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 Sol Yoga & Pilates in Dover, NH on Mondays at 3:00p and at Yoga on York in York, ME on Tuesdays at 3:30p.

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.

Heather DeAngelis

Yoga has been a steady part of Heather’s life since her first class in 2000. She was immediately drawn to the physical intensity and the mental focus required in class. Heather attended the Bikram teacher training in 2005 and 3 years later opened a Bikram studio in Concord, New Hampshire. She was blessed with an amazing teaching staff of kind and compassionate teachers and, together, they helped to create a yoga community that is still strong today. After her third son was born, she sold the studio to focus on her family. She obtained a 200-hour teaching certificate through Yoga NH, a certification in Restorative Yoga and Yoga Nidra, and a 300-hour trauma sensitive teaching certificate through the Trauma Center in Boston. Heather is drawn to teach to populations who have had challenging life experiences and who she feels could benefit from the coping skills and empowerment gained through cultivating a yoga practice. She is grateful to be able to witness students discover their own strengths through movement, and gain self-empowerment, self-love, and acceptance over time. In addition to teaching yoga, Heather has served as a CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) for 6 years. She enjoys skiing and hiking with her family and is working on completing the 48 4,000 footers in NH.

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

Substitute Teachers

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.

Anne 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.

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/carers.

Yoga is impactful and is truly healing.

Cheryl Mazanec

Cheryl was first introduced to yoga 30 years ago practicing from a video she received as a gift. Quickly yoga became an adjunct to her running, snowboarding, cross country skiing, and cycling as it enhanced flexibility, mindfulness, strength, and healing. Then Yoga suddenly became the “go to” for all that ailed her.

Inspired by the teachers she meet while exploring Bikram, Power, and Kundalini Yoga; she took her practice outdoors and fell in love with SUP Yoga. In 2019 Cheryl completed her 200 Hour training at Exeter Power Yoga after receiving her SUP Yoga Certification. Inspired to learn more, she became Certified in Accessible Yoga, Restorative Yoga/Yoga Nidra and has had the privilege to teach a variety of yoga styles.

She is the Owner/Lead Instructor for Tides of Life SUP Yoga which was launched in 2020. Driven for more knowledge, Cheryl completed her 500 Hour training as an International Yoga Teacher in 2021 and currently teaches Yoga at Coastal Fitness.

When not on her yoga mat or SUP, Cheryl can be found providing Occupational Therapy Services in Skilled Nursing Facilies. She is also a Health/Life Coach, Nutritionist, Snowboard Instructor, and is an Outdoor Enthusiast. Great joy is found traveling, spending time with friends & family, her boyfriend and their 2 cats. Passionate to protect our ocean waters, she adopted Seapoint Beach and volunteers to lead beach clean ups since 2020.

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.

Tarah Theis

Tarah began her yoga practice in high school as cross training for other sports.  Yoga remained in her life, but at a moderate level.  Once diagnosed with breast cancer in 2019 it became her main source of healing, both physically and mentally.  She currently practices daily and has a genuine love and appreciation for the practice.  She naturally wanted to share her passion with the community, believing that yoga makes the world a better place one breath at a time.  She completed 200YTT at Humble Warrior Power Yoga in 2023, the place where her deep dive into yoga really began and where she realized yoga goes far beyond the pants and poses.  She loves restorative yin, intense power and everything in-between.

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.