Teachers
Founder of HIYOGA - Rebeckh Burns
Rebeckh is the founder of Hot Yoga Works in Auckland. Rebeckh has been teaching Yoga for over 25 years, she has a designated Master Yoga Teacher accreditation by the International Yoga Alliance one of only 28 people globally to have this accolade. Rebeckh has authored a best-selling book on Meditation in her 20s, published by Harper Collins Australia, has studied Naturopathy and Metaphysics. Rebeckh is devoted from her heart to helping people to heal, empower and experience true health and wellbeing through practical techniques of Yoga and beyond with her expert guidance.
Eleanor Xu
I stumbled into yoga in my late 20s at the time when I was a stressed out Engineer working up to 14 hours. During my introductory period, I felt and knew this was "it"... what my mind and body was craving for. Eventually I went for teacher training in the Fall of 2008. Have been teaching since. My daily practice is Key to the understanding of the Bikram Yoga ...and myself.
Gary Walker
Gary is a lifelong teacher and motivational coach. After teaching a number of different exercise classes, HITT Pilates has been his passion for the past year. Classes are always fun, friendly, motivational and will help challenge and support your fitness and physical goals.
With a background in Psychology, NLP and sustainability - the power of the mind determines our reality.
Come join in fun and fitness!
David Maxwell
Having practised yoga for 7 years and gaining his teacher’s qualification in 2014 at the Raddison in Los Angeles, David teaches hot yoga and leads our free Meditation classes every Wednesday. He loves bearing witness to the self improvement of others.
Santi Tania
Santi was born in Jakarta, Indonesia. She loves to travel. In 2016, she completed her study of clinical medicine in China. During her last year of study, she was introduced by an acquaintance about yoga. She tried almost all kinds of yoga and told herself “This is it! This is what my mind and body need.” After completing her bachelor’s degree, she returned home, stayed for a year before moved to New Zealand.
She decided to study Traditional Chinese Medicine in Auckland. She realised that she needs to create a balance between study and work. Yes!! The answer is yoga. She joined a 6-week challenge on July 2018 here at Hot Yoga Works. Since then she was hooked on the practice. Later she tried Hot HIIT pilates and never thought that workout could be so much fun with all the variations and music.
Now she teaches Hot HIIT pilates. She enjoys sharing her knowledge from medical perspective to get a better understanding in order to achieve the benefits. Perseverance and strong determination are the keys.
Great full body workout with awesome playlists to boost your day. Come, try and have fun!
Isabella Qiu
I've been hooked on Bikram hot yoga since 2007 when I first started practicing, and have kept it up ever since. Over the years, I've studied Ashtanga yoga, Cross-fit, and Pilates. I took a Hot HIIT Pilates instructor training in 2019, and have taught Victoria Secret workouts as well. In the meantime, I've been studying physical therapy yoga and personal training coaching sessions in 2020. As a mandarin native speaker, I can coach you in English or Mandarin—whatever you prefer! In addition to all of that, my background includes aerial(flying) yoga and R.E.P.'s certification (Registered Exercise Professional). I do personal training sessions based on Victoria Secret inspired workout methods to helps those who want to get fit and gain muscle whilst losing fat!
Valentyne Tuiavi’i
Ngati Awa, Ngati Kahungunu, Samoan
My yoga journey started during pregnancy in 2016. I did my first hot yoga class at Hot Yoga Works studio in 2023 and really loved the practise no matter how challenging it felt during the 90 minutes.!
As a mother, prioritizing my health and fitness isn't just about personal well-being; it's a powerful example I set for my daughter, showing her the value of self-care and nurturing our bodies through practices like yoga, which infuse vitality into our lives.
Irene Chapple
Irene Chapple is co-founder and director of Better Aotearoa, an impact agency for social good. Her background is in filmmaking, television, journalism and strategic communications, in New Zealand and the UK. She has practiced in the hot room for more than 15 years, starting with hot yoga in London and New York, before discovering Hot Pilates in New Zealand. She credits her hot room practice - with its incredible mix of mental and physical challenge - for supporting her through numerous life events including major injury, pregnancy, and parenting! She loves how Hot Pilates mixes fun times with a hard workout and is honoured to teach it to others.
Honour Carmichael
I first started practicing yoga at hiyoga in 2021 but quickly fell in love with HIIT Pilates. After three years of dedication, Pilates has become my go-to for building strength, power, and motivation to be a better person. The hot room brings me the most energy and makes me feel at peace after a stressful day. Outside of fitness, I work in IT, balancing my love for tech with my commitment to health and well-being.
Lucia Noriega
My yoga practice started in Mexico (my home country) at the age of 16. Its healing nature gave me a strong connection to my body and deep mental and emotional benefits from a young age.
I completed my teacher training in 2012, and have been sharing this practice ever since. I have also been part of various teacher trainings and yoga/meditation retreats over the years.
My love for travelling brought me to New Zealand in 2020, where I have explored my passion for ceramics, photography and the great outdoors.