Sam teaches with a passion that resonates through his booming voice and fills the room with compassionate knowledge... Sam likes to tell jokes and sometimes funny stories about how difficult it was for him as a new student... Sam will let you know that it's ok to rest if you need to, and it's also ok to leave your judgement and ego and expectations outside the room so that you can focus on what is most important... trying the right way."
Sam has over 20 years of experience practicing Hot Yoga. He has had to overcome and persevered through a history of spinal and joint problems caused by scoliosis and participation in sports. Sam has worked with all kinds of people with all kinds of medical issues and would be happy to help you with yours.
Began his Hot Yoga Practice with Diane Ducharme in October 2003.
Graduated from Bikram Choudhury's Teacher Training in the Fall of 2004.
Came in Second place in Massachusetts at the New England Regional Yoga Championship in 2005 and came in First Place in New England in 2006.
Participated in the National championships in 2006 and 2007.
Has attended over a dozen seminars with Diane Ducharme as well as Two advanced seminars with Bikram. He has also attended certification trainings in 2007 and 2010.
Completed an intensive internship with Diane Ducharme until May of 2006, when he Purchased Bikram Yoga Auburn From Sandra Sullivan.
Opened Bikram Yoga Westboro in March 2010. He closed it in November 2015 to focus on Auburn.
Attended Inferno Hot Pilates teacher trainings in November 2017, March 2018 and March 2019.
Attended 26+ teacher training in October 2018.
Has been studying Yoga Nidra since November 2018 and Yin Yoga since 2005.
Danielle Cellere
Watch Danielle Teach
Hot Yoga 26+2
Danielle teaches Original Hot Yoga and 26+Tunes with a mix of heart, humor, and just the right amount of push. She first walked through the doors of Hot Yoga Auburn as a student in 2005 and quickly fell in love with the practice. In 2009, she traveled to Palm Desert, California for teacher training, and she’s been guiding students ever since.
Her teaching style has evolved over the years to reflect a deep belief that everyone’s journey on the mat is personal and powerful. Danielle is all about progress, not perfection. She teaches with love and compassion, while encouraging students to challenge themselves when they’re ready. “Trying the right way” is her mantra – because that’s how you get 100% benefit.
She finds inspiration in your small victories: whether it’s learning how to breathe, finding stillness, holding a pose longer than before, or even just showing up when it’s hard. She’s your biggest cheerleader, whether you’re nailing standing bow or discovering your own rhythm in the room.
Danielle’s highlight to her week is her 26+Tunes class, as it is a combination of her 2 favorite things – yoga and music! Outside the studio, Danielle is a self-employed graphic designer and a proud crazy plant lady, and has turned her home into a jungle (just ask her kids).
Melinda Mercedes
Inferno Hot Pilates
Melinda is our Lead Pilates Instructor and certified Inferno Hot Pilates Instructor (2020, Gabriella Walters). Off the mat, she is a scientist in Research and Development. She previously owned her own studio in Worcester. She's also a long-time member of HYA. Follow her on instagram for more updates! IG: @_mfitness5
Lindsay Muscarella
Inferno Hot Pilates
Lindsay is a dynamic Pilates instructor who delivers challenging classes while always offering thoughtful modifications. She creates a fun, inviting atmosphere where students of all levels feel supported, empowered, and strong—leaving each class energized, aligned, and confident in their bodies.
Joanne Ortiz
Hot Pilates
Joanne is a passionate Hot Pilates enthusiast and longtime student. Currently, she's on a journey to expand her knowledge and skills through additional training, all to enhance her practice and teaching. Joanne's mission is to inspire and support others in sustaining a healthy workout lifestyle. She aims to be the encouraging instructor who transforms lives from the inside out, using the gifts she's been blessed with to serve and uplift those around her. Let's embark on this transformative journey together!
Kat Morrill
Inferno Hot Pilates
Kat brings her incredible 10+ years as a dance teacher knowledge and expertise to an amazing Inferno Hot Pilates Class. Kat took her first class at HYA October 2011. Her Husband, Matt is also a long time HYA student.
Brittany Sheikh
Watch Brittany Teach
Hot Yoga 26+2
A student at HYA since April 2013, Brittany fell in love with yoga for its psychological benefits early on in life as a way to cope and manage stress. It wasn’t until her time as a college athlete that she began to realize the physical healing benefits of yoga. As a lifetime practitioner, she sought to deepen her practice by attending teacher training, which she graduated from in 2018. She began teaching at Hot Yoga Auburn in 2019. When she’s not in the hot room, you can find her conducting her fourth grade classroom, skiing or hiking in the mountains, and enjoying the company of her friends and family. Take Brittany’s class and leave feeling peaceful and empowered.
Brittany Richard, RN
Inferno Hot Pilates
Brittany is a full time behavioral health nurse by trade, who loves overall wellbeing and fitness. She adores the great outdoors, and is always ready to conquer her next challenge. After practicing pilates for years, she began as an IHP instructor back in 2020 at HYA. In 2025 she became certified in Barre and is excited to share this new modality with you all. As an instructor she focuses on meeting individuals where they’re at, but doesn’t hesitate to push them to their limits. Come achieve your personal fitness goals in Brittany’s pop up classes. Watch the schedule for pop ups of Inferno Hot Pilates, Club Pilates, and Barre!
Wendy Boutin
Barre
Wendy is a fitness instructor and personal trainer with over 20 years of experience. She started teaching in 2003 and gravitates toward Barre, Cycling, and HIIT styles. She loves teaching Barre and brings motivating, high-energy coaching to every class. When she’s not in the studio, you’ll find her disc golfing or out on the trails with her dogs, Brady and Brooklyn.
Danielle Pickett
Hot Yoga 26+2
Like many others on the mats, Danielle stumbled into hot yoga fifteen years ago with no real intention of becoming a yogi. After moving to San Francisco and looking for something to replace the daily walking she used to do in NYC, she decided to try yoga. The closest studio to her new home happened to be a hot yoga studio. “If I hadn't gone for the introductory special, I probably wouldn't have gone back, despite having experienced my first ever “runners’ high.” I thought the class and the people taking it were totally nuts!” But back she went, and after just a handful of classes, she noticed a difference in her physique. Danielle loved that she was becoming stronger and more flexible, but more importantly, the yoga was starting to alleviate her longstanding anxiety and depression.
Yoga transformed Danielle’s life in such a positive and comprehensive way, she decided that she had teach this life changing therapy and help others. She completed 500 hour hot yoga teacher training in Fall 2011. Since then, Danielle has taught in San Francisco, New York City, and now back in her home state of Massachusetts. She loves getting to see students have physical, emotional, and even spiritual breakthroughs – and to see their practices become more than just exercise.
Raelyn Turgeon
Yoga-laties and
Hot Vinyasa Flow
Raelyn discovered yoga while recovering from a competitive sports injury, finding a practice that allowed her to heal while still feeling challenged. Yoga has since transformed both her body and her perspective, inspiring her to share its benefits with others. She is a 200-hour certified yoga instructor specializing in Vinyasa and is mat Pilates trained through STOTT Pilates. Her classes are thoughtfully designed to create a well-rounded experience that supports the body, mind, and soul.
Students can expect intentional sequencing that cultivates strength, stability, mobility, and endurance, while also fostering a sense of calm and connection. Outside the studio, she works as a special educator supporting young children with Autism and enjoys traveling and spending time in nature.
Jim Giza
Meditation
Jim has been teaching yoga since 2014, with a special passion for yin and meditation. Students in his classes can expect a calming environment that encourages slowing down, deepening the breath, and reconnecting with themselves. His own practice was transformed through Divine Sleep® Yoga Nidra, and he brings that same sense of rest and renewal into his teaching. Before becoming an instructor, Jim was involved in a few technology companies and served as Entrepreneur-in-Residence at WPI. Off the mat, he finds moving meditation in swimming, as well as joy in working outdoors and spending time with his wife and adult children. Jim’s hope is that every student leaves class feeling more centered, spacious, and at ease.
Jill Russo
Hot Pilates
Jill has been teaching at Hot Yoga Auburn since 2024 and brings a lively, energetic spirit to the early mornings with her signature Pilates HIIT and Pilates Pulse classes. As a biology and health teacher, she loves blending her knowledge of the human body with movement that builds strength, confidence, and long-term wellness.
A former collegiate athlete, Jill now channels her competitive background into coaching athletes to become the healthiest versions of themselves. She designs sport-specific programming, such as seasonal stretching and mobility classes for golfers. These classes emphasize rotation, balance and core stability, ideal for any athlete.
Outside of her weekly classes, Jill also runs Party Pilates pop-ups by request.
Emylia Little
Hatha Yoga and
Barre
Emylia is a dedicated yoga teacher and full-time art educator with a passion for creativity, connection, and community wellness. She pursued her yoga training with the intention of bringing mindfulness and movement to those around her, creating space for rest and restoration in busy lives. Emylia’s yoga classes emphasize relaxation, flexibility, and mobility, with a gentle focus on releasing stored stress and tension in the body. In addition to yoga, Emylia also leads energizing barre workout classes designed to strengthen and tone the body while having fun. Her barre sessions blend elements of Pilates, dance, and functional movement, offering a dynamic and upbeat way to build strength, improve posture, and boost confidence. Whether you're seeking calm or a challenge, Emylia’s classes support a balanced approach to both body and mind.
Toni Gahagan
Hot Pilates and Vinyasa Yoga
Toni has been practicing yoga for over 25 years, and out of a deep love for the practice, she began teaching in 2019. When COVID hit in 2020, she became a certified life coach — a decision that completely changed the trajectory of her work and life. What began as a shift became a calling, and today she truly loves what she does and lives it as her life purpose.
She joined HYA as a member in February 2024 and never looked back. Everything about the studio changed her life — not only strengthening her body and physique, but transforming her mindset and overall well-being. She began teaching at HYA in early 2025 and has never felt more at home.
She suggests that if you’re looking for a truly life-changing studio, HYA is your place.
Reaghan Brunelle
Inferno Hot Pilates
Inferno Hot Pilates became a huge part of Reaghan’s life in 2023, and after completing 500+ classes, she felt inspired to share that same energy with others. Her goal as an instructor is to help every student build strength with intention, create mind to muscle connection, and leave each class feeling more confident both on and off the mat.
Charlene Pratt
Hot Yoga, Vinyasa, Yin, and Pilates
Charlene took her very first yoga class in 2008 as a means to connect to herself with more compassionate and kindness. She became certified to teach yoga in 2014. Since then, teaching yoga has never faltered as her #1 favorite thing to do! Charlene teaches yin, power vinyasa, Pilates, and hot yoga with music (26 and tunes) at the studio. Her teaching style is playful and inspiring. She encourages students to meet themselves where they are each class and to listen to what their body needs (even if that means laying on your mat vibing out to Charlene’s music playlist in stillness). Come try all of Charlene’s classes!