INSTRUCTORS

At the core of Hot House Yoga is the Yax family. Out of the seven siblings, five are affiliated with Hot House Yoga. The family history is rich in art, meditation, healthy eating and holistic living. With John and Chris’s extensive history in teaching, learning and practicing yoga, they have modified their experience to develop Hot House Yoga and Yax Yoga Concepts.

John Yax – E-RYT 200, E-RYT 500

John started practicing yoga in 2000. He graduated from Jimmy Barkan’s “Barkan Method of Hot Yoga” teacher training in 2003 and in 2004 attained Barkan Level II certification. He has also been studying with Rolf Gates since 2005.

In 2005 he started Hot House Yoga. In a continual pursuit of excellence, coupled with his passion for yoga his style has evolved into a unique approach to yoga called Yax Yoga Concepts. Yax Yoga Concepts is based on the philosophy developed by Bruce Lee that adheres to being open to evolving with the needs of the individual and the community. Within the methodologies of Hot Yoga and Vinyasa, Yax Yoga Concepts incorporates the most effective practices from various styles of yoga and spiritual traditions, blending cutting edge science of anatomy and movement with grounded wisdom teachings. The result is a holistic approach to the understanding of transformation.

John has over 5,000 hours of teaching experience independently and through his under study with Barkan and Gates. He helped launch Hot House Yoga’s first teacher training program in 2008. His teachings have taken him to Mexico, Costa Rica, all over the United States to include being a teacher at the 2010 Hawaiian Spirit Festival.

John graduated from the Reilly School of Massotherapy in 1997 and received his certification as a Health and Fitness Instructor from The American College of Sports Medicine in 2001. In addition to yoga, John has been studying and teaching Jeet Kune Do concepts and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu since 1997.

“I feel that Yoga encourages us to wake up from the maze of past conditioning and struggle. Yoga is the path back to ourselves, back to the source of peace and balance in our lives, back to our true nature.”

Chris Yax – E-RYT 200, E-RYT 500

Chris began practicing yoga regularly in 2002. He was certified through Jimmy Barkan’s “Barkan Method of Hot Yoga” teacher training in 2004. In the same year he received his Level II Vinyasa certification in the Barkan Method. He has also been studying with Rolf Gates since 2006.

Chris has over 5,000 hours of teaching experience independently and through his under study with Barkan and Gates. He helped launch Hot House Yoga’s first teacher training program in 2008. His teachings have taken him to Mexico, Costa Rica, all over the United States to include being a teacher at the 2010 Hawaiian Spirit Festival.

Chris received his Bachelors of Science from Old Dominion University in 2003. In addition to yoga, he has been training and teaching since 1998 as a mixed martial artist within the disciplines of Jeet Kune Do concepts and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.

“Love and gratitude are the most powerful forces in this world and Yoga is the practice of awakening and connecting with those forces in your life.”

Sarah Yax – ERYT 200, RYT 500

Sarah began practicing yoga in 1995 and in 2003 she found Hot Yoga. She graduated from Jimmy Barkan’s “Barkan Method of Hot Yoga” teacher training in 2005 and in 2006 attained Barkan Level II certification. She has also been studying with Rolf Gates since 2005.

Sarah has been teaching for Hot House since 2005 and has over 3000 hours of teaching experience independently and through her under study with Barkan and Gates.

Sarah received her Bachelors of Science in Psychology from Longwood University in 1996. She also graduated from Reilly School of Massotherapy in 2004.

“Remember, Yoga is a way of moving into stillness in order to experience the truth of who you are. The practice of yoga is the practice of meditation – or inner listening – in the poses and meditations, as well as all day long. It’s a matter of listening inwardly for guidance all the time, and then daring enough and trusting enough to do as you are prompted to do…” – Erich Schiffmann

Abril Elizabeth Yax – ERYT 200, RYT 500

Elizabeth began practicing yoga regularly in 2006 when it was introduced to her in an impromptu class from a visiting surfer in her native country of Mexico. She was certified through Jimmy Barkan’s Level I teacher training in 2007.

She has over 3,000 hours of teaching experience independently and through her under study with Barkan, Gates and Yax Yoga Concepts.

In addition to yoga, Elizabeth’s passion is surfing. Incidentally, the travelling surfer who first introduced her to yoga is now her husband, John Yax.

“Yoga has given me the gift of realizing that all we seek is already inside of us. Yoga is the doorway into the present moment, into our true selves, connecting us to the love that is expressed in everything we do.”

Elizabeth Yax Danse – RYT 200

Elizabeth was introduced to yoga in 1998 and began practicing Hot Yoga regularly in 2003. She was certified through Jimmy Barkan’s Level I teacher training in 2007.

She has over 1000 hours of teaching experience independently and through her under study with Barkan and Gates.

Elizabeth is a graduate of First Colonial High School in Virginia Beach, a proud wife to a husband who serves in the United States military and a busy mother of three.

“Yoga is a way of moving into stillness, letting go of the ego in order to experience your authentic self.”

Sky Andrews – RYT 200

Sky has had the unique opportunity to travel the world, exploring and learning different cultures. She first began practicing yoga in 2002, while she was living on the island of Guam. At the time, she was working in a hectic Hotel/Restaurant management business, and was immediately drawn to the mental, physical, and spiritual practice. Soon afterward, she met her beloved, got married, and moved back to the main land.

After arriving in Virginia Beach, her husband was deployed to Iraq for a year-and-a-half. With all her friends and family on the other side of the world, and not much luck finding a job, she felt a little lost. Realizing that she needed some time to reach balance in her new life, she searched to find a Yoga studio. She tried many different places in the area, but nothing felt right. Eventually, a friend told her about Hot House Yoga, and she decided to give it a try. Sky was hooked from the first class! As she continued her practice, she realized that the magic of Hot House is their genuine heart and soul. The Yax family teaches from the experiences of their lives, with compassion for everyone that shares the practice. The Yax family believes, “You cannot teach where you have not been”.

Hot House Yoga has been a part of Sky’s daily practice for the last two years, and was certified through the Yax Yoga Concepts teacher training in 2010. She is grateful for the opportunity to be a part of your practice, and hopes to share the awesome gift that the Yax family shared with her – the ability to discover one’s true self through the practice of yoga.

“Yoga reminds me everyday, that change is inevitable. Trying to stop the change is like trying to stop the sun from rising. Become one with the change and grace will follow.”

Cheryl Brousseau – RYT 200

Cheryl is first and foremost a student of yoga. A former corporate world ‘type’, she experienced a transformational journey through her deepening study of yoga. It is her great joy to share this quest with others. Certified through Grace Yoga in Richmond, she has taken classes and workshops in various yoga styles including Hot, Anusara, Ashtanga and Vinyasa Flow.

At Hot House Yoga, she endeavors to share her passion for hot yoga with her students. An avid outdoor person with a deep love of all animals, her mantra is “Animals don’t ask for anything but love”.

“Don’t get set into one form, adapt it and build your own…and let it grow….be like water”…….Bruce Lee

Jill Church – RYT 200

Jill began practicing yoga in 2008. She was certified through The Yax Yoga Concepts teacher training in 2009. She has also been certified to teach Vinyasa through Yax Yoga concepts. Jill is currently training in Vinyasa with Rolf Gates.

Jill has over 2500 hours of experience both teaching and practicing. Jill has been to Costa Rica as well as Puerto Rico for training and continuing education.

Jill received her Bachelors in Arts from the University of North Florida in 1993. In addition to teaching yoga Jill takes joy in being a wife and a mom to her beautiful children.

“Even the most exalted states and the most exceptional spiritual accomplishments are unimportant if we cannot be happy in the most basic and ordinary ways, if we cannot touch one another and the life we have been given with our hearts”. – Jack Kornfield

Tim Culley – RYT 200

Tim started practicing yoga in 2006. He graduated from Grace Yoga Teacher Training of Richmond, Va. in 2009. He has been teaching Vinyasa full time since May 2009. During a Rolf Gates teacher-training workshop, he met the Yax family of teachers who were sponsoring and teaching at the workshop. Inspired by their knowledge and high level of teaching, he is proud to join them as they expand to Richmond Va.

Born and raised on Long Island, N.Y., Tim worked as a New York City Firefighter for 20 years before retiring and relocating his family to Virginia in 2006. To stay physically fit for the demanding job of firefighting, he trained throughout his career with the FDNY in various exercise and personal fitness routines. Looking for something different, he decided to try a yoga class. He was surprised by the challenge and benefits the class gave him. He walked out feeling better, not just physically, but his total body, mind and spirit were influenced in a positive way. He felt renewed, less stressed and energized. He enjoys sharing this experience with others, as a teacher, dedicated to following this ancient practice.

Tim is married 21 years to his wife Donna (RYT 200) and they have three children together.

“Yoga transforms the body, calms the mind, and nourishes the soul—-opening the door to the present moment where we find peace within.”

Challie Deibel – ERYT 200

As the mother of twin teenagers, Challie enjoys the calmness and peace yoga brings to her life. Fitness was in her life from childhood. She was introduced to yoga in her early 20’s and made it a practice in her early 30’s. She was amazed at the physical strength she gained and the mental confidence from practicing yoga.

Challie began teaching yoga in 2003 and completed her 200 hour training with Sandra Pleasants and Jennifer Elliott in 2005. Since then she has attended workshops with many well known teachers including Paul Grilley, Beryl Binder Birch, Seane Corn and John Schumacker. Challie has over 2,000 hours teaching experience.

Challie enjoys teaching and helping students grow in their practice. She believes yoga helped her bring about lifestyle changes that nurture the body, mind and spirit and hopes to guide students along their own path.

Challie received her Bachelor of Science degree in Hotel, Restaurant and Institutional Management from Virginia Tech in 1993. She loves to cook and enjoys cooking healthy meals for her husband of 15 years and their kids.

“Yoga is the settling of the mind into silence.” Yoga sutra 1.2

Mindy Garrenton – RYT 200

Mindy began practicing yoga regularly in 2007 at Hot House Yoga. She was certified through Yax Yoga Concepts teacher training in 2010. Mindy received her Bachelors of Arts from Virginia Wesleyan College in 2001. Her studies were interdisciplinary, affording Mindy the opportunity to develop an active interest in Eastern philosophy, particularly Buddhist and Hindu thought. She also studied physical fitness and nutrition in her spare time, even working as a personal trainer at one point. Yoga has allowed Mindy to unite her love for spiritual study with her passion for health. She credits her yoga practice with bringing peace, balance and contentment into her life. As an instructor, she hopes to act as a guide for her students, facilitating their spiritual growth as well as their total health and well-being.

“The beauty of the practice of yoga is that working through our bodies, we are able to access our minds and our spirits, and what we find is a permeating sense of peace and stillness. We discover our truest nature, which is the love and the light that resides within each one of us. We become content.”

Desiree Gates – RYT 200

Desiree began her yoga practice in 2003 and found Hot House Yoga in 2009 after several years of independent practice. She received her certification in the Barkan Method of Hot Yoga in 2010, and is honored by the opportunity to guide others in the practice of yoga at Hot House.

Desiree received a Bachelor of Science at the University of Virginia at Wise in 2004 and is now completing her Master’s in Public Administration at Old Dominion University. She is also employed by the City of Virginia Beach and enjoys a career in public service. Desiree believes yoga is an excellent way to obtain the physical, mental, and spiritual discipline necessary to living a balanced life.

“I believe yoga is the way to obtain the physical, mental, and spiritual discipline necessary to living a balanced life. Yoga establishes a self-awareness that helps us to choose right action within every aspect of our lives.”

Christin Yax – RYT 200

Christin was lucky enough to have her initial yoga experience at Hot House Yoga in 2007. In 2010, she became a certified yoga instructor through Yax Yoga Concepts teacher training program, and has been teaching with Hot House Yoga ever since. In addition to teaching, Christin manages the Virginia Beach location of Hot House Yoga.

Immediately, Christin connected with the physical aspect of the practice due to her background in classical ballet and the enjoyment of a rigorous workout. Through her continued practice, however, Christin began to awaken other areas in her life as well. She became happier, healthier, more at peace; her awareness grew, as did her ninja like reflexes through her strengthened mind-body connection.

Christin obtained her undergraduate degree in Biological Sciences and her Masters from Old Dominion University. Besides yoga, Christin’s passions include traveling, diving into new adventures, soaking up the sun and being one with nature.

“Yoga’s messages- relax, let go, breathe, remember who you are- will begin to replace society’s messages of push, shove, get ahead, and look out for number one.” – Victoria Moran

Kasia Litwak – RYT 200

Kasia began practicing yoga regularly in 2006. She immediately felt a strong connection to the physical, mental and spiritual practice and graduated from Jimmy Barkan’s 200 hour Hot Yoga teacher training in 2007. In 2008, she graduated from Rolf Gates 200 hour Vinyasa teacher training.

Kasia believes that yoga holds a unique power because everyone can do it, and everyone benefits from it. In the classroom her focus is to strengthen the body, quiet the mind, and surrender into the moment, healing yourself as a whole. She has over 2,000 hours of teaching experience independently and through her study under Barkan, Gates, and Yax Yoga concepts.

Always with a passion for healing, she studied Music and Exercise Science and Old Dominion University. She recently has decided to return to school to study Physical Therapy.

Kasia is very grateful for the opportunity she has been given to share her passion for yoga and grow with her students, on and off the mat.

“The most beautiful yoga pose I’ve ever seen was my 86 year old grandparents holding hands, smiling in Warrior 2. I have realized that all we truly need to fuel our soul is love, because underneath the heavy layers of our past, that is all we are. Yoga breaks us free.”

Patty McGary – RYT 200

Patty is the mother of two boys and has lived in Virginia Beach for about 18 years. She is a Principal for an Autistic Children’s Program. She came to Hot House Yoga in October 2008 looking to find balance and peace. Patty began with the brand new beginner’s course and knew immediately she had found what she was looking for. She continued her practice at Hot House and enrolled in teacher training with Yax Yoga Concepts in August 2009.

Patty has always been involved in serving others as a teacher of young children and has found yoga to be a wonderful way to continue serve others by sharing the experiences and healing powers of yoga. Patty is excited to share the fact that yoga is accessible to everyone who steps onto their mat – regardless of age or experience. There are no limits – only limits you create. The most amazing result of yoga is not the physical changes, but the powerful changes yoga brings to your life off the mat. Patty feels a great honor to be able to teach and share these experiences at Hot House.

“Yoga is the gift that allows us to find and reconnect to the peace within us that is always there. Through practice, we awaken to our true self. To share this experience with others is why I teach.”

Deborah Meltsner – RYT 200

Deborah began practicing yoga regularly in 1996 as a positive strategy in her recovery from breast cancer. Her passion for the practice led to her teacher certification in 2007, with the completion of the both the “Level I Barkan Method of Hot Yoga” and the Barkan Level II Vinyasa training program. She also completed Vinyasa training through Yax Yoga Concepts in 2009, and will complete a 500 hour Vinyasa certification program with Rolf Gates in June, 2011.

Deborah received her Masters of Education from the University of Virginia in 1976, worked as a Speech Pathologist for 5 years in the public schools, and then, taught at Old Dominion University for 26 years as Senior Lecturer of Communication. Experience in teaching courses in Speech Pathology and in Human Communication, along with experience in designing and leading numerous communication workshops and presentations, provided a great instructional foundation for Deborah’s current teaching of hot yoga and vinyasa.

Retirement from the Commonwealth of Virginia in 2007 paved the way for Deborah to pursue her love of yoga and to blend it with the joy she finds in teaching. Employed by Hot House Yoga since the summer of 2007, Deborah has about 2000 hours of teaching experience independently and through her study with Barkan, Gates and Yax Yoga Concepts. Since 2008, when Hot House Yoga launched its own teacher training program, Deborah has taught the anatomy section of the program.

Married since 1993 to Jerry, also an avid yoga practitioner, Deborah feels blessed to be a wife, a mother and a grandmother.

“The learning that can happen through yoga offers such profound wisdom, such profound awareness – of self, of connections to others, and importantly, to the unrepeatable miracle of each and every moment of our lives. We learn to accept; we also learn to let go.”

Katherine Meyersohn – RYT 200

Katherine began practicing yoga in 1999 and discovered Hot Yoga in 2009. She completed her 200 hour Hot Vinyasa teacher training through Yax Yoga Concepts in 2011 and began teaching for Hot House Yoga in December.

Katherine is a licensed Clinical Social Worker in private practice specializing in a holistic approach to psychotherapy that integrates mind, body and spirit. She earned her B.A. in Sociology from Texas Christian University and her Master’s degree in social work from Virginia Commonwealth University.

Katherine has recommended yoga for self-care and stress-management to clients and friends for years. She decided to become a yoga instructor in order to deepen her practice and share the gift of yoga with others through teaching. She feels so fortunate to be able to share this gift and to do the work she loves both on and off the mat.

“Anything that is of value in life only multiplies when it is given” – Deepak Chopra

Wendy Polka, RYT 200

Wendy, originally from Ohio, began practicing yoga in 1998. While exploring various classes, she found a connection with a particular Anusara teacher in Michigan. The yoga seed was planted.

In 2008, she moved to Virginia Beach; enrolled, competed and became a certified teacher through Hot House Yoga and Yax Yoga Concepts’ first level 1 200 hour teacher training.

Wendy has over 1,000 hours of teaching experience independently and through her under study with Yax Yoga Concepts. Through continuing practice and education, she is developing her own personal style.

Wendy’s path to yoga included careers that focused on the well-being of others and following her passions for life. She spent 14 years traveling as a flight attendant for Delta Airlines before graduating from the International Sommelier Guild and selling wines for a Virginia based wine distributor.

“Seek the path that demands your whole being” ~ Rumi

Gary “Smitty” Smith – RYT 200, RYT 500

Smitty began practicing yoga regularly in 2004. He was certified through Jimmy Barkan’s Level I 200 hour teacher training in 2006. He was certified in Vinyassa through Yax Yoga Concepts in 2009 and received his 500 hour certification through Rolf Gates in 2011.

He has over 3,500 hours of teaching experience independently and through his understudy with Jimmy Barkan, Rolf Gates, and Yax Yoga Concepts.

Smitty graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelors of Arts from Virginia Wesleyan College in 2004. Halfway through his pursuit of a Master Degree in History, he changed paths to teach yoga. Expanding on his belief that all healthy disciplines are connected, he received his certification as a BodyMind Nutritionist and Raw Food Nutritionist in 2010.

“I believe passionately that, as perpetual students of yoga, a consistent yoga practice can expand the practitioner’s context of life through equanimity and awareness.”

Carla White – RYT 200

Carla began practicing yoga regularly in 2005 when Hot House Yoga opened its doors in Virginia Beach. She was certified through Yax Yoga Concepts teacher training in 2009. In 2011 she completed her Vinyasa certification, also through Yax Yoga Concepts.

Yoga found Carla when her son took karate lessons from Chris Yax soon after moving to Virginia Beach. Chris stopped teaching karate to start a yoga studio with his family. Carla decided to give it a try. In 2008 she took the foundations course taught by John and Chris. A desire to learn more and deepen her practice eventually led to teacher training. She has been with Hot House ever since.

Carla received her Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Florida in 1991. Other than practicing and teaching yoga Carla spends her time raising a daughter and son. She grew up in Northern Virginia but has also lived in Texas, California and Japan with her husband and children. After eight years in the area they now consider Virginia Beach home.

“A consistent yoga practice allows healing to occur in your life, either physically or mentally. Most people find that as they work on one aspect the other develops as well bringing balance to every part of their lives.”

Ashley Budy Whitlinger – RYT 200

Ashley began practicing yoga regularly in 2008. She was certified through Hot House Yoga’s teacher training in 2009. She also completed Vinyasa Training through Hot House Yoga’s program in the spring of 2009.

Ashley has over two years of teaching experience independently and with Hot House Yoga.

Ashley received her Bachelors of Arts in Dance from Old Dominion University in 2008. She has danced ballet since she was six years old and has performed with local professional companies. In addition to teaching at Hot House, she also teaches yoga and ballet at ODU. Be it dance or yoga, she enjoys learning about and working with the human body in all capacities.

“Through the beautiful medium of yoga, our true nature can be revealed. Despite years of thinking otherwise, we find ourselves strong, healthy, focused, and ultimately, balanced.”