Today we’d like to introduce you to Cesar Villagran.
Hi Cesar, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
My name is Cesar Villagran, and I’m both a a trauma-informed yoga and meditation teacher and Construction Manager . On the surface, those two paths may seem worlds apart, but for me, yoga has become the lens through which I approach not just teaching, but also how I lead and collaborate in construction.
I came to yoga in January 2019 after making a New Year’s resolution and it led me into Big Power Yoga. I didn’t expect it to change my life, but it did. As someone who grew up in the inner city of Houston, I didn’t see many teachers who looked like me or came from my background. That realization, combined with the deep healing yoga gave me, inspired me to become a teacher myself. My training in trauma-informed yoga and meditation has given me the tools to guide others in ways that are safe, inclusive, and empowering.
That same training also shows up every day in my construction career. Construction, like yoga, is about collaboration, trust, and creating something meaningful together. I learned early on, starting as a general laborer under my dad’s guidance, that hard work could open doors. But I also saw that credentials alone didn’t always earn trust. Too often, people default to doubt. Through yoga, I’ve learned to navigate those challenges with mindfulness, patience, and compassion, qualities that make collaboration stronger and projects more successful.
At the end of the day, I’m proud to be disrupting the status quo, both in yoga and in construction. My work is about showing up differently: leading with presence, creating space for others to thrive, and proving that healing and connection can happen anywhere, even on a job site.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. In both yoga and construction, one of the biggest struggles has been proving myself. Credentials and experience don’t always translate into trust—people sometimes default to doubt, whether because of background, identity, or simply the way things have “always been done.” That can be discouraging, but it’s also pushed me to keep showing up with consistency and integrity.
Another challenge has been finding representation. In yoga especially, I didn’t see many teachers who looked like me or came from where I came from. That lack of representation could have kept me on the sidelines, but instead it fueled me to step into the role of teacher so that others could see themselves reflected in this practice too.
Ultimately, the struggles have been the very things that shaped my approach. They taught me resilience, the importance of mindfulness in the face of conflict, and the power of creating space where collaboration and healing can actually happen.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I specialize in teaching yoga through a trauma-informed, inclusive, and accessible lens. For me, yoga isn’t about performance or perfection, t’s about creating a safe and empowering space where people of all identities, abilities, and backgrounds can experience healing. I focus on invitational language, choice, and collaboration so that students always feel they are in control of their own practice.
What I’m most proud of is being able to hold space for people who may not have always felt welcome in traditional yoga environments. Growing up in the inner city of Houston, I know how important it is to see yourself reflected in places of healing. My teaching is about breaking down barriers and showing that yoga truly is for everybody, not just a select few.
What sets me apart is the way I weave my trauma-informed training into everything I do—not only in the yoga studio, but also in my career in construction. Whether I’m guiding a class or leading a team on a project, I draw on the same principles: safety, trust, empowerment, and collaboration. My goal is always to help people feel seen, supported, and capable of creating something meaningful.
Any big plans?
Looking ahead, I want to continue expanding the reach of trauma-informed, inclusive, and accessible yoga. My goal is to create more spaces where people who might not traditionally feel welcome in yoga can experience its healing power. That means developing workshops, community gatherings, and collaborations that meet people where they are, whether in studios, schools, or even nontraditional spaces.
In construction, I’m excited to keep applying these same principles to leadership and collaboration. I see a future where mindful communication and inclusivity aren’t “extras,” but the foundation for how projects are built and teams are led.
The big picture for me is integration, bringing together these two worlds that shaped me. Whether on the mat or on a job site, I’m committed to building spaces that are stronger, more compassionate, and more connected.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cesar_saunters/?hl=en
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cesar-villagran-a40328a3/
