About Us
Hot Yoga 4 You RVC has been a welcoming space in Rockville Centre for over two decades, offering yoga that transforms both body and mind. Under new ownership since 2022, the studio continues to serve as a sanctuary for movement, healing, and growth with a refreshed space and renewed energy.
Today, the studio features two practice rooms: a spacious main studio and a more intimate second space, allowing for a diverse schedule that meets every student's needs. From the invigorating heat of traditional hot yoga and hot pilates to grounding practices like yin yoga and sound meditation, Hot Yoga 4 You offers a wide range of classes to support every body, mood, and level. With expanded offerings and a commitment to accessibility, the studio remains a vibrant hub for wellness in the community.
Where strength, balance, and connection come together.
Meet the Instructors
Lia Miele
Instructor
read LIA's story
Sandi Gershowitz
Instructor
read Sandi's story
Marci Catala
Instructor
read MARCI's story
Victoria Fowler
Instructor
read VICTORIA's story
Lauren Coleman
Instructor
read LAUREN's story
Kimberly Rivera
Instructor
read KIMBERLY's story
KC Ellis
Instructor
read KC's story
Carol Aguilar
Instructor
read CAROL's story
Daniel Colantino
Instructor
read DANIEL's story
Lily Blackstone
Instructor
read LIly's story
Karina Blackstone
Owner
read karina's story
Instructor
read nicole's story
Veronica Abril
Instructor
read VERONICA's story
Nicole Barci
Karina Blackstone began her yoga journey 22 years ago at Bikram Yoga RVC. Even though her first class was tough, she walked out feeling transformed and has been dedicated ever since. Yoga supported her through major life moments, grounding her in strength and resilience.
In 2022, she became the owner of Hot Yoga 4 You RVC, the studio where it all began and expanded it with a second space in 2023.
Karina is certified in Hot Yoga (26+2), Kids Yoga, Restorative Yoga, Mat Pilates, Inferno Hot Pilates Levels 1 & 2, Yoga Sculpt, and Sound Healing. She’s committed to creating a welcoming, inclusive studio where students of all levels can grow and feel supported.
Owner
Karina Blackstone
Lily Blackstone found yoga at a young age while recovering from a serious car accident that caused multiple back injuries and a torn meniscus. Having also overcome Lyme disease in childhood, she grew to see movement as a vital part of healing and resilience.
Her personal experience inspired her to teach. She completed her Inferno Hot Pilates certification in February 2025, earned her Mat Pilates certification in May, trained in Animal Flow Level 1 in June, and became Yoga Sculpt certified in December.
Lily is known for her high energy, upbeat playlists, and motivating presence. Her classes challenge, strengthen, and empower, blending intensity with a deep understanding of recovery and mindful movement.
Instructor
Lily Blackstone
A full-time elementary art teacher and Pilates instructor, she brings creativity and movement into everything she does. Her wellness journey began in 2020 after her first Bikram class at Hot Yoga 4 You RVC, where she explored vinyasa, yin, and power flow, found a supportive community, and maintained a 65-pound weight loss.
After five years working behind the desk, she earned her Mat Pilates certification and later added Hot Pilates Express. Teaching both styles lets her blend high-energy, music-driven movement with grounding, intentional flow.
Her mission is to make Pilates accessible and encouraging. Helping others build confidence, strength, and joy through movement that supports both body and mind.
Instructor
Nicole Barci
I’ve always loved teaching. Before yoga, I taught Physical Education to middle and high school students, work that was exhausting but incredibly meaningful. That passion for movement eventually led me to hot yoga, where I began practicing in 2009.
I completed my teacher training in 2013 and started teaching at the same New York studio where my journey began. Yoga helped me heal knee pain, manage stress, and find a deeper sense of calm and confidence. In 2024, I added my Yoga Sculpt certification, continuing my commitment to learning and growth.
My classes are grounding, empowering, and built on the belief that with patience, yoga can help anyone heal. As B.K.S. Iyengar said, “Yoga teaches us to cure what need not be endured and endure what cannot be cured.”
Instructor
Sandi Gershowitz
Lia’s yoga journey began over 17 years ago when a friend brought her to her first Bikram class and she was instantly hooked. The discipline and challenge became a source of healing, supporting her wellness journey and helping her maintain 15 years of sobriety.
She became a certified hot yoga instructor in 2017 under Yolanda and John Nash. In 2022, she completed her 500-hour Vinyasa training through My Vinyasa Practice and has since added certifications in Yin Yoga, Mat Pilates, Inferno Hot Pilates, and Yoga Sculpt.
Lia brings a strong, well-rounded approach to her classes, blending encouragement and discipline to help students grow. She’s committed to lifelong learning and continuing to expand her expertise.
Instructor
Lia Miele
Her love for movement started early, but yoga truly took root in high school and quickly grew into a lifelong passion. In 2012, the first teaching certification in Kids Yoga opened the door to deeper study, followed by a 200-hour training with Yogavida and a Prenatal Yoga certification through Pure Yoga.
Training continued to expand with Mat Pilates, Inferno Hot Pilates Levels 1 and 2, and Animal Flow Level 1, along with the opportunity to teach multiple classes at the OM Yoga Show in London.
With more than a decade of experience, the teaching style now spans Heated Vinyasa, Yogalates, Hot Pilates Levels 1 and 2, Family Yoga, and Partner Yoga, including inversion workshops on headstands and handstands. The heart of every class is simple: empower students to move confidently, reconnect with themselves, and feel strong in their bodies.
Instructor
Marci Catala
Lia’s yoga journey yoga path started early, with a first Bikram training completed at just 16 years old, an experience that set the foundation for more than 14 years of teaching. Since then, the journey has expanded through over 1,000 hours of training in Hatha, Bikram, Yin, Ashtanga, and Vinyasa, along with opportunities to teach globally and at top studios in New York.
The teaching background includes workshops, retreats, mentoring new teachers, and working with private clients ranging from injury recovery to strength, flexibility, and mental wellness support. The heart of every class is consistent: create space in the mind and body so students can feel stronger, clearer, and more capable both on and off the mat.
Instructor
Lauren Coleman
Victoria Fowler is a Yoga Alliance Certified Instructor, Reiki Master, Energy Healer, and Sound Bowl Practitioner with over 800 hours of training in styles including Dharma, Vinyasa, Yin, Hatha, and Restorative. Her classes blend asana, fluid transitions, and meditation, creating grounding and uplifting experiences that help students reconnect with their bodies and energy.
She has taught at workshops, festivals, and community events such as Bloomingdale’s Get Fit with Pink!, Lululemon Roosevelt Field, Puppy Yoga! by SNARR, and the Long Island Yoga Festival. Alongside her classes, she offers Reiki, energy healing sessions, sound baths, and guided meditation, creating a holistic approach that supports students on every level.
Instructor
Victoria Fowler
Kimberly began her yoga journey in 2019 at Hot Yoga 4 You RVC while healing from knee injuries. What started as a low-impact way to stay active quickly became an important part of her strength and confidence.
In 2020, while studying nursing and working as an Emergency Department Tech, she joined the studio’s work-study program and deepened her practice. She later discovered Hot Pilates, earning her Inferno Hot Pilates certification in 2024 and her Mat Pilates certification in 2025.
Her 90-pound weight loss and renewed balance fuel the way she teaches today. She now shares both Hot Pilates and Mat Pilates while continuing her work as an Emergency Department nurse.
Instructor
Kimberly Rivera
Carol’s love for movement started more than a decade ago when a friend brought her to Hot Yoga 4 You RVC. What began as curiosity grew into a lasting passion for yoga, Pilates, and mindful strength training.
Her time as a studio intern deepened her connection to the community and gave her insight into the practice beyond the mat. With her upbeat, high-energy style, she leads classes that are both challenging and encouraging, helping students build strength, confidence, and balance.
In 2025, she completed her 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training in Ubud, Bali, earned her Inferno Hot Pilates Level 2 certification, and added Animal Flow Level 1 training to expand her movement foundation.
Instructor
Carol Aguilar
KC Ellis brings strong, focused energy to Hot Yoga 4 You RVC as the studio’s only male instructor. Originally from California, he discovered yoga during the pandemic and took his first class on July 13, 2021.
He earned his 250-hour Hot Yoga (26+2) certification with Evolation Yoga in August 2023 and began teaching in fall 2024. In 2025, he added Yin Yoga and Sound Healing training, allowing him to balance fiery classes with grounding, meditative work.
Outside the studio, he’s a dedicated father, skilled barber, and music enthusiast, bringing authenticity and heart into every class he leads.
Instructor
KC Ellis
Daniel first explored yoga in college, but everything shifted in early 2024 when he took his first hot yoga class at Hot Yoga 4 You RVC. The mix of strength, mindfulness, and community support helped him build consistency and deepen his practice.
He soon added Hot Pilates to his routine, drawn to functional strength and bodyweight training. In 2024 and 2025, he expanded his skills with Animal Flow training and earned certifications in Inferno Hot Pilates Level 1, Mat Pilates, and Yoga Sculpt.
His teaching is energetic, practical, and focused on helping students build strength, confidence, and mobility, both on and off the mat.
Instructor
Daniel Colantino
Veronica brings a heart-centered approach to every class, blending movement, mindfulness, and breath to help students reconnect with their inner strength. A certified RYT-200 yoga teacher and Mat/Inferno Hot Pilates instructor, she combines Vinyasa, Yin, Yinyasa, and restorative elements for balanced flows suitable for all levels.
With a background in Traditional Chinese Medicine and over a decade as a licensed acupuncturist, she emphasizes balance, body awareness, and holistic wisdom in her teaching.
Whether leading a fiery Pilates sequence or a calming Yin and Sound Bath, Veronica creates a safe space for growth, reflection, and healing.
Instructor
