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: Practice imperfection

What’s your favorite thing about Hotbox? I love the people! New and familiar faces alike, our studio has fostered the most beautiful, respectful and uplifting community of people. Sharing our space with community is one of the greatest gifts.

What’s one thing you want to share with the Hotbox community? Creating space creates power in your practice and in life. There is room for growth when we make space for ourselves to show up, space to be great, and space to make mistakes. I hope my class will create space for you to grow your practice on and off the mat.

What are you most passionate about right now? Spending as much time outside as possible!

When you aren’t at the studio where can we find you? At the gym, taking walks outside, baking elaborate desserts or rooting for the Eagles!

Current Mantra: Breathe and take it all in.

What’s your favorite thing about Hotbox? To me, the Hotbox studio equals community. When I walk through the doors, I feel like I’m home. It’s a safe space, a place where I can be my silly self, but also practice and focus with intention (and often giggles). My heart is filled with the smiles and hugs of the friends I’ve made and the friends I have yet to make.

What are you most passionate about right now? One thing I am super passionate about is taking time to notice my surroundings, notice the people, the sounds, the animals and see what is going on around me.

What’s one thing you want to share with the Hotbox community? I find joy in the simple things, and I smile at just about everyone. If I could encourage more people to do same, I think the world would be a better place. Which ties in with my current mantra to just breathe and take it all in. Breathe and find peace and joy in the moment you’re in, because everything is temporary.

When you aren’t at the studio where can we find you? Taking daily walks with my dog Murray and my Starbucks coffee. I’m the girl who knows SO MANY people in Roxborough, the neighbor who loves feeding the birds on the front porch and the woman who loves spending time with her husband, Larry.

Current Mantra: There is no reason I must feel hurried right now. 

What's your favorite thing about Hotbox? I love how tied to the community I feel. Hotbox was where I made my first new friends when I moved to Philly in 2017 and since then has always felt like another home. 

What's one thing you want to share with the Hotbox community? One of the aims of practicing yoga is to calm the fluctuations of the mind in favor of peace and stillness, in Sanskrit: chitta vritti nirodha. That's a feeling we all know from the last part of class and something I often leave the studio feeling. 

What are you most passionate about right now? Finding ease in a yoga practice. I'm leaning into listening to my body and slowing down, pausing, or resting when I need to. The heat of summer in the studio has helped me recognize the importance of this. 

When you aren't at the studio where can we find you? Being a therapist, cooking at home in East Falls, and taking lots of weekend trips to see friends and family. 

Current Mantra: Keep it moving

What’s your favorite thing about Hotbox? The opportunity to learn and grow with so many enthusiastic and truly unique people!

Goal of each class: Build full body strength and presence through intentional movements and breath.

When you aren’t at the studio where can we find you? Cruising around with my dogs Claude and Luther or riding bikes with my son Cole.

Current mantra:Be human

Favorite thing about Hotbox: How I feel when I walk in the door and how I feel when I walk out the door…the palpable sense of community…the heat!…the shared breath when we practice.

One thing to share about me: I’m a 3 — in enneagram.

When not at the studio: Building Community in my day job with Habitat for Humanity PHL.

BONUS: I’m addicted to all Real Housewives shows on Bravo. True story!

Current Mantra: Be open to all of the possibilities

What’s your favorite thing about Hotbox? I love the community and all of the fabulous teachers.

What’s one thing you want to share with the Hotbox community? I am so excited to begin teaching at Hotbox!

What are you most passionate about right now? I just want to complete my principal certification and make it to Spring so I can start surfing again.

When you aren’t at the studio where can we find you? Teaching music and musical theater in South Philly.

Current Mantra: Like the tiniest of acorns, you have everything you need inside of you to grow into a beautiful Oak tree.

What’s your favorite thing about Hotbox? The community! I have made some of my closest friends in Manayunk by attending YTT in 2022. Also, the way you can hear the room breathe together during practice is truly magical.

What’s one thing you want to share with the Hotbox community? Embrace your shakes and wobbles in poses. Learning to fall out and come right back into a pose is the practice.

What are you most passionate about right now? Snowboarding. And my new stainless steel pots (no more forever chemicals).

When you aren’t at the studio where can we find you? With my goldendoodle son, Boe, on an adventure…or playing games with friends.

Current Mantra: Make it different 

What’s your favorite thing about Hotbox? The community of students and teachers. Love the connection and support across the group to learn and explore.

What’s one thing you want to share with the Hotbox community? I’ve been a passionate traveler/adventurer most of life! If you have a travel/adventure suggestion let me know! Or a great travel story, I’m all ears! It’s one of the great connectors between us all I believe…travel as an access to discovery, connection and empathy.

What are you most passionate about right now? Reading and learning about expanded states of consciousness and how these may apply to healing as well as expanding & informing life perspective.

When you aren’t at the studio where can we find you? Hanging with my partner Jess and our dog Ziggy. 

Current Mantra:

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Be with presence
Speak with power
Live with purpose

What’s your favorite thing about Hotbox? This Community is incredible. Hotbox has cultivated a space where everyone and anyone can feel welcomed to explore, be vulnerable, and celebrate every moment of growth.

What’s one thing you want to share with the Hotbox community? Flow is not something that happens outside of you. Flow is the complete presence with the moment, movement, and breath that is YOU. Keep moving. Move and you’ll be Moved.

What are you most passionate about right now? Expanding the greater consciousness toward a deeper & more embodied connection between the BodyMindSpirit.

When you aren’t at the studio where can we find you? Rehearsals. Currently preparing for the premier production of BATHHOUSE, an immersive theater dance experience where audience and cast are invited to explore their deepest darkest desires and even discover some new ones.

Current Mantra: I have several that are my go tos….”Be Curious,” “Be a Yes,” “Above All- Love,” but “Just Breathe” always works.
 
What’s your favorite thing about Hotbox? The Heat (and Humidity), The Quality and Range of the Teachers, and of course the welcoming community
 
What’s one thing you want to share with the Hotbox community? Never stop embracing the mindset of a beginner. Growth happens in the uncomfortable learning space, and we have to keep choosing to step into it.…Consider that after 25 years of practicing I’m now a teacher. Who would have thought?
 
What are you most passionate about right now? Being kind to everyone.
 
When you aren’t at the studio where can we find you? Walking at Rolling Hill Park or in my home office, growing Silver Path Consulting, our business supporting seniors and their families on their aging journey.

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!)

Current Mantra: Slow down and smell the roses!

Favorite thing about Hotbox: The heat and the people, not necessarily in that order!

To share with the Hotbox community: Learn to love your practice—it will always be there for you.

Current Mantra: Feel it all.

Favorite thing about Hotbox: There is something so uniquely special about Hotbox that cannot be described but can only be felt. Walking into Hotbox feels like coming home. Also, the heat.

One thing to share with the community: It's okay for your practice to change over time, it's also okay for your relationship with your practice to change over time. I've been coming to Hotbox since 2012, a lot has happened since then! I have taken long breaks from my mat, because it's what I needed at the time. Your mat is a place to land and to return to, not a place to hold rigidly.

What I'm most passionate about right now: Experiencing JOY.

When I am not at the studio you can find me: Working with my clients (as a therapist), walking around Germantown, hanging out with my husband and my cat!

Current Mantra: The only way out is through

What’s your favorite thing about Hotbox? The magical light and quiet of the empty studio before it’s filled with yogis.

What’s one thing you want to share with the Hotbox community? I’ve been around Hotbox since 2016 and seen the studio through lots of transitions. I’m grateful to our longtime students who’ve supported our community over the years - thank you for keeping our doors open and our room sweaty. 

What are you most passionate about right now? I’m very passionate about helping students deepen their practice by offering variety in the classes that I teach. Our practice and passion for yoga can dwindle without challenge. Come check out my restorative classes on Sunday nights, my 45 minute lunchtime class on Thursdays, and the fun sequencing in my power classes!

When you aren’t at the studio where can we find you? I run a nonprofit called @lwvpa that fights voter suppression and empowers all Pennsylvanians to vote and engage with government. 

Current Mantra: Flow like water breathe deep and free.

What’s your favorite thing about Hotbox? The space.

What’s one thing you want to share with the Hotbox community? Minimal Effective Wording — Aka speak only if it can be used now.

What are you most passionate about right now? Feeling each pose.

When you aren’t at the studio where can we find you? Scarpetta or playing with Atlas, my 2 year old.

Current Mantra: Everything doesn’t always have to be so heavy. Find moments of lightness, ease, and breath.

What’s your favorite thing about Hotbox? Community, community, community. The energy in this community is contagious & never fails to ignite a spark inside of me!

What’s one thing you want to share with the Hotbox community? I used to coach girl’s basketball for 4 years before moving to Philly (I promise I won’t make you do drills during class)

What are you most passionate about right now? Living yoga — incorporating my practice in all aspects of my life.

When you aren’t at the studio where can we find you? Walking my four-legged nephew around Manayunk or spending time with friends!

Current Mantra: Everything you need is already inside you.

What’s your favorite thing about Hotbox? The community is fantastic. I’m surrounded by supportive mentors and friends. I love that it feels like a safe environment to be who you are. If I’m in a bad mood or having tough day just stepping into the studio makes that all go away.

What’s one thing you want to share with the Hotbox community? I ride a motorcycle. It’s a 2022 400 Kawasaki Ninja. I’ve been riding for 5 years. It’s my second baby other than my pet rabbit, Onyx.

What are you most passionate about right now? As I went through my yoga teacher training, it pushed me to finally get over my fear of trying out stand up comedy. I am more introverted and shy so I was always so scared to get on stage in front of people. Now that I have, I really do enjoy it. I have been spending a lot of time working on jokes and trying them out at local open mics.

When you aren’t at the studio where can we find you? I’m either at Grape Room hanging out or @dtxfyme in the red light infrared sauna. Clearly I love the heat!

Current Mantra: Healing is my birthright; God is healing me. I will run again!! (Currently healing from a long term injury which caused me to temporarily give up my love for running and it is difficult but reminding myself of this promise keeps me encouraged.)

Why Hotbox? When my home studio was open, Hotbox was always home away from home. A loving, safe community for me. When my home studio closed it has become home. Some of the most amazing teachers work here and in each and every class you get something different that is needed. The feeling of my feet to the floor is like no other.

What’s one thing you want to share with the Hotbox community? No one can be you but you. Do not rob the world of you trying to be someone else.

What are you most passionate about right now? Refocusing, Resetting, Refreshing—let’s just say I am at a “Re” time of my life. My birthday is May 7th and I honestly want to just sit on a beach, in the presence of God and write out a life plan—What’s working? What isn’t working? Where do I want to be? Am I on a journey there? Etc. It is time to be passionate about self discovery and while I will always care for others- refraining from forgetting about myself.

When you aren’t at the studio where can we find you? On Zoom (way too much) with my therapy clients or grad students LOL, driving in my car singing at the top of my lungs, somewhere working out (pool, outdoors, Peloton bike) or with my sons.

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.

Current Mantra: Change the things you can change. Make peace with the things that cannot be changed.

What’s your favorite thing about Hotbox? Being able to practice with my wife Jill (a powerful Yogi) and all the great friends, both old and new, I have made over the years.

What’s one thing you want to share with the Hotbox community? Great and meaningful music via the albums I play during my class, Friday Sounds with Steve.

What are you most passionate about right now? Spending quality time with my friends and family.

When you aren’t at the studio where can we find you? Fronting Concrete Charlie, a rock and soul cover band.

Taylor took her first yoga class over 12 years ago at her local YMCA. As her practice grew, she searched for a studio that both challenged her edge and respected her boundaries. In 2022 she discovered Hotbox. She took one class (taught by the amazing Nicole Braun) and immediately signed up for the teacher training program. It was at Hotbox where she saw her own potential as a yoga teacher, sharing this beautiful, life-changing practice with others. She now teaches at Hotbox as well as her local YMCA and loves to be part of some students’ first experience of yoga, meditation, and the mind-body connection.

Taylor describes her teaching style as gentle, but she will still create a powerful class with opportunities to modify or push your limits. She loves to emphasize sensation over shape, encouraging practitioners to tune inward and take control over their own practice. Her words are merely an invitation to connect movement and breath in the present moment.

Current Mantra: “This is a place of practice, not perfection.”

What’s your favorite thing about Hotbox? It’s my happy place! I can show up and feel surrounded by community even if I don’t know everyone’s name. I love breathing together, grounding down all the way to the hardwood floor, and setting my drishti on a new but familiar space.

What’s one thing you want to share with the Hotbox community? I’m a highly sensitive empath who holds on to so much tension unintentionally. When we strengthen our mind-body connection we can observe this and start to let go—so notice your shoulders, your jaw and your forehead. Can you let go anywhere and find ease? You’re worthy of rest and restoration!

What are you most passionate about right now? Setting and sticking to my boundaries. Easier said than done!

When you aren’t at the studio where can we find you? At home on my sofa with my husband and two cats. 

Current Mantra: I can do hard things

What’s your favorite thing about Hotbox? The sense of community! It’s nice to see familiar faces each week and everyone has been kind.

What’s one thing you want to share with the Hotbox community? Every time you come practice may look and feel different. Listen to your body, push yourself when you can, and focus on your own mat.

What are you passionate about right now? Recommitting to my home practice. I love coming to the studio but it’s important for me to be able to tap into the same energy by myself.

When you aren’t at the studio where can we find you? Teaching at AFC fitness or at home crocheting and trying to not kill my plants

Tim is an E-RYT500. He received his 200 HR from Hotbox in 2014 and his 500 HR in alignment based vinyasa from 3 Queens in 2019. Tim has attended Baptiste Level 1, 2, and both Art of Assisting workshops. 

Mantra: Keep it simple. 

What's one thing you want to share with the Hotbox community? I've lived in Manayunk with my wife Molly, and two children, Hank and Hedda for the last 14 years. 

What's something that you are passionate about? In 2016 I founded Roots2Rise, a yoga based nonprofit. I have extensive experience facilitating yoga and mindfulness classes for, as well as, teaching to various populations across the city. I've worked with incarcerated individuals, seniors, individuals in recovery, children and students, city employees, as well as the general public through Philadelphia venues such as local libraries, schools, and various rec centers and city parks (such as the Manayunk bridge). 

When you aren't at the studio where can we find you? When I'm not at Hotbox I can be found riding my bike. 

Current Mantra: I never lose. I either win or learn.

What’s your favorite thing about Hotbox? Super welcoming environment, great instructors, the HEAT and big windows!

What’s one thing you want to share with the Hotbox community? I started rolling up my mat and almost walked out at least 3 different times when I took my first hot yoga class! I’m proof that you don’t have to show up perfect, you just have to keep showing up.

What are you most passionate about right now? Dreaming and community! I think it’s going to take a lot of dreaming, creativity, and community building to create the kind of inclusive, and non-violent world I’d love to live in. Also VERY into Severance right now!

When you aren’t at the studio where can we find you? In Philly classrooms teaching theater, in Philly restaurants grabbing a bite, or in my Philly home watching “my shows” (there are many) with my fiancé!