Glow Teachers
Raquel Pelayo
studio owner / bikram yoga / bikram 60
This Miami native began practicing Bikram Yoga at the age of 19. Not knowing much about yoga, Raquel found her first class extremely challenging, as most first time students do. After class she felt euphoric, untouchable and completely at peace. Her experience was other worldly and divine, having crossed some sort of threshold with no going back. She was hooked.
Raquel practiced everyday for a month and only wanted more. At the time, she was a student at the University of Central Florida and at home for the holidays. When she returned to school in Orlando, she found her local Bikram Yoga studio and continued her daily practice. Everything revolved around yoga. She had found magic, glowing from within.
Slightly clueless as to what college degree she wanted to pursue, Raquel chose the path of business which had opened an entrepreneurship division her senior year. During a lecture, her wise professor spoke life changing words, “Follow your passion and create a business doing what you love.” Raquel was ignited. She clearly knew the answer as she asked herself, “What do I love? Yoga!” Her path was revealed.
Raquel graduated from UCF in 2006. One month later, she enthusiastically attended Bikram Yoga College of India in Los Angeles to attain her teacher certification. She returned home 9 weeks later and immediately began her teaching career in Aventura, FL. She has been a full time Bikram yoga teacher for 10 years and is now the humble yet proud owner of Glow hot yoga in Miami Beach. This is a dream come true for Raquel, who has long envisioned the sanctuary for her and her growing family of yogis.
Nina Rose Granatir
Studio director/ bikram yoga/vinyasa/yin/yoga sculpt/barre
Nina took her first yoga class when she was 15 and immediately knew something special was happening. But it wasn't until her first Bikram class in 1999, that she knew she would become a teacher one day. She went on to attend Bikram's teacher training in Los Angeles in 2005 and calls it one of the best decisions of her life. After several years of teaching and managing yoga studios full time, she opened her own studio in Seattle Washington in 2011. She later went on to the train and teach in the styles of vinyasa, yin, and also sculpt and barre. Nina sold her studio in 2020 and has been enjoying a new life in South Florida with her two rescue dogs. After some years of solely teaching and through some quite serendipitous events, Nina was guided to Glow and new immediately she wanted to be part of the team. It is her deep honor and true privilege to be in the role of Studio Director, to support Raquel and Scott, the amazing teachers, and all of the beautiful students who makeup the community at Glow. See you on the mat Yogis!
Caroline Marcondes
power hour / bikram yoga / bikram 60
Caroline first fell in love with Bikram Yoga in 2005 and after practicing for 3 years decided to became an instructor, completing her certification in 2008. Dedication, patience and discipline to a daily practice continue to inspire her teaching while learning from her fellow instructors and guiding students everyday. In addition to her passion for yoga, Caroline has always had a love for fashion and design. This led to the creation of her very successful activewear line, Toda Boa Activewear, which makes women feel beautiful,empowered, and sexy while working up a juicy sweat!
Lina Dinkova
bikram yoga / bikram 60
Lina was born in Sofia, Bulgaria, and moved to Miami, FL in her early teens. A few years later, she discovered the practice of hot yoga, which became a vital part of her life. She remained a practitioner for about 8 years before deciding to become a teacher. She attended the strenuous and sweaty "Bikram Yoga Teacher Training 2014" in California. The call for this pivotal step came from the realization that practicing yoga has changed her life in so many positive ways and continues to do so everyday. Since then, Lina has traveled on numerous occasions to Costa Rica and California for yoga retreats, fully immersing herself in various spiritual and health disciplines such as: raw food diet, vegan diet, meditation, sun gazing, restorative yoga, kundalini yoga, yin yoga, qi gong (life energy cultivation), earthing (walking barefoot), breathing techniques, plant medicine, appreciation for nature, non-judgement and compassion. Lina is a cheery, compassionate and detail oriented instructor, making her an ideal match for beginner students as well as more experienced practitioners.
Amy Wecker
bikram yoga / bikram 60
Dr. Amy Wecker began her yoga journey while completing her residency in New York City. Not long after graduating from Bikram Yoga teacher training in Thailand, she moved to Miami and became part of the Glow family. As a practicing physician and Yoginni, she is highly passionate about health and wellness, firmly believing in the transformative power of yoga. If you have specific goals in your practice, she looks forward to helping you achieve them!
Amy became part of our Glow family in November 2014, not long after graduating from teacher training in Thailand. As a practicing physician and Yoginni she is very passionate about health and wellness, firmly believing in the transformative power of yoga. If you have specific goals in your practice, she would love to help you achieve them.
Maria Elena Camaiori
hot vinyasa
Maria Elena’s journey to yoga began in Rome Italy in 2002 when she was working as an actress for both theatre and Italian television. She immediately fell in love and, before she knew it, yoga became her life. After years of practicing Astanga at the Astanga school of Lino Miele in Rome, she moved to the US where she continued her studies in various styles of yoga. Soon after in 2008, she was on her path to become a teacher. Having completed trainings in Power, Vinyasa and Dharma yoga, she began teaching in Miami where she now resides with her husband and their two kids. In her years as a teacher, Maria Elena has taught classes in both the US and Italy, organizing workshops and leading teacher training classes. She is recognized for her warm presence, positive energy, and radiant spirit, always aiming to nourish and empower students at every level of practice. Maria Elena is also a certified Pilates mat workout instructor and Naturopathic consultant.
Julie Malvido
inferno hot pilates
Julia has always enjoyed movement and athletics. Growing up, she was a dancer and gymnast, then getting into weight training in her early twenties. In 2010, while residing in Naples, FL, Julia became a personal trainer and certified Zumba Fitness Instructor. Once in Miami, after suffering two bike accidents and working long hours as a waitress and bartender, Julia started taking Pilates Mat and Restorative Yoga. She was instantly hooked on how great she felt, choosing to then complete her Power Pilates Mat certification through Power Pilates, New York. While practicing Bikram yoga in Miami, she was introduced to Hot Pilates, became addicted to the practice and completed her Inferno Hot Pilates training in Chicago with the creator herself, Gabriella Walters. Why Inferno? Her answer simply is "Because it works. I'm all about high intensity and you work with your own body weight.” Julia teaches in Miami with great enthusiasm and has a strong desire to help her students develop optimal health and vitality in their lives.