Ashley (ERYT), was a dancer from childhood to late teen. Dance was her entire world but when she left for college she decided to put dance aside to focus on her education. In doing so, she never really found anything to replace the love she had for that type of movement & release. Until she found yoga.

Ashley began practicing yoga in 2017 as a part of a new fitness program to actively recover from weight training & cardio. From the moment she first stepped on her mat, she was in love. Everything from the movement, creativity & physical challenge was exactly what she felt she had been missing since she hung up her ballet shoes.
Yoga has not only helped her with muscle recovery & overall physical strength but has also helped her work past emotional trauma and blockages in her life that prevented her from being the expansive human she always knew she was meant to be.

Ashley completed her 200 hour Teacher Training here at Hot Power Yoga Center in 2020 and recently completed her certification as a Breath and Meditation leader.

Ashley’s passion is using these practices to create embodied change, love and growth from within. And nothing lights her up more than leading a class through and to that transformative feeling. In her classes expect to be challenged and moved in the most unique and supported way.

Krystal (500RYT) fell in love with yoga in 2015. After spending years doing cross training she found herself longing for some time to slow down and be present. Yoga being just that, she went to her mat more and more and hasn’t stopped since. In 2019 Krystal graduated from 200h teacher training with Kristin here at Hot Power Yoga Center, then teaching at local studios in central MA. In 2022 Krystal went on to earn her 500 hour certification in Bali. Yoga has helped her through some very hard times in life , being the one place where she could slow down and move freely. This moving meditation is what kept her strong through these times, yoga has now become Krystal’s passion in life, she can't wait to share her love for yoga with as many people around the world as she can.
In Krystal's class you will practice linking breath to movement while flowing through various challenging yoga postures. Krystal loves the art of sequencing so be prepared to enter postures in new and challenging ways, that challenge your body as well as your mind. experience something new each time you’re on the mat.

Kristin Caforio Marengo (owner/E500RYT) is a native of Worcester, Massachusetts.  Upon graduating high school in 1998 she left Massachusetts and pursued a career in dance.  Landing her first job as Grover in Sesame Street Live in 1999.  After a series of dance tours, and cruise line contracts she landed in NYC.  After a back injury in 2002, she found Yoga.  In dance she was always competing, dancing through injuries and neglecting her body. Yoga changed all of that and through yoga she learned proper alignment.  No longer competing and forcing she began listening to her body and healing her body. Quickly her injuries healed. 

 

Yoga started off primarily physical, but quickly yoga became a mental practice as well.  Kristin started noticing that she was more calm throughout the day.  Things that would have got her down previously were no longer affecting her.  Yoga was changing her life in a positive way.

 

In 2003, Kristin received her 200 hour certification in NYC and years later received her 300 hour certification.  Currently Yoga Alliance (E-500 RYT). Her teaching career began, teaching throughout NYC.  In 2007 Kristin became the general manager of Prana Power Yoga in NYC.  In 2009 she became the head teacher of the Teacher Training Program.

 

In 2010 Kristin's class was rated as one of the top 10 yoga classes in NYC, by Time Out Magazine. (December 2010) issue.

 

Kristin led NYU's physical therapy yoga program.

 

November 2014 Kristin was featured in Cosmopolitan Magazine

 

In 2014 Kristin was featured as a yogi in the motion picture "Creative Control"

 

Kristin decided it was time to move back to Worcester Massachusetts in November 2014, and decided to open Hot Power Yoga Center. Kristin's dharma or life purpose is to spread the healing powers of yoga to all her students and is overjoyed to have her own studio.  Hot Power Yoga Center is a safe atmosphere where students can explore their physical and mental selves through breath and movement.  There are no mirrors at Hot Power Yoga Center, because through Yoga we let our egos go and listen to our bodies without competing or judging.  Hot Power Yoga Center is a simple place to escape from every day stresses, and take time to fill your own cup.

 

There is no end to a yoga journey, just a beginning.

 

Kristin wants to thank her husband Joseph and son Josiah for their unconditional support. 

 

 

 

Julie St. Francis (E-RYT® 200, E-RYT® 500, YACEP®) has been practicing yoga since 2008, but really fell in love when she found hot yoga. She has found hot yoga and running a perfect combination to stay fit and to protect mental health.
Julie is a science and history teacher at Dudley Middle School and an adjunct professor at Nichols College. She tries to incorporate her knowledge of yoga and science into all of her classes; in the studio and classroom. "I love to make connections across all disciplines; on and off the mat".
Julie has two sons that motivate and challenge her to be a better person. "Without yoga, I know my challenges I've had in life would still be haunting me. Yoga gives me the ability to slow down and be a better mom and friend."
Julie graduated from Hot Power Yoga Center's 200 hour Teacher Training program in 2016 and Sacred Seeds Yoga school 300 hour in 2021.

Cassandra’s health and wellness journey began as an high-school athlete, participating in various sports including volleyball and track. After graduating, she was seeking another form of movement where she could build consistency, as well as a way to make her feel like her best self.

In 2018, Cassandra found a home at Hot Power Yoga Center, at the start of her nursing school career, where she found new meaning of how yoga could give her the tools to regulate her nervous system outside of sports, stay in the present moment, and most importantly, give her the trusting confidence to be herself.

In 2024, Cassandra felt a calling to join Hot Power Yoga Center’s yoga teacher training program where she was able to dive deeper into her yoga practice with a more well rounded understanding of asanas, breath work, and exploring a new outlet for her creativity. She graduated from Hot Power Yoga Center’s yoga teacher training in May 2025.

Cassandra is deeply committed to a balanced and intentional lifestyle that brings physical health and personal fulfillment together.

Some of her passions outside of yoga include reading fantasy/sci-fi books, playing video games, skiing, and spending time with her family, friends and fur baby.

Cassandra graduated college with a Masters and Bachelor’s degree in Public Health as well as a Bachelor’s degree in Nursing. She currently works as a critical care nurse in Worcester and teaches nursing students in Boston.