Our Story.

Studio Manager + Head of Client Experience and Sales

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!

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

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

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

Jude’s passion for fitness began at an early age and carried through to adulthood, ultimately leading her to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nutrition and Exercise Sciences. From running track and field to dancing on the kick line (minus the jump split—no DCC here), movement has always been her form of healing.

With over five years of experience as a fitness coach, Jude finds true inspiration in watching her clients grow stronger—not just physically, but mentally and emotionally—while discovering their own love for movement. Her classes at Here Hot Yoga & Strength are known for creating a safe, encouraging space where individuals feel empowered to push themselves through challenging (and fun) workouts.

More than just a sweat session, each class fosters a sense of community—where friends become family. The energy in the room, the shared motivation, and the support of those around you help everyone strive to become their best selves—because Jude knows you can’t do it without the people in your orbit.

And of course, expect a healthy dose of reggaeton, quick-witted one-liners, and the occasional (but highly likely) dance break.

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

Colette Lee Morales is the Founder of Colette Lee Productions and Unite in Fashion, as well as the Co-Founder of The NY Fit Fest. She is dedicated to building brands that ignite inspiration and bring people together through purpose-driven experiences. A certified group fitness instructor through AFAA, Colette is passionate about using fitness as a tool for both healing and philanthropy. She currently serves as the lead instructor at Core 95, where she specializes in total body workouts and dynamic group sessions. Colette holds multiple certifications, including Senior Fitness Specialist, Spinning, and Level 1 Pilates. Over the years, she has taught a wide range of classes—from bootcamp and step aerobics to kickboxing. Her signature class, Vibe 95, is a unique fusion of music and movement that blends various fitness modalities into an unforgettable experience for every participant. In addition to possessing over two decades of hairstyling experience, which includes high- profile fashion and red carpet events, Colette has also catered to a diverse clientele, ranging from celebrities to models.

Beyond the studio, Colette’s impact extends to large-scale event production, where she has orchestrated memorable experiences for prestigious organizations such as The Carol Baldwin Foundation, The Wounded Warrior Project, The HRC Foundation, and the Women’s Sports Foundation, to name a few. However, it is her unwavering commitment to community service that truly defines her leadership. Through initiatives like toy and coat drives, blanket donations, and fashion shows for charity, Colette consistently demonstrates her dedication to making a positive impact in the lives of others. During Hurricane Sandy, Colette and her team led one of the largest relief operations on the island. Particularly close to her heart are animals, for whom she fervently supports rescue organizations.
At the core of Colette’s endeavors lies an unyielding passion for helping others lead healthier, more fulfilling lives—a passion that drives her every action and inspires those around her.

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

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

A maverick of movement, Amanda’s style is unique to her collective experience from many years teaching multiple movement modalities. She pulls from a deep well of knowledge to guide, creating a unique class experience that fortifies all the layers of the self. Through eclectic, energizing playlists and methodical sequencing, Amanda leads an empowering journey that integrates mind and body. She is known for her passion, authenticity and the ability to make one feel at home. She offers a safe and exploratory space with the perfect balance of challenge and restoration.

Instructor

Christina LaGrega is a seasoned fitness and lifestyle coach with over 15 years of experience helping thousands of women transform their bodies, minds, and lives. She’s presented at some of the largest fitness conventions in the world, but no matter how far her career has taken her, she always finds herself wanting to be back home — grounded in what matters most: family, community, and real connection. As an entrepreneur, wife, mom, and dog lover, Christina knows firsthand what it means to balance chaos with commitment. She’s turned her own pain into power and uses that strength to guide others through their own transformations — physically, mentally, and emotionally. Her approach goes beyond workouts; it’s about building discipline, creating balance, and showing up fully — for your health, your people, and your purpose. Christina brings a unique blend of grit, heart, and real-life relatability to everything she does. Whether you’re just starting out or ready to level up, her mission is to remind you that the strongest version of yourself has been in you all along — and now it’s time to earn it.

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.