Get to know our instructors!
Nicole Dominguez | Owner/Teacher
Hot yoga and movement has helped me through many difficult times in my life. I want to be able to share my passion for it. Yoga is a metaphor for life with all of its highs, lows, successes, and challenges, and I hope to be able to use my experience of over 20 years of practice and teaching to help guide students through their own practice. As Owner I hope to create an environment where all students can thrive and work towards bettering themselves physically and mentally.
You can expect my class to be challenging but compassionate, and particularly focused on alignment and breath. I want to help students develop their practice physically and mentally. We all have challenging days in the hot room, so I try to encourage students to be kind to themselves while doing their best for that day, one breath at a time.
I am certified in the Functional Range Conditioning system (FRCms), as well as KINSTRETCH®: a movement enhancement system that develops maximum body control, flexibility and USABLE ranges of motion. My KINSTRETCH® classes help to make your joints more resilient for all the things you love. And I incorporate my movement knowledge in all the classes I teach.
Here is what students have to say about Nicole’s classes:
“Nicole is amazing. Her class is challenging and she's compassionate and her awareness of the room is incredible. She's not tied to expectations but reminds you to listen to her instructions and listen to your body. I love that she allows water and towel breaks from time to time. I love her class, it is friendly to all levels! Thank you so much!” - Jenifer
“I've taken of lot of hot yoga/bikram/26 over the years including many virtual classes since pandemic started and this was one of the best paced and sequenced I've done. Nicole's instructions for each pose were guided and nuanced to get the best possible posture and breathing, and liked how she grouped certain postures together to create the best flow. I really felt the benefits of the sequences in this class and a special peace at the close. Thank you!” - Heather
Francisco Rufino Baeza | Teacher
My name is Franciso Rufino, I’m originally from Mexico City, Mexico , 34 years old yogi.
I graduated from Bikram Yoga Teacher Training in San Diego (Fall 2010), after the Training my journey as Teacher start sharing my passion with the yogi community in Mexico for the last years.
As a practitioner I discovered the unlimited potential that hatha yoga practice can give us day by day, that’s why it’s a practice !!, each day We learn together, the Teacher learn from the Student and the Student learn from the Teacher, it’s part of the union, it’s part of the journey.
I’m happy to start learning from You in this community, let’s work together, let’s discover day by day Who We really are with our unlimited potential, It is going to be my privilege to be part of your day by day meditation.
Here is what students have to say about Francisco‘s class:
“Excellent class. Hot Yoga is an essential part of our health system. Francisco is a great teacher his contribution to our health care system is amazing. Francisco is conscientious and a deeply caring teacher. He teaches with the student's health and safety as the core both spiritually and physically. The responsible return to the hot room at this time has been a great way to maintain both sanity and health with every challenge going on in our world today. Francisco thank you so much.“ -John
“A great way to start the day. Francisco provides a challenging, informative, and hot class!” - Demeris
Melba Johnson | Teacher
I started practicing 33 years ago with Bikram himself. I never exercised as a youth or teenager because I was a sickly child who suffered from asthma and kidney problems. I practiced through two pregnancies, delivering healthy and strong children who now practice. I worked in the corporate arena as an owner/partner in a senior-level, retained executive search firm named Berkhemer Clayton for 13 years, and took the Bikram teacher training in 2003.
My vision/intention for the studio is to try to make every class an experience that is never the same each time students show up to practice.
My mission at The Hot Room is to expand the student's journey of yoga, and to inform and remind students of the benefits of their practice outside of standing on their mats.
What to expect from my class is to be excited to practice, breathe, surrender, and let go; to be guided through a supportive meditation of postures with suggested corrections to build a strong practice, with no expectations other than being enlightened and encouraged, which excites students to return for the next adventure/journey.
What students are saying about Melba‘s class:
“I had not done Hot Yoga in over 10 years. I had reservations coming back but I know I needed. Came to a class where Melba was teaching. She was perfect. Instruction was clear and firm. Very spiritually conscious. I survived thanks to the positive environment” - Cleon
Rosario Wenner | Teacher
I started practicing Bikram Yoga in April 1999. I instantly knew that this was going to make an impact in my life in all levels. I took the Bikram Yoga Teacher Training in 2000. This has led me in opening the original Bikram Yoga Studio in Long Beach from 2002 – 2015. In addition, I am a certified Kundalini Yoga Instructor, Levels 1 & 2, 84 Asanas Advance Teacher Training with Tony Sanchez, Vinyasa Yoga Teacher Training with Tamal Dodge, and my latest passion, Certified Pilates Instructor.
Currently, pursuing my Bachelors Degree in Kinesiology. My yoga journey has opened many opportunities in my life. I look forward in sharing my knowledge and learning more through my practice and learning from my students. I remind myself daily that life and yoga is never going to be perfect, it is a practice.
Here’s what students have to say about Rosario’s class:
“Was my first hot Pilates class and she was wonderful! Kicked my butt and made me feel encouraged the whole time! Can't wait to take this class again.” -Katia
Mayu Halgren | Teacher
I was born and raised in Tokyo, Japan, and came to the US to learn English in 2002. I started practicing Bikram Yoga in 2005, and I struggled a lot in my first hot yoga class. Since I was a kid, I was not good at sports. Although I wasn’t flexible or strong at all, I knew yoga would be good for my health. I kept practicing yoga and started to give me the feeling that I would love to help students like all my wonderful teachers helped me. I took Bikram Teacher Training in the Spring of 2007, and since then, I have taken several other trainings, including Hatha(Tony Sanchez Ghosh Lineage) Vinyasa(Yoga Salt by Tamal Dodge), and Power Yoga(Core Power Yoga). I love teaching and practicing yoga, and my classes are fun but challenging. I also understand how my newer students can struggle since I was like them before. My goal in teaching yoga is to help my students enjoy class and not worry about a lack of strength and flexibility. They should have as much fun as possible from every class I teach. Hopefully, I can serve our students and share my skills of teaching yoga and positive energy with many more students.
Lokah Samastah Sukhino Bhavaintu
(May all beings everywhere be happy and free, and may the thoughts, words, and actions of my own life contribute in some way to that happiness and to that freedom for all.)
Here’s what students have to say about Mayu:
“Excellent Instructor, encourages you too go further... with care.” -Priscilla
Petrina De Chine | Pilates Teacher
Petrina was introduced to Pilates in 2002 after a car accident that dislocated her back. She spent 18 months rehabilitating her lower back and in return discovered a stronger core and better posture. Instantly, she became hooked.
Certified at Equinox’s National Pilates Program, Petrina offers an individual experience focusing on your unique needs and goals. Her passion lies in helping clients move and strengthen from the inside out, with a special emphasis on correct alignment and body conditioning.
Petrina’s dedication to physical health, her strong energy, and a genuine love for helping people achieve their full potential, provide her clients with a custom, effective experience. She believes that strengthening the body and mind have a direct impact on one’s overall happiness. You can always hear her say, “Strong is the new sexy!”
Instagram: PDCPilatesLB
What our students have to say about Petrina’s class:
“I just wanted to express what an incredible class we had at The Hot Room in Long Beach. As first-timers, my husband, our friend, & I absolutely loved the Hot Pilates Summer Sculpt Class with Petrina. The energy of the class was electric & we felt so challenged & motivated after.” - Alexa