Yoga Life Institute N.H.

Haley Marie Walker's relationship with yoga began at a very young age and has strengthened over the last decade. Her introduction began with Bikram and over the years her desire to be challenged more mentally and emotionally lead her to practice and teach Vinyasa classes in Florida and Michigan. As an adventuring spirit, she has traveled to and lived in several different regions of the United States and the world. However, while change has been a frequent theme of her teens and early-20s, dedication to the practice and philosophy of yoga has been a constant. In September 2011, Haley moved to New Hampshire to enroll in the YogaLife Institute's Teacher Training Program. Having had the opportunity to deeply engage in a variety of yoga traditions, Haley offers a diverse knowledge base both physically and philosophically. With each class, she seeks to offer yoga as a grounding reprieve to people of all ages and abilities, giving an experience filled with peace, grace and strength.

Allison Parks Dugas, RYT500, is certified with the Yoga Alliance and is a graduate of the YogaLife Institute of NH's 200-hour and 500-hour Classical Yoga Teacher Training programs. She began her yoga practice in 1999 studying Ashtanga and vinyasa-style yoga. She was drawn to the benefits of a physical practice; connecting the mind and body through the breath, becoming more present, reducing stress, and learning how to truly relax along with gaining strength and flexibility. When she discovered the YogaLife Institute's Teacher Training program, she was able to expand her understanding to include the mental, spiritual and philosophical elements as well as a gentler form. She believes yoga has been a gift in her life and she enjoys sharing it with others. When she is off her mat, she tries to bring the benefits of her practice and mindfulness into her day-to-day life.

Roberta H. Whitney. MA is a Yoga teacher, RYT500, a Spiritual Director and a healer. Roberta teaches programs at Blue Moon and mentors TT1 students. She also offers gentle yoga classes in Haverhill, MA. As a Spiritual Director, she mentors individuals and presents workshops in the Boston area as well as western Massachusetts. Additional certification as an Enneagram teacher; Focusing professional, Authentic Movement facilitator; and energy healer further enable Roberta to support individuals to heal, cultivate well-being and navigate change at: www.ways2wisdom.com

Karen Batchelder, RYT500,  is a graduate of the YogaLife Institute’s 200-hour and 500-hour Classical Yoga Teacher Training programs. She is also certified in the Usui System Reiki tradition. Karen began her yoga journey in 1998 as a method to alleviate anxiety. She discovered that yoga provided not only stress relief, but a series of tools and life lessons that help with anxiety and so much more. She teaches gentle yoga at the Blue Moon in Exeter and aspires to help others who seek relief from anxiety by integrating these tools and personal discoveries into her yoga classes. She creates a welcoming and supportive environment for students to experience this beautiful practice of yoga. Karen is the graphic designer, website administrator, and marketing coordinator for the YogaLife Institute and the Blue Moon Studio.

Sara Strohecker, RYT,  is a graduate of the Classical Yoga Teacher Training Program in New Hampshire. She began her yoga practice as a tool for dealing with stress at the same time toning her body and calming her mind. Her love of yoga blossomed with energy and therapeutic benefits that yoga provided. She resides in Exeter with her husband and two children.

Carter Siegel, M.Ed., RYT500, was certified to teach in 2005 through Yoga Alliance and in 2012 received her 500 hour teaching certificate in Classical Yoga from the YogaLife Institute. She has been teaching in private and group settings to all levels of ability. For Carter, yoga has become much more than a way to stay flexible, strong and centered; it has developed into an integral and influential part of every day life. Carter has studied and practiced many styles of yoga over the years (both hard and soft) and has studied with American gurus such as David Swensen, Sean Corn, Shiva Rae, Daniel Orlansky, and Beryl Bender Birch. While her yoga foundation is based in the physical and athletic style of Ashtanga, she makes it accessible to even the newest yogi through a careful and gentle approach to identifying the needs of her students. From the newest to the advanced practitioner, Carter teaches in a clear, logical and appropriate pace and level that supports the students abilities and limitations (if any). Carter's vinyasa flow classes focus on linking breath to movement. The student will build strength, increase flexibility, and work towards realizing a greater sense of peace of mind and clarity of thought.

Nancy Beach, RYT500, has been teaching Classical yoga for over 5 years and has completed the 500 hour training level with YogaLife Institute of NH. When not teaching yoga, Nancy and her husband spend a lot of time playing with their two golden retrievers and running a video production company in Portsmouth, NH. The Bhagavad Gita says, "On this path (yoga) no effort is wasted, no gain is ever reversed; even a little of this practice will shelter you from great sorrow." Nancy brings this philosophy of her yoga practice to every class. Teaching the Classical Yoga (Hatha) style, Nancy starts the class with a short discussion allowing each student to create a personal intention that is carried through the rest of the class through every pose (asana). Each class ends with a short meditation. Every student is honored whether a beginner or an experienced yogi.

Sherry found herself at a life crossroad just prior to her 60th birthday. Seeking clarification, focus, and to fulfill a dream of many years, she enrolled in the YogaLife Instittue Classical Yoga training, graduating at the 200 hour level. She is an RYT 200 with Yoga Alliance. Sherry is a librarian of 25+ years, has practiced yoga for over 10 years and wears the many hats of a full life. She believes that life is an adventure and can be lived to the fullest no matter what phase of life a person is in. Yoga brings her peace, joy and the skills to live simply and fully. As a yoga teacher, Sherry encourages each student's inner wisdom, strength, and self-esteem to blossom.

Beth Brown, RYT, is a graduate of the YogaLife Institute’s 200-hour Classical Yoga Teacher Training program. She is a certified birth doula, lactation counselor and working towards her Masters in Social Work. Beth believes that all women deserve the feeling of empowerment, pride and joy that accompanies birth. Upon receiving her MSW, she intends to work with childbearing women around issues such as postpartum depression, infertility, loss, and trauma. Beth has been integrating yogic philosophy into her daily life for over 10 years and looks forward to guiding childbearing women using her yoga, birth and mental health backgrounds.

Senior Instructor: Sally Sugatt, RYT, started practicing postures in 1978, pregnant with her first child, and is grateful to many teachers for their wisdom. In 2006 she was ready to learn more and Julie Rost appeared! Sally finished the Classical Yoga Teacher Training Program with Julie at the 500 hour level in 2009. She began teaching at Blue Moon in 2007. As a child and family therapist, Sally is particularly interested in how the ancient practices of yoga--all eight limbs--inform our relationships: with ourselves and with others. At the Blue Moon Sally has found a committed and supportive yoga community.

Jennifer Wilhelm, RYT is certified with the Yoga Alliance and received her training in Classical Yoga, through the Yoga Life Institute. Yoga has given Jennifer a new lens through which to view life. Though she has always enjoyed the physical practice of Yoga, she never realized the emotional and intellectual benefits it offers until she began studying Yogic philosophy. As an environmental sustainability professional, she appreciates the simplicity and moderation that Yogic philosophy encourages. Jennifer believes that by living a simple, more balanced life, we are able to increase our own contentment, while decreasing our impact on the natural world. Jennifer brings this perspective of contentment through simplicity to her classes.