Meet Audrey, one of our dynamic SHY instructors. She creates a welcoming, safe space for every practice and brings a confident, modern approach informed by Ashtanga, Bikram, and Barkan Hot Yoga, with thoughtful layers of Yin and Thai Yoga. Expect clear guidance, encouragement to challenge yourself, and support for finding your flow—on and off the mat.

Training & Certifications

Ashtanga Yoga–based 200-Hour YTT

Yin Yoga and Thai Restorative Yoga

26 & 2, 200-Hour YTT (SHY & Jimmy Barkan, 2019)

Level II/III Barkan Hot Yoga Vinyasa (SHY & Jimmy Barkan, 2020)

Zen Barre (2020)

SUP Yoga Center (2021)

500-Hour YTT (Yoga Alliance)

Meet Bill, our structure-loving, motivation-forward instructor. After discovering Hot Yoga 26&2 in 2016, he fell for its calm, consistency, and repetition—and brings that same steady energy to every class. Drawing on years of coaching multiple sports, Bill’s coaching style is encouraging and goal-oriented, with one clear message: progress comes from consistent practice.

When he’s not in the studio, he’s likely on a golf course, at a football or baseball game, or on the wrestling mat cheering on his son.

Training & Certifications

Elemental Insights 200-Hour YTT — West Wind Yoga (2024)

Yin Certified (2024)

Meet Chris, a high-energy addition to our SHY team. After discovering yoga in 2019 through at-home workouts, one hot class at Steamtown sealed the deal. Chris brings a coach’s mindset to the mat—clear fundamentals, form-forward cues, and motivating playlists—so you’ll feel supported and challenged in equal measure. Fair warning: it may get loud (in the best way).

Off the mat Chris is a sideline regular for his daughters’ sports, a club volleyball coach (24+ years), Director of Technology for the Scranton School District, and founder of Steamtown Customs (stickers, apparel, vinyl decals, and more)!

Training & Certification

Level II/III Barkan Method of Hot Yoga — Certified through Jimmy Barkan (Summer 2023)

Meet Erin, a longtime SHY practitioner turned instructor. After 12 years on the mat here, she completed her 200-hour training in 2019 to deepen her practice. Erin loves the strength and flexibility yoga builds, but what she values most—and brings into every class—is the focus on breath and a quiet mind that carries into life off the mat. Expect a supportive, steady space to grow at your own pace.

Training & Certifications

Hot 26&2 — with Lara Alexiou & Jimmy Barkan (2019)

Barkan Method Level 2/3 Hot Vinyasa (2020)

Zen Barre (2020)

Meet Gretchen, our science-minded barre coach with a calm-but-challenging vibe. She started with Hot 60 at SHY in 2017 to give her runner’s knees and ankles a break, and found the balance and peace that yoga adds to any routine. In class, Gretchen blends precise alignment, smart sequencing, and uplifting energy so you feel strong, safe, and supported.

With 25+ years teaching anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, and pathophysiology at the college/graduate level, Gretchen believes movement is medicine—and designs barre sessions that work for every body. She can’t wait to see you in class.

Training & Certification

Zen Barre (2020)

Elemental Insights 200-Hour YTT — West Wind Yoga (2024)

Mat Pilates Certified

Meet Joanne, a cornerstone of the SHY community since her first hot class in July 2009. A 200-Hour RYT (Yoga Alliance), Joanne teaches with an open mind and heart, meeting students exactly where they are. She loves the spark of a first class just as much as watching longtime members deepen and evolve—because practice changes, and that’s the most enlightening part.

Joanne is continually inspired by SHY’s ever-growing community and can’t wait to welcome you to the mat.

Training & Certifications

Hot 26&2 — with Lara Alexiou & Jimmy Barkan (2019)

Barkan Method Level 2/3 Hot Vinyasa (2020)

Zen Barre (2020)

SUP Yoga Center (2021)

Yin Certified (2024)

Meet Jules, an uplifting, high-energy presence at the barre. She began practicing yoga with her mom at 13 and has loved all things health and wellness ever since. In class, Jules blends precision, pace, and encouragement to challenge you—while keeping the vibe positive and supportive so you leave stronger than you arrived.

Off the mat, Jules is a stylist, HIIT instructor, and loves all things health and beauty. She can’t wait to cheer you on toward your strongest self.

Training & Experience

Barre Instructor (since 2019)

Meet Lara, Founder of Steamtown Hot Yoga & Barre. Lara discovered hot yoga in 2001 and it changed the course of her life. She earned her first certification with Bikram in 2003, then immersed herself in teaching and study across Yoga, Qigong, and Taoist healing arts. In 2007, she founded what is now Steamtown Hot Yoga & Barre, building a community where students can learn, grow, and fall in love with their practice.

Lara is also the author of Become the Architect of Your Body, Mind, and Soul (2017), based on her TEDx talk of the same name; the book was translated and published in Greek in 2021.

Training & Certifications

Bikram Yoga (2003)

Barkan Method Hot Vinyasa Level 2/3 (2008, 2014, 2020)

500-Hour Zen Wellness: Zen Yoga & Medical Qigong (2015)

10,000-Hour Doh Yi Masters Council (2018)

500-Hour Barkan Method Hot Vinyasa (2020)

SUP Yoga Center (2021)

Yin Certified (2024)

Meet LeeAnn, a steady, breath-first presence in our hot room. She took her first Bikram class solo in 2013 (her friend bailed—she stayed) and never looked back. Since then, LeAnn has immersed herself in Bikram hot yoga, Barkan vinyasa flows, meditation workshops, and posture clinics. In class, she focuses on clear cues, mindful pacing, and helping you reconnect with your breath—on and off the mat.

Training & Certification

200-Hour RYT (April 2024)

Yin Certified (2024)

Meet Lynne, a grounded, encouraging presence in our hot room. She began practicing at SHY in 2016 (thanks to her daughters) and was first drawn in as a runner for the deep stretch—then discovered how yoga brings focus, ease, and community into everyday life. In class, Lynne aims to build confidence, offer clear, supportive cues, and help you grow at your own pace.

With 30+ years in health care, Lynne is an avid runner who has completed multiple marathons, half marathons, and races at many distances.

Training & Certifications

Elemental Insights 200-Hour YTT — West Wind Yoga (2024)

Zen Barre Certified (2020)

Yin Certified (2024)

Meet Michelle — a calming, therapeutics-minded teacher whose practice began more than a decade ago. What started as a way to find peace during demanding work at a hospitality house for cancer patients became a lifelong path: using yoga’s tools—breath, mindful movement, and rest—to regulate stress and support whole-person wellbeing. Since 2013, Michelle has taught weekly classes with a gentle, clear approach that helps students feel grounded, safe, and seen.

Training & Education

M.S. in Yoga Therapy, Maryland University of Integrative Health

Mind Body Therapist, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center (since 2021)

200-Hour Teacher Training (2013)

Vinyasa Teacher Training (2018)

Vibrational Sound Therapy certification

Reiki practitioner (in progress toward Master level)

Meet Olivia, an upbeat, welcoming presence at the barre. She fell in love with movement after her first Hot Vinyasa class at SHY in 2023, then found her sweet spot in Hot Barre Fusion—the perfect mix of strength, sweat, and confidence. Olivia’s classes are energizing, form-focused, and encouraging for all levels.

Off the mat Olivia is an elementary school teacher who loves simple joys—planting flowers, kayaking, traveling, and time with friends and family (especially in summer). Join her for a feel-good burn and leave stronger than you arrived.

Training & Certification

Zen Barre Certified

Meet Patricia, a decade-strong SHY devotee who took her very first class here in May 2014. What began as “a new way to exercise” quickly became a practice she values just as much for mental discipline and restoration as for strength and flexibility. After exploring many styles and workshops, hot yoga remains her favorite feeling—stepping off the mat clear, calm, and energized. Patricia’s classes are supportive and steady, guiding you toward that same post-class bliss.

Patricia has been a caseworker with the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services for 13 years, and is a proud dog mom who’s been picking pet hair off leggings for the last five.

Training & Certification

200-Hour YTT — West Wind Yoga (April 2024)

Yin Certified (2024)

Meet Shelby, an upbeat, empowering presence at the barre. After her first hot class in 2023, she fell hard for barre’s blend of mental focus and full-body challenge. Shelby’s sessions pair a great playlist with smart sequencing for a serious (but feel-good) burn—always with room to push at your own pace.

Shelby is happiest cooking, reading, traveling, or hanging with her boyfriend and their two pets—Tux (dog) and Pena (cat).

Training & Certification

Zen Barre Certified

Meet Stephanie, who discovered hot yoga in January 2012—and that first class changed everything. What felt “hard” physically, mentally, and emotionally soon became weekly practice and real self-care. A licensed social worker and drug treatment specialist at a federal prison, Stephanie brings compassion, humor, and grounded strength from her day job to every class. She believes caring for ourselves is how we show up for the people we love.

Training & Certifications

26&2 200-Hour YTT (SHY/Jimmy Barkan, 2019)

Barkan Hot Vinyasa Level II/III (2020)

Zen Barre (2020)

SUP Yoga Center (2021)

Meet Tara, a lifelong dancer with 40+ years of classical ballet experience who fell in love with hot yoga at SHY back in 2009, and became hooked from day one. Yoga quickly became her reset: calming the mind, deepening the breath, and easing everyday aches. After years of informally teaching ballet and barre, Tara formalized her passion and now brings a dancer’s precision to every class.

Tara’s Zen Barre blends ballet discipline with yoga-informed mindfulness: clear alignment cues, small-but-powerful movements, and smart sequencing that tones, lengthens, and strengthens. Expect her signature smile and mantra: head up, chest up, belly in, tailbone tucked, shoulders relaxed, long strong arms… SMILE!

Training & Certification

Classical Ballet (Russian/Vaganova & Cecchetti)

Zen Barre (2020)

Meet Chase, our Front Desk Manager and the first friendly face you’ll meet at the studio. He’s been holding down the desk since last August, balancing 11th grade with a love of lifting and high-school wrestling. After graduation, Chase plans to pursue a military academy or train in a skilled trade—HVAC or electrical.