Meet your teachers

Danielle is the founding director and lead instructor of True Nature School of Yoga, where she blends her passion for teaching and learning to encourage in-depth study and practice of Yoga. Since 2001, she has taught in various settings including yoga studios, corporations, non-profit organizations, and schools. She has been the co-owner of two studios, Yoga Vista (2005-2009) and Yoga Oceanside (2010 to 2019). 

Leading transformational retreats and facilitating group circles for over 2 decades, Danielle's approach to guiding others is based on the premise that with consistent practice and dedicated study we all have the capacity to heal from trauma, to navigate transition with ease and awaken heart centered qualities bringing more peace to the world. Bringing seekers together and creating supportive community is at the heart of her work.

Danielle's classes, workshops, trainings, and retreats are accessible for all abilities and emphasize an embodied experience of the rich philosophy and psychology rooted in ancient traditions. Her pilgrimages to India have embedded her in a spiritual lineage of the traditions, which shines through in her sincere approach to sharing Yoga with others.

Danielle graduated with a Master of Arts Degree in Yoga Studies from Loyola Marymount University in May 2015. She is also attuned as a Reiki Master and enjoys tapping into energy as a source for personal healing and spiritual growth.

When she's not teaching, you will find her in the kitchen preparing plant-based meals, volunteering  for Voices for Children as a CASA, studying, and tending to her personal practice. 

Originally from Hawaii, Melanie moved to California in the late 90’s and began to explore different styles of Yoga. She was infinitely inspired, and loved how each of her teachers had something unique to offer the beautiful tapestry of Yoga. Wanting to take her practice and understanding further, she became a registered yoga teacher through True Nature School of Yoga in 2008. Since then, Melanie has taught yoga in hospitals, schools, Yoga studios, and on the road for touring musicians. She strongly believes in, and has directly observed in herself and her students, the great potential of yoga to relieve stress, help heal our bodies by igniting the immune system and create a more loving and compassionate outlook on life. Her passion for Yoga and its healing properties led to an in depth study of functional anatomy, holistic nutrition and clinical herbalism.  

 Melanie is on faculty at True Nature School of Yoga, where she trains yoga teachers in anatomy, Ayurveda, Yin Yoga, vinyasa, and alignment in asana, and was the co-founder and owner of Yoga Oceanside Studio for over 10 years. 

Leslie Denny is a yoga and fitness instructor who has been practicing in the Oceanside, California area for over fifteen years. Her qualifications include the E-RYT 500, registered through the Yoga Alliance, 200-hour training through YogaFit and advanced studies through the True Nature School of Yoga, of which she is a faculty member. Leslie is a member of the Advisory Committee for Standards with Yoga Alliance and has successfully mentored and trained many yoga instructors. In her previous role as a Master Instructor with 24 Hour Fitness, she developed yoga workshops that were implemented successfully nationwide. Leslie has brought yoga to many diverse groups: cancer patients at Scripps in La Jolla, California, struggling teens at the YMCA and the Wounded Warriors Battalion West Marines at Camp Pendleton. She also co-developed the KOCT series, “Health and Harmony Yoga” which can be seen on Oceanside community channel. One of her specialties in yoga is a therapeutic approach with postures and the use of therapeutic balls for the purpose of myofascial release and self-massage. She is a strong believer that, through meditation and yoga, we can all find peace where we least expect it.