Instructors

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.” 

Baptiste Instructor

Ashira began practicing in 2009. The warm welcome and encouragement she found within the yoga community inspired her to begin teaching. In 2014, she became a 200 hour RYT. Ashira regularly attends Baptiste workshops including Being of Power and True North Alignment. "The confidence and motivation I have discovered through yoga benefits me on and off my mat." Ashira completed her Level 1 Baptiste Certification in 2016 and has continued to grow her teaching and practice; offering unique workshops that include Black Light Yoga, Kids Yoga and Restorative classes. Yoga has proven the be physically and mentally healing for Ashira, an experience she inspires to share through teaching. 

Vinyasa Instructor

Megs first yoga practice was in 2007. As a young(ish) mom and former athlete, she used it as a way to reconnect with herself. Meg spent the next ten years exploring various teachers and studios, until Meg landed at Hot on Bank, in 2017.   After two years of taking all the classes and workshops Meghan Smith offered, she finally signed up for teacher training with the idea of strictly expanding her practice and not teaching - respectively graduating in 2019.   Once experiencing the magic of the teachings, she felt a pull to share it with others and has been teaching and sharing ever since.   Megs passion for yoga mirrors her passion for Ayurveda. A love for studying nutrition, the connection food has with the mind/body, the science behind Ayurveda resonates deeply as common sense. Meg believes we all have the power to heal ourselves through awareness and discipline.
 

Vinyasa Instructor

Emily first started practicing yoga as a new way of exercising. At first, it didn’t stick, but what always brought her back to her mat was the fact that no other physical activity made her feel how she felt after a yoga class. For Emily, yoga has helped with anxiety, depression, grieving, and her overall mental health.   Emily is a 200 hour RYT through hot on bank studying under Meghan smith. She teaches vinyasa, slow flow vinyasa and power vinyasa. She hopes to share with her students how to be kind to their minds and their bodies.   When she isn’t practicing asana she can be found by the beach, with her family and friends, or up in Maine at her cottage on the lake.

Restorative and Gentle Vinyasa 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 sit with and process challenging emotions.  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, offers slow-flow vinyasa as well as restorative classes with yogic sleep.  Students can expect an atmosphere where you can practice as you are.  When not on the mat,  Lexa can be found hiking with her partner and two pups or floating in the ocean.

Vinyasa Instructor

Tasia began practicing yoga as a way to feel more in tune with her body. Once she developed a consistent, dedicated practice, she found a holistic connection to body, mind, and spirit. Along her yoga journey, she realized she wanted to share her practice with others the way her teachers have shared theirs. Tasia is a 200 hr ryt, having graduated training through Hot on Bank in 2023. She welcomes and holds space for all students who want to develop or deepen their practice

Gentle Vinyasa Instructor

Mackenzie first came to yoga as a teenager in high school, hoping to find something to help manage her stress. Yoga, for Mackenzie, was love at first practice. She was delighted to find something that was nourishing for her mentally, as it was physically.

In Mackenzie's classes, it is important to her that she create a space and offer a practice that is accessible to all. Mackenzie believes that yoga is for every-BODY, and strives to create an open space where each student feels welcomed.

Mackenzie provides ample modification and encourages her students to explore postures within their practice. Mackenzie aims to nurture a positive relationship between one’s mind and body.

Mackenzie's favorite type of yoga is a practice that provides both challenges and ease. She enjoys discovering how she may be able to find a sense of calm in challenging postures and exploring new sensations in less challenging postures.

In addition to yoga, Mackenzie loves music and going to live shows, gardening, and making art!

Mackenzie so excited to be offering space for students to act in self-care, connect to their inner wisdom, and find healing.

Kids yoga Instructor

(Held bi-monthly)

Genevieve has been practicing yoga for decades; her true passion for yoga was ignited in the summer of 2017 by a wonderful instructor (Patty Sereno), who actually came and taught a few classes in her backyard!

 Genevieve has also been working with children throughout her adult life in a variety of capacities. She received her B.S. degree in Elementary Education and Special Education from Rhode Island College in 2010.

Since that initial class in her backyard, she has put a lot of her personal focus into yoga. Exploring a variety of teaching facilities to experience a variety of teaching methods. As she moved on this journey she discovered a training focused on yoga for kids through Deep Play For Kids.  

Genevieve completed the certificate program in February of 2018. She found it a trans-formative experience, and is forever grateful for the trainers, and the friends gained through it. 

After the training Zen Gen LLC was formed. Genevieve has continued to increase her yoga training over the years. In March 2019 she attended Karma Kids Teen/Tween Intensive. This was another amazing experience! Then in 2020 she completed training through Radiant Child Yoga in February, focusing on children with Autism, ADHD and differently able, at Kripalu Yoga for Health in Massachusetts. This training has a lot of influence from Kundalini yoga and the Montessori Method. She also trained through Yoga Farm in Ithaca New York, receiving her 200 hour Hatha/Vinyasa certification.