Eliakim is the owner of Hotbox Yoga in both Manayunk and Ambler. She is a Philadelphia native and resides on the Main Line with her husband and three kids. She has been teaching yoga for the past 17 years. She has always taught a power style yoga practice as physical fitness has always been a big part of her life. However she also loves teaching gentle, meditation, and other styles of yoga to share tips and tools she has learned over the years to help cope with stress and anxiety. Her hope is that when a student takes her class, not only will they feel they’ve completed their workout but also their daily meditation, and leave the studio with a sense of confidence to conquer any curveball the day may throw at them. Outside of yoga and spending time with her family, Eliakim is most passionate about, meeting new people, small businesses, entrepreneurship, fitness, cooking, table scapes, color, and all things creative.

Ava is a Yoga Alliance Continuing Education Provider (YACEP) and RYT500 yoga instructor with seven years of teaching experience. She has been a part of the Hotbox Yoga community since 2019. Ava earned her 200-hour certification with Free to Be Yoga in New Orleans and has pursued advanced training, including Social Impact and Hands-On Assisting with Grace & Glory Yoga, and the Baptiste Institute's 40 Days to Personal Revolution Facilitation Program. She also holds certifications in Kids Yoga, Yin Yoga, and YOD Level 1. Ava is currently completing her 800-hour certification to become a certified Yoga Therapist. As a lead facilitator for Hotbox’s 200-hour teacher training and manager of Hotbox Manayunk and Ambler, Ava is deeply committed to the community. She’s beyond excited to share her energy and expertise with the Hotbox community. Outside of the yoga studio Ava loves being in nature, cooking, hanging out with family and making art!

Current Mantra: “This is it” - Thich Nhat Hanh

What’s your favorite thing about Hotbox? I love the sense of community. I know that on any given day I can walk into Hotbox and have amazing conversations. Hotbox is a space that is welcoming and I have made friendships that will last me a lifetime. Teachers are committed and really care about deepening their practice & their teaching methods. 

What’s one thing you want to share with the Hotbox community? I am a twin!

What are you most passionate about right now? I am most passionate about yoga, gardening, cooking, and spending lots of time outside.

When you aren’t at the studio where can we find you? Probably in the Wissahickon with my boyfriend, Courtney. 

Current Mantra: Practice the Pause

What’s your favorite thing about Hotbox? Golden hour at the studio. The windows in the practice room let in so much light — it’s pure magic. Not only do they let the light in, they offer endless options for Drishti.

What’s one thing you want to share with the Hotbox community? I am filled with so much gratitude for each and every person who carves out the time to make it to their mat. This practice is challenging & sweaty and it is an honor and inspiration to witness each person’s greatness & growth.

What are you most passionate about right now? Movement. When life is chaotic and anxiety settles in, movement, of any kind, allows me to get out of my head and into my body.

When you aren’t at the studio where can we find you? Chasing my dog Theo around Manayunk, riding my Peloton, or drinking coffee.

Current Mantra: Forward is a pace. I’m going through some big life changes at the moment and taking it one day at a time .

What’s your favorite thing about Hotbox? Community and connection! The energy in this community is contagious & I always leave class feeling lighter.

What’s one thing you want to share with the Hotbox community? I’m always down for a chat or hello!

What are you most passionate about right now? Relationships. I really want to lean into nurturing important relationships and prioritizing time with loved ones.

When you aren’t at the studio where can we find you? Chasing after my toddlers, Siena and Sloane! They teach me to appreciate the little things, approach life with a child-like wonder, and the power of taking a deep breath.

Current mantra: Live life to the fullest; enjoy every day.

Favorite thing about Hotbox: The space breeds creativity. And that floor!!! 

What’s one thing you want to share with the Hotbox Community? Try my class and share my passion for yoga. 

What are you most passionate about right now? My next playlist.

When you aren’t at the studio, where can we find you? You can find me walking my Great Dane Teddy.

BIO COMING SOON!

Current Mantra: Transformation after Trauma

What’s your favorite thing about Hotbox? The community and commitment to education. I remember taking class in many a workshop in the Manayunk location and love likeminded vibes.

What’s one thing you want to share with the Hotbox community? I love this practice. All of it. The poses the meditation the friendships and the relationship with my self.

What are you most passionate about right now? Trainings and retreating. I love sharing the teachings of the practice as well as doing it all around the world.

When you aren’t at the studio where can we find you? You can find me at home. As self aware as I think I am ~ I love Bravo Reality TV.

Current Mantra: Do it scared

What’s your favorite thing about Hotbox? The spaces. Both Manayunk & Ambler have the perfect light and feel like home away from home.

What’s one thing you want to share with the Hotbox community? I’m a special events planner by day, and I used to jump rope competitively, of course.

What are you most passionate about right now? Yoga, travel, finding balance, gardening

When you aren’t at the studio where can we find you? Walking around Germantown with my husband and rescue greyhound, Dixie or exploring a bookstore (and buying books!)

BONUS: Julie’s favorite book is “Conversations with Friends” by Sally Rooney!

Fun Fact: Julie is technically my nickname - my legal name is Julia! (I prefer Julie)

Current Mantra: Just Breathe

What’s your favorite thing about Hotbox? The community

What’s one thing you want to share with the Hotbox community? You truly fill my soul and make me a better teacher.

What are you most passionate about right now? Choosing self-care. We can easily get caught on the hamster wheel of life—always doing for others and forgetting what lights us up.

When you aren’t at the studio where can we find you? On the beach

What’s your favorite thing about Hotbox? First and foremost the community. Second, definitely the heated floors.

What’s one thing you want to share with the Hotbox community? I value each and everyone’s time that they are offering me and don’t take that for granted. I hope that everyone practicing is able to feel extremely successful, is leaving with a lighter load on their shoulders, and enjoys the gift of time.

What are you most passionate about right now? Giving what yoga has meant to me to even one person, being a mom, and the Phillies!

When you aren’t at the studio where can we find you? Driving one of my kids to some sporting event or in Avalon!

What’s your favorite thing about Hotbox? My most favorite thing about Hotbox is the personality that the studios have. They are both warm, welcoming, and accepting of every person.

What’s one thing you want to share with the Hotbox community? I hope to empower every person that decides to do yoga and inspire them to believe that yoga is really for everyone, wherever you are in your journey.

What are you most passionate about right now? Acknowledging my mental health and sharing my journey with others. Suffering in silence is hard and I want to help other people be accepting of themselves and know that they are safe in all seasons of their lives.

When you are not in the studio, where are you? With my hairless cats, working at Apple, or trying a new restaurant.

Current Mantra: I’ve got two!

All of us have made it through 100% of our bad days.

An attitude of gratitude is the highest Yoga.

What’s your favorite thing about Hotbox? That Hotbox has brought a beautiful yoga community to MY community. I am Lower Gwynedd born and raised, and Hotbox is the PERFECT addition to this community.

What’s one thing you want to share with the Hotbox community? My gratitude for those who come to practice with me. I may be guiding you through practice, but I’m also LEARNING from watching and guiding all of you, and that makes me a better yoga teacher. Thank you.

What are you most passionate about right now? Momming with a yogi heart and mindset.

When you aren’t at the studio where can we find you? Either in clinic (recommending yoga to most of my patients!) or spending time out in nature with my family and friends.

Current Mantra: Don’t wish for it. Work for it.

What’s one thing you want to share with the Hotbox community? I grew up in Blue Bell and recently moved back to the area after living in Philadelphia for the past 15 years.  I now live 1 mile away from Hotbox Ambler.

What’s your favorite thing about Hotbox? The heat! And the community of interesting, like-minded people.

What’s something that you are passionate about? Power yoga! There is nothing like the feeling you get after stepping off your mat in a power class.  I love this practice and get on my mat as often as I can.

When you aren’t at the studio where can we find you? When I’m not at Hotbox I am either working as an attorney or spending time with my kids, Maddie (4) & Mikey (1) & my husband Kevin.

Current Mantra: And now it’s like this.

What’s your favorite thing about Hotbox? The warm and wonderful energy of the people and the space

What’s one thing you want to share with the Hotbox community? The magic of Yoga!

What are you most passionate about right now? All things nature and adventure

When you aren’t at the studio where can we find you? In my garden, or on a trail in the trees - anywhere outside!

BIO COMING SOON!

Current Mantra: Breathe in, breathe out.

What’s your favorite thing about Hotbox? Everyone is so friendly, diverse, open, it’s a universal language.

What are you most passionate about right now? Using as many platforms as I can, I aim to educate and inspire everyone who crosses my path, showing them that they deserve happiness and health and can take steps to achieve it.

When you aren’t at the studio where can we find you? Another yoga class, Rayah’s gymnastics studio, Niyah‘s soccer field, or my 5th Grade classroom.

Current Mantra: Honor your mind.  Honor your body.  Honor your “you”.

What’s your favorite thing about Hotbox? This community offered me a place of refuge.  No expectations other than to be me.  From my 1st visit, I was welcomed as I am.

What’s the one thing you want to share with the Hotbox community? Yoga is for everyone.  No matter age, culture or body type. 

What are you passionate about right now? I have a renewed sense of freedom.  I’d remind everyone, you are and always have been free.

When you are not at Hotbox where can we find you? Experiencing life!!  In my backyard reading, at the gym lifting, vibing at festivals and cool restaurants.

Current Mantra: If it’s not a hell YES it’s a hell no.

Why Hotbox? COMMUNITY! Hotbox is a magnet for beautifully spirited like minded souls. The interactions before & after class fill my cup as much (if not more) than the vinyasa itself.

What’s one thing you want to share with the Hotbox community? Every single person who walks into Hotbox adds so much value to the space. If you’re coming to a class seeking connection and community, know that I’m here for it and we’re here for you. If you catch my class or see me on the mat, come say hello! I cannot wait to meet you.

What are you most passionate about right now? Rediscovering myself after becoming a mom. My yoga practice, my routines, my desires and my boundaries.

When you aren’t at the studio where can we find you? With my family! My husband, our toddler Autumn, and our two fur baby dogs. With the weather warming up you can find us at the parks, the library or the zoo.