Every instructor at Hot Yoga Ahwatukee is certified to teach hot yoga. In addition, they participate in local, regional and national continuing education trainings, workshops and seminars throughout the year.
Sandra Lassiter, RYT® 500»Helena Whitney, RYT® 500»
Chris Schwan, RYT® 200»
Karmie Christian, RYT® 200»
Karen Santini, RYT® 200»
Gabe Gavin, RYT® 500»
Laura Czarzasty, RYT® 200»
Kathy Marcucci, RYT® 500»
Anysia Bates, RYT® 200»
Diane Hastings, RYT® 200»
Laurie Trigilio, RYT® 500»
Daisy Fromkin, RYT® 200»
Sandra Lassiter, RYT® 500, is the Owner and Director of Hot Yoga Ahwatukee. Sandra sought out yoga in 1995 as a method for managing stress. She began her yoga journey with the Iyengar method and evolved her practice by experiencing many different styles of yoga until she was introduced to Bikram’s Hot Yoga in 2001. Though she practiced different styles of yoga and various forms of healing arts, it was hot yoga that offered her the greatest opportunity for transformation both physically and mentally.
Sandra was inspired to share this platform for physical, mental and spiritual transformation with others and decided to leave the corporate world and pursue her passion for yoga. She was certified to teach Bikram Yoga in the fall of 2008 and went on to study with Jimmy Barkan receiving her Hot Vinyasa Flow teaching certification in 2009 and in 2011.
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Helena Whitney, RYT® 500, is the Co-Director of Hot Yoga Ahwatukee. Helena has been practicing yoga since 1999 and was certified as a Bikram Yoga instructor in the fall of 2002. In 2006 Helena continued her yoga training by completing Jimmy Barkan’s Level II Hot Vinyasa Flow teaching program. In 2007, she completed the hypnotherapy certification program offered by the Southwest Institute for the Healing Arts and participated in their yoga teacher training.Helena found yoga when looking for a way to manage the daily stress associated with her work. Helena has experienced firsthand the calming and restorative effects of yoga on the mind and body, and believes strongly in the connection between the two. Currently Helena is employed by Maricopa Integrated Health Systems as the Director of Government Relations and Legislative Affairs.Powered by Hackadelic Sliding Notes 1.6.4
Chris Schwan, RYT® 200, has been involved in fitness her entire life, having been a certified aerobics instructor for over 30 years as well as participating in national and state aerobic and fitness competitions. After many years of fitness and weight training, Chris began practicing hot yoga as a way to find more balance in her life, physically, mentally, spiritually and emotionally. After practicing hot yoga for more than a year, she then went on to receive her Hot Yoga Teaching certification through The Jimmy Barkan Method of Hot Yoga in the summer of 2008.Chris is currently an adjunct professor of anatomy and physiology and her extensive knowledge in these areas as well as kinesiology and the biomechanics of the muscular system enables her to bring a depth of knowledge of the human body to her students. Chris also has her own private practice in Pediatric Speech Pathology and has been an Ahwatukee resident for over 10 years. To learn more about Chris, visit www.christineschwan.yourlifemastery.com.Powered by Hackadelic Sliding Notes 1.6.4
Karmie Christian, RYT® 200, was first attracted to yoga in 1999 as a means of stress-relief when she was working in the corporate world. Five months after the birth of twin daughters in 2004, Karmie began practicing Hot Yoga regularly in order to get her body back in shape. In 2008, Karmie continued to evolve and deepen her practice by exploring other methods of yoga eventually attending Yoga Teacher Training and Certification enabling her to share the experience of yoga with others.Karmie continues to evolve and is currently working on her 300 hour Master Level Yoga Teacher Certification under the direction of Jeff Martens.Powered by Hackadelic Sliding Notes 1.6.4
Karen Santini, RYT® 200,first started practicing yoga in 2003 and was certified to teach Hot Yoga in 2008. Having received a black belt in Taekwondo in 2001, Karen was looking for another method with less impact to stay healthy. Yoga has been a form of stress relief, providing a more balanced emotional state and helping to manage her scoliosis. Karen enjoys sharing the benefits of yoga with others. Karen continues to study yoga and is currently enrolled in a Master Immersion Training program led by Mary Bruce and Lynn Matthews. Karen will earn the 500-hour RYT certification when she completes her Master Training program.Powered by Hackadelic Sliding Notes 1.6.4
Gabe Gavin, RYT® 500, found yoga in 2003. Gabe first attempted asana through a home video experience and could not walk for a week. He swore yoga off, as he “was not flexible enough” to do this type of exercise. Gabe practiced at home on and off for a few years before attending his first official yoga class. He was hooked immediately. Gabe found that yoga helped him think more clearly and contemplate things in other ways. He broke his foot and a regular heated practice helped heal the foot quicker than expected. Gabe left the world of “cube farms” to pursue a deeper understanding of Yoga through Teacher Training under the direction of Jeff Martens.Powered by Hackadelic Sliding Notes 1.6.4
Laura Czarzasty, RYT® 200, is passionate about sharing the joy of yoga with others. A yoga enthusiast of more than 12 years, she continuously explores and develops her practice, while enabling others to do the same. Laura is committed to living yoga “off the mat” and believes that yoga enhances all areas of life including spiritual, physical, mental and emotional facets. Through yoga she offers teachings that students can take into their everyday lives. Certified through the Southwest Institute of the Healing Arts and the National Yoga Alliance, Laura blends technique and theory to create a full yogic experience. Dedicated to deepening her understanding of all things yoga, Laura is currently enrolled in a Master Teacher Training. Through this program, she will delve deeper into anatomy, yogic philosophy, and all aspects of yoga under the direction of Jeff Martens. Laura will earn the 500-hour RYT certification when she completes her Master Teacher Training. To keep up with Laura’s teaching schedule and thoughts on yoga, find and friend “Yoga Czar” on facebook.Powered by Hackadelic Sliding Notes 1.6.4
Kathy Marcucci, RYT® 500, loves teaching yoga and watching how the transformative powers of a regular practice carry students to places of improved strength, deepened flexibility, better balance and inner peace. Kathy leads her classes with a focus on breath and presence. She builds poses from the inside out, teaching strong foundation, core engagement and upward lift to guide her students toward a yoga practice that not only works the entire body but also quiets the mind and invites in a sense of heightened awareness, expansion and peace. Kathy began practicing yoga in 2001 and has been teaching since 2007 when she received her 200-hour certification. She completed her 300-hour master training in 2010 and is now 500-hour Yoga Alliance certified. To learn more about Kathy, visit www.PeacefulPresenceYoga.com.Powered by Hackadelic Sliding Notes 1.6.4
Anysia Bates, RYT® 200. In 1997, Anysia took her first yoga class in order to compliment her exercise regime and relieve stress from her employment as a Social Worker. She continues to find that the benefits of yoga are not only external but internally transformative. Anysia began teacher training in 2006 and in 2007 started teaching yoga in the Corporate Field. She has been a resident of Ahwatukee for 12 years and is excited to be a part of the Hot Yoga Ahwatukee community. She finds it exciting to witness as both a teacher and student how the practice of yoga changes people’s lives and encourages the connection within. She looks forward to connecting and sharing with the Kula (community) at HYA and is honored to be a part of it. In addition to pranayama, asana and meditation; Anysia also enjoys spending time with her family, engaging in outdoor activities and learning the circus arts.Powered by Hackadelic Sliding Notes 1.6.4
Diane Hastings, RYT® 200,was introduced to yoga in 2000, but didn’t truly fall in love with the practice until 2007, when her aunt brought her to a “hot yoga” class. She was chasing around two small but cute children, looking at age 39 in the rearview mirror, and beginning to feel age creeping in. After committing to practice at least three times a week, Diane watched as her physical body became stronger and more flexible, while her mind become calmer, better focused and balanced. In short, the clock felt like it was moving backward. After realizing that yoga would be a priority and integral part of her life, she went through training to become a RYT. As an instructor, Diane hopes to pass on her passion for yoga to any fellow yogis who walk the path with her. Diane is a graduate of ASU and has a background in sales and design. She enjoys hiking in the desert, skiing, surfing and hanging with her husband and two daughters.Powered by Hackadelic Sliding Notes 1.6.4
Laurie Trigilio, RYT® 500,began a regular practice of yoga in 1998 to help heal injuries due to long distance running. Soon realizing that yoga offered more balance in her life in many ways, she embraced the bliss of inner peace, the physical and mental well being, and the awakening of a dormant spirituality that a regular yoga practice offered. The Yogic path continues to be a lifetime journey for her. Her desire is to touch other’s lives the way her life has been touched, to inspire them and to nurture them to deepen their yoga practice. She has been teaching yoga since 2004 and completed her 500 hour certification in 2006. She is currently enrolled in the Healing Emphasis Yoga certification under the direction of Jeff Martens.Powered by Hackadelic Sliding Notes 1.6.4
Daisy Fromkin, RYT® 200, has been practicing yoga for most of her life. She feels the mat is our main classroom in this life and the practice brings awareness and gives us guidance for off the mat. Daisy received her training at the Southwest Institute of the Healing Arts and is registered with Yoga Alliance. Daisy discovered that Hot Yoga specifically has helped manage the chronic pain from lupus as well as relieve stress associated with obtaining her PhD in Management and Organizational Leadership. Daisy is active with Big Brothers, Big Sisters of Arizona and is a ballroom dance instructor. Daisy brings her love of yoga to each class.Powered by Hackadelic Sliding Notes 1.6.4
