Hotpod Yoga
Gateshead

Ellen Spence

I was first introduced to Yoga as a dance artist in the Middle East. In pursuit of a traditional, holistic and ancient philosophical practice, I went to India & studied under respected yogacharya Lalit Kumar & graduated with my Yoga Teacher Training in 2019. I love combining traditional techniques with my expertise in Biomechanics Coaching and offering new ways of finding freedom of movement to improve my students lives every day.

Sarah Taylor

Yoga has given me space in my mind to live my life to the fullest and feel like I can handle what life throws at me. The rest of the benefits are all a bonus. I think everyone should have the opportunity to benefit from yoga, and I want to share that experience with as many people as possible through teaching yoga.
My classes are fun and challenging no matter where you are in your yoga practice. Aiming to help build strength in your core and balance in your body as well as increasing flexibility. Above all I hope to leave you feeling calmer in your mind and that little bit more alive and refreshed.

Tammie Foster

Hi Everyone I’m Tammie. My yoga journey began back in 2015 when I started yoga alongside my Dance and Performing arts degree and I fell in love with it from my first class. The community it created, the way it made me feel not only physically but mentally, the freedom I had to express myself as I was, it truly transformed my life. This lead me to complete my 200hrs Ashtanga Vinyasa In May 2022 then my Rocket Yoga in January 2023.

My classes aim to create a safe space for yogis where they can experience the magic I did and find what yoga means to them. In my classes you can expect playful creative sequencing, options for yogis to explore and safely challenge themselves, mobility and strength work to balance the progression of flexibility, pranayama and meditation to compliment the style of the hotpod class.

Marianne Butler

Marianne got hooked on Yoga around 2009, and has been teaching since 2014. She loves hotpod for its immersive environment, down-to-earth vibe, and of course that soothing heat! She’ll guide you through movement and breath with a focus on building self-awareness. As well as teaching yoga, Marianne is a practicing Astrologer and is always up for a chat about the cosmos after class.

Amy Forster

Since teaching my first fitness class in 2018, I’ve focussed on building a motivating, supportive and ultimately fun approach to my sessions. Following my Yoga Teacher Training during maternity leave in 2022, I’ve found a space in the pod which is unlike any other. Throughout pregnancy, my regular yoga practice transformed how I felt each day – and continues to do so now as I value that hour within the pod more than ever before as a toddler mum.

Karolina Malec

I have a psychology degree and I like to bring a little bit of that to my classes. In my practice, I usually focus on releasing tension from the body, which is often associated with our emotional states. Apart from traditional yoga, I like to explore practices and movements that increase mobility and flexibility, which I mix with my practice. I’m a coffee lover and language learner and I love traveling. I have many hobbies and I believe that you can teach yourself almost everything. Currently, I’m working on my coding skills.

Flo Gould

I began my yoga journey in 2013 when my partner injured his spine & I went to class to provide him with moral support in his rehab journey. Little did I know that yoga would soon change my life, and in 2020, I decided to complete my YTT in both Vinyasa and Yin styles. In my classes, I like to keep things fun by focusing on sequences that provide just the right amount of challenge, so you leave class feeling both happy & accomplished! I firmly believe that what you practice on your mat stays in your life, and I try to incorporate little bits of wisdom into every single session.

James Powles

James is an accredited sound therapist and conscious connected breathwork teacher, who has long been interested in tapping into naturally altered states of consciousness for therapeutic benefit. His aim: To calm the mind and quieten the inner self-critic by delivering experiences that hack the body and brain to then receive personal insights.
This has been an underlying motivation in his practise for many years, though his urge to share these techniques with others came about during lockdown when he first discovered cold water immersion. Facing this challenge consistently led him to strive for greater emotional resilience, which he knew was lacking from as far back as his formative years. Now he is driven to share his knowledge and techniques with others, helping them navigate their own transformative journeys with support and encouragement

Nicola Lynch

Having little prior yoga experience, Nicola attended her first Hotpod class in 2015 not quite knowing what to expect. She quickly began to develop a love of fluid movement in addition to the physical challenge of practicing in the heat.
Completing her teacher training in 2022, Nicola is keen to share the positive mental and physical benefits that she believes yoga can offer for anyone open to spending time on the mat.
“My approach is inclusive and light-hearted, encouraging an element of physical challenge and exploration to support students in building strength, developing flexibility and creating a balance of body and mind”

Vera Powles

Vera has been working in the healthcare and wellness industry for over 12 years and a yoga student for as long. After years working on DNA repair Vera came to understand that a full state of health requires a holistic approach and, in 2018, became a health coach. In 2022 she completed her 200hr vinyasa yoga training since yoga philosophy was very ingrained in her life as well as a driving force during her health journey. Yoga is one of the most life-changing practices for our body and soul and its teachings the backbone of sustainable, lasting, wholesome, wellbeing change. Her teaching is grounded in the knowledge that our health goes beyond how we eat, move and sleep. She’s passionate about empowering her students to discover physical and mental wellbeing and finding personal growth by taking yoga off the mat and into their lives.

Susan Urwin

Working as a PT in the fitness industry for years, Sue began practicing yoga as a way to balance her time in the gym. She quickly came to realise the multifaceted nature of yoga, finding there is a practice to suit every mood.

After moving into a stressful corporate job, the true benefits of yoga shone through: the connection between breath, body and mind. Sue found that after every session, whether challenging or restorative, she felt calm and centered. It changed her mindset and life in so many ways. From then on she decided she wanted to share this and help others see the benefits yoga can have on their everyday lives.

Francina Connolly

I first found yoga at my local gym in 2002, I practiced weekly and felt great then in 2009 a friend recommended hot yoga and my life changed forever. I practiced daily and became part of a wonderful and supportive community, my practice and the people around me gave me more strength (physically and mentally) than I could ever have imagined.
In 2014 I took my 200hr teacher training in London. I LOVE teaching yoga. My mission is to spread the love, to support and encourage my students to have the confidence to do the things they never thought possible.

Joanne

My first yoga experience was with Hotpod, when I visited the studio in 2018. I loved being cocooned in the pod with no distractions, the mood lighting, aromas, working with the heat, and how I felt when I finished a class.

In 2021 I travelled to Mexico where I completed my 200 hour teacher training. I continued to travel, experiencing many styles of yoga classes and teachers. Once I returned to the UK, I decided to start an advanced 300 hour mixed styles teacher training.

I am very interested in Nutrition, Holistic therapies and Ayurveda. I love to travel, exploring different cultures, being in nature and the outdoors.

Gary Walker

Spiritually a White Tiger is renowned for its strength and majestic fierceness. It traditionally symbolizes strength, courage, willpower and vision.

After first finding yoga in 2009, Gary Walker, the man behind White Tiger experienced a life changing event which led to the spiritual awakening of his yogic practice.

From India to Cape Town learning the practice of Hatha, Ashtanga and Vinyasa his down to earth approach will guide and relax you into the practice no matter what your level.

Kim Wells

Kim has been involved in the fitness industry for over 30 years, both as an instructor and as a lecturer for fitness qualifications. She holds an L4 Diploma in Teaching Yoga as well as qualifications in Pilates, Low Back Pain Management and Pregnancy. She believes everyone can benefit from yoga and aims to provide thoughtful modifications, adaptations and progressions in every class.

Becky Mendoza

Despite my growing curiosity it was eventually shin splints that actually got me through the door of a yoga session way back when. I can understand the difficulties we can face in booking that session. I therefore think it’s important to create a welcoming environment, and like to think my classes are pretty down to earth.
Plus, yoga REALLY is for every body. Part of the appeal is that in yoga there is no competition, the mat asks nothing of us, we just need to turn up and move a little, breathe a lot and hopefully leave a bit lighter.
I’ve absolutely loved my journey to teaching and developing my knowledge. I continue to seek ways to expand what I can offer people. I’ve trained in various styles of yoga and love a vigorous flow as much as I enjoy something calmer. I like to thread balance throughout my sessions and encourage us to work with what our body brings us that day. I have delved deeper into working with injury, yin, breathwork and yoga nidra since qualifying in 2018.

Natalie

Natalie’s background is based in fitness and dance, loving physicality and movement as a way to express and release. “Yoga has so many physical, mental and spiritual benefits, balancing both the mind and the body.” After completing her 200 hr YTT in India, Natalie is excited to share her love of Yoga with as many people as she can reach!

Bethany Demelza

Bethany completed her Yoga teacher training in 2020 where she has been trained in Hatha and Ashtanga based Yoga. “I began practicing Yoga 6 years ago, at a time in my life that was particularly challenging. It changed my life completely, leading me onto a new path, and sharing its benefits was a top priority.”

Greta Heath

Whilst studying for a degree in Contemporary Dance, Greta discovered the restorative, physical and mental benefits of exercise and yoga. Having completed the 200hrs yoga teacher training Greta began exploring opportunities to teach and realised that she had a great passion for working with people and helping them to discover the benefits of yoga. It also helped her in understanding how her own body operates and how best to work with students therapeutically. To further complement her dance and yoga training Greta has also completed further qualifications in The Alexander Technique, Yin Yoga, Personal Training and Exercise referral.

Greta’s classes focus on relieving stress and promoting wellbeing through movement. Her classes are always designed around individual needs and are aimed at improving concentration and restoring balance as well as increasing physical fitness. With her background in yoga and dance Greta always places great emphasis on the fluidity of movement and the importance of breath in movement. She teaches a range of styles including Vinyasa flow, Hatha and Yin Yoga. She also teaches dance and exercise classes in a variety of settings around the North East.

Zoe Moorton

In 2016, Zoe trained in the foot of the Himalayas, India and has been teaching in a variety of styles since.

“My favourite thing about yoga is the warm buzz at the end of the class when everyone has messy hair, big smiles and are feeling more human.”

Zoe liked to match my style and sequences to the energy of the room and always encourage students to listen to how they feel both mentally and within their bodies. She teaches in an inclusive, friendly and relaxed manner.

“It’s always my goal to make people laugh and feel at home.”

Stacey Olson