Originally born in Taipei, Emily’s father, her two brothers, and herself immigrated from Taiwan to the United states when she was just three years of age. Her father came in search of better opportunities for himself and his children. It wasn’t easy. She watched her father work long, hard hours while her brothers and herself struggled to learn a new language, make new friends, and adapt to a new culture.

By putting hard work and perseverance to work for herself, Emily learned perfect English, has made life long friends, and eventually graduated from Northern Illinois University’s Business School. Further, professionally accumulating a number of sales awards from both Nextel and Research in Motion and later writing mortgages and selling real estate.

Fitness became Emily’s outlet after long days of work. It was her way to relieve stress, stay fit, and increase strength and endurance. Around the age of 24, Emily developed what she thought was minor aches and pains in her lumbar region. Shortly after, the pain traveled to her upper back then to her cervical spine region. She sought out all sorts of treatments, including different exercises, chiropractors, acupuncturists, holistic doctors and pain specialists, all of which came up far short of treating the pain. A friend recommended hot yoga as a way to relieve what now seemed to be chronic pain. It was definitely a love-hate relationship. The postures were difficult and nothing like she had ever been exposed to; however, it inarguably helped with the pain.

After two months of hot yoga 4 times a week, she was hooked. A hot yoga junkie some would say. After three years of regular practice, and knowing what yoga had done for her both physically and mentally, Emily decided to leave the corporate world and teach yoga. In 2008, Emily attended Bikram yoga teacher training and has never looked back. In the years since, Emily got married, had two children, and launched a small jewelry business. Additionally, she has become certified in teaching Hot Pilates, Hot Barre, Yoga Sculpt, and Vinyasa Yoga.

After years of teaching for independent boutique hot studios in the city and suburbs, Emily was fortunate to have acquired 2 hot studios between 2008-2021 under the names of Sweat Junkie in Evanston and Shri Yoga in Highland Park. Due to circumstances out of her control, she lost both studios after the pandemic.

One can only imagine the excitement she felt when she was yet again approached with another opportunity, this time it was to take over Meadow’s Hot Yoga. Emily owes Carla and Gordy deep gratitude for trusting me with a community they have built over the last 10 years of their lives. Emily was grateful to have walked into a group of tremendous instructors and students, all of whom welcomed her with open arms and hearts. To better represent the vision of the studio, Emily recently rebranded the studio under the name Drip Hot Yoga & Fitness in 2022. She is enthusiastic for the future of Drip and is eager to watch her students grow and flourish in their practice.

Currently, Emily teaches the 90 minute and 60 minute Original Hot 26&2 Yoga, Vinyasa Flow Yoga, Hot Pilates, and Yoga Sculpt at Drip Hot Yoga & Fitness. When she is not teaching, she is playing the most important roles of mom, wife, daughter, and friend…