Our Community!

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Kauai Hot Yoga came into my life as I watched this beautiful young lady creating a special place for us to come together. That was seven years ago this July. I saw it being built because my salon was directly across from her studio. Kauai Hot Yoga — I had never practiced that before — but yoga itself had been part of my life since I was a teenager.

I had heard people say, “No, I can’t do that. It’s too hot, and I don’t like to sweat,” while others were completely hooked.

I decided to give it a couple of months because how can you really judge something by trying it only once? I took her first class seven years ago this July, and after just a few weeks, I was hooked.

What this practice brings to me is not only physical benefits, but also mental health, strength, purpose, support, comfort, no judgment, family, (ohana), and love.

I recently had an injury that lasted nearly six months. I continued to push through while listening to my body and what it needed, with the guidance of Kauai Hot Yoga helping me keep moving and working through the injury.

Bring good habits into your life. Make it a lifestyle to be the best you can be. We owe it to ourselves to be committed to something.

With gratitude,

Franny

The quick version is, like many ignorant men, I thought yoga was something only women did. I spent most of my time rock climbing or in the gym. But my ex-wife encouraged me to join her for her regular yoga nights, so we started going to one of our local studios twice a week. I instantly fell in love with the physicality and challenge of the practice combined with the heat.

Then Covid hit and, obviously, no one was doing any group practice. I hadn’t yet built my personal practice enough to attempt it on my own. Working in a hospital as an essential worker, my stress levels progressively worsened over those two years. Eventually, we separated under the weight of that stress, and I returned to yoga to help deal with the loss of the love of my life and the agony of a highly contested and ugly divorce that took three years to resolve.

I was in a very bad place — very bad. I threw myself into my practice. A friend and my favorite yoga instructor observed this and understood the depth of grief I was carrying, so he encouraged me to take YTT. At first, I was resistant. For the first time in my adult life, I was living off credit cards and struggled to convince myself that paying the tuition was responsible. Then the universe opened a door: the widow of a local man who was a committed yogi donated a generous sum to my school, and I was offered a sizable tuition discount. I listened to Spirit and accepted the gift and guidance.

I then spent the next six months practicing daily in some form or another, learning far more than I expected. I graduated in spring 2025 and haven’t looked back since. Yoga opened so many doors for healing during that time and gave me a safe place to grieve. I can’t tell you how many Savasanas I cried through or how many long-held poses found me sobbing. But the patience and guidance of one of my teachers kept reminding me, “Yoga is a practice of millimeters, not inches.”

My practice has evolved tremendously since before 2019, when I first started “doing yoga.” I understand now that we don’t “do yoga”; we practice a lifestyle that yoga encompasses. I’m stronger now — both mentally and physically — in ways I did not anticipate (as a physical therapist, that surprised me). But it has been exactly that: “a practice of millimeters.” It has required dedication, consistency, and a fair measure of patience.

The reward? I’m still here. I mean that literally.

Yoga, my practice, this community, and the four corners of my mat are sacred to me and, quite frankly, saved my life. Thank you to everyone who has contributed in big and small ways throughout my journey.

Turning trauma into beauty — little win after little win.

Shane Johnson is the founder of Sacred Temple Lomi and a Temple-Style Lomi practitioner and teacher based on Kauai. With more than 30 years of dedicated practice, he carries forward the lineage of traditional Hawaiian Lomi Lomi as it was taught to him by his kumu and elders.

His work integrates flowing forearm techniques, breath, prayer, and sacred intention to support deep physical, emotional, and energetic release. Sessions are offered as ceremonial healing experiences rather than spa treatments, honoring the spiritual roots of Lomi and the transformative power of presence. In addition to private sessions, Shane offers trainings and continuing education for practitioners who feel called to study Temple-Style Lomi in a respectful and lineage-based way.

Contact Shane at 808-755-5039 to book your session.

Jason Tomaino | Holistic Health Practitioner
Jason is a master bodyworker and educator with 15+ years of experience in Thai Medical Massage and Mana Lomi. Having taught at institutions like PCOM and IPSB, he brings a deep understanding of orthopedic acupressure and energetic flow to his practice. Through intentional movement and deep tissue work, Jason clears bodily stagnation and restores Prana to help clients overcome chronic pain and stress. Experience a session designed for freedom, space, and total well-being.

Glen Kojima
Real Estate Agent & Yoga Enthusiast
Born and Raised on Kauai

Namaste!  My name is Glen Kojima, and I am proud to call Kauai my home. After earning my MBA from the University of Washington in 1987, I returned home to help run the family business. Over the years, I transitioned into the real estate industry, where I now serve as a sales agent with the Kauai Realty Team.

My journey also led me to yoga, a practice I started 13 years ago. While I still face challenges with certain postures, I’ve learned to embrace the philosophy of "practice"—there’s always room for growth. Over time, I’ve developed my own approach, what I call the "IN" theory. I practice with INtention, INtegrity, and withIN each posture, focusing on the present moment—free from distractions or expectations. This same mindset guides my work in real estate, allowing me to approach each transaction with mindfulness, authenticity, and a deep commitment to my clients’ needs.

Whether I’m assisting clients through Kauai's real estate market or deepening my yoga practice, I always strive to stay rooted in the present, applying my "IN" theory to create meaningful connections and positive outcomes.  Looking forward to practicing in the "HOT ROOM" with you!

I have been a Hot Yogi since 2018, when I walked into the yoga garage to “sweat” because I missed being in the sweat lodge of my heritage.  I was so blown away by the practice that I was hooked!  It was the most a person could participate in mind, body and soul on the size of a mat!  Not to mention the cardio/detox factor.  For me it was my new church and ceremony. It engaged the Ayurvedic principles that I adore and am schooled in but it was so hard at first!  25 years in the Sonoran Desert I was good with 100+ degrees yet I was on and off that first year lucky to make it in 1 or 2x week.  Struggling hard to get through those postures, balancing life and “trying” to stay on my mat.  With constant support from Jen Niccore and Marvin Nunez, Yenna was amazing there at that time too!  It was the day one of the teachers said, “you live life how you live on your mat”.  I freaked out, as in that moment I realized how much I was cheating myself with excuses.  It was an eye-opening check point for me to decide to get serious.   At that time, I weighed 165 and my waist was a plump 32”!  It was difficult really difficult, regardless of what anyone says, to fold yourself with all those rolls, but I was dedicated to my new practice that was giving me benefits beyond belief!  I would fall off the wagon for 6 months and back and it wasn’t until February 14, 2020 that I committed to something great!  ME and this journey in Hot Yoga at an engaged new level. …regardless of anything work, body diet, state of mind.  I did a 40-day cleanse starting on New Years Day 2020 and prior to Covid, my intuition was telling me to clean up my act and by February I began my dedicated journey with 26/2, and a revamp of my eating patterns and habits, I would be vegan that year.  Minimum hot room 3x week and I would go as much as I could and just stayed present against all odds of life relationship hacks and an unrelenting job that was like a pressure cooker.  I wanted more.  Those of you that know me know yoga clothes under the work uniform, strip, practice, dress, back to work.  I worked my practice within an unforgiveable schedule. Because that’s how much it makes me feel so fantastic!! 

  By April 2021 I did a “Total Body Transformation” program and I went from that same place with my body amidst the added yoga as I wanted          transformation.  So, with 26/2, added Hot Vinyasa, Hot Yoga Sculpt, a dedicated weight training program, workshops, coaches and a refined diet to macro calculated eating and many many ceremonies and prayers I arrived on my 56th birthday in 2021, 128lbs and a waist of 26”.  My practice then catapulted exponentially from this transformation!  

Dedication amazing words of wisdom from our dedicated teachers on Kaua’i and beyond belief, I finally felt like I had a working platform to arrive at new heights.  I traveled to Mexico in May of 2022 and got my 300 hour Hot Yoga teacher training certification led by world renowned Gianna Purcell, and the amazing Kiley Enmark with the 105F Team out of Chicago, was the hardest thing I’ve done ever, and I’ve done Half Ironman’s!,  This greatly challenged me and depended my practice even more.  Then I found myself at Kaua’I Hot Yoga upon return from Mexico and an 8 week rest, I studied in every class at KHY and gave 26/2 a break.  Returning a couple months to that practice with a new found ability and foundation that finally seemed to sink in.I am grateful each and every day for all he dedicated Yogi’s and Yogini’s in our community it truly is a tribe of rock stars, superhumans and some of those most love filled people on the planet.  I love this practice and now spending my time in the classes at KHY since 2022, I love this studio it is my favorite.  I love Garland’s loving attitude everyone is made to feel welcome.  Marvin is the Bomb with timeless messages from the wisdom offered in every class with his experience, Cheyenne in da Hot Sculpt YES!  and the countless teachers that bless us with their wisdom and knowledge multiple times a day!!!  I feel through all these teachers I have taken home bits of magic from every class that has shaped my practice in such a short time in miraculous ways.  

The offerings are fantastic it covers all my faves beyond 26/2 and her Sound Bath’s are amazing.  No one hits the gong like G!  Spectacular!  I think the first time I heard her Gong I thought I was flying through the clouds above the Himalayan’s, it’s all our teachers bringing in the wisdom of the Ancients SPOT ON! These teachings their predecessors, our Ancestors bringing the vast vitality it simply highlights and reminds us that we are indeed the fabric of Stardust and Rainbows.  My favorite classes at KHY:  26/2 and all its class variations, I loved the Intermediate taught by Sandy, I miss that one!  Hot Yoga Sculpt, Sound Baths Special Events, Cold Towelettes infused with essential oils.  The music, The Vibe, The Showers and Cold Plunge.  It’s FAVE CITY.  One day I’ll get to Hot Pilates if I can get my dog Elvis to wake up earlier!  

MY NEW BUSINESS:  Crow Star Woman Botanical Studio LLC.  “Herbal Alchemy for the Skin, Soul, and Senses.”  Rooted in Indigenous plant medicine, Crow Star Botanicals crafts high-vibrational skincare, raw chocolate, herbal elixirs, and mystical remedies. Each product is crafted as a ritual to nourish the body, uplift the spirit, and reconnect us to the Earth.  Started 4/7/2017.  Currently I am in design, formulation and production so I can get enough products created prior to my formal launch.