Meet the Yoga Rascals Team
Sünje O’Clancy, MA, E-RYT, RCYT, RPYT
Yoga Rascals founder Sünje O'Clancy has been teaching yoga to students of all ages for more than two decades. Sünje is passionate about bringing yoga’s balanced approach to movement and wellness to children. “I love seeing their smiles when kids connect with the innate joy that comes from moving their bodies in a mindful way. I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to support their wondrous journey through childhood and adolescence by sharing the wisdom of yoga.”
Sünje is the director of Yoga Rascals’ Teacher Training, California's first children’s yoga teacher school to be registered with Yoga Alliance®. She 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 a presenter at the UCSD Center for Mindfulness Bridging Conference, and has been featured on the cover of San Diego Magazine. She is the creator of a series of kids yoga videos. Throughout her teaching career Sünje has been inspired by her own two children, who are now grown up, as well as the thousands of little yogis she had the pleasure to meet in class.
Yoga Rascals founder Sünje O'Clancy has been teaching yoga to students of all ages for more than two decades. Sünje is passionate about bringing yoga’s balanced approach to movement and wellness to children. “I love seeing their smiles when kids connect with the innate joy that comes from moving their bodies in a mindful way. I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to support their wondrous journey through childhood and adolescence by sharing the wisdom of yoga.”
Sünje is the director of Yoga Rascals’ Teacher Training, California's first children’s yoga teacher school to be registered with Yoga Alliance®. She 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 a presenter at the UCSD Center for Mindfulness Bridging Conference, and has been featured on the cover of San Diego Magazine. She is the creator of a series of kids yoga videos. Throughout her teaching career Sünje has been inspired by her own two children, who are now grown up, as well as the thousands of little yogis she had the pleasure to meet in class.
Rose Polak Walters, E-RYT, RCYT
Rose Polak Walters began practicing yoga at age 20 becoming a certified yoga teacher in 2009. Since then she has taught people of all ages, shapes and sizes throughout San Diego. Participation in the Yoga Rascals Teacher Training affirmed her notion that yoga is much deeper than the asanas (or postures) and that we are capable of opening our body, our mind and our heart more than we may believe. "Teaching children yoga has revealed to me that I don't need to take myself or others too seriously, and that I can simply be present, breathe and enjoy the moment."
Rose Polak Walters began practicing yoga at age 20 becoming a certified yoga teacher in 2009. Since then she has taught people of all ages, shapes and sizes throughout San Diego. Participation in the Yoga Rascals Teacher Training affirmed her notion that yoga is much deeper than the asanas (or postures) and that we are capable of opening our body, our mind and our heart more than we may believe. "Teaching children yoga has revealed to me that I don't need to take myself or others too seriously, and that I can simply be present, breathe and enjoy the moment."
Hannah Lei Kruger, BA, RYT
Hannah Lei Kruger is a 200-Hour Certified Yoga Teacher and 95-Hour Certified Children’s Yoga Teacher. She is passionate about art, kids, yoga and teaching. Hannah Lei is also a credentialed multi-subject elementary school teacher. She has over 20 years of experience teaching preschool through sixth grade, with a focus on art and reading. She currently facilitates inclusive art, yoga and singing bowl events.
Hannah Lei Kruger is a 200-Hour Certified Yoga Teacher and 95-Hour Certified Children’s Yoga Teacher. She is passionate about art, kids, yoga and teaching. Hannah Lei is also a credentialed multi-subject elementary school teacher. She has over 20 years of experience teaching preschool through sixth grade, with a focus on art and reading. She currently facilitates inclusive art, yoga and singing bowl events.
Stephanie LaBue Robles, M.Ed./SPED, RYT, RCYT
Stephanie LaBue Robles is passionate about teaching yoga and life skills to children of all ages. She has a Masters in Special Education and has been working with children, teens & tweens since 2010. Stephanie completed her 200-hour yoga teacher training for adults in 2015, and received her 95-hour children's yoga certification with Yoga Rascals in 2016. She has been teaching kids yoga in both general ed and special ed classrooms as well as after-school clubs.
Stephanie enjoys teaching themed yoga classes in costumes (ex: Harry Potter), going on adventures, and learning new skills such as breakdancing.
Stephanie LaBue Robles is passionate about teaching yoga and life skills to children of all ages. She has a Masters in Special Education and has been working with children, teens & tweens since 2010. Stephanie completed her 200-hour yoga teacher training for adults in 2015, and received her 95-hour children's yoga certification with Yoga Rascals in 2016. She has been teaching kids yoga in both general ed and special ed classrooms as well as after-school clubs.
Stephanie enjoys teaching themed yoga classes in costumes (ex: Harry Potter), going on adventures, and learning new skills such as breakdancing.
Rachel Grisafi, M.Ed
Rachel Grisafi began practicing yoga in her home, while following along to VHS tapes, as a young teenager. It didn’t take long for her to realize how yoga made her mentally, physically, and emotionally stronger both on and off the mat. More than a decade later, Rachel found her own practice and wanted to share it with others. Rachel is certified, according to Yoga Alliance standards, to teach yoga to children. She is also an elementary school teacher with a Multiple Subject Teaching Credential and a Masters Degree in Multicultural Education. She believes that if all children were given the opportunity to learn yoga and meditation, the world would be a far more peaceful place.
Rachel Grisafi began practicing yoga in her home, while following along to VHS tapes, as a young teenager. It didn’t take long for her to realize how yoga made her mentally, physically, and emotionally stronger both on and off the mat. More than a decade later, Rachel found her own practice and wanted to share it with others. Rachel is certified, according to Yoga Alliance standards, to teach yoga to children. She is also an elementary school teacher with a Multiple Subject Teaching Credential and a Masters Degree in Multicultural Education. She believes that if all children were given the opportunity to learn yoga and meditation, the world would be a far more peaceful place.
Michelle Jachimowicz, MA, RYT, CMT
Michelle started practicing yoga in 2008, and fell in love with it right away. She has studied vinyasa, hatha, kundalini and acro yoga. With six nieces and nephews and many more children she considers her family, she became certified in Kids Yoga through Yoga Rascals in 2025. Having gained so much from her own practice, she hopes to empower people of all ages to enrich their lives through yoga. Michelle currently teaches Restorative and Kids Yoga classes, while also educating people about their bodies through her work as a massage therapist. Some of her favorite hobbies include enjoying time in nature, being with animals, scuba diving and juggling.
Michelle started practicing yoga in 2008, and fell in love with it right away. She has studied vinyasa, hatha, kundalini and acro yoga. With six nieces and nephews and many more children she considers her family, she became certified in Kids Yoga through Yoga Rascals in 2025. Having gained so much from her own practice, she hopes to empower people of all ages to enrich their lives through yoga. Michelle currently teaches Restorative and Kids Yoga classes, while also educating people about their bodies through her work as a massage therapist. Some of her favorite hobbies include enjoying time in nature, being with animals, scuba diving and juggling.
Sarah Grisafi, BA/ECE
Sarah is a San Diego native and loves sharing the joy of yoga with families in her community. As a 200-hour registered yoga teacher with a specialization in children’s yoga, she brings over 20 years of experience in childcare and 10 years in early childhood education to every class. Her lifelong passion for helping children learn, grow, and express themselves naturally led her to yoga - where movement, breath, and mindfulness come together to nurture both body and heart. Currently pursuing her master’s in education, she continues to deepen her understanding of how children learn and thrive. Her classes blend creativity, mindfulness, and play, creating a space where every child can shine
Sarah is a San Diego native and loves sharing the joy of yoga with families in her community. As a 200-hour registered yoga teacher with a specialization in children’s yoga, she brings over 20 years of experience in childcare and 10 years in early childhood education to every class. Her lifelong passion for helping children learn, grow, and express themselves naturally led her to yoga - where movement, breath, and mindfulness come together to nurture both body and heart. Currently pursuing her master’s in education, she continues to deepen her understanding of how children learn and thrive. Her classes blend creativity, mindfulness, and play, creating a space where every child can shine
Kerry Wilson, RYT
Kerry Wilson has been practicing Yoga for over 20 years and teaching for 14. Yoga is her passion. She truly enjoys leading classes for all ages from 3-103. She also loves creating guided imagery to share with her classes.
In her spare time Kerry likes going on adventures and spending time her family. She has a big heart for animals and enjoys reading and watching movies.
Kerry Wilson has been practicing Yoga for over 20 years and teaching for 14. Yoga is her passion. She truly enjoys leading classes for all ages from 3-103. She also loves creating guided imagery to share with her classes.
In her spare time Kerry likes going on adventures and spending time her family. She has a big heart for animals and enjoys reading and watching movies.
Lindyn Haney, RYT, RCYT
Lindyn Haney began her yoga journey in her hometown of San Diego in 2011. She is grateful for the peace and bliss yoga has brought to her life ever since. After seeing the benefits of yoga in her own children, Lindyn became passionate about sharing the teachings of yoga with students of all ages. She completed Yoga Rascals’ children’s yoga teacher training to become certified to teach yoga to children. She is also a registered yoga teacher for adults teaching vinyasa classes as well as standup paddle board yoga on the bay.
Lindyn likes to travel, and loves practicing yoga with her two daughters.
Lindyn Haney began her yoga journey in her hometown of San Diego in 2011. She is grateful for the peace and bliss yoga has brought to her life ever since. After seeing the benefits of yoga in her own children, Lindyn became passionate about sharing the teachings of yoga with students of all ages. She completed Yoga Rascals’ children’s yoga teacher training to become certified to teach yoga to children. She is also a registered yoga teacher for adults teaching vinyasa classes as well as standup paddle board yoga on the bay.
Lindyn likes to travel, and loves practicing yoga with her two daughters.
Melanie Williams, MA, RYT, RCYT
Melanie Williams graduated from Youngstown State University in 2008 with a B.A. in Liberal Studies with focuses in Music and Psychology. Since 2012, Melanie has continuously taught group music, play, dance, yoga, and theatre at several area studios, schools, and companies. Melanie began her personal yoga practice in 2012, and realized the benefits it could have for people if taught at a young age. Melanie obtained her RYT-200 from Reach Yoga in 2016, and studied with Little Flower Yoga in conjunction with UCSD Center for Mindfulness to obtain her 95-hr children's yoga teacher certificate. She has also taken trainings with Rainbow Kids Yoga, mini yogis, and Mindful Schools. Melanie is excited to be given the opportunity to teach with Yoga Rascals.
Melanie Williams graduated from Youngstown State University in 2008 with a B.A. in Liberal Studies with focuses in Music and Psychology. Since 2012, Melanie has continuously taught group music, play, dance, yoga, and theatre at several area studios, schools, and companies. Melanie began her personal yoga practice in 2012, and realized the benefits it could have for people if taught at a young age. Melanie obtained her RYT-200 from Reach Yoga in 2016, and studied with Little Flower Yoga in conjunction with UCSD Center for Mindfulness to obtain her 95-hr children's yoga teacher certificate. She has also taken trainings with Rainbow Kids Yoga, mini yogis, and Mindful Schools. Melanie is excited to be given the opportunity to teach with Yoga Rascals.
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AnnMarie Johnson, RYTYoga has been a part of my AnnMarie's physical wellness routine for over 20 years. Until recently, she's been a practitioner reaping all the benefits yoga has to offer. Now, as an instructor, she looks forward to encouraging others to start their own practice discovering the impact it can have on their life, physically & mentally. As a mom of two and a former substitute teacher, merging yoga and working with kids has been a natural place to land. "I love seeing the pride in kids' faces when trying yoga for the first time and ultimately finding success in something new." AnnMarie is educated in Hatha, Vinyasa, Kids Yoga, and Restorative styles. When not on the mat, AnnMarie is a freelance Graphic Designer. She also loves spending time with her family, hiking, biking and getting on the pickleball court as often as possible.
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Allison Szakovits, BA, RYT
It is Allison's deep desire to create positive change in the world that lead her to teach yoga. After working with many children and families in the helping profession, she has found that yoga helps children just as much as it does with adults! Allison creates a comfortable atmosphere for children to grow and learn. She sends positive messages through her classes and strives to empower children to shine and be themselves. She loves seeing the smiles on children's faces after acting out their favorite animals, letting loose, and having a moment of complete relaxation.
It is Allison's deep desire to create positive change in the world that lead her to teach yoga. After working with many children and families in the helping profession, she has found that yoga helps children just as much as it does with adults! Allison creates a comfortable atmosphere for children to grow and learn. She sends positive messages through her classes and strives to empower children to shine and be themselves. She loves seeing the smiles on children's faces after acting out their favorite animals, letting loose, and having a moment of complete relaxation.
RCYT = Registered Children's Yoga Teacher
Teachers can register as a RCYT if they have successfully completed both a 200-hour yoga teacher training and a 95-hour children's yoga training—in either order—that are registered with Yoga Alliance. Applicants must submit 30 teaching hours in children’s yoga which must be performed after completing a training with a RCYS (Registered Children’s Yoga School). |
RYT = Registered Yoga Teacher
E-RYT = Experienced Registered Yoga Teacher Teachers can register as a RYT 200 if they have successfully completed a 200-hour yoga teacher training that is registered with Yoga Alliance. Teachers can register as an E-RYT 200 if they have successfully completed a 200-hour yoga teacher training that is registered with Yoga Alliance and have taught a minimum of two years after completing training. Applicants must submit 1,000 teaching hours for this designation which must be completed after completing training with a RYS 200. |
