even though we are doing the same thing over and over every time, is simply because it always makes me feel great both physically and mentally. It doesn't matter what changes around me, I can always count on this series that it will alway be the same. It will keep me sane!!
I eventually decided to go to the training in Fall 2006 and made teaching yoga my career. The best part about this job is when students told us how their body and mind have changed or how their quality of life improves because of it. It is truly rewarding to see their improvements or their breakthroughs. It is what keeps us teachers going.
I love this SHY community. Everyone is welcoming and supportive of each other. We struggle together in class and we get through every class together as a group. Can't wait to see you in the hot room :)
justin gomez
Over the past year I’ve been inspired to teach after going on my own fitness journey and meeting other teachers who have inspired and helped me along the way. As a self proclaimed “pusher” in class, I’m all about rallying others to reach their full potential and achieve maximum results every time they show up on their mat. I love seeing people unleash their potential and reach new milestones with consistency and hard work.
One of my favorite things is witnessing the awesome camaraderie in the studio and how we help push each other - like in those plank challenges - as a sports enthusiast, I love a little competition!
Although I teach the HIIT class, I am no stranger to yoga. Admittedly, yoga is my challenge, but the thrill of seeing progress, like watching my foot come over my head for the first time in standing bow has definitely motivated me to improve. Experiencing the benefits of fitness training first hand inspires me to help people on their own journey. I want to be the best I can be as a teacher to give people the tools to become the best version on themselves.
