MEET THE TEAM

Kimberly Tollman

Owner / Yoga Instructor

Yoga to me is therapy on several levels. My background is as a licensed Marriage Family Therapist, mainly working with clients struggling with anxiety, depression, and trauma. Although I deeply believe in the benefits of traditional mental health therapy, the practice of yoga has enhanced and expanded my own coping skills on a mental and spiritual level. I found yoga in 2013 in a vinyasa style class set at 108 degrees for my very first experience, and I have since traveled through many types of yoga classes of many different styles. That experience led me to my Hot Power Fusion 200-hour TT @ Core Power Yoga that following year. Although my base is in the 26 posture/Bikram style sequence, my love of teaching vinyasa style classes continues to evolve. I enjoy teaching community based classes, including charity events and large groups of elementary school kiddos, as well as corporate group sessions and celebrations of any kind. The most important and consistent element that yoga brings into my life, is returning to my breath. Letting go of things and finding a sense of calm and presence was not a natural way of being for me before yoga came into my life. I am a native of Orange County but have traveled as far as South Africa, Europe, Canada, and many parts of Mexico. After a major car accident in 2013 that caused many physical and mental challenges, the one thing I was able to rely and lean into was my practice of pranayama (control of the breath. This practice continues to support me through any obstacle that arises on my path. My journey of physically getting back to yoga after my car accident was a difficult one, but I can gratefully say that with everything I’ve learned along the way, I have found a deeper and better way of living because of yoga. I look forward to sharing energy and light on the mat with any and all levels of yogis. Favorite posture: supine twist. I feel a sense of true meaning and purpose when I share this practice with others, and am able to witness their journey of healing and connection to themselves.

Andrew Mun

Yoga Instructor

Andrew provides instruction that focuses on breath and alignment while safely encouraging his students to locate and expand the boundaries of their practice. He hopes that their yoga practice becomes the portal through which his students tap into the divine energy of the universe. Andrew began yoga after he learned some of his favorite surfers were practitioners. After a decade of practice, during which he received instruction from numerous, inspiring teachers, he was encouraged to enroll in and complete his yoga teacher training at Veda Yoga Center in Culver City, California. Prior to arriving to Caffe Yoga, Andrew taught at Veda, the headquarters of the World Surf League in Santa Monica, California, and a donation-based class whose proceeds support the Pacific Marine Mammal Center. Andrew is grateful for every chance he gets to connect with fellow yogis.

Stephanie Alarcon

Yoga Instructor

Born and raised in Orange County, California, Stephanie believes in leading through positive example and innate optimism. She began exploring spirituality at a young age through reading, music and workshops at the local spiritual bookstore. This soul exploration led to physical and mental activity such as nature walks, martial arts and the sporadic Yoga and Meditation classes over many years. It wasn’t until healing after a major surgery in 2016 that she began a consistent at home Yoga practice.After cultivating this at home practice, Stephanie realized that she was passionate about Yoga and wanted to learn more. There was a longing to know more about the philosophy; Where did it start? Why do we use these movement? Why does it affect our energy? How can I become involved in sharing this feeling of healing and connection? In the most perfect timing she came across a Facebook post for Caffe Yoga’s Teacher Training and was certified in the first graduating class.
As a 200 Hour Registered Yoga Teacher, Stephanie is honored to guide a compassionate and loving Yoga practice. She is committed to sharing Yoga with others as a form of healing, self-knowledge and self-expression. She believes that Yoga is a path that can lead body, mind and soul to a healthy, long and loving life.

Erin Stensby

Yoga Instructor

Erin has always had a passion for health and fitness, but she found her love for yoga in 2015 at Caffe Yoga. While dealing with some chronic health issues, yoga became the place of healing for her. As her body and mind became one through her practice, she was drawn to the idea of teaching and giving this amazing gift to others. Through Caffe Yoga, she completed a transformative teacher training and has been guiding others ever sense. Erin loves teaching vinyasa based classes, linking breath to movement and allowing students to feel life-force energy flow within each of them as they move. She truly believes that through the mindful movement of yoga and breath work, the body and mind can become a place where deep healing can happen. Erin continues to experience the healing of yoga throughout her life time and time again. In her free time, she loves to spend time with her husband, her cat Kibbles and with family and friends! Erin invites each of you to go on this journey of healing, self awakening and connection to your mind, body and spirit and can’t wait to guide you as you embark on this beautiful journey- namaste.

Sakurako (Sako) Yazawa

Yoga Instructor

Sako’s journey with yoga began in college, but it was through deeper yoga training that she truly discovered its transformative power. Yoga, for her, is not about flexibility or perfecting poses—it’s a path to self-awareness, self-discovery, and energetic balance.
With 500 hours of yoga training and a two-year 835 hour Yoga Therapy training, Sako brings a holistic approach to well-being. She studied under a physical therapist to deepen her understanding of the musculoskeletal and nervous systems, and trained with a psychotherapist to explore the mind-body connection. Through yoga therapy, she integrates breathwork, movement, and mindfulness to support physical, mental, and emotional health.
Passionate about guiding others safely and intuitively, we now offer both group and individual yoga therapy sessions, creating a welcoming space free of judgment—where presence, ease, and transformation unfold naturally.

Michelle Weinhofen

Yoga Instructor

Michelle is from Laguna Beach, California and first found yoga when training for a half marathon. She found that she was craving balance in her body and a way to lengthen her muscles that had tightened up from running. She fell in love with what yoga had to offer, discontinued running, and started practicing yoga wholeheartedly. Her love for yoga grew and she wanted to dive deeper by getting certified to teach. She completed her teacher training on the big island of Hawaii through Yogaworks led by Alicia Cheung. Michelle's teaching style consists of a blend of Ashtanga and Iyengar yoga. She shares her love for breaking a sweat, arm balances and inversions, and working the core as well as slowing it down for a more yin style practice that is slow, calming, and grounding. She emphasizes alignment, mindful control, and feeling good in your body while practicing each pose. In this practice, Michelle likes to incorporate a mind-body experience through the control of the breath. By focusing on the breath, it allows our mind to be quieted while using yoga poses to open up and get into our bodies that help us dive a little deeper within ourselves. Through this practice she wants to help people find a journey of self discovery. What we learn on our mat can be used in our off-the-mat daily life. Michelle continues to see how much yoga has changed her life for the better and wants to share that with others

Denise Talancon

Yoga Instructor

It all started when her mom bought her an 8-week mindful meditation course for type-A personalities as a Christmas present, and it was during this course that Denise began her yoga journey in 2012. Looking for new tools to manage her anxiety and depression, under the guidance of Mariana Fischer-Militaru, MA, CMI, meditation gave Denise a sense of emotional freedom and peace therapy that the gym had never given her. From there she developed an asana practice which lead to receiving her 200 RYT vinyasa yoga training and certification from The Yoga Mat in Orange County in 2016. Since then Denise has continued to expand her experience with Sound Healing and Reiki Levels I and II certifications. Forever dedicated to learning and growing, she practices meditation, sound healing, kundalini, bhakti, japa, kriya, restorative, yin, and vinyasa yoga. Her true essence is realized when she is connecting with people and helping them find their inner peace through breath, sound, and movement. Her message is simple: Through self-care, self-love, and self-discovery, the more you align with your self – the mind, body, and soul – the more you will notice your deepest truths and intuition. In the words of K. Pattabhi Jois, “Practice yoga, and all is coming!”

Alexis Henderson

Yoga Instructor

Alexis is so excited to be teaching at Caffe Yoga after having been a student here for many years. She loves teaching for all levels with a focus on alignment, & a balance between strength & flexibility. She hopes you feel strong, refreshed, & energized after class.

julia Perez-monje

Yoga Instructor

Yoga truly saved my life. I struggled severely with mental health and addiction, and it was not until I began my yoga journey that I found deeper meaning and a sense of purpose. I received my 200 hour certification with Caffe Yoga in 2018 to deepen my practice, and gain more knowledge about the history and linage of yoga. After a long and rewarding journey of healing, and getting sober, I was given the beautiful opportunity to teach yoga at mental health and addiction treatment centers. It is my passion, and Dharma (life’s purpose), to share this beautiful practice with others. In 2023 I received my 300 certification in Ubud Bali, where I spent 30 days expanding my knowledge and meeting wild monkeys in the forest. Yoga has brought me so much peace, love, acceptance, and growth. I enjoy taking and teaching all styles of yoga, whether I come to my mat, to let go, to have fun, or to simply be present, I always receive more then I could ever imagine from this spiritual, and physical practice. My teaching style focuses on mindfulness, intentional breath, meditative organic movement, and self expression. I look forward to flowing with you! Namaste

Jenna Nakamura

Yoga Instructor

Hello! My name is Jenna and I am honored to guide you through your practice! I have an extensive athletic background which includes; Dance (tap, jazz, ballet, some acrobatics) from the age of 4 until 18 and beyond, soccer, track, cross-country, competitive ultimate frisbee and I am also a former triathlete. You could say I have a deep love for anything that gives me the opportunity to move my body. In 2013, I earned a NASM CPT and was a personal trainer for a short time. Throughout my early adult years I would dabble in yoga from time-to-time, but really became fascinated and obsessed in early 2017, when I started taking regular classes at Caffe Yoga. Prior to becoming a regular practitioner of yoga, I was making frequent visits to a chiropractor to ease back pain. I found with making yoga a regular part of my routine, I was able to eliminate those visits completely. I also found that my anxiety and stress levels reduced significantly. Needless to say, I was hooked after just a few months! Yoga, to me, is the perfect combination of strength, flexibility and mind-soothing meditation.
It was a great pleasure to earn my 200-hour Yoga Alliance Certification during the Spring/Summer of 2020. Due to the COVID pandemic, what was supposed to be a 3 month training actually turned into a 6 month adventure and full-immersive experience that I will never forget. My style preference is vinyasa and alignment based, with an athletic twist, while still offering modifications for an accessible practice. I am so excited to get the opportunity to be able to share my love of yoga and movement with others.

Renee Bulda

Yoga instructor

I have been practicing yoga on and off throughout my life. In 2021 I started a dedicated yoga practice and it helped me heal greatly from anxiety and depression. I wanted to bring the same benefits to others that my yoga instructors gave to me, and I became a certified yoga instructor in 2022. My own yoga practice has always lifted my heart and led me to my highest self. The connection between spirit, mind, and body is strongest when we are on our mat. I love the Vinyasa style, linking breath to movement and living fully in the present moment. I want to make yoga interesting and accessible to everyone, and leave my students with a sense of peace and belonging, giving them space to be fully present and connected to their own highest and most authentic self.

Kelly Chow

Yoga Instructor

Growing up, I played a lot of sports which sparked a passion for movement and community. Like many I had thought that yoga was mostly stretching and meditation. I was right in some ways, but I have learned that it is sooo much more! I spontaneously began my yoga practice in 2020 when the pandemic had hit (what better time to try something new!). My practice slowly became more dedicated, taking a variety of classes: Yoga Sculpt/Strength, Vinyasa, and the Hot 26. Overtime, I developed a love and appreciation for not only the physical practice of yoga, but the spiritual and mental aspects. I had thought about acquiring my 200H Vinyasa Certification, but it wasn't until last year that I made the decision to invest in myself and do the thing. As a Registered Yoga Teacher, I am excited to teach Vinyasa while continuing to explore other practices such as Restorative Yoga, Sound Healing, and more. Yoga has been beyond transformational for me and will continue to be. I am forever a student and now a teacher who is honored to share this beautiful art/practice with others no matter where you are on your journey. To me, Yoga is a way of life, a love and awareness of our mind, body, soul. My 4 M's of life are: Mindfulness, Movement, Music, and Mother Nature. My hope is to create experiences where these can co-exist in a way that is inclusive and intentional to our human experience. See you on your mat!

Sarah Franco

Yoga Instructor

Hi there! I’m Sarah, and I’m truly honored to guide you in your yoga practice. I first discovered yoga during a challenging time in my life, both mentally and physically, and fell in love immediately. Through my practice, I uncovered the powerful, inextricable link between the mind and body. Yoga quickly became my way to quiet the noise, ground myself, and find peace in the present moment, and I’m so excited to share that with you. I began deepening my practice at Caffe Yoga in 2018 and received my 200HR RYT in March 2024. In my classes, we focus on more than just physical practice; I help my students cultivate awareness, gratitude, and a sense of connection to ourselves. I also love a good playlist and remind my students that yoga is meant to be about enjoying the process, having fun and not taking ourselves too seriously.

Off the mat, I’m passionate about living intentionally and sustainably. What started as a personal wellness journey has turned into a way of life, one that embraces stewardship of our environment and incorporates mindfulness into everyday moments. When I’m not teaching, I love spending time outdoors with my pup, Scout, experimenting with new plant-based recipes, traveling, or diving into the latest book in my ever-growing TBR list.

Christine Anthony Rolfe

MEDITATION

Christine started to meditate when she was around 6 years old, staring at a Holly Hobby picture on the wall to settle her mind at night. Only decades later did she learn she was practicing Trataka, the meditative practice of gazing at an external object. Perhaps it is no surprise that Christine was naturally drawn to meditation and started practicing again as a way to calm her mind and increase mindfulness in her daily life. As Christine continued to develop her meditation practice, she experienced even more benefits including reduced insomnia, more focus and an increased connectedness with life. She was happier. She was drawn to the practice and wanted to learn as much about meditation as possible. Christine explains “If I can meditate (with my over-active mind) anyone can!” Christine became certified to teach the Simple, Easy, Every Day Meditation (SEED Meditation®) created by Sarah McLean. She also holds a BA in Communications and Business Economics from the University of California, Santa Barbara. Her desire is to teach meditation to individuals or groups looking for a way to improve their well-being through meditation. Her smile grows even larger when teaching people who are new to meditation as she loves the idea of spreading the practice. Christine lives in Orange County with her husband, teenage son and two furry friends, Ruka and Maya. Her interests outside of meditation include hiking, yoga, writing and traveling.

New location

250 El Camino Real #208

Tustin, CA 92782

welcome to Caffe Yoga

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MEET THE TEAM