For years, yoga was something Lerato practiced casually on and off — but if she’s being honest, she never really “got it.” The only part she truly looked forward to was savasana at the end of class.

After moving from South Africa to Boston in 2023, life shifted in a big way. Between the stress of relocating across the world and developing debilitating sciatica, Lerato found herself searching for relief through physical therapy and pain medication, but nothing seemed to work.

That changed when she stumbled into BREATHE in 2025.

Through regular Hot26 practice, she not only healed her sciatica, but also found grounding, resilience, and community during one of the biggest transitions of her life.

Now, joining the studio as an IHP instructor feels incredibly full circle. Through her classes, Lerato hopes to inspire students to discover just how strong their minds and bodies truly are — while moving, sweating, and vibing to the best South African beats.

Outside the hot room, Lerato works in psychiatric genetics research, with a focus on identifying biological markers and drug targets that could lead to better prediction and treatment of mental illness. Beyond science, her creative outlet is salsa dancing (with dreams of joining a performance team someday). She’s also a proud karaoke diva: skip the private rooms and hand her the public mic. Lerato loves hiking, being outdoors, and adding to her ever-growing collection of hats.