Get to Know The Teachers!

Vinyasa and Mindful Instructor

Meghan went to school for architecture and in 2016, after working in corporate America for 10 years, she quit her career and opened Hot on Bank, New London

Meghan has been practicing yoga since 2006. After practicing under a few different teachers/styles of yoga, she developed a strong home practice. During this time, it was Power Vinyasa that she fell in love with. In 2012, she became a certified power vinyasa instructor, through North East Power Yoga before opening her first yoga studio in 2017.

Meghan's teaching has evolved over the years and while you will still find her teaching power vinyasa, you will also find her teaching more gentle classes. But no matter what class you find Meghan teaching, she is always aiming for her students to make the practice their own; exploring the postures as a way to look inward. Meghan truly believes that each of her students have the ability to be their own, best teachers, and hopes to inspire them to be lifelong students to the practice of yoga

Hatha/Kripalu Instructor

Sonya began her study of yoga in 2002 and was trained as a yoga instructor at the Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health in 2006. She teaches the Kripalu method as well as Vinyasa Flow and Restorative classes. Sonya’s teaching is known for being clear and accessible. Students can expect a class that is equal parts skillful, challenging, sustainable and fulfilling.  In addition to being an experienced yoga instructor and student, Sonya teaches French and Spanish at the Norwich Free Academy where she also designed a yoga program accessible to all students as part of their curriculum. She enjoys engaging her students daily in the practice of mindfulness and the inquiry of yoga. 

“Mindfulness is the practice of noticing our limits while yoga is the practice of transcending them. If we can approach all practice with an attitude of curiosity and compassion, there is no limit to what we can uncover and transform.” 

 Ayurveda Instructor

Rachna Tewari founded Swasthyam Wellness to share her holistic healing work using the sister sciences of Ayurveda & Yoga. 

She is a certified Ayurvedic Practitioner & yoga teacher, with a scope of practice that includes pathology & disease management, as well as preventative health care & health promotion by recommending a personalized treatment plan using diet, rituals, yoga, herbs & ayurvedic body therapies. 

Rachna was born and raised in Patna, Bihar, a state in Northern India. Her holistic journey began at the Bihar School of Yoga when she was enrolled for a yoga camp by her father, her first guru. This experience ignited a special love for Yoga & Ayurveda, leading her into a lifelong journey to understand not only the foundations of these sciences but also their essential preventative and curative role in good health. 

Moving to the United states in early 2000 actually brought her closer to her culture and heriatge. She had previously worked as a human resource professional, but has always been driven to the wellness aspect of Ayurveda & Yoga. So in 2010, she decided to become a certified yoga teacher and to find answers to her personal health, began studying Ayurveda. 

She has completed numerous training in both Ayurveda and Yoga in the United States, India, and Germany. An essential component of her growth as a wellness coach is frequent travel to India to spend time with Ayurvedic vaidya’s (Ayurvedic physicians) and master yoga teachers from various traditions. She is currently studying the classical Ayurvedic text Astanga Hrdayam & the Sanskrit language. 

When she is not working with clients, she loves doing her sadhana of yoga, cooking, spending time with family & collecting diverse Indian handlooms during her India trips.

 Namaste

Vinyasa Instructor  

Emily began practicing yoga in 2011 as a way to manage anxiety and panic attacks after the loss of a loved one. Her passion for yoga grew deeply over the years and she discovered she wanted to be able to bring the benefits of yoga to others. In 2019 Emily traveled to Romania to complete a multi-style 200-hour teacher training in Ashtanga, Vinyasa, Restorative, and Yin. You will find a mixture of these styles in her classes. Since then, she has completed her 300-hour certification as well as additional courses in Restorative Yoga. In Emily's classes, expect to challenge yourself both mentally and physically and leave feeling centered and empowered, always knowing you can come back to your breath. 

Vinyasa Instructor 

Hayley started her yoga practice in pursuit of cool poses, but quickly realized the benefits of her practice for her body and mind. For Hayley, practicing mindful yoga is an act of self love, and has deepened her intuitive connection with her body. Yoga has brought more ease, peace, and trust into her life.

Hayley is a 200 HR RYT through Hot on Bank. She teaches vinyasa, restorative yoga, and prenatal yoga, and her goal in all of her classes is for her students to be kind to themselves and listen to their bodies.

When she’s not practicing asana, she can be found spending time with her husband, rescue pup, and family.

Slow Flow, Restorative, Nidra Instructor 

Lexa first came to the mat to fight in the great calorie crusade but noticed that with consistent practice, she was gaining tools to combat anxiety and hustle-culture stress. Through the guidance of courage-infusing teachers, Lexa became more aware of noticing the body’s distress signals and how to navigate them. She came for the workout, but stayed for the process of reacquainting with herself.

Lexa, a 200 RYT through Hot on Bank, teaches slow-flow vinyasa and restorative classes with a nidra chaser. Students can expect a compassionate atmosphere where you can practice as you are and take up all the space that you need.

When Lexa is not in some kind of hip opener or practicing Ashtanga primary, she can be found hiking with her husband and two pups or floating in the ocean.

Vinyasa Instructor 

Stephanie’s practice began in 2010 at the local YMCA under Linda Wells & Wendy who opened the door to embracing imperfections and living in the moment. Throughout major turning points in her adult life she has always circled back to asana. In 2022 she became a 200 HR RYT through Hot on Bank.

Stephanie seeks to offer avenues for growth while creating a safe and calming space for students to be themselves. For Stephanie, growth provides hope and hope has a strong relationship to the power of positive thinking.

Power Vinyasa Instructor

Through her 7 years of teaching experience, Alyssa strives to create a well-rounded movement experience to enhance overall well-being. Positivity and ability to make the practice “light and fun” best represents who Alyssa is as a teacher, and she does her best to hold true to those qualities in all aspects of life.  Yoga, and its portrayal of some postures, can be intimidating and so she works to create an environment where the student is able to let go of life’s pressures and find enjoyment within the practice.  Essentially, her class is a time to develop personal practice and have a good time (while breaking a sweat!). Overall Alyssa’s goal is to contribute positivity into the day of each individual and have them feeling accomplished, relaxed and centered. Expect to walk out of class feeling balanced and powerful! She has continued to develop her talents and focus as a teacher with many classes, workshops and trainings. Vinyasa Instructor 

Stephanie’s practice began in 2010 at the local YMCA under Linda Wells & Wendy who opened the door to embracing imperfections and living in the moment. Throughout major turning points in her adult life she has always circled back to asana. In 2022 she became a 200 HR RYT through Hot on Bank.

Stephanie seeks to offer avenues for growth while creating a safe and calming space for students to be themselves. For Stephanie, growth provides hope and hope has a strong relationship to the power of positive thinking.

Vinyasa Instructor 

Jeanne has been a group fitness instructor for over thirty years, but originally came to yoga intending only to be a student. She never thought yoga was for her, as her mind was rarely at peace…which is exactly why yoga was for her! Jeanne began her practice in Washington, D.C. in 2017, and continued practicing after moving to Colorado Springs. At the studio in Colorado Springs, she found what she did not know she was looking for – community. At that point, she wanted to learn more about the history and practice of yoga, so she enrolled in the studio’s 200-hour teacher training program, with no intention of actually teaching. The joy of sharing yoga and all it has to offer, however, overcame her resistance and she discovered she loved to teach yoga, particularly all variations of vinyasa flow. When not in the studio, you’ll usually find Jeanne enjoying the outdoors with her service dog, Angel.