Sünje O’Clancy, MA, E-RYT, RCYT, RPYT, Director of TT

Yoga Rascals founder, Sünje O'Clancy, has been teaching yoga to students of all ages since 1998. Certified in Indra Devi style of classiscal Hatha yoga, Sünje combined her experience working with children in a variety of settings with insights she gained in graduate school studying child development and psychology to develop a yoga program for children. From the onset, Yoga Rascals’ program was taught successfully in preschools, elementary schools, libraries, as well as through the YMCA community outreach. 
 
Since Yoga Rascals’ establishment in 2007, the rising demand for children’s yoga made it clear that more instructors were needed. Sünje began training children yoga teachers in 2009, and when Yoga Alliance® established a children’s yoga specialty designation in 2012, Yoga Rascals became the first Registered Children’s Yoga School (RCYS) in California.
 
Sünje holds a Masters of Arts degree in German Literature with a double minor in Dramatic Arts and Pedagogy from the Ludwig-Maximilians-University of Munich, Germany. Sünje was featured on the cover of San Diego Magazine. She is the happy mother of two boys.

Hannah Lei Prunty, RYT

Hannah Lei’s educational background includes a B.A. in Visual Arts and K-8 multi-subject/art teaching credentials. Her  passions include art, kids, yoga and teaching.  She has a 200 hour yoga certification, specializing in gentle and adaptive yoga for adults, as well as a 95 hour children's yoga certification.  She is a part-time reading support teacher, part-time yoga teacher, and full time mom.   Hannah Lei loves being in nature and often hikes with her two children. 

Gretchen Mallios, LCSW, RYT

Gretchen Mallios, a 2001 graduate of UCLA's Schools of Social Work and Public Policy, has devoted her professional career to working with and on behalf of children and families.  She has worked as a therapist, program manager, and supervisor in several non profit social service agencies since arriving in San Diego in 2004.  From  2008 to 2016 she served on the board of the San Diego Postpartum Health Alliance, through which she advocated for parenting and early childhood services, among other things.  Currently, she works in her private psychotherapy practice, in which she focuses on maternal mental health and well being, resolution of trauma and stress, and general mental health treatment for adults and children.

Gretchen has been practicing yoga since 1998 and formally studied Hatha Yoga at YogaWell in San Diego, where she received her 200 Hr teacher training.  She is currently enrolled in a 300 Hr program at Soul of Yoga in Encinitas, CA.  Gretchen enjoys blending yoga philosophy and contemporary psychotherapy as complementary schools of thought.  She relies on these principles to strive for balance in her own life and enjoys helping others strive to do the same.    

Karin Davies, MD

Pediatrician Karin Davies, MD teaches the anatomy section of the teacher training.

Melissa Martin, BA, SLPA, RYT, RCYT

A licensed Speech Language Pathology Assistant, Melissa Martin worked in public schools with children of all ages and abilities before specializing in working with children with autism and special needs in private practice. 

Rose Polak Walters, E-RYT, RCYT

Yoga Rascals instructor Rose Polak Walters assists during the practice teaching portion of the training.