The Teachers

Suzanne Elliott

Suzanne Elliott has been a fitness educator, student, and coach for her whole life. She has practiced yoga for more than 25 years. Suzanne's body has been healed by yoga after a lifetime of athletic injuries and a double hip replacement. Suzanne has devoted her life to teaching and sharing the healing power of yoga with as many people as possible after experiencing the incredible benefits of the 26&2 Series for herself. She obtained her 26&2 Teaching Certification in 2002 and has since taught the 26&2 Series to numerous students for more than 20 years. She is happy to have impacted over ten thousand lives in Brevard and beyond as an adjunct assistant teacher at Teacher Trainings and through leading posture clinics and teaching seminars. Suzanne enjoys making others feel and look amazing, bringing people together, and witnessing students' health improvements.

Joe Elliott

Joe Elliott has been a teacher for thirteen years. In 2007, he intended to join the Bikram Yoga community as a strong male voice through the Bikram Teacher Training in Hawaii. He and his wife, Suzanne, share the physical and mental benefits of yoga, which he practices with her. Joe appreciates teaching for his ability to connect with his students. He hopes to inspire his students to accomplish more than they ever dreamed possible. His objective is for them to comprehend the significance of yoga practice and its potential benefits.

Claudia Cox

Claudia Cox is also one of the H.O.T.Y. 26&2 instructors. In 2010, she received training in Las Vegas and began teaching in the same year. Her favorite aspect of teaching is forming a bond with her students and helping them grow through an incredible Yoga and Pilates experience. Her best piece of advice for beginners is to never give up. It works. It may not be easy, but they will grow physically and intellectually stronger, and you can't put a price on that!

Patricia “Tish” Rees

Tish started her yoga practice right here at H.O.T. Yoga on the Island in 2008! She received her 26&2 Teacher Certification in 2010 at the Bikram Yoga College of India Fall Training in San Diego, California. Tish says she loves yoga because the practice allows her to “amaze, disappoint, deplete, bore, treat, hurt, tease, forget, nurture, discover, challenge, love myself and still come back!” Tish hopes to inspire students in her classes to “catch the yoga bug”. Her favorite part of teaching is watching her students progress slowly but surely over time.

Katherine “Roo” Kalm

Katherine “Roo” Kalm has been a yoga instructor for the past decade and a half due to her desire to spread this knowledge and the advantages of yoga. She began her yoga practice at H.O.T. Yoga on the Island 14 years ago. She finished the Bikram Yoga Teacher Training in the fall of 2011. For her, the most notable benefits have been mental wellness and clarity. She is motivated by the transformation of her students and their desire for greater knowledge. She consistently advises her students to enjoy themselves and not feel the pressure of obligations.

Donna Trantham

Donna began practicing yoga in 1995, and discovered the 26&2 Series 1999. She found that the technique and sequence of postures were exactly what her body needed to heal from years of sports injuries and accidents. Maintaining a consistent yoga has changed her mind as well as her body. Donna says, “Over the past 23 years, I've gotten stronger, healthier, and more flexible, mentally and physically.” After her positive experience with yoga, Donna felt called to share the amazing benefits with even more people. Though her 9-week teacher training was challenging, her transition from teacher to student was natural. She says, “I was asked to teach, and I had a lot of good mentors to help me learn.” Donna's favorite part of teaching is sharing her experience and passion with others. Her philosophy is, “Any yoga is better than no yoga!” Donna advises new students to show up, breathe, and do what they can. She says, “Do what you can! Remember, less is more!”

Diana Kennedy

Meet Diana Kennedy, an inspiring member of the HOT Yoga on the Island family and our featured Teacher Spotlight! Diana's dedication to yoga began in 2007, and she's been an integral part of the HOTY community since August 2014. She completed her Yin Yoga teacher training in October 2023 and began teaching in November of the same year, sharing her love for yoga with her students.

About Diana Kennedy

Diana discovered HOT Yoga on the Island thanks to her friend Jessica Kelly from Cocoa Beach. Her first class was hot and humid—a challenging experience that laid the foundation for the mental clarity and physical strength she enjoys today. Since then, Diana has reaped countless benefits from her practice, including enhanced flexibility, stress management, and a deeper sense of balance. For her, HOTY feels like a “home away from home,” with its supportive and family-like community.

Classes Diana Teaches

Diana currently teaches Yin Yoga, a relaxing and therapeutic practice, and Yang Yoga, the energizing counterpart to Yin. In Yang classes, students build large muscle groups, strengthen their bodies, and integrate Wall Pilates techniques for a dynamic and challenging workout.

Jenny Windsor

Meet Jenny Windsor, an inspiring instructor and passionate member of the HOT Yoga on the Island family. Jenny's yoga journey is a testament to how transformative this practice can be for the mind, body, and spirit. After starting as a committed practitioner, she completed her Yin Yoga Therapy training in October 2023 and became certified in OHYA Original Hot Yoga Therapy training in Summer 2024. Jenny now brings her unique energy and dedication to teaching, inspiring students to embrace their personal yoga journeys.

About Jenny Windsor

Jenny has been practicing yoga off and on for 15 years but has maintained a committed daily practice for the last year and eight months. She discovered HOT Yoga on the Island after meeting Suzanne and Joe at a yoga event and was drawn to the studio's supportive and welcoming environment. “The yoga was very challenging and pushed me in ways I had never experienced before,” Jenny recalls. Since joining, Jenny has experienced incredible benefits, from improved strength, flexibility, and balance to better mood, sleep quality, and mental clarity. But for Jenny, the most profound transformation has been finding a new sense of purpose and confidence.

Why Jenny Loves HOT Yoga on the Island

Jenny says the studio feels like home, with its warm and supportive community. “The people are so encouraging,” she says, “and I love how everyone pushes each other to grow.”

Classes Jenny Teaches

Jenny teaches a variety of classes, including:

• 90-Minute 26&2
• Yin Yoga
• Young Athlete Yoga Sport

Whether you're looking for the therapeutic benefits of Yin Yoga, the classic 26&2 series, or specialized yoga for young athletes, Jenny's classes are the perfect blend of challenge and encouragement.

Marlene Bussard

Meet Marlene Bussard – Dedicated Yoga and Wellness Advocate

Yoga Journey and Training

Marlene's yoga journey began in 2016 with home practice, guided by online videos. Seeking community and deeper learning, she started practicing in a studio in November 2022. Inspired by a flyer featuring a striking yoga pose by Suzanne, she joined Hot Yoga on the Island (HOTY) and earned her Yin Yoga certification through the Hot Yoga Institute in December 2023.

About Marlene Bussard

Since then, she has been sharing her passion and knowledge as a dedicated yoga instructor.

Classes Taught and Practiced

Marlene teaches Yin Yoga and enjoys exploring other styles, including Yin & Yang, Vin-Yin, and even trying Kolkata-style yoga. Her teaching and practice are rooted in a holistic approach, emphasizing both physical mobility and mental well-being.

Why Marlene Loves HOTY

For Marlene, HOTY represents a supportive and enlightening community where she has found mentorship, friendships, and personal growth. The welcoming environment and sense of unity make it her yoga home.

Her Teaching Philosophy

Marlene believes yoga is about meeting your body where it's at and embracing each moment as part of your personal journey. She encourages students to let go of comparison and listen to their bodies, fostering a practice that supports both physical and emotional release.

Advice for New Students

Marlene's advice is simple yet profound: “Meet your body where it's at. Embrace your starting point and allow time and gravity to be your allies. Trust the process, and don't force yourself into anything your body isn't ready for.”

Beyond the Studio

When she's not teaching or practicing yoga, Marlene wears many hats. She is a Classical Ballet and Jazz instructor at Dance Variations in Rockledge and offers private ballet lessons at SpaceCoast Iceplex. A creative soul, she also plays piano, sings with a band at East Coast Christian Center, writes poetry, and tends to her vegetable garden. She enjoys long walks and immersing herself in the outdoors, embracing her “very right-brained” personality.

Favorite Things

Food: Mangos, peaches, berries, and seafood top her list of favorites.
Colors: Teal, violet, and emerald green are her go-to choices.

Yoga as a Lifeline

Marlene has experienced firsthand the transformative power of yoga. It played a pivotal role in her recovery from injury, helping her overcome challenges with her sacral spine and hips. Beyond the physical benefits, yoga provided her with mental clarity and a much-needed outlet during a challenging season of life.

Diana Dee Boyette

Meet Diana “Dee” Boyette, one of our newest instructors at HOT Yoga on the Island! Dee brings enthusiasm, a love for yoga, and years of teaching experience to the studio. After practicing Original Hot Yoga since 2012 and recently completing her Original Hot Yoga Teacher Training with HOT Yoga on the Island in June/July 2024, Dee has joined our teaching team with an inspiring energy that lights up the hot room.

About Diana Dee Boyette

A retired math teacher, lifelong athlete, and “crazy chicken lady,” Dee has dedicated much of her life to teaching—whether it's swimming, CPR, or now, hot yoga. She loves connecting with students and helping them find their best through encouragement and clear instruction. Her philosophy is simple: yoga is good for you, brings peace, and fosters a sense of community. Dee first discovered HOT Yoga on the Island after COVID through friends and quickly felt at home in our warm and welcoming studio. She credits her yoga practice with improving her flexibility—an area she says she's worked on as a lifelong athlete—and finds joy in challenging herself and others to grow both physically and mentally.

Why She Loves HOT Yoga on the Island

For Dee, HOT Yoga on the Island is more than just a place to practice yoga—it's a community. She describes the vibe as “welcoming,” with instructors and students alike making everyone feel like they belong. “You are encouraged to challenge yourself,” she says, and the results are transformative.

Classes Dee Teaches

Dee is currently teaching 90-Minute 26&2 classes, the foundational series that combines strength, balance, and flexibility in a heated room. Her thoughtful instruction will leave you feeling stronger, more focused, and ready to take on your day.

Advice for New Students

Dee's advice is straightforward and empowering: “Do what you can and follow the instructor's directions. It's better to try to do the posture as close to standard than to get stuck in a modification. Most of all, stick with it—the physical and mental growth will be tremendous.”

Fun Facts About Dee

• Hobbies: Gardening, swimming, and bicycling
• Favorite Food: Tex-Mex
• Biggest Pet Peeve: Not putting stuff back where you found it!