Sun Yoga Hawaii represents the culmination of a long journey for its founder, Michele Lowchinovscy Santos. After coming to the island for college, Michele began work as a psychologist for children with special needs. Her first student was a young girl named Grace who had Rett syndrome, which inhibits speech and deliberate movement. Michele first learned about hot yoga from Grace’s mother, who used it to cope with the physical and emotional challenges sometimes associated with Grace’s care. A gift from Grace’s mother, Michele’s first hot-yoga class sparked an interest that resulted in her taking several different yoga training programs over the years and eventually led her to create Sun Yoga Hawaii, which she dedicates to Grace.

Michele seeks to help all who enter Sun Yoga to leave feeling peaceful and happy from within. The infrared heated classes warm up between 90-105 degrees depending on the class. Eco-friendly bamboo flooring cushions soles and nature sounds fill the air during sessions, which begin as instructors and students perform sun salutations that pay tribute to Mother Nature, inventor of the yoga mat.