Director of Community Outreach and Social Media

Dani Coleman is a yoga teacher, spiritual movement facilitator, social activist, and published author. She has a passion for self-expression through movement and exploring the conscious and subconscious aspects of herself.

After living with an impending need for self-discovery and searching for resilience from trauma, Dani centered her practice and teachings around feminine embodiment and somatic healing through spiritual guidance. This deeply aligns with Union Yoga’s mission of creating an inclusive, trauma-sensitive space where movement, healing, and self-exploration come together to support students on their journey.

When she is outside of the yoga studio, you might find Dani buying or selling second-hand fashion, practicing her amateur dancing skills, or enjoying all that nature has to offer both near and far.

Founder & Owner of Union Yoga

10+ years of teaching | Over 7,000 hours of experience

Rex Dean Villena began practicing yoga at Spirit Yoga 12 years ago, discovering its transformative role in addiction recovery. He completed a 200-hour Vinyasa training and a 500-hour certification at the Soul of Yoga Institute to deepen his understanding of yoga’s impact on mental health and healing.

Trained under Monique Lonner, Joe Barnett, Leela Durga, and Kate Beckel, Rex developed the Union Yoga Trauma-Sensitive Teaching Protocol, a method that shapes the way he and his team teach Vinyasa, Yin Yoga, and other styles to create an inclusive and supportive space. His approach integrates modern trauma science with traditional yoga instruction, drawing from the work of Dr. Peter Levine, Dr. Bessel van der Kolk, and Dr. Gabor Maté.

He has led multiple teacher trainings, organized international retreats, and continues to advocate for trauma transparency, de-stigmatization, and accessibility in yoga. His work bridges classical yoga teachings with contemporary therapeutic insights, fostering a practice that is both healing and empowering.

Beyond teaching, Rex enjoys camping, rock climbing, Street Fighter, and traveling to Japan, continuously drawing inspiration from movement, nature, and global perspectives.

Director of Partnerships

Erin Chan has served the San Diego community as a 200 RYT Hatha/Vinyasa teacher, certified kids yoga instructor, and music teacher throughout her career. She is passionate about supporting individuals to find therapeutic forms of expression through physical movement, play, song, and creativity - and her mission is to help cultivate more compassionate, inquisitive, and healthy humans in the world.

She utilizes the impactful power of yoga practice in regulating the body’s trauma responses in her current primary work as a Marriage and Family Therapist where she specializes in transformative work with couples, children/teens, and individuals seeking change.

The mental health benefits she has drawn from yoga to ground through times of pain and struggle fuel her desire to share the practice as a tool to connect the body, mind, and spirit and empower students to become their most resilient and curious selves. She aligns strongly with Union Yoga’s social justice goals to build more diversity in our city’s wellness spaces and to be accessible and consistently utilized by those in need and those traditionally underserved.

In her free time, you can find Erin surfing, cooking, making music, and rock climbing.

500-hour Certified Yoga Teacher | Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist

Mindy is a 500-hour certified yoga teacher with over a decade of experience, specializing in trauma-informed yoga, restorative yoga, and sound baths.

It was through her own personal journey that she discovered the profound impact of yoga on both mind and body. Mindy’s classes cultivate a welcoming and inclusive space, allowing students to deepen their connection to themselves at their own pace. She integrates somatic awareness, movement, mindfulness, and sound healing to support embodiment and nervous system restoration.

In addition to teaching yoga, Mindy is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. Her expertise in somatic and intergenerational trauma work informs her approach, bringing a unique therapeutic perspective to her teachings and fostering a supportive, empowering environment for all.

Yoga Instructor | Specialist in Yoga for the Nervous System

Toni is a passionate yoga instructor specializing in Yoga for the Nervous System at Union Yoga. Her classes are designed to guide students of all levels into connection with their subtle bodies, paving the way for meaningful meditation. With a focus on healing and empowerment, Toni helps her students cultivate strength, resilience, and deep understanding.

Toni earned her 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training (YTT) from Trilogy Sanctuary and further deepened her knowledge with a 30-hour CE course, "Healing Trauma through Yoga," from OG Yoga. She has taught at leading studios including Trilogy Sanctuary, Yoga Lab, and OG Yoga, and has studied under renowned teachers such as Dominic Minervo (founder of Dhurva Yoga), Michelle Johnson (author of Skill in Action: Radicalizing Your Yoga Practice to Create a Just World), and Molly Caro May (author of Body Full of Stars).

Toni was involved in the early beginnings of Union Yoga, contributing to social media and management. She first connected with Rex after joining him on a Japan retreat, which deepened their shared passion for yoga, healing, and community.

As a first-generation immigrant from Hong Kong, Toni arrived in the U.S. in the late 1990s with her single mother, learning firsthand the challenges of navigating life’s messy transitions. This journey of grounding amidst change is one she continues to explore and share with her students.

For Toni, yoga is more than just physical practice; it’s a tool for creating safe, transformative spaces for those most marginalized in this industry—especially survivors. When she’s not teaching, Toni can be found by the ocean with her dog, writing about food, or immersed in the magic of long, epic guitar solos.

Power Vinyasa Yoga Instructor

Ishmael’s yoga practice prioritizes self-awareness, breath, and reactions. In 2010, he received his Power Vinyasa Yoga certification in Aliso Viejo, CA. His yoga journey began at the end of a long career in Chemical Engineering. He wanted change, and it came unexpectedly in the form of a layoff, bringing confusion, doubt, and fear.

People, events, and life challenges can trigger these reactions, but Ishmael found stability in yoga, where balance came with the learned ability to adapt and remain flexible—both to external situations and changes within himself. Learning how to stay calm and focused in any symbolic storm is why Ishmael shows up on his mat, both to practice and to guide others. His classes integrate poses (asanas), breath work (prana), and intention setting, helping students cultivate resilience on and off the mat.

Ishmael’s favorite pastimes are hiking and spending time with Charlie (Labradoodle) and Max (Retriever). At the end of every trail, he marks the moment with a selfie in a yoga pose. He views life experiences and people like the stones on a hike—some offer temporary support, some fall away, but those that remain become smooth, familiar, and foundational.

Join Ishmael in a Vinyasa Yoga flow, where the lessons learned on the mat become tools for your journey beyond it.

500 HR Trauma-Informed Yoga Teacher | Healing Circle Facilitator

Florencia Colón Pérez is a Puerto Rico-born, 500-hour certified yoga teacher with a trauma-informed approach.
Florencia completed her 200-hour certification in Trauma-Informed Yoga, Ayurveda, and Social Justice Yoga at SoulWork™, studying under Marianne Trauten and Dra. Andrea Borbón. There, she focused on integrating trauma awareness and conscious business practices into her teaching. She continued her education with a 300-hour certification under Karuna Tribu, deepening her knowledge in trauma-informed and somatic practices, as well as Ayurveda, with mentorship from Sharon Brenes. She also completed 20 hours of continuing education with Karuna Tribu to further refine her expertise.

Her teaching blends Hatha-Vinyasa with mindful movement and breathwork. Beyond asana and pranayama, her classes encourage students to befriend their nervous systems, explore its fluctuations, and engage with somatic practices to identify and name bodily sensations. Florencia’s approach is deeply influenced by her studies of Ayurveda and yoga philosophy, which she weaves into her classes to promote holistic well-being and self-awareness.

Outside of her teaching, Florencia has been a Healing Circle Facilitator for over four years, having led more than 40 events to support healing and transformation. She has also guided women’s retreats and intensive 1:1 mentoring programs, offering a space for deep personal growth and healing from trauma.

With every class, Florencia invites students to explore their bodies, minds, and spirits with compassion, curiosity, and a focus on holistic healing.

Vinyasa Yoga Instructor

Tamara is passionate about helping students cultivate a deeper connection with their bodies and minds. Trained by Gerhard Gessner at Prana Yoga Center, she specializes in Vinyasa yoga, though her personal practice spans Ashtanga, Yin, and Hatha.

Her personal journey with sports injuries has deeply influenced her teaching approach. She values honoring traditional yoga philosophy while integrating modern adaptations of Asana with an emphasis on mobility. By blending these elements, she strives to create a welcoming space where students can feel present and explore their practice.

Tamara has experience teaching weekly Vinyasa and Gentle Yoga classes at studios including Tranquil Tree Yoga, Prana Yoga Center, and Semper Fit, as well as working with private clients. She has also assisted in multiple teacher-led classes, refining her skills in classroom guidance and student support.

In addition to yoga, Tamara has a background in dance and movement, having previously coached and choreographed for colorguard teams. This experience enhances her ability to create dynamic, intentional movement in her classes.

Yoga Instructor | Yoga for the Nervous System

Mayuri is a yoga instructor specializing in Yoga for the Nervous System at Union Yoga, where the focus is on learning to regulate anxiety and the nervous system through an understanding of neurophysiology. Mayuri has lived experience with a neuromuscular disorder that comes with a variety of unusual symptoms, which she describes as a, “mind-body connection that functions like glitchy Wi-Fi.” In her yoga classes, Mayuri incorporates rehabilitation techniques that are designed to help correct neuromuscular disorders, which can be used from infancy through adulthood, particularly for individuals with traumatic injuries or autoimmune disorders. While these techniques are typically introduced only in rehabilitation settings after a diagnosis, Mayuri believes that applying these strategies proactively can help prevent problems before they even arise. When she's not teaching yoga, Mayuri works as an ADHD calculus and physics coach in San Diego, and she enjoys toproping in her free time.

Vinyasa Yoga Instructor

Meet Naomi! Originally from the seaside town of Brighton, England, she set her sights on yoga teacher training as soon as she arrived in San Diego, graduating from Gaia Yoga School in February 2023. From her very first class, she was amazed by the capabilities of the human body and aims to help others discover the same. As a teacher, Naomi’s goal is to lead energetic and engaging classes while fostering a welcoming space where students can move at their own pace, always concluding with a calming and peaceful cooldown. Her students leave her classes feeling grounded, strong, and connected in mind, body, and spirit.

Vinyasa Yoga Teacher | Dance & Movement Educator

Jill’s journey in movement began early with competitive dance and track & field, laying the foundation for her lifelong love of performance and teaching. She holds a BFA in Modern Dance from the University of the Arts in Philadelphia, where she trained in Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Improvisation, Choreography, and Pilates. Her diverse career includes performing, choreographing, teaching, personal training, and business ownership, making her a well-rounded and passionate movement educator.

She’s performed in the iconic Jubilee! in Las Vegas, choreographed and danced with West Edge Opera in SF, competed professionally in Ballroom and Latin, and worked with acclaimed modern companies like San Diego Dance Theater and Robert Moses Kin. Most recently, she taught and coached over 600 students in the Clark County School District, sharing the joy of movement with the next generation.

Jill’s deep interest in body mechanics and injury prevention grew from personal experience. As a young dancer, she turned to Pilates and bodywork to help recover from the physical demands of training—an exploration that sparked her mission to help others move smarter. With over 10 years of experience teaching dance, barre, Pilates, yoga, pole, and training private clients, she’s committed to educating people on the “why” behind movement. Her joyful teaching style blends creativity, efficiency, and mobility to deliver fun, challenging, and mindful workouts that build strength, flexibility, and confidence at every stage of life.

Trauma-Informed Vinyasa, Restorative, Sound Bath Yoga Instructor

Colby is a 200-hour certified yoga teacher specializing in trauma-informed yoga, restorative yoga, and sound baths. They currently work for 988 - the national crisis lifeline, supporting individuals in moments of acute emotional distress.

Their classes blend mindful movement, breathwork, sound, and somatic practices to help regulate the nervous system and foster a sense of safety and connection in the body. After hiking the Pacific Crest Trail, Colby deepened their commitment to nature-based and restorative approaches that reconnect us to ourselves and the world around us.

Rooted in both clinical and embodied experience, their work invites people to train their awareness—to notice what they feel and where they feel it—building the capacity to stay present with sensation, emotion, and inner knowing as pathways to healing.

Vinyasa Yoga Instructor

Fair is a 500-hour RYT originally from the East Coast, who made the move to the West Coast a few years ago to embrace the sunshine and opportunities that San Diego offers. She practices yoga to deepen her mind-body-spirit connection and to cultivate breath control, which helps her stay present in the moment. Yoga brings Fair feelings of bliss, serenity, and profound connection, and as a teacher, her goal is to share those same feelings with her students in a safe and respectful manner.

In Fair's classes, students can expect to seamlessly pair intention, breath, and movement, leaving them with a sense of balance in both their body and mind. The primary focuses of her classes include finding and maintaining the breath while building self-trust, acceptance, and strength. Fair emphasizes that yoga is accessible to everyone—one doesn't need to be flexible or experienced, only open-minded and ready to deeply explore their mind, body, and soul.

Join Fair in welcoming each day with one of her amazing sunrise yoga classes!