Inside ID Hot Yoga: Where Heat Meets Intention

ID Hot Yoga has quickly become a go-to destination for movement and mindfulness in New York City and on the East End, offering a modern, high-energy take on traditional yoga. Co-founded by Kelly Isaac and Tricia Donegan, the studio blends heat, strength-based sequencing, and intentional flow to create an experience that is both physically challenging and mentally grounding.

With an established studio in East Hampton and a newly opened location in Sag Harbor, ID Hot Yoga continues to expand its presence in the Hamptons, bringing its signature mix of dynamic classes and strong community to even more clients. Each space reflects the brand’s core philosophy: movement that builds strength, sharpens focus, and leaves you feeling reset.

As the practice continues to grow in popularity, ID Hot Yoga remains focused on accessibility, consistency, and connection. Kelly Isaac encourages newcomers and experienced students to step into the heat and feel the benefits firsthand. She spoke more about the evolution of ID Hot Yoga, what sets it apart, and how to get started this season.

What is ID Hot Yoga all about, and how would you describe the philosophy behind the practice?

KI: ID Hot Yoga is built around the idea that movement should be both intentional and transformative, combining heat, strength-based sequencing, and mindful focus to challenge the body and sharpen the mind. The philosophy centers on balancing intensity with control—tapping into your raw, instinctual energy while maintaining discipline and awareness—so that each class builds not just physical strength and flexibility, but also resilience and mental clarity. The concept emerged as a modern evolution of traditional hot yoga, reimagined in recent years to be more dynamic, athletic, and aligned with functional movement, offering a practice that is structured, purposeful, and empowering from start to finish. 

When did the idea for the practice start? 

KI: The roots of the practice go back thousands of years—yoga itself was not invented by any modern studio or brand, but originates from ancient traditions in India grounded in movement, breath, and meditation. What studios like ID Hot Yoga have done is reinterpret and evolve those foundations for a contemporary setting, creating a structured, intentional experience that reflects how people want to move and feel today while still respecting the essence of the original practice. 

Can you discuss the way your yoga classes are taught and experienced?

KI: Our classes are designed to be immersive, structured, and intentionally paced so that every part of the sequence feels deliberate. Teachers guide students through thoughtfully built flows that develop heat, strength, and mobility while maintaining a strong emphasis on breath and focus. The experience is both physically challenging and mentally engaging. Students are encouraged to stay present, push their edge, and move with control rather than rushing or reacting. Music and temperature come together to create an environment that feels energizing and focused, allowing students to disconnect from distractions and fully drop into the practice. Ultimately, the class is experienced as a balance of effort and awareness—leaving you feeling worked, reset, and more connected to your body and mind.

Can you walk us through the different types of classes you offer and how someone might choose the right one for their goals?

KI: ID Hot Yoga has a well-rounded class list, with class offerings including: 

ID: an accessible, Hatha-based class designed to build strength, balance, and flexibility in a heated studio. The sequence begins with traditional sun salutations and a warrior series, followed by balancing postures to challenge focus and stability. The second half moves to the floor, focusing on upper body and back strengthening, before finishing with deep hip openers and grounding breathwork to release tension and restore calm. 

ID Flow: a thoughtfully crafted Hatha-based sequence that brings the energy of continuous flow without the repetitive chaturangas. This class offers a dynamic opportunity to explore new postures, transitions, and creative expressions for more seasoned practitioners. The ID Flow class emphasizes alignment and moving mindfully while building strength and confidence. 

Hot HIIT: a full-body workout party designed to energize and empower while targeting every muscle from head to toe with burpees, mountain climbers, and other high-energy moves that skyrocket heart rate and build serious strength, to name just a few. 

Slow Burn Hot Mat Pilates: a sequence of heated Pilates exercises that will have you stretching, strengthening, and sweating! Embark on a journey to awaken your inner fire while building strength, enhancing flexibility, and fostering mental clarity. The heat of our studio intensifies the benefits of this class, helping to detoxify your body, improve circulation, and deepen your connection to each movement. 

Full Body Strength Training with Weights: this class combines the power of yoga with strength training, offering a fun yet challenging workout. Sculpt and tone your muscles, enhance joint stability, improve flexibility, boost stamina, and strengthen your core, all in one empowering session. Perfect for yogis looking to elevate their fitness journey, this class will leave you feeling strong, energized, and ready to take on the year ahead. 

ID Sculpt: a heated class that combines grounding breathwork and alignment with the energizing challenge of light weights and sculpting movements. This class builds on foundational yoga postures and adds resistance, controlled strength-building sequences, and intentional movement. Improve your balance, stability, and body awareness, all in a heated space designed to support detoxification and presence. Perfect for yogis looking to evolve their practice with added strength and challenge. 

What sets ID Hot Yoga apart from other studios, especially here on the East End? 

KI: What sets ID Hot Yoga apart is the community it cultivates and the experience it creates for a wide range of people. The studio’s loyal clientele represents a diverse cross-section of New Yorkers—from corporate bankers seeking headspace in the early morning, to young moms carving out a moment for themselves, to millennial professionals and retirees focused on maintaining their health and balance. This inclusivity is at the heart of the practice. When I opened our first East Hampton studio, I fell so in love with the Hamptons and the community that my husband and I bought a home here, further deepening the studio’s connection to the area. We now have a fully permanent Hamptons team of instructors, and many of our front-of-house team members have come through the local high school internship program—some of whom are now in their fourth year with us. What keeps people coming back is the personalized approach, the high level of instruction, and the genuine sense of connection that extends beyond the studio walls, making it feel less like a workout and more like a consistent, supportive part of their lives. 

What has the response been like at the East Hampton studio and how does the experience shift seasonally? How does it differ from the NYC locations? 

KI: The response at the East Hampton studio has been incredible—there’s a real excitement around the space, especially in the summer when everything is high energy and incredibly busy. Like most businesses out there, the rhythm is seasonal: the Hamptons are buzzing all summer while things in the city naturally slow down, and then it flips come fall, with NYC picking back up and the East End settling into a steadier pace. With Sag Harbor now open, we expect summer ’26 to be our strongest yet and can’t wait to welcome clients into the new studio. 

For those spending time in the Hamptons this summer, how can they easily take a class at your studios out East?

KI: Classes can be seamlessly booked online for both the Sag Harbor and East Hampton locations or via the ID Hot Yoga app which is always our preferred method and where you can book classes and also track your progress!

Is there anything you’re particularly excited about for the upcoming summer season? 

KI: I’m especially excited to be spending the full summer out East this year with both studios open—it feels like a really special moment for us to be fully immersed in the Hamptons community and experience that energy day to day. Before that, we have some big milestones with the launch of our Meatpacking location, and we’re hoping to announce our Upper East Side studio ahead of the summer as well. It’s a big period of growth for us, and having all of that come together leading into the season makes it even more exciting. 

What are your top tips for someone new to hot yoga, whether it’s preparing for class or getting the most out of the experience? 

KI: Honestly, just do it. Don’t overthink it or try to prepare perfectly. Show up, take it at your own pace, and be open to the experience. The heat might feel intense at first, but your body adapts quickly, and the more you come, the more comfortable and confident you’ll feel. Stay hydrated, listen to your body, and remember that everyone in the room started somewhere. The most important step is simply walking through the door. 

Do you have a favorite go-to movement, stretch, or simple wellness practice people can incorporate into their daily routine outside the studio?   

KI: I really use my practice as my primary form of movement, but outside of that my biggest daily wellness ritual is meditation—just five minutes of stillness with your breath. I honestly don’t know where I would be without it, and the difference on the days when I don’t make that time for myself is crazy. It’s simple, but it makes a huge difference in resetting your mind and creating a sense of calm that carries through the rest of the day. 

Looking ahead, what’s next for ID Hot Yoga, whether in terms of new classes, locations, or evolving the overall experience?

KI: There’s a lot in the works, especially when it comes to the Upper East Side, which I know many of our Hamptons clients will be really excited about. We have two new classes also launching this summer which are more inversion based and we will be hosting a studio wide foosball challenge to coincide with the world cup! 

Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?  

KI: Yoga is scientific—it’s a fact. A growing body of research shows measurable benefits for both the body and mind, from improving strength, flexibility, and balance to reducing cortisol levels, lowering stress, and supporting better sleep and mental clarity. Incorporating this incredible, time-tested practice into your life is one of the most valuable things you can do for your overall well-being.

To learn more about ID Hot Yoga and book a class, click here.