Meet the teaching team at Hot Yoga Pasadena

Hot Yoga Pasadena Studio Owner, Val Robinson

Val Sklar Robinson

LEVEL 3 CBYT
HOT PILATES, LEVEL 1 & 2
FRC™ MS (FUNCTIONAL RANGE CONDITIONAL MOBILITY SPECIALIST)
STUDIO OWNER SINCE OPENING 1998

Val Sklar discovered Original Hot Yoga (OHY) when she was 27 years old after months of discomfort from degenerative arthritis in her right hip joint (caused by a broken hip at the age of 13). Her Orthopedist told her there was nothing that would improve her condition. His prognosis was joint deterioration until  an inevitable hip replacement within a few years.

Several months later, Val tried her first OYH class.  After six months of regular practice, her joint pain improved as long as she continued to practice. Val was so overwhelmed with the healing power of  OHY that she gave up her corporate career to become a Certified Bikram Yoga teacher. After completing Teacher Training in the spring of 1998, She opened Hot Yoga of Pasadena, later that year.
Val is very grateful that Original Hot Yoga and Hot Pilates has kept her physically, mentally and emotionally strong the last 27 years. Her OHY practice was invaluable during two pregnancies and the challenges of caring for two small children. While she outlasted her original prognosis by 15  years, in December of 2010 Val underwent hip replacement surgery. Val returned to her practice a few months later and continues to this day.  She returned to teaching 3 weeks later and practicing 3 months later. You can follow her journey at www.valsnewhip.blogspot.com.

Hot Yoga Pasadena Instructor Jeffrey Rangel

Jeffrey Rangel

LEVEL 3 CBYT

TEACHING AT HYP SINCE 2001

Jeffrey Rangel began practicing Original Hot Yoga in Pasadena in the fall of 2000 while working as a doctoral candidate at the University of Michigan. Intuiting a life change at hand, Jeff jettisoned a career in academia to pursue his growing passion for yoga. Upon the recommendation of studio owner Val Sklar Robinson and with the moral and financial support and the Hot Yoga Pasadena community, he became a Certified Bikram Teacher in the spring of 2001. Jeff has taught full time at Hot Yoga Pasadena ever since. In the meantime, Jeff has studied extensively with Emmy cleaves, Mary Jarvis and the late Jason Winn. Jeff has taught in studios across California as well as Hawaii and for a stint on Bangkok, Thailand. Jeff has been a regular competitor in the Yoga Asana Championships and is a four-time Southern California Yoga Asana Champion as well as the 2008 USA Mens National Champion.  Jeffrey is one of the most experienced teachers in the area and will help and challenge anyone to get stronger and love their practice.  

Bikram Yoga Instructor Brook Peterson

Brook Peterson

LEVEL 3 CBYT

TEACHING AT HYP SINCE 2009

Brook started practicing Bikram Yoga in Berkeley in January of 2007. She attended Bikram’s teacher training in the fall of 2009 in Las Vegas. She has been living, practicing, and teaching in the Los Angeles area ever since. Brook is also an avid student and reader of Yoga, fascia and more.  Brook co-lead HYP OHYTT in the Spring of 2024 and is a highly regarded and sought after OHY instructor.

Instructor Roxanne Armstrong of Hot Yoga Pasadena

Roxanne Armstrong

LEVEL 2 CBYT

TEACHING AT HYP SINCE 2009

Roxanne took her first Hot Yoga class in 2003, she knew after her first class that one day she wanted to teach OHY.  . Roxanne came from a background and many years in the fitness business, teaching Jazzercise, Personal Training, Fitness and General Manager of local Fitness Clubs. In 2009 she attended  Bikram Yoga Teacher Training in Las Vegas and continues to learn and grow as a practitioner and as a teacher by attending other trainings and workshops. She practices regularly and competes in Yoga Asana Competition, winning California Regionals and placing in the top 4 in Nationals and InterNational Competitions in the last few years in the 50Plus Category. As a teacher Roxanne enjoys helping and watching how OHY heals and changes each individual through a regular practice.

Michael Beran, yoga instructor at Hot Yoga Pasadena

Michael Beran

LEVEL 1 OHYT
SINCE 2017

I’m very happy to be a certified teacher and practitioner of Yoga. I value what Yoga has done for me in re establishing my path in life; balance, helping me focus on my health as well as self reflection.”

I took my first yoga class at Mt. San Antonio College, after I graduated High School in 2001.   Finding a passion, I decided it would be fulfilling to become a yoga teacher. In the Spring of 2014, I attended a Vinyasa teacher training  to pursue my first teaching credential.

I took my first Hot Yoga class in Pasadena at Val's studio, and also worked at  the front desk. Then in the summer of 2016, I also decided to pursue an Original Hot Yoga teacher certification to teach the original hot yoga series.

Bikram Yoga instructor Miranda Liu

Miranda Liu

LEVEL 2 CBYT

TEACHING AT HYP SINCE 2009

Val invited me to her studio in 2000 to try Original Hot Yoga.  I liked the yoga and the studio but I was young, working long hours, traveling, and living a pretty unhealthy lifestyle and gave up the practice shortly.  Years later after an unhealthy pregnancy, difficult labor, followed by depression, insomnia, and weight gain I tried without success the gym and various programs to feel better mentally and physically. Finally, in 2006 I forced myself back into the hot room for another try at it. To my surprise, I felt better almost immediately and began to practice 5 days a week. I lost the weight in about a month, but more importantly I gained a sense of calm and ease about being a mom and my future.

I was so inspired and encouraged by the teachers that I decided to go to Teacher Training (Fall2007) about a year later.  Teacher training was a life changing experience and when I returned home, I was pregnant with my second child. I continued to practice and teach throughout my pregnancy and had an easy labor, and a strong healthy yoga baby. I attribute the striking differences of my pregnancies to yoga. The most wonderful and inspiring aspect of teaching at Hot Yoga Pasadena is the supportive yoga community, and the many times I’ve witnessed a student change their life direction and start living their life to their fullest potential. The gift of Original Hot Yoga has done that for me.

OHY instructor Paul Robi

Paul Robi

LEVEL 1 OHYT
SINCE 2018

I am a retired Los Angeles Police Officer. I went to my first original hot yoga class 14 years ago to support my wife and daughter as they recovered from injuries suffered in a  car accident. I quickly realized the benefits from this yoga and it became an essential part of my life. Upon retirement, I decided to become a yoga instructor so I could continue to help others. I am a graduate of the Raja Yoga Academy and I truly enjoy providing students with 90 minutes of focus, peace and connection. My hobbies include gardening and spending time with my grandchildren.

Hot Pilates instructor Rachel Hunter of Hot Yoga Pasadena

Rachel Hunter

Hot Pilates-Level 1

Rachel was brought to the studio at age 13 by her mother who has been a long time student at HYP. After her first yoga class, Rachel fell in love with the community and practice, but she lacked the commitment and felt overwhelmed maintaining consistency. After moving back home after college, she was looking for a healthy physical outlet in a supportive environment so she returned to the studio to try Hot Pilates and fell in love once again. 

Rachel's passion for Hot Pilates grew and she found pride and purpose in the persistence taught and displayed in class by the teacher, herself, and those around her. Rachel began working at the front desk of the studio in fall 2021 and has found joy in combining challenging OHY and Hot Pilates classes.

In March 2023, Rachel attended IHP (Inferno Hot Pilates) training to become certified as a Hot Pilates instructor at HYP. She continues to gain experience and confidence while teaching and taking classes. She strives to provide a fulfilling and uplifting experience for all students. 

Natalie Fornelli | Hot Pilates instructor at Hot Yoga Pasadena

Natalie Fornelli

LEVEL 1 IHP

I attended my first Inferno Hot Pilates class at Hot Yoga Pasadena in December 2021 and I was immediately drawn to its healing capabilities. As an individual born without menisci and torn ligaments in both legs, I was constantly told throughout my life I would not be able to do certain things, which is something I used to believe but not anymore! Regardless of age or ability Inferno Hot Pilates is for you! You will leave every class feeling strong. This class welcomes all bodies and all experience levels. You do the work in this class to make yourself into the person you want to be and instead of thinking it’s difficult, you are energized by the challenge. 

I recently attended teacher training in July of 2023.

Hot Yoga Pasadena instructor Lily Honigberg

Lily Honigberg

Hot Pilates-Level 1 and 2

I was taking regular hot26 at Breathe Cambridge when I was living in Boston for conservatory, and the owner, Shelley Cates, pulled me aside after a class one day and said “the founder of IHP is coming to town next month to give a training and I think you’d be a great fit”. I couldn’t believe she was talking to me, but I followed through and learned an incredible amount about leadership and being the voice that aims to inspire people to push through during hard times when we want to give up, a voice of my own I’ve been cultivating so much more since that becoming an IHP instructor, both outside and in the hot room. As a full time professional violinist based in LA, the hot room has become my haven where I can leave everything that exists on the outside in that place, and tap into a growth mindset on my mat, even when I’m on the road. I have absolutely loved becoming part of the family at HYP and look forward to many more difficult classes with you guys