We've created a full schedule with a widely talented group of instructors. Much gratitude for our teachers and desk staff, who are helpful beyond belief, supremely qualified and careful and detailed with instruction. We strive to provide the most fulfilling yoga experience you can enjoy.
We also need your help creating and maintaining a peaceful sacred space by practicing peace as you exit and enter our room. We give you room to grow and flourish at your own rate. And dedicate ourselves to offering the best workshops, instructors and family programs the area has to offer. Our beautiful and simple studio has a great view of the Long Island Sound and Throgs Neck Bridge. With ample parking, shower and changing areas we have the amenities to keep things simple, and accessible. We strive to be nonjudgmental, encouraging and promote exploration and non perfection. Have fun with whatever class you choose. Namaste!
Claudia Lanzetta
Claudia was dragged to her first hot yoga class by her mother approximately 5 years ago. That first 100 degree, 90 minute practice transformed her life and she has been an avid yoga practitioner since. A self proclaimed "gym rat", hot yoga offered her a transcendent experience, a greater challenge for both body and mind, and a sanctuary from the world outside. She began teaching about a year later; initially the 26 posture hot yoga series, and then, drawn to the more demanding flow, concentrating in hot power vinyasa.
She opened Be Hot Yoga @ Bayside inJune 2008. Claudia's Monday and Thursday night classes remain a powerful experience to the regulars that come. She continues to teach hot power vinyasa on a weekly basis. She balances her yoga practice by being a senior associate in a boutique Elder Law and Trusts & Estate firm in Bayside, Queens. She has competed in Ms. Fit and Figure competitions as well. Claudia is grateful for all that the yoga practice has brought into her life!
Michael Sheridan
Mike Sheridan began taking yoga classes when his back and hip were breaking down from years of running and basketball. I first began with Ashtanga practice two to three times weekly with Kim Montgomery and Adam Dobbs. This brought much needed power to the core, shoulders and hips. Soon after I found the exhilaration and challenge of hot yoga, practicing first in Great Neck and then at Yoga Oasis in Woodbury.
I have enjoyed providing personal training to teens, seniors and adults for 8 years now, and employ a wide variety of assisted stretching techniques, abs and core work, strength training and prescribed yoga asana in my work. I travel to Kripalu Yoga Center when I can with my wife for getaways to recharge my own battery. I completed my own hot training journey in 2007 completing a grueling 3 month program that taught me about my own mental and physical obstacles, humbled me, and help me improve my endurance and perseverance. It taught me what minds are capable of when you apply yourself and free yourself from limitations. I try to enter my mat space with Beginner's Mind which helps me keep my practice and teaching fresh and in the moment.
Michael enjoys and adores his little boy Callum, as well as the love of my life Angela. I am grateful to lead a class with you in it! Deep bows all around!
Karen Passalacqua
Karen Passalacqua is a 500-hour Registered Yoga Teacher. In November 2006 she completed the “Life of a Yogi” Advanced Teacher Training Program at the Dharma Yoga Center in New York City. Karen completed Suzanne Cardinal’s 200-hour Into This World Yoga Teacher Training and Certification Program in May 2005 with continued studies in Prenatal Yoga. She studies Anusara Yoga with Lorraine Aguilar and is currently taking her Anatomy for Yoga Training Program. Karen also studies Vinyasa and Ashtanga Yoga with Adam Dobbs.
Karen believes the essence of yoga is to purify the mind, body, and spirit, which allows divine light to shine more brightly through us. It is this light that guides us, teaches us to love and serve others, and helps us to live our true life’s purpose.
Karen is also a Licensed Massage Therapist. She completed Queenborough Community College’s Massage Therapy Program in June 2009 and studies Thai Massage with Adam Dobbs.
Debra Ielpi
Debra was introduced to yoga in 2001 and has studied and practiced Vinyasa style yoga ever since. From the moment she stepped foot onto her mat, she knew her life was about to transform. Her love and passion led her to become a certified Vinyasa Yoga instructor in 2005 with Sonic Yoga in NYC, so she could continue to share the wonderful benefits with others. Debra's teachings incorporates alignment, breath, body and mind. She always welcomes the idea of an open heart, open mind and bare feet!
Denise Petersen
Denise has been practicing yoga for over a decade. She received her 200 hour certification in 2004 through New York Yoga under the direction of David Hollander, Michael Gilbert and Govinda Kai. Wanting more knowledge on how to accommodate pregnant women in her vinyasa class, Denise completed a prenatal certification at OM Yoga in 2005. She has also met and taken classes with the founder of Ashtanga yoga, Sri Krishna Pattabhi Jois.
Denise’s classes are playful and challenging, incorporating elements of Ashtanga, Jivamukti and other flow styles. She seeks to create a soulful class inspired by her love of music, poetry, and yogic philosophy as students are guided into moving meditation. Denise encourages her students through a practice that embraces breath as the link between body, mind and spirit. She is incredibly grateful for the opportunity to share the inspiring gift of yoga with others.
Jennie Wilson
After a successful career as a New York City Paramedic, Jennie began working as a Registered Nurse. Through the shifts in professions, getting married and "growing up", yoga remained a constant passion. She allowed her passion to lead her through Teacher Training at Sonic Yoga in NYC. Jennie had the honor of studying with Jonathan Fields, Lauren Hanna and Johanna Aldrich who remain inspirations in her life. Jennie creates an atmosphere of self acceptance, loving kindness and humor. Her classes encourage freedom of expression in a safe and supportive environment.
Elizabeth Keady
In May 2006, Elizabeth completed her 200 Hours Yoga Certification through Spine & Soul Pilates and Yoga Studio in Bayside, NY. Elizabeth's style is gentle and has an emphasis on opening the body through asana and relaxation. Elizabeth believes that yoga is a lifetime of learning. She is thankful that it found her. Due to her strong calling to become a certified yoga instructor, Elizabeth leads her students into the joyful state of integrating the body, mind and breath. Her classes are considered nurturing and embrace yoga's intense physical conditioning while making yoga's spiritual side accessible to those who wish to learn more.
Pamela Baran
Pam has been passionate about fitness for as long as she can remember and decided to share this passion in 2004 when she became a personal trainer. Pam's personal journey led her to compete in figure competitions which allowed her to gain the knowledge and experience she could offer to her clients in attaining their goals. Although she had built a foundation that produced results she was aware there was something missing and changed the direction of her focus and found a interesting more holistic approach to empowering herself and her clients. This new direction led her to a certification in Thai Yoga Massage also known as “the lazy man’s yoga”. It was through this experience a whole new world of wellness and yoga began. Pam attained a 200hr ryt in 2008 and continued with a certification in children’s yoga later that year. She has been teaching vinyasa yoga and children’s yoga ever since. Most recently while teaching yoga a need for a more intense workout emerged and she created a bootcamp workout that addressed endurance, strength, performance and cardiovascular health in a group setting.