Hey, What’s An HYR Founding Member Anyway?
The HYR Founding Members, our “Heat Elite”, are woven into the very walls of Hot Yoga Republic.
Long before the music was blasting, the rooms were packed, and strangers became friends in the lobby, this small group quietly stepped forward and pre-purchased years, even lifetimes, of membership to help fund the construction, infrastructure, and upgrades that traditional financing either couldn’t understand or simply wouldn’t support.
But what makes them extraordinary isn’t just the financial commitment. It’s the heart behind it. These are the people we’ve practiced beside for decades. The ones who stayed after class debating ideas, weighed in on schedules and new classes, laughed over sweatshirt designs and party themes, brought friends, spread the word, and helped shape the culture of HYR in real time.
They didn’t just buy memberships. Their support is built into our very walls. And somehow, through all the sweat, chaos, risk, and growth, we’ve managed to have an absolute blast together.
We have opened up our Founding Member Program to include 10 more individuals. Interested? Email Kathryn@hotyogarepublic.com
HYR FOUNDING MEMBERS
The support of these individuals lives inside these walls.
Every steel beam, every hospital grade humidifier, countertop, every bathroom tile, every packed class, every friendship formed here.
Pieces of their own hard work and hard earned cash are embedded into this place they helped us believe into existence.
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Alex Fee!
HYR Member since July, 2021.
Founding Member since 2024!
Years Practicing Yoga?: 20+
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Ashley Droege!
HYR Member since March, 2021!
Founding Member since 2024!
Year's Practicing Yoga? 18!
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Blair Shane!
HYR Member since August, 2022.
Founding Member since 2024!
Years Practicing Yoga? 2+
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Caren has been sweating it out in hot studios in the Bay Area since 1998. Finding it the perfect release to her stressful Wall St. job and then raising 3 kids, Caren is proud to call HYR home.
Caren is Proprietor of Arborum Napa Valley, a high-end, boutique winery in St Helena.
Not only do they make beautiful, highly acclaimed wine, but Arborum gives 100% of net earnings to charitable causes.
Words cannot express our gratitude to Caren for her insight and unending passion for health, fitness and community.
HYR Member since May, 2021.
Founding Member since 2024. Year
Years Practicing Yoga: 28!
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Caroline Love!
Caroline is a Mill Valley mom of three, longtime yogi, and Lifetime Founding Member of Hot Yoga Republic.
Originally from Maryland, she spent more than a decade as a self-taught software engineer, most recently working in cybersecurity at Meta, before stepping away from tech to focus on raising her family.
Caroline credits her practice in the hot room with helping her navigate every season of life, from career changes and motherhood to building community here in Marin.
Caroline loves being part of this community and is always happy to pitch in where she can. Whether that’s baking 50 custom logo cookies for an HYR retreat, hosting a Hot Pilates fundraiser for the PTA, or helping connect people with the resources they need, she’s always game.And if what you happen to need is office space for your company, she’s gotta guy…her husband, Cameron Love of Hughes Marino.
HYR Member since 2022
Lifetime Member since 2024!
Years Practicing Yoga?: 18 Years!
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Charles Roell!
HYR Member since 2019!
Founding Member since 2024!
Years Practicing Yoga? 10+
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Claudia Cowan!
HYR Member since September 2021!
Founding Member since 2026!
Years Practicing Yoga? 20+
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Chuck Finnie!
HYR Member since September, 2021!
Founding Member since 2024!
Years Practicing Yoga? 20+
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Dermot Coogan!
HYR Member since 2022!
Founding Member since 2024!
Years Practicing Yoga? 25!
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Eric Friedlander!
HYR Member since September, 2022!
Lifetime Member since 2024!
Years Practicing Yoga?: 26!
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Kathy Burns!
HYR Member since April, 2021.
Founding Member since 2024!
Years Practicing Yoga?: 20+
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Kristie Qualman!
HYR Member since November, 2020!
Founding Member since 2024!
Years Practicing Yoga?: 15+
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Lesley Ball!
HYR Member since November, 2020!
Founding Member since 2024!
Years Practicing Yoga?: 20+
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Matt Gilliam has been a member of the Marin community for decades. He started his career in hospitality and service at the age of 7 years old working in his grandfather’s bakery, Wilson’s Jewel Bakery, in San Jose, CA.
Since that time, Matt has co-founded and created one of the most successful enterprise event planning companies in the US, Enterprise Events Group.
Father, husband, and mentor to the Leadership Team of Hot Yoga Republic, we are so grateful for his unending support, creativity and most importantly his fanatical dedication to hot yoga!
HYR Member since 2019!
Advisory Board Member since 2019!
Founding Member since 2024!
Years Practicing Yoga? 30+
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Monika Chatelain!
HYR Member since June, 2021!
Founding Member since 2024!
Years Practicing Yoga? 15!
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Pauline Lee!
HYR Member since March, 2021!
Founding Member since 2024!
Years Practicing Yoga? 15+
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Renee Brewer!
HYR Member since 2023!
Founding Member since 2024!
Years Practicing Yoga? 15+
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Shashi Starling!
HYR Member since June, 2023!
Founding Member since 2024!
Years Practicing Yoga? 10+
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Stephen Hill!
HYR Member since November, 202!
Founding Member since 2024!
Years Practicing Yoga? 13
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Sue Kalache!
HYR Member since July, 2021!
HYR Founding Member since 2024!
Years Practicing Yoga?: 15+
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Susan Brennan!
The second HYR Member of all time!
HYR Member since 2019!
HYR Founding Member since 2024!
Years Practicing Yoga? 30!
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Tracy Vuong!
HYR Member March, 2024
Founding Member since 2024!
Years Practicing Yoga? 10+
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Tracie Citron!
HYR Member since April, 2021!
Founding Member since 2024!
Years Practicing Yoga? 10+
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Tyler Pina!
HYR Member since March, 2021!
Founding Member since 2024!
Years Practicing Yoga? 15+
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Wilson Chen!
HYR Member since June, 2025!
Founding Member since 2026
Years Practicing Yoga? 10+