Our highly trained team of teachers & staff will support and guide you to reach your goals
Maria McBride - Studio Owner
FOUNDER
TEACHER
Original Hot Yoga, Inferno HIIT, Inferno Sculpt, Vinyasa Hot Flow, Hometown Hot Yoga
I began practicing Original Hot Yoga during my senior year at Ithaca College in Upstate New York. I had just begun a training plan to run the Boston Marathon, but previous stress fractures in my legs had me nervous about taking on so many miles. When my roommate suggested we take a class at the local hot yoga studio telling me, "apparently you sweat like crazy and get the best workout of your life," I was intrigued. So we went, and sweat we did!! That class was the hardest thing I had ever done, but something about it made me want to go back for more and more.
I practiced throughout my final semester of college and made not only made my way to the starting line of the Boston Marathon but also the finish line, completely injury-free.
I knew very early on I needed to teach this healing yoga, and in June of 2008 I graduated from a rigorous 9-week teacher training program.. My goal was to bring this healing yoga to my hometown community, and I opened Hometown Sweat in September 2010.
Over the past several years I have been blessed to witness incredible transformations in our hot room. People healing from depression, using our yoga classes to avoid surgery, women finally able to get pregnant, and every single day people living life in the highest quality because of the work they do in yoga class.
In April 2018, I attended the Inferno Hot Pilates Teacher Training in order to offer a complementary, one hour class to our healing yoga. After having three children in under four years, my core muscles were shot and non-existent. It didn't take long for the hot Pilates classes to help me develop the abdominal, glute, and arm muscles I knew were hiding somewhere.
When I’m not at Hometown Sweat, you can find me with my family. My husband Ben and my three kids - Joseph, Winna, and Theo - love being outside, spending time together, and enjoying life in our hometown.
For more of my thoughts on health, wellness, parenthood, and everything in between, follow along with my blog, Rather Be Sweating.
Allysa Donnelly
STUDIO MANAGER
TEACHER
Original Hot Yoga, Vinyasa, Inferno HIIT, Hometown Hot Yoga
I was first introduced to Original Hot Yoga when I was 18. At the time, I didn’t have many hobbies, and my roommate invited me to join her for a class. The physical nature of the class immediately hooked me. I loved the challenge, sweating, and how rejuvenated I felt after every class. I started practicing regularly and quickly realized that the benefits went far beyond the physical. It became 90 minutes of mental clarity, a break from the chaos of life, and a way to reconnect with myself. Original Hot Yoga helped me build confidence and get through some of the hardest times in my twenties.
Fast forward to 2015, I was practicing regularly and, encouraged by others who saw my passion, I decided to take the leap and become a teacher. Doing so required that I attend a 9-week teacher training in Thailand, and seeing as though I didn’t have any roots in the ground at the time, I sublet my apartment and went for it. Teacher Training turned out to be the most challenging and most rewarding experience of my life. I learned so much about myself, my strengths, my weaknesses, and knew without a doubt that I wanted to share this yoga with others.
I found Hometown Sweat in 2019 after moving to Natick and immediately felt the magic of this community. There was something so special about the people, the classes, the vibe, and the energy. I knew I wanted to be a part of it. Shortly after joining, I began teaching OHY, completed my Inferno Teacher Training, and eventually went on to complete my 200-hour Vinyasa Teacher Training to expand my knowledge and deepen my connection to this path.
Over time, I found myself spending more and more time at the studio—teaching, cleaning, taking classes, just being in the space that filled my cup. When Maria asked if I’d like to come on as Studio Coordinator, I was incredibly honored. That role eventually grew into becoming the Studio Manager, and I’m so proud to now help lead this amazing studio I call home. I love being involved behind the scenes and ensuring everything runs smoothly, while also continuing to teach and connect with our students every day.
This role has even inspired me to go back to school to pursue a degree in Communications, something I’m currently working on while living the mom life here in Natick. I have a beautiful 7-year-old daughter, another daughter on the way, and a wonderful fiance who I met right here at Hometown Sweat! Yoga brought us together, and this community has given me so many gifts I’ll be forever grateful for.
Mary Coons
TEACHER
Vinyasa Hot Flow
After graduating college in 2013 and spending the last 9 years cheering competitively & on the sidelines (Go Clemson Tigers!), Mary felt a void in her routine. There wasn’t a clear outlet for the athletic balance of power and flexibility that used to be a constant in her life. After trying various fitness modalities and classes, she happened upon a hot vinyasa class and immediately felt a connection.
It began as a simple way to continue building strength and flexibility, but quickly became so much more. Yoga was not just a physical practice, but a practice in humility, patience and being present in her daily life. As the practice turned into a regular part of her life, she felt physically stronger, but more importantly, she felt a better ability to detach from the hustle & bustle and live her life more grounded in the present moment. The next logical step felt like become a teacher of this yoga she loved so much.
Mary completed her 200-hr RYT in 2017, followed quickly by a Yoga Sculpt certification and went on to help open and manage a yoga studio in Fenway. In 2019 she moved out of the city and, through a friend, found out about a local hot yoga and pilates studio that could use some front desk help. She began as a front desk staff at Hometown Sweat in October 2019 and immediately fell in love with the hometown community. She began teaching Inferno Hot Pilates that fall, and stayed on as a virtual instructor when COVID hit. Once the studio reopened, Mary was excited to bring her original love, Vinyasa, into Hometown Sweat. Since then she’s taught a combination of formats, but always had a soft spot for Vinyasa Hot Flow.
What’s impactful about the “Hometown Way” is that it’s meant to be accessible for everyone. Every class is a challenge that meets you exactly where you are at, and through teaching Vinyasa Hot Flow at Hometown Sweat, Mary hopes to inspire students to disconnect from the outside world and explore what brings them joy in their daily life.
When she’s not in the studio, you can find Mary experimenting in the kitchen or going on walks with her husband, 2 dogs, and the newest addition to their family, baby girl Georgia. She also loves planning a vacation, so be sure to chat her up about the out-of-this-world retreats she plans for Hometown Sweat!
Sadie Arnold
TEACHER
Vinyasa Hot Flow
I first started yoga during my last year of college, where I was a dancer. I knew I would need something to keep me grounded, and my local yoga studio gave me those tools through practice and yoga teacher training. I graduated college and YTT in one weekend, and a few days later I moved up to Boston for occupational therapy school.
I found Hometown Sweat through a family I nannied for. As soon as I came to the studio I felt welcomed with open arms! The stability I have found through practicing and teaching here completely transformed my confidence. I learned that I already hold everything I need to be successful inside of me, regardless of my environment.
The accessibility values of the studio inspire me as a student, both in the yoga studio and at school. The best part of yoga is that it is for EVERYBODY, and Hometown Sweat embodies this. The community and support alive in this studio are unlike anywhere else.
I love to snowboard, ski, explore New England and go to the beach (now that I live close to the ocean!). Once I graduate, I hope to stick around Boston and keep exploring the opportunities here in rehab and accessibility. My role as a yoga teacher will forever guide my decisions as an occupational therapist. I hope to intertwine both someday. Yoga makes me a better sister, daughter and friend, and it taught me that I can find home anywhere!
Catherine Brunnell
TEACHER
Original Hot Yoga
I came to Hometown Sweat in the fall of 2022 looking for a pilates class. I found that and so much more. As a practitioner, I bought into how the classes integrate with one another and because of that eventually had the courage to do the 90-minute Original Hot Yoga class. I was a year past hip surgery, was nursing ankle pain from years of soccer and running and I had no idea how much I needed the class and all of the others to follow!
As a lifelong (recreational) athlete, a triathlete, a youth coach, a ski instructor and a mom to FIVE, movement has been the central thread in life. The 26 poses of the OHY series, both movement and meditation, captivated me because of the total mind and body experience each class brings through the heat, the poses and the breath.
In the summer of 2024, I completed Hometown Sweat’s inaugural Original Hot Yoga 250 hour Teaching Training. Now, each time I step onto the podium, I do so equipped to give you an experience of heat and healing as you do the heroic work of the 26 poses. I believe in the transformation that happens everyday when people show up with the patience for who they are today, the determination for where they are headed next and the self control, the concentration and the faith that allows the two to merge.
I am also so grateful for how yoga influences my life’s work as a mom, a spouse and as a person. With the support of my husband, Matt, now a regular at the studio after being convinced that you do not need to be “flexible” to do yoga, OHY - and all of its qualities - shows up as much in our home and our lives as it does on our mats. I am deeply honored to be part of your yoga journey at Hometown Sweat! See you in the Hot Room!
Lizzie Cushing
TEACHER
Original Hot Yoga
As a lifelong athlete, I've always been drawn to the thrill of competition and the satisfaction of reaching goals. From college golf to marathons to competitive bodybuilding, I lean into challenges and push myself to achieve. However, my yoga practice has helped me to appreciate challenges free of external validation that focus on inner growth and self-awareness.
My love for yoga began in 2008 and I've been practicing ever since. Inspired to deepen my understanding of this ancient practice, I completed a 250-hour Original Hot Yoga teacher training in the spring and summer of 2024. This transformative experience ignited my passion to share the profound benefits of yoga with others.
While yoga demands physical strength and mental fortitude, it also cultivates a sense of humility and acceptance. Each time I step onto my mat, I connect with my breath, practice discipline and self-control, and find a deeper sense of peace and well-being. The philosophy of yoga reminds me to live my practice both on and off the mat and the principles of non-attachment, present-moment awareness, and compassion guide me daily.
I'm committed to creating a welcoming and supportive space where individuals of all levels can connect with their inner selves and cultivate a balanced and fulfilling life. Whether you're seeking physical strength, mental clarity, or simply a moment of peace, yoga offers a path to a healthier, happier you. Join me for a 60 or 90-minute Original Hot Yoga class at Hometown Sweat and let's embark on this journey together!
Sammi Fujita
FRONT DESK STAFF
TEACHER
Inferno HIIT, Inferno Sculpt
Bio Coming Soon!
Louise Giordani
TEACHER
Original Hot Yoga, Yin, Classic 84
I started practicing Original Hot Yoga in Boston back in 2000 while recuperating from a knee surgery. As a life-long runner, I was left with weak knees and could no longer run like I once had. Like so many runners, I still craved the intensity of a hard, challenging workout, but I knew I needed to find something that helped my body feel better rather than beating it up. Original Hot Yoga was just what I was looking for.
My yoga practice ramped up in 2003 when I started practicing nearly every day. Getting to class became part of my norm - part of my daily life really - because it made me feel so good both in my body and in mind.
I became certified to teach Original Hot Yoga in the spring of 2007, and when I became a teacher, I made a commitment to continue my education about yoga so I could best serve others.
For more than a decade, I've taught tens of thousands of students all over New England. I'm heavily involved in the New England Regional Yoga Asana Championships, and I'm beyond humbled to teach the Classic 84 practice (also known as "Advanced Class") because it challenges yogis to reach for new levels.
Most recently I've jumped in with both feet to teaching Inferno Hot Pilates! This workout is hands down the best complement to Original Hot Yoga and the Classic 84. I continue to be blown away and impressed by how much strength I've built in my own body from IHP AND how much strength my students have from it as well!
Michelle Heath
FRONT DESK STAFF
Michelle began practicing Original Hot Yoga at Hometown Sweat in 2012 after a friend invited her to join a class. From that very first session, she was hooked! It quickly became a daily routine, not only easing her migraines but also making her feel great both inside and out. Before then, she had never maintained a consistent fitness regimen, but yoga soon became a cherished habit.
Working at the front desk of Hometown Sweat has been a perfect fit for Michelle, as she loves greeting and connecting with students in her happy place.
When she's not at the studio, she might be found taking a yoga class, binge-watching TV series with her husband, or spending quality time with her two sons.
Jess Holmes
TEACHER
Inferno HIIT, Inferno Sculpt
Athletics have been a giant part of my life from an early age. After playing field hockey at a collegiate level and winning NCAAs in my senior year I drifted away from sports.
After attending graduate school to get my MBA, I worked in healthcare for quite a while learning so much about the mind to body connection. When our youngest was born, I made the decision to step away from the workplace….and could not sit still. Thus began my launch in to racing triathlons competitively.
As a competitive triathlete, who races at a national and international level, integrating IHP and sculpt in to my training schedule has been fundamental in my success out on the course. In recent years I have podiumed 1 st in World and National Championship races for the Olympic distance. Most recently I raced a half Ironman and qualified for the World Championship in 2025.
I began practicing at HTS in 2019 and immediately loved the sweat, the breath, and most importantly the community. I am primarily an IHP and Sculpt athlete who loves to push the limits in class time after time. When Maria asked if I would consider teaching it was like a dream come true. So, here I am. The reasons that I love to teach at HTS are plentiful. The idea that we as teachers can change the physical and mental fitness of our students is so incredibly powerful.
We are all athletes. We all come to HTS for different reasons but end up with the results of strength, power, and increased determination. I LOVE to watch every student in my class show up and turn it up!!!
When I am not swimming, biking, running, and teaching you can find me coaching field hockey and lacrosse at a youth level. This fall I will be on the sidelines at The Rivers School as the assistant varsity field hockey coach. I am supported by my husband Scott, step daughter Skylar (19), step son Charlie (17), and our daughter Morgan (11) and son Gavin (9).
Shannon Kelly
TEACHER
Inferno HIIT, Inferno Sculpt
Originally from the South Shore, Shannon moved to Natick in January 2023 and discovered Hometown Sweat shortly after through a local podcast. Intrigued by the rave reviews and surprised to find the studio was just minutes from home, she decided to try a class. Craving community in a new town, she showed up... and never looked back. A year later, in January 2024, she began her Hometown Hot Pilates teaching journey.
Shannon’s love for movement started early, running cross country in high school and playing rugby throughout college at UMass Amherst. She thrived on both the mental challenge and the team camaraderie, which rugby especially fulfilled. Though she retired her cleats in 2017 (Fernando says once a rugby player, always a rugby player!), she stayed active through running and strength training.
During the pandemic, she discovered Yoga Sculpt and quickly fell in love with the blend of yoga and weights. She earned her Yoga Sculpt certification in March 2022, which helped her train for—and complete—her first half marathon that fall, injury-free.
With over 15 years of high-impact sports behind her, Shannon found in Hometown the perfect mix of challenge, community, and sustainability for her body. Teaching here is her “fun” job, and she’s deeply grateful for the connections she’s made and the trust of the Hometown team and students in every class she leads.
Heather McCarthy
FRONT DESK STAFF
Bio Coming Soon!
Christina McKitish
TEACHER
Vinyasa Hot Flow
Bio Coming Soon!
Cass Rubright
TEACHER
Inferno HIIT, Inferno Sculpt, Vinyasa Hot Flow
Bio Coming Soon!
Jordan Singer
TEACHER
Inferno HIIT, Inferno Sculpt, Vinyasa Hot Flow
Bio Coming Soon!
Danny Waung
TEACHER
Original Hot Yoga, Vinyasa Hot Flow
Bio Coming Soon!