



about the studio
While our studio is temporarily closed as a result of COVID-19 restrictions, we’re coming to you with live online classes for you to stream at home. For class times and more, take a look at the studio schedule above, then book your spot.
We are monitoring the latest government advice and will reopen as soon as possible to do so. Keep an eye on our social media pages for further updates, and don’t hesitate to get in touch if you have any questions or concerns.
studio facilities
- Changing
- Mats
- Parking
- Showers
Signature Inflatable Studio
Vinyasa flow
37 degrees
All levels welcome
our yoga classes
find us
Silksworth Community Pool, Tennis and Wellness Centre, Silksworth Lane, Sunderland, Tyne and Wear, SR3 1PD, GB
Find Us
Deb Mullinder
Deb has practiced yoga for many years. She first took to the mat as a form of physical exercise and to somehow find a better balance in a world of overstimulation. She believes that there isn’t one type of yoga for life and that finding what yoga is right for you, at that very moment in your life, is part of the yoga journey
Deb is trained in vinyasa, yin, and restorative yoga. Her soulful practices are deep-rooted in kindness, encouraging students to slow down, nourish, and nurture.
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 has a passion for teaching Yoga and and believes everyone can benefit from time spent on the mat
Lauren Cummings
Lauren began practicing Iyengar yoga in her early teens and this lead to a lifelong passion for yoga, prompting her to follow her dreams and she qualified a yoga teacher in 2020.
“I’m trained to teach Vinyasa and Ashtanga styles and have benefited from both myself.
I’m a keen runner and enjoy weight training so I know the importance of yoga to help with recovery, adding strength, and nurturing the body and mind. I like to make my style of teaching accessible to everyone and try to have fun along the way.”
Louise Edwards
Louise is a passionate and energetic Vinyasa Flow Teacher with a love of creating flows, teaching and sharing her love for yoga. She also absolutely loves practicing in the heat.
“Yoga 100% changed my life for the better and since I completed my 200 hour Teacher Training in 2017 I haven’t looked back.”
Natalie Lyon
Natalie’s background is based in fitness and dance, loving physicality and movement as a way to express and release.
“Yoga gives so many physical, mental and spiritual benefits, it balances both mind and body. After completing my 200 hr YTT in India, I’m excited to share my love of yoga at Hotpod Yoga Sunderland!”
Rachel Garnham
Rachel’s background is in Contemporary Dance and in 2013, she completed her 200 hour Yoga teacher training and later in 2015, her 500-hour Advanced Yoga Teacher training from the Himalayan Yoga Institute. Rachel is also certified in pregnancy, post-natal, baby yoga, and massage.
After 8 years spent in London studying and working as a fitness professional, Rachel returned to the Northeast to become a very lucky Mama to her beautiful daughter, Luna in June 2018
Elaine Smith
Elaine is the owner of Hotpod Yoga Sunderland, previously teaching at Hotpod Yoga in Newcastle. She loved the brand so much, she couldn’t wait to bring Hotpod Yoga to her home town of Sunderland.
“I’m pretty down to earth and like to focus on bringing mindful movements to each yoga class. I’m keen to share the positive impact yoga can bring, helping students to build a stronger, more flexible body and a space to help quieten the mind.”
Shelley Noble
Shelley discovered yoga many years ago and felt amazing after every session and she believes that yoga has the ability to change your life! Shelley’s classes involve moving with the breath, working every muscle and helping to calm the mind. “Yoga is everything you need, you will leave feel strong physically and mentally, stretched and super sweaty. So excited to share the Hotpod Yoga love “
Zoey Lott
Zoey’s yoga journey started in 2018.
“After losing a significant amount of weight I had become bored with daily gym workouts and one day decided to try hot vinyasa yoga at Hotpod and I immediately fell in love with yoga. Within a year from my first class, I had attended over 300 classes and completed my 200 Hour YTT in Functional Hatha Yoga. On a personal level, yoga has helped me cope with anxiety, allowed me to make lovely new friends, gain confidence, and also helps me manage a health condition called Fibromyalgia.
I hope to bring a unique perspective to my classes, which allows students of all abilities to practice at a level to suit each individual.”
Grace Johnson
Grace first began practicing Yoga in 2013, as a way to ease injuries & stress she was beginning to struggle with. Whilst originally the practice started out as a physical challenge, it wasn’t long before the overall benefits of the practice began to impact not only her physical wellbeing, but also her mental health for the better, and is something that she really believes can benefit everyone, in some way.
After completing her first 200Hr teacher training in 2017, and 300Hr in 2019, Grace now teaches full time, favouring an upbeat vinyasa style, creating a playful, flowing sequence for her classes, connecting strength and softness, which simultaneously leave you feeling soothed and empowered.
the founder
Elaine Smith
Elaine grew up in Sunderland and has lived in the area for most of her life. Discovering Hotpod Yoga in Newcastle back in 2017, she really felt as if she had found her yoga home, loving the combination of the heat, accessible classes and a friendly vibe. This resulted in her training as a yoga teacher with Hotpod Yoga, in London back in 2018, and inspired her to open her own pod in her home city. Elaine has been teaching at Hotpod Yoga Newcastle for the past year and has seen first hand the massive difference it makes to people lives, and wants to extend this around the North East of England to everyone that comes to the Hotpod Yoga Sunderland studio.