About Us

Marlene is a non-dual Yoga & Meditation student and guide, Ayurveda Counselor, Energy Healing facilitator, and soon-to-be Yoga Therapist who is passionate about guiding individuals to connect to their inner wisdom, playfulness, and Shiva (pure awareness) essence.

In her yoga classes, one of her primary intentions is in regulating the nervous system through intimate breath-awareness. Doing so, one can navigate the different layers of life and themselves with more clarity. She greatly values an integrative approach to self-discovery and meeting each student where they currently are in their unique journey.

She started her spiritual journey at the age of 14, enthusiastic about metaphysics and all things mysticism! At 16, the meditative practice of Yoga Nidra found her, thus, beginning her journey into the Vedic Sciences, and Indian Spirituality.

Since then, she has formally studied over 1000 hours of integral yoga & 600+ hours of Ayurveda (150 hours in Pune, India). She understands that no amount of hours can equate to the timeless wisdom of these paths.

She has a deep appreciation for her primary teachers: Nishanth Selvalingam, Mas Vidal, Nischala Joy Devi, Durga Leela, Richard Miller, Monique Lonner (and their teachers), who have generously passed along the sacred wisdom of these paths.

Marlene is inspired to share the transformative and healing potential that these teachings have to offer and invites students on the path to recognize the divine Being that they are.

Tat Tvam Asi (You Are That)!

Born and raised in San Diego, I moved to San Francisco 2019 for school which sparked my interest, and now love for all things Ayurveda and Holistic Health.

Right in the thick of 2020 pandemic, in a shared SF bedroom apartment, I started practicing Youtube yoga every morning. It was then I started loving every aspect of the practice and how it felt for my mind, body, and soul.

I began tapping into my true inner self, developed a greater understanding of the world around me, and began my healing journey.

At the same time, my love for Alkaline Vegan food and Cooking developed.

I became a self-taught Chef and Herbalist, completed 200hr RYT training in 2021, along with Hot Fusion, Rocket Yoga, and Children's Yoga Teacher Certified in 2022.

As a new yoga teacher, my passion for all things Yoga and Ayurveda grows stronger everyday. My goal is to spread more self-compassion, healing, and build community through Food, Yoga, and Holistic Health!

Saira began her yogic journey at the Chula Vista Yoga Center in the beginning of 2011, where she completed her RYT-200 certified teacher training program. In search of a new perspective and learning about self-love, she decided to participate in a 30-day consecutive yoga challenge. During this time a shift of energy, within her mind, body, and soul, created a sense of fulfillment which she attributes to a life-changing experience. As her yoga practice evolved, it was clear that yoga was her lifelong path. Inspired by her teachers, Saira’s teaching is to share the importance of each individual's personal practice that aligns with oneself and brings joy. She continues to strive within her personal journey while she applies all the teachings of yoga to everyday life; the teacher will always be the student.

Upon discovering the devotional path known as “bhakti yoga”, Patrick became inspired to be a kirtan leader and asana instructor. He recognizes the unmistakable harmony of body and mind that even one yoga practice presents to the individual. Like a song that stays with us when the sound has faded, the harmony of our yoga practice accompanies us once our mat is put away.

Patrick values the synergetic effect of a yoga space where communicative transparency, acceptance of the body’s current state, and freedom of expression come together to create an atmosphere of growth and healing. He first encountered Yoga and the unique benefits of Yin as a university student-athlete devoted to maintaining a stress/injury-free physical body. This experience would be the seedling of deep positive epiphanies and an exposure to many aspects of joy previously unknown.

As a novice instructor, Patrick aims to guide the collective in building a healthy relationship between the inner and outer-selves by observing the physical body as an inspiration for the entirety of our being: The openness, strength and relaxation we tap into on the mat instantaneously becomes our calling to be as honest, empowered, and peaceful as we are meant to be throughout our many and wonderful paths.

Athena was born and resides in beautiful San Diego, CA where she began her yoga journey in 2014. Quickly, she began to realize yoga was changing her life in many ways and really believes yoga found her when she needed it most. Yoga opened the door to healing, self-acceptance, non-attachment, and present moment awareness. Gradually Athena started practicing more consistently; seeing, and feeling the benefits mentally, emotionally, spiritually, and physically she truly fell in love with yoga. In October 2019 she completed her 200 Hour Vinyasa Yoga Teacher Training and began to teach at multiple locations. In addition, she is also certified in Restorative Yoga, Yoga Walls, Dharma Yoga Wheel, and Yin Yoga Wheel and Rocket Yoga. Much respect and gratitude to Jano Galindo, Mary Jones, Shauna MacKay, Jason Cull, Dov Vargas, Raquel Vamos, and Patrick McCleaf, a lineage of amazing and talented teachers, for sharing their magical gifts, love, and compassion. Athena would like to complete more yoga trainings in the future to continue to learn and grow as a student and teacher. Athena enjoys helping others feel good in their own body, promoting self-care, and inspiring those around her to find their true purpose or Dharma. Currently, Athena teaches at various places in Chula Vista as well as online and is close to completing 1000 teaching hours to become an E-RYT200. She hopes to meet you on your mat to practice more than asana, and truly transform together. Outside of the yoga studio, Athena enjoys many outdoor activities such as hiking, swimming, biking, and camping. She also loves traveling, going to concerts, sporting events and road trips with friends. “Yoga is more than a workout and postures, yoga allows me to connect to my true inner self, with no judgement, simply self-love and my breath.”

I am a student, teacher, dog lover, yogi and ocean lover. I started practicing yoga just after receiving my Bachelor’s Degree in Interior Design from the Design Institute of San Diego in 2009. At that time, I was having trouble finding a job in the design world and yoga was my outlet to keep me feeling calm, creative and present. I was instantly captured by the physicality and movement of the practice, and the ability to be challenged internally. I began practicing more often as the years went by in several studios around San Diego, following my favorite instructors; in 2014 I took the leap and completed my RYT 200 hours.

Since then, I have been teaching and expanding directions in the yoga community! I’ve broaden my teaching styles to include HPF, Power Vinyasa, Yin, Reiki and Kids Yoga. I teach yoga because I believe that this practice gives us the tools and techniques to cultivate clarity, awareness. It enables us to live a more efficient life by helping us plant wellness into our day to day.

I believe that with the practice of movement, we instill awareness and begin to understand more of who we are and what we need to live a fuller vibrant life. Yoga is a life long practice, that is ever evolving and its consistency is what guides us into that inward place.

Yoga is not just a practice on our mats, but a practice that we carry into our lives. The more we practice it, the more we will become, and speak our truth. You begin to live in self-study, surrender to what is, and find contentment with what is around us.

As a competitive athlete and dancer I’ve understood movement as a means to process life. Visually connecting and sensing movements through breath to release or connect with oneself. Naturally, fitness became my big escape from the world.

But in 2015, I lost both my father and my grandmother. No amount of fitness, dance, and movement took away the sorrow and the pain in my heart. The day that I started to cry during Shavasana, I felt a calming release with so much love. I was able to grieve and let go all the pain that I’ve held onto. I’ve practiced yoga for many years before but at that moment understood the intention, grace, and love of yoga.

My yoga journey has changed and evolved over the years as I’ve changed and rediscovered myself on and off the mat. My first dedicated practice was at a Bikram studio. I really connected with a set of sequences that created a familiar and safe space to focus the mind and breath. Hatha/ Power Yoga/Baptist Yoga/ Rocket Yoga has helped me to find joy in my practice. By stepping away from a set sequence, I was able to play and try things I wouldn’t normally do. It pushed my boundaries to find my edge. Ashtanga is the practice I choose on a daily basis for my own therapy. The primary Series in Ashtanga is called, Yoga Chitkitsa, which in Sanskrit means treatment or cure. Its purpose is to facilitate purification of the body and the mind through the Dristi(focus) and breath, calming the floating thoughts and emotions. It has been a grounding practice that lets me find my clarity.

I’ve been fortunate to have studied under some amazing teachers in my life, Kino MacGregor, Tim Feldman, Andrew Hillam, Marsha Thompson, Jano Galindo, Gerhard Gessner, and Maryanne Abdulhadi. Thank you to all my past and current teachers for holding a beautiful space on my good, bad, and in between days. I hope that I Canaan do the same for all.

My entire life I’ve been the “bigger girl” in most friend groups. I initially started my fitness journey in my early adult years in hopes to get back to my “high school weight” and to fit into my size 6 pants. After trying various workout routines and fluctuating between weight, I finally accepted the truth to just love my body for what it is - despite not fitting into the “normal” societal standards for my stature.

I workout to remain physically active, as well as to help balance my mind, body, and soul. I truly enjoy the various aspects of being active - from reaping the health benefits, the discipline of remaining focused, and the involvement of being part of a loving and supportive community. It’s now a huge part of my life to where I feel a bit off if I don’t set aside time to give back to myself.

I got back into yoga in 2019 and was totally unaware of the different modalities that yoga has to offer. I decided I wanted to deepen my knowledge and yoga practice and completed a 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training in 2021. One of the things I learned that will always remain true, is that the teacher will always be the student. As a new teacher continuously exploring the different aspects of yoga, I hope to inspire those around me to be present in the moment and to do what they enjoy most no matter where you are on your beautiful journey of what we call life.

Anel Mancilla is a 200 hour Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT) with specialities in Yoga Sculpt. Having three years of personal practice plus six months of certification experience, Anel has developed a secure atmosphere for people to push their physical limits through mindful movement, uncover their innermost potential and support students on their journey of self-discovery.

“For me to practice yoga is to practice the freedom of the soul and mind.”

Giselle is a current college student who took her first ever yoga class over a year ago. She immediately fell in love with the practice and it quickly became a coping mechanism for all the chaos in her life, especially for her depression and anxiety. It created a safe environment for her to strengthen her body and calm her mind. Seeing the huge impact yoga has had in her life, Giselle has completed her 50-Hour Yin Yoga Teacher Training and hopes to continue her education within the yoga community. She wishes to hold a safe space for all her students to explore within themselves, create connections, and grow in their spirituality and healing.

Alec began his journey with yoga two years ago on the hope of curiosity and how yoga could impact him beneficially through the physical parts of the practice. However, the more he engaged into the practice, the more yoga started to speak to him not only on the physical level but also within. Since then the practice became a transformative journey for him. Yoga has been able to facilitate inner conversations on the lines of compassion, self-healing and has extended to develop union with other members of the community as well. As a native of Chula Vista he takes peace in acting to serve others in the lines of helping them realize their truest potential for the benefit of the collective. He is active as a math teacher, hiker, singer, brother and bhakti yoga practitioner. Sincere gratitude for those helpers on the journey include Marlene Kamo, Alexa Paige Gandara and Patrick Sohacki for facilitating a transcending perspective of yoga that is dynamic and is an experience of many wonders. To all the teachers that have made an impact on him as well on the lines of something greater, the gratitude continues to flow for them all.

From the moment Sydney stepped on her mat, it felt like home. Introduced to yoga at an early age as means to increase flexibility for figure skating, her life was immediately transformed. When she discovered the therapeutic benefits as it became a vital technique in coping with anxiety throughout high school. After realizing how great of an impact yoga made on her own healing and wellness, she felt called to share her practice, launching her into her current path as a yoga teacher. By the time she was 16 she had already completed her 200-Hour Yoga Teacher Training, and has since become a certified fitness, mat pilates, and adaptive yoga instructor, racking up over 1000 teaching hours. Believing yoga is for everyone, Sydney strives to create an inclusive environment where students of all fitness levels can feel good, and connect with their bodies while feeling safe enough to explore new possibilities. Committed to the growth of her students, she holds space to create a safe, nurturing environment, gives students the tools and techniques to access their needs, create connections, and find their centers. With a light heart and an open mind, she focuses on moving students into postures, rather than through them. Sydney teaches every class with the hope that each student will find the spark they need to stay present, playful, and inspired to bring their yoga practice into their daily life. Aside from being a full-time Yogi, Sydney is a Gulls Girl, Animal lover, and frequent beach-goer.

I am a local elementary school teacher and the mom of 3 daughters. I love to exercise and began my yoga journey about 4 years ago when I realized that my body needed something more than just cardio and HIIT classes. With yoga, I was able to rehabilitate an injury, increase range of motion, improve my balance, and decrease muscle soreness. I also found it challenging and calming. I was excited to find Yin Yoga and have experienced physical and emotional healing through the practice. It is the perfect complement to my jogging and weight lifting routines. I am excited to share the benefits of Yin with others and to continue learning more!

Marysol started her yoga journey in 2009 on her path to find more peace in her life. From the early days of developing her personal practice, she quickly noticed the benefits not only in her physical health but most importantly in the way she was experiencing life. After a long journey, she was sure that her purpose was to serve others, to help them improve the quality of their thoughts and create a better relationship with their bodies through yoga. She has been teaching since 2017, constantly studying and learning different formats like yin yoga, hatha, rocket, hot fusion, sound healing meditation and spent a month in India diving into yoga philosophy and yoga for women's health. She offers a grounding practice, where a conscious breath is the main focus. Her classes are designed to explore creative movement and awareness of the body, with the intention to bring her students into a healing state of harmony and union between the aspects of the self.

I was born and raised in Tijuana and moved to San Diego in 2019. I began my journey in 2020 after spending much time in nature and feeling a deep connection with Mother Earth, one that I had never felt before, it struck my curiosity and I started reading more about spirituality, books like The Heart of Buddha’s Teaching by Thich Nhat Hanh or Inner Engineering by Sadhguru, they all became my teachers and showed me the infinite source of life and love energy we all hold within… from there, I started connecting deeper with my body and the healing intensified. I started doing Yoga at home and fell in love with intuitive flows and the meditative state that comes with them. It wasn’t until April 2023 that my friend told me about YogaLab and I ended up being the only student at one of Athena’s 6 am class, this was my first time taking an actual yoga class and haven’t stopped going ever since. I now can say I’m deep and in love with this practice and it has changed my life in indescribable ways, so much that I now strive to teach yoga myself with the goal of guiding students into this journey full of healing and growth. I finished my first teacher training on September 2023, a 50hr Sculpt YTT with Diana Sophia and Jackie Ibanez which I can say strengthened my discipline in ways I wouldn’t have imagined.

I am eternally grateful for my teachers, Diana Sophia Jackie, Athena, Marlene, Anel and Julia…

They have guided and taught me in so many different ways that have all attributed to my practice, they inspire me deeply to do the work and continue on this beautiful Yogi path that comes with an abundance of love.

Natalia began her yoga journey as an adolescent when she first stepped foot into the Chula Vista Yoga Center. Her love for yoga grew quickly as it not only helped her physically but developed her mentality and way of living. Through yoga she has learned self-love, mindfulness, peace and inspiration. She completed her 50-hour yin yoga teacher training this year, 2024. Natalia is eager to further her knowledge and growth in all aspects of yoga in hopes of guiding others to find peace and love within themselves. Natalia wants to remind us of the grace and patience we are all capable of giving ourselves to combat self-doubt and to let go of any unhealthy patterns we are facing. Through her journey she struggled with this, as she learned that it is okay to step away from something she loves, if the desire and heart remain that passion will find you again at a divine time. Natalia is excited to be part of this growing, beautiful community. She is immensely fortunate and would like to show gratitude to her teachers that have guided and continue to guide her along her journey.

Hi! My name is Katarina, I am a High School student and am so excited to share my Yoga journey with you all. My experience with Yoga began when I was an athlete seeking a practice good for my mental health and body. After I started to practice yoga, I couldn’t stop as I fell in love with how I felt both physically and mentally.

As a student, my productivity increased as well as my energy levels. Yoga has brought balance, peace, and stability to my life. I look forward to growing and sharing the beauty and benefits of yoga to you all!

I’m Lili, mom of 3 littles. Found yoga 7 years ago and fell in love! When I’m not practicing yoga or running after my kids, I enjoy reading fiction WWII novels or playing tennis.

I began my yoga journey in 2009 immediately after graduating high school. Yoga opened up a whole new world for me. A world of self-love, compassion, peace, inspiration, and true identity. I knew from that moment on, that my calling would be to guide, and inspire others during their healing journey, so they may live a peaceful & health conscious lifestyle. In 2010 I became a 200hr certified yoga instructor. Later on in 2014 I graduated from the University of Hawaii with a degree in Kinesiology, deepening my understanding of the human body and becoming a group fitness instructor & personal trainer. In 2015 I went to India to complete my 300hr yoga teacher training, becoming a 500 hr RYT. Since then I have led multiple yoga teacher trainings, host yearly yoga retreats, and have also become a certified holistic nutritionist and herbalist. I am also currently studying to become a pelvic steam facilitator this year!