“Yoga does not just change the way we see things, it transforms the person who sees.” ― B.K.S Iyengar

“Yoga is not about touching your toes, it's about what you learn on the way down.” — Jigar Gor

  • Rise & Shine It's Vinyasa Time

    We all have an inner light within us and sometimes it just takes a reminder to let it shine. Join us in this invigorating class to awaken your body, mind, and inner light. Beginning with several Sun Salutations to warm up to prepare you for a fun and active flow, which will include the option for several chaturangas, as well as balancing postures throughout, to challenge you on all levels.

  • Strength & Flow

    Welcome to Strength and Flow, a transformative yoga class that combines the power of strength training with the fluidity of a flowing practice. This dynamic class is designed to challenge your body and mind, helping you build both physical and mental resilience. Through a series of invigorating poses and mindful movements, you will cultivate strength, flexibility, and balance.

  • Yin/Yang

    Every one of us can benefit by having more balance in our lives….. This class will support finding that balance so that you can carry it with you off your mat and into your daily living.
    Join us as we expand flexibility,
    aid healing within the physical and mental body, loosen energetic blockages and increase energy flow.

  • Align & Flow

    This class is an alignment based slow flow. We honor that every human body is unique and has it’s own level of flexibility and limitations. The slower pace will build strength and endurance with control of breath, so it’s gentle, but with a deep approach to reveal body awareness, inner strength, and create a safe space for the mind to re-align with the body.

  • Reset And Restore

    Resetting our mind and restoring our bodies are equally imperative when seeking a higher level of wellness. Join us for 60 gentle, but active minutes, perfect for beginners, or students seeking a slower paced and more relaxing experience. Postures are taught with many different variations so that all levels can easily follow along.

  • Sound Healing

    Immerse yourself in the soothing world of sound healing with our transformative class. Discover the power of sound vibrations as they harmonize your mind, body, and spirit. Led by experienced practitioners, this class offers a blend of ancient techniques and modern science to promote relaxation, release stress, and restore balance.

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 severely mentally ill and emotionally disturbed patients. Although I love and deeply believe in the benefits of traditional mental health therapy, nothing has expanded my own coping skills more than my yoga practice. My first experience with yoga was in an intermediate hot Vinyasa class. 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, I absolutely love teaching vinyasa style classes as well. I have also taught many community based classes, including charity events and large groups of elementary school kiddos. The most important and consistent piece that yoga brings into my life, is returning to my breath, as well as the idea and belief that everything is going to be ok! Letting go of things and being calm and present was not a natural thing for me before yoga came into my life. I'm 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 3 years ago and enduring many challenges, the one thing I was able to rely and lean on is that amazing and beautiful yoga breath.....the breath of life. This is exactly what gets me through any obstacle that arises on my path. My journey of physically getting back to yoga after my car accident was a rough road, but I can gratefully say that with everything I've learned and grown from, I am back, enormously humbled, and have found a deeper and better way of living. I look forward to sharing energy and light on the mat with any and all levels of yogis. Favorite posture: Standing Bow This posture not only challenges the flexibility in one's body, but it also challenges the balance as well as the monkey mind (that inner chatter that can hinder the beauty of being truly present). I love seeing and feeling the progress that my own body and mind have made within this posture, and being able to see the progress that students journey through as well. Balancing on one foot while holding the other and kicking into a backbend, while trying to quiet the mind is not an easy task!

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 Yazawa

Yoga Instructor

  • When I first encountered yoga in college, I admit, I could not comprehend the hype around it. I just knew it was popular, so I tried it a couple times but it didn’t appeal to me. My rajasic nature led me to believe that “Working out”, meant lifting weights and running as many miles as I can on the treadmill. However, as I started experiencing minor joint injuries, particularly in my lower extremities, my mobility was compromised. This gradually affected my self-esteem as my life continued to change and progress. While transitioning to a new phase in my life, I revisited yoga. My journey to strengthen my mind, body, and spirit, began as I dove into yoga more in depth with Lory & Jeremy Lowell at Drishti Beats.

    As I proceeded with my training, I learned so much about myself and discovered yoga in a whole new light; Yoga is not about performance arts, how flexible you are, or perfecting poses. It is about self-discovery and self-awareness. We are all made up of life force energy, the energy that makes up who and what we are. I see the importance of creating and exuding this positive energy. Yoga has profoundly impacted my life. Not only have I felt its benefits, but have also observed incredible transformations in those around me. I would love to share these experiences with others, and guide people safely through all types of flows with various breath work.

    There is no judgement. Simply be in the moment. Try easy.

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!”

Alexa Palminteri

Yoga Instructor

  • Alexa has been studying and practicing movement of the body her whole life. She began dancing at the age of 2 and is currently working as a dance teacher and choreographer all over California. As a dancer, Alexa was constantly used to overusing her body and running it into the ground. Due to many injuries, she was desperate to find a practice that rehabilitated and rejuvenated her body all while keeping it in shape, which is where yoga came in. Alexa fell in love with yoga and how therapeutic it was. After a couple of years of really committing to her practice, she decided to take her passion a step further and become a certified instructor. She completed her 200 hours in vinyasa flow in August of 2016 and is continuing her education and building her practice through multiple extension programs. Alexa was immediately drawn to the injury prevention side of yoga and decided to gain deeper education by going through the Yoga Therapy program at Loyola Marymount University. Alexa is always seeking to grow as both a student and an instructor, as well as a healer for those in need. Her goal is to provide a challenging, safe and rejuvenating environment for all her fellow yogis.

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.

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.