Teachers

Michelle Couture

Founder, Yoga and Cancer

Michelle is a yoga teacher with over 15 years of experience. She believes that yoga is a powerful healing modality that can bring positive change to people who practice. Her classes combine what she believes are the best elements of yoga; teaching with awareness of breath, alignment and self inquiry. She has a compassionate approach to teaching, seeing the individual needs of her students. She is known for her creative sequencing and thoughtful languaging with a focus on the whole person.

Feeling strongly that people navigating a cancer diagnosis would benefit greatly from a yoga class designed specifically for their needs, Michelle founded Yoga and Cancer. Initially a standalone class she offered free to participants, has now expanded into a program at Yoga in Action, a nonprofit providing trauma informed and therapeutic yoga to specific and underserved populations. Michelle served on the Board of Directors as Co-Chair Program Committee, Board President and currently leads the Yoga and Cancer program as Director. She also mentors teachers, conducts presentations in oncology settings and speaks to cancer support groups in a variety of settings on the benefits of yoga as a healing modality.

Michelle is the owner of Prasada Yoga in North Hampton, NH where she continues to share her passion for yoga combining her knowledge and experience so that participants can deepen their connection to self and find well being in their everyday life.

Michelle teaches at Prasada Yoga in North Hampton, NH on Wednesdays at 4:30p. This class can also be attended via Virtual/Zoom.

Marissa McAleer

Marissa is an E-RYT 200, earning her 200-hr certification in 2011 at the Integral Yoga Center of Highland Park, NJ. She is currently enrolled in the 500-hr program at YogaLife Institute of NH. She is a Personal Trainer certified through American Council on Exercise (ACE), and is the owner/manager of Empowered Movement LLC, a personal training and private yoga business.

Marissa has suffered from chronic illness her entire life, and she believes that movement and yoga is a way to shift energy, clear the mind, and step into your power so you can claim (and reclaim) who you truly are. Marissa's approach to yoga is grounded and balanced - with a touch of humor - and she encourages participants to come to the mat just as they are, with love and patience, curiosity and courage.

Marissa teaches Virtual/Zoom classes on Thursdays at 5:00p.

Kim Dowling

Kim Dowling is a YA-certified 500 hour registered yoga teacher. Kim began practicing yoga about 20 years ago for the physical benefits. However, in 2010 after being diagnosed with stage 4 cancer, her practice deepened. Yoga and meditation have been integral in complimenting her healing journey. She has additional training in Positive Psychology, Food as Medicine, Restorative Yoga, Yoga Nidra and Adaptive Yoga. She has also studied Meditation at Insight Meditation. She has a Masters in Medical Science from Yale University with over 15 years of experience working as an Orthopedic Physician Assistant. Kim’s passion is combining her medical knowledge with yoga and meditation to share the healing benefits of yoga with people of any ability and health status. In her free time, Kim enjoys being out in nature with her husband, 3 children and 2 dogs.

Kim teaches Virtual/Zoom classes on Tuesdays at 9:30a.

Michelle James

Michelle James, RYT 200, RCYT

After 20+ years working with children and families in various settings, Michelle discovered the benefits and joys of sharing yoga with children. This marked the beginning of her yoga journey. She completed her 95hr children's yoga and mindfulness training with an intention to pass along the gifts that the practice offers to families of childhood cancer. Having experienced this with her own daughter, the realization of all that yoga has to offer families became so clear. A student at heart, always eager to continue her own education through experience and discoveries, Michelle completed her 200hrTT in January 2019.

Michelle believes that through the awareness and connection to yourself that is achieved in the practice of yoga, you open the opportunity for strength, balance, confidence, healing and inner peace; you are introduced again and again to your true self. She is grateful to share all that yoga has to offer, both on and off the mat, with students of all ages. Off the mat Michelle enjoys crocheting, spending time in nature, kayaking, fishing and hiking, and most of all laughing with her husband, three grown children and two precious grandchildren.

Michelle teaches at Bending Bodhi Yoga in Dover, NH on Mondays at 3:00p.

Dani Mulligan

Dani got her 200 YTC in 2014 through Sadhana yoga school. Her yoga journey began when she discovered meditation at age 12, and realized the benefits were ones that really resonated with her and brought her a feeling of coming “home”. When Dani started practicing yoga and noticed the physical practice was giving her the same benefits of meditation, becoming a yoga teacher became her absolute dream job. And still is. Dani loves learning alongside her students with every class. She believes yoga should be accessible for everyone, and everyone deserves to give it a try.

Dani teaches Virtual/Zoom classes on Mondays at 4:30p.

Chetana Parmar

Yoga was something that came in and out of my life over the years. It was only when I immigrated to the US in 2011 that it has been a constant, a daily practice. Moving to a new country and culture, joining a yoga studio in town gave me the connection I craved and a community.

To be a RYT500 and teaching for over 3 years have been a gift. I enjoy leading a yoga practice and am able to deliver all types of classes (Restorative, Power, Flow, Yin, Yoga Nidra) as well as workshops to all levels. I truly believe that yoga is for everybody and believe in the connection it gives us to ourselves as we continue to learn and grow as individuals.

To be part of Yoga in Action and its Yoga and Cancer program is humbling. I have had family and friends affected by cancer and during my YTT300 training offered free healing yoga practices to patients and their family/caregivers.

Yoga is impactful and is truly healing.

Chetana teaches at Humble Warrior Power Yoga in Manchester, NH on Fridays at 10:30a. This class can also be attended via Virtual/Zoom.

Erica Hoven

I began a consistent yoga practice in 2014 to find relief after a running injury.  With encouragement from my teacher, I signed up for teacher training simply to learn more about yoga and to deepen my practice. After graduating from The Hard & The Soft Yoga Institute’s 200 hour teacher training program in 2016, I was blessed to begin teaching. In 2017, I completed Mindful Yoga Therapy to work with Veterans and Y12SR: The Yoga of 12-Step Recovery. In 2020 I graduated from Yoga Darshana: Yoga on the Hill Immersion 200 hour teaching training program.

My classes are a reflection of honoring traditional lineages of yoga and my love of exploring movement, mobility, and strength building. I believe that a regular yoga and meditation practice can help support a healthy nervous system, as well as influence healing within the physical, mental, and emotional bodies.  I am a student first and foremost, and it’s an absolute joy and privilege to share what I learn with others.

Erica teaches at Yoga on York in York, ME on Tuesdays at 3:30p..

Substitute Teachers

Rochelle Jewell

Community Yoga, Yoga for Recovery, Yoga for Diverse Abilities, Yoga and Cancer
Rochelle Jewell, E-RYT is the founder of Yoga in Action and a certified Kripalu Yoga Teacher. Long before she envisioned the creation of a yoga service organization, she recognized the importance of creating a safe and sacred space for students. She believes it is important for yoga teachers to recognize that students bring their history into the yoga room and to understand the many things that can trigger trauma responses. The idea of introducing trauma sensitive yoga classes in the seacoast came long before the creation of Yoga in Action. Rochelle is so pleased to have brought this goal to fruition and to be teaching one of Yoga in Action’s trauma-informed yoga classes.

Becky Kollmorgan

Becky Kollmorgen is a licensed physical therapist with 25 years of experience in the rehabilitation and wellness industry. As an ACSM certified group exercise instructor and YA-certified 200 hour RYT, she teaches a variety of classes through the Seacoast. Every one of her classes is infused with her extensive knowledge of anatomy, injury care, and body awareness. She believes the spiritual side of yoga serves to enhance the physical aspect of wellness it brings. Always approachable and happy to answer questions, she aims to have everyone leave class knowing a little bit more about themselves.

Shelly Grande

Shelly Grande is an international Yoga Teacher, Reiki Master and creator of malas. She connected with yoga while living in Australia and found home on her mat. Inspired by her teacher Kimberly Dahlmann's ability to hold space for her students, she traveled to Maui to immerse in teacher training with Eddie Modestini and Nicki Doane. Her classes are a practice of self love inspired by Ashtanga, Vinyasa, Kundalini, and cosmic astrology. She believes in taking the qualities we strive for on the mat - things like honesty, integrity, and compassion - off the mat and into our world.

Shelly is passionate about sharing the tools that continuously help her land in presence, release negativity and realign with her true essence of love and joy. She whole-heartedly believes in the infinite healing abilities of Yoga, Reiki and Meditation. Join Shelly for practice on the mat, invite peace and ease into your world with a Reiki session and ask her about malas as a meditation tool. shellygrande.com.

Ann Biese

Ann Biese, ERYT 500, RCYT, MBSR-T, REIKI MASTER, is an international Yoga Instructor and Teacher Trainer for ChildLight Education Company. She is a certified yoga for cancer instructor for both adults and children since 2012. Ann has also worked as a Meditation and Mindfulness Specialist in pediatric and school settings, including Tufts Floating Hospital for Children in Boston for Lucy's Love Bus. Ann has taught MBSR and yoga to various youth groups and teen athletes across the country. She has been a featured speaker on meditation and mindfulness in schools across the country. Ann is also the author of the award-winning children's book Worry Bee and Mindful Moon. She enjoys volunteering as an instructor for Go Give Yoga and was featured in NorthShore Magazine for her volunteer work in Massachusetts. In her time off the mat, Ann enjoys her family and pets, as well as volunteering at an equine rescue farm.

Rose Russo

Rose is a 200-E-RYT yoga teacher teaching alignment-based yoga. She is a fine artist, graphic designer, yogini and energy healer. After her cancer diagnosis she concentrated on the healing arts, Reiki, energy healing, yoga and a variety of self-healing practices. She develops self-healing programs for cancer patients and teaches “Yoga Hope” sessions based on her understanding of the body’s innate ability to heal using yoga, mindfulness skills and spirituality. She teaches yoga today, continues to work with cancer clients in both group and private settings at Roots to Wings Yoga Center in Newbury, MA. When she is not doing art, listening to music or teaching yoga, she is walking and has walked the 500 miles of the El Camino in Spain.

In Memoriam

Kathy Ullrich

In memory of Kathy, who blessed our SATYA community and beyond with her gifts of love, compassion and generosity. Kathy’s desire to teach to the Yoga and Cancer community was sparked by her genuine calling to make a difference in the lives of others. We have so much gratitude for her kindness and beautiful way of teaching- a gift to her students and to everyone around her. Kathy’s spirit will forever be in our hearts.