Our Story.

Studio Manager + Head of Client Experience and Sales

With a background as a Physician Assistant, I eventually found my true passion in the world of health and wellness. I’m a certified NASM personal trainer, Spin instructor, and Zumba instructor—bringing a blend of expertise, energy, and enthusiasm to every class and client I work with.

My husband of 20 years is a physical therapist (and bodybuilder!), and together we’ve built a life rooted in movement, encouragement, and family. Staying home to raise our two daughters—now collegiate athletes—was the most rewarding decision I’ve ever made. Watching them grow into strong, driven young women continues to inspire me daily.

Often called the “Consistency Queen,” I believe in the power of showing up every single day. Whether you’re just beginning your wellness journey or ready to take things to the next level, I’m here to help you stay consistent, feel supported, and grow into your strongest, happiest self.

I love dogs—especially our Murphy, who truly feels like a son to me. A beach lover at heart, I live for sunshine, sunsets, and the vibrant, soul-filling energy of summer.

I will always welcome you here, with a warm smile + positive energy!

Client Experience + Head of
Design + Branding

With over 23 years of experience as a graphic designer, Candice brings a sharp creative eye and a soulful presence to everything she touches — from bold visual campaigns to expressive works of art. As the Head of Design + Branding for Here Hot Yoga + Strength, she helps shape the brand’s energy and identity while showing up as a fierce advocate for connection, authenticity, and community.

Candice is also a Certified International Maternitywise Birthing Doula, an artist, and a passionate music lover who believes in the healing power of sound, movement, and self-expression. Her love for design and rhythm infuses both her creative work and her approach to wellness. Whether she’s supporting mothers through birth, mentoring teammates, or vibing at a concert, Candice leads with heart and purpose.

Events Director + Instructor

Delia Alvarado is a native Long Islander. Her parents are from the Caribbean and therefore influenced her love of dance as well as latin rhythms, afro beats and many different genres of music. She has over 15 years of trained dance experience and after putting that love of dance aside, she spent 12 years working in New York City at a large publishing corporation where she strengthened her skills in project management, marketing and event planning. In an effort to work closer to her family; hubby and 2 young boys, Delia worked at an architectural firm on Long Island in interior decor and project management. 

It was a Monday night Zumba class that brought back her love of dance and music. It was then, with the support of a dear friend, when she decided to get certified in Zumba. 

Since then, Delia teaches at multiple gyms and private studios across Long Island. She is an instructor, master trainer and mentor for Sweat & Swagger, a new cardio dance fitness format that will bring out your inner badass. She has been a part of presenting this format at international dance fitness cruises, mindset and wellness retreats, and has traveled across the United States certifying instructors. 

Delia is passionate about creating fun, supportive and inclusive environments where we celebrate each other. Because We All Have Swag!

Head of Teaching Experience + Mentorship

A movement & mindfulness teacher for over 30 years, Sam been dedicated to guiding others toward joy, love, and presence through movement and mindfulness. She holds over 30 certifications across wellness modalities, and her work remains rooted in a passion for movement, connection, and inspiring change. As a 500HR YACEP, Lululemon Legacy Ambassador, and United We Om trauma-informed yoga teacher, her journey has included co-owning a Pilates/yoga studio, being a lead instructor and managing large corporate brands ,leading retreats and workshops nationwide, and working with private clients and corporate partners. A cancer survivor, Sam is deeply committed to giving back. Highlights of this include creating Ronald McDonald House’s first meditation room, leading restorative classes for their community, and fundraising annually for Cycle for Survival at Memorial Sloan Kettering.

Instructor

As a certified personal trainer and group fitness instructor for over 15 years, Marni understands the importance of adding variety to every workout program .

Her dynamic classes, including Boot Camp, strength training, yoga, and fusion fitness  resonate with everyone who attends offering a well rounded approach to fitness that caters to all fitness levels.

As a dedicated runner and health and fitness enthusiast, Marnis positive energy and extensive experience make her packed classes a weekly addiction for all who attend.

Instructor

Jodi combines her personal love of yoga with her passion for teaching. She believes the soundtrack of a class affects the mind and body, so be prepared to flow to her latest playlist. Her calming energy will help you to find peace, quiet and stillness. When she’s not practicing, you can find her teaching second graders or chasing her next concert! She closes all classes with her personal mantra, “Think happy thoughts...Speak kind words...Follow your heart." 

Instructor

With a dynamic background in the arts, Ally Kara has spent over 20 years as a special effects makeup artist, working both backstage and on stage in theater, television, and regional theater productions. A graduate of the Long Island High School for the Arts, she sang and danced for four years in the John W. Engeman Theater Company and has appeared in National commercials. Ally’s makeup has been featured on multiple television networks. She also worked in professional haunted attractions as both an actor and the head of the makeup department. As a performer and industry professional, movement was always a central part of her life—until she suffered two ACL tears in just two years while dancing professionally, forcing her to step away from the stage. Her journey to recovery led her to yoga, where she found the strength, stability, and healing needed to move again. Ally blends her 15 year expertise in teaching group fitness with yoga to make it fun, challenging, and exciting. As a music lover and singer, her passion in her playlists! Ally is also a mom of two beautiful humans, a wife, bread maker, gardening lover, and proud cat parent!

Instructor

Nicole's path to yoga began as a collegiate dancer at the University of Miami. Her enthusiasm for movement carried her from the dance team to the yoga mat, where she discovered a passion that would transform both her life and the lives of her students.

With a warm smile and encouraging spirit, Nicole guides her students through vibrant Vinyasa Flow classes. She earned her yoga certification in Miami, where she had advanced training and specialization in Vinyasa Flow highlighted by Ashtanga principles. Nicole's genuine love for precise alignment shines through in her gentle adjustments and thoughtful cues.

In Nicole's classes, you'll find a welcoming space where mindfulness meets movement. She creates an uplifting atmosphere where students can explore their practice with confidence and curiosity. Through her nurturing guidance, each class becomes a journey of discovery, leaving students feeling refreshed, centered, and glowing with newfound confidence.

Instructor

Sara Barsky-Weiss has been a dancer and performer all her life and a fitness instructor for over 10 years. Wanting to take her enthusiasm and love of performance to a setting where people could get inspired to get in shape through dance, she began teaching Zumba fitness at the age of 18. Sara would then go onto to teach various dance and fitness formats to people of all ages and backgrounds. Throughout her fitness journey, she became certified in and taught Pound Fit, 305 Fitness, Yoga, and Yoga Sculpt (chronologically). She has taught in-person weekly classes, fundraisers, masterclasses, and virtual classes. Sara is an advocate for nutrition combined with fitness and movement for holistic health and well-being; in fact when she isn’t teaching fitness classes or honing in on her own fitness journey, she works at Syosset Hospital as a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist.

Dance and fitness bring Sara so much joy, and she feels it is one of the best medicines to improve our bodies, minds, and souls. She is thrilled to bring her passion of dance and yoga to this special community at Here. Hot Yoga and Strength!

Instructor

Amy Max has been teaching power vinyasa yoga, ashtanga, hot yoga, yin yoga and meditation for 13 years and practicing yoga for over 20 years. Amy’s mission as an instructor is to inspire her students to practice gratitude and self love especially as it relates to the physical body. This mindful approach is intended to improve overall self esteem and contentment. Her blend of eclectic and recognizable music is used to inspire and motivate. You can expect to hear everything from Neil Diamond to current rap music in Amy's class.

Amy presented at the Yoga Expo in Pasadena, California in January, 2019 and again in January, 2020, and had the most amazing experience with a huge, beautiful group of power yogis both times. Amy has a wide variety of interests in addition to teaching yoga. Amy has always had a passion for scents, and as a result, she founded her own fragrance line called Scentasana®, geared towards the yoga community.

Amy is originally from Potomac, Maryland and now resides in Plainview, New York as an empty nester with her husband and 2 dogs. She is known to always be smiling and welcoming to anyone she meets. Amy most enjoys quiet time at home with the family, long conversations, dog kisses, movies, dancing, baking, glitter and crafting.

Instructor

Becky is a professional dancer with over 30 years of training and experience, a certified fitness expert, and a Pilates Mat-certified instructor. With 10+ years as a group fitness instructor and personal trainer, she combines her passion for movement and wellness to create high-energy, fun-filled classes for all fitness levels. Blending dance, fitness, and Pilates, Becky inspires others to move with confidence, joy, and strength. So let’s sweat, move, groove, and most importantly—have fun!

Instructor

Emily found Here Hot Yoga when she was newly postpartum and felt instantly connected to the space, and more importantly, the people. Over time, Here became more than just a place to move her body and heal her relationship with her own body, it became a place of deeply rooted connection to community and opened up a new chapter of life, with music and movement at its center. 

Emily grew up as an athlete, playing competitive sports from her elementary years through college. She also grew up dancing, which emphasizes her love of music along with intentional movement. She is also a competitive horseback rider who competes nationally in show jumping. 

Emily became certified “the Here way.” So her classes are deeply intentional and programmed to create a transformative experience from the moment you walk in the door to carrying that energy through with you for the rest of your day. Her classes combine movement with music, challenging you to push yourself physically and mentally. 

Emily is passionate about creating a welcome and inclusive environment for every body. Her classes are crafted to meet you exactly where you are and to bring you that much closer to your goals. She can’t wait to sweat and sculpt with you! 

Instructor

Kajal is a passionate yoga instructor who began her studies at age 13 received her 200-hour Yoga certification in 2017. She has been teaching both online and in-person sessions including vinyasa yoga, guided meditation, and gentle yoga. Her goal is to increase the awareness that the power to heal at a physical and mental level lies within us. She creates an environment that encourages practitioners to discover that yoga is more than postures, but a practice that makes well-being a guaranteed experience.

Instructor

Lexi’s classes are explorative, challenging, & thoughtful. Arrive with an open heart, and you’ll experience a practice that is seamless, spiritual, and sustainable. Lexi also has a passion for providing hands-on assists and adjustments.

Instructor

Orlev is excited to join the Here Hot Yoga team as a Yoga Sculpt instructor! With a mission to help individuals feel more connected to themselves, Orlev creates an energizing environment where participants can break a sweat, have fun, and push past their limits. Known for infusing classes with high-energy, upbeat music, Orlev ensures each session is both motivating and enjoyable. Whether you’re a beginner or experienced, get ready for a challenging, fun class designed for all fitness levels.

Instructor

Michele McDonough has been teaching fitness for 30 years and has certifications from Barkan 200 Hr. Hot Yoga, Yogafit Levels I II & IV along with YogaTune Up and Chromatic Yoga Trainings, Power Pilates, Madd Dog Athletics, Les Mills BodyPump, BodyBalance and Core to name a few. She has a degree in Allied Health Science and likes to bring anatomy biology and chemistry fun facts into class while she’s teaching :) A favorite mantra is “Life is a balance of movement and rest. Both are necessary for growth, health and good condition. Come to class, move mindfully and nourish your body and spirit.

Instructor

Kerri discovered hot yoga 16 years ago and was quickly drawn to its physical and mental benefits. After nearly a decade of practice, she earned her 200-hour Yoga Alliance certification in 2018. As a longtime elementary teacher, Kerri brings a natural gift for helping others learn and grow.

She’s passionate about guiding students as they build confidence and deepen their practice. Known for her calming presence and strong, balanced classes, Kerri creates a space where students leave feeling sweaty, empowered, and at peace. She’s proud to be part of the Here Hot Yoga & Strength community.

Instructor

A lifelong Long Island native, Lindsey brings infectious energy, positivity, and a love of movement to every class she teaches. Whether she’s leading you through an empowering ride or cheering you on to find one more ounce of strength, her goal is simple: help you leave feeling stronger than when you walked in.

When she’s not Here, you’ll find her riding horses, spending time with her family, or enjoying the outdoors. Expect uplifting playlists (with plenty of EDM), motivating coaching, and a class that feels equal parts challenge and celebration.

Instagram: @CycleVibeVin

Instructor

With over 8 years of experience in the fitness industry, Mindi Zim is a NASM Certified Personal Trainer and former dancer who believes movement should be both effective and enjoyable.

Specializing in dance cardio, sculpt, and strength training, Mindi creates high-energy classes that seamlessly blend athletic training with movement, rhythm, and music. Set to upbeat playlists and designed to challenge every fitness level, her workouts leave clients feeling stronger, more confident, and empowered.

Mindi's goal is simple: to create workouts that feel like the best part of your day - where you can sweat, smile, build confidence, and leave feeling stronger than when you walked in.

Instructor

Sabra E. Bailey is a NASM Certified Personal Trainer, 200-hour Registered Yoga Teacher, certified Indoor Cycling Instructor, and Professor of Dance with over 20 years of movement experience. Also, known as Slaybra. She is passionate about creating dynamic, inclusive fitness experiences that challenge members, build confidence, and inspire consistency. 

With expertise spanning strength training, indoor cycling, yoga, Pilates, functional movement and dance based fitness, Sabra or Slay, delivers intentional programming that meets participants where they are while motivating them to exceed their own expectations. Her coaching style combines technical precision, infectious energy, and genuine encouragement, creating a supportive environment where members feel empowered to grow stronger physically and mentally. 

As the founder of BODY X SLAY, Sabra has developed a signature coaching philosophy centered on sustainable wellness, community, and personal empowerment.Sabra holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance Education from the University of the Arts and serves as a Professor of Dance at Adelphi University. oes here

Instructor

Kianna is a 200-hour Registered Yoga Teacher and ACE Certified Personal Trainer with a passion for movement, connection, and creating classes that truly meet you where you are. Her teaching blends strength, flow, mindfulness, and a whole lot of heart; with experience ranging from heated Vinyasa and Yoga Sculpt to Pilates-inspired movement, strength, mobility, and restorative practices.

For Kianna, teaching has never been about simply following a sequence. She believes the best classes are felt. She loves reading the energy in the room, moving intuitively, and creating an experience that encourages you to get out of your head, tune into your body, and surprise yourself with what you’re capable of.

Expect creative, intentional movement, music that keeps you connected to the moment, and plenty of opportunities to challenge yourself while still honoring exactly where you are that day. Some days that means finding your edge, and other days it means slowing down and listening- both belong.

Above all, Kianna wants her classes to feel like a space where you can show up exactly as you are. Whether it’s your first class or your hundredth, come ready to move, breathe, connect, and leave feeling a little stronger, lighter, and more confident than when you walked in.