Teachers

Stephanie has been teaching yoga classes since 2020. She first began practicing yoga in 2013 after a knee injury and quickly fell in love with its physical, mental, and spiritual benefits! She believes that your yoga practice is entirely up to you and that no two times on your mat are ever the same. No matter your reasoning for practicing, Stephanie welcomes you to class with open arms and an open heart.

Outside of yoga, Stephanie enjoys spending time with friends and family, is a Digital Marketing professional and advertiser.

Laura Lee

RYT200

I’ve enjoyed the practice of yoga for over 20 years. Yoga has always been a compass for me in times of transition and transformation. Along the way I began to notice a meaningful spiritual practice growing out of my physical practice. I often felt a sense of peace and equanimity after class and wanted to know more. This began a journey of deepening my experience to include studying the ancient texts, philosophy and wisdom of yoga. I recently completed my YTT200 with Katie O’Connell at Dragonfly Yoga Barn and look forward to continuing my studies.
A lifelong seeker and healer, I’m a registered nurse, trained forest bathing guide, and Reiki II practitioner.
Off the mat I am a nature loving, peak bagging, tree hugging adventure seeker, and world traveler. I’m most proud to be mom to two great men, and a silly grandmother to my beautiful light-filled grandkids!
I feel inspired to meet students where they are in their yoga journey and will work to create classes that resonate on and off the mat. The only way I know how to practice yoga is from my heart, with joy and curiosity, and it is my deep intention to cultivate this in my classes.
I am honored and grateful to be part of the YFTH studio and community.
Looking forward to rolling out our mats together and embracing all that unfolds.

Yoga from the Heart

Stacey D. Gibbons

E-RYT 500

Maya Bhatt-Hardcastle

EYRT200 RYT500

Clare Persson

Clare Persson is an Occupational Therapist, a Reiki and Mindfulness Meditation practitioner and teacher, and the co-founder of The Cocoon: Transformational Wellness. A passionate advocate for authentic, everyday self-care, Clare has spent over three decades in the field of health and wellness, beginning her career as an occupational therapist and expanding her path to include Reiki, meditation, journaling, and other restorative practices. Clare’s journey into these healing modalities began as a way to support others, but soon became deeply transformative in her own life, shaping her understanding of true wellness and wholeness. Through classes, workshops, and retreats, Clare creates welcoming spaces for others to reconnect with their inner wisdom, balance, joy, and calm. In 2019, she opened her own Reiki studio, and in 2022, she began offering classes and gatherings with her dear friend and business partner, Gina McGuire. Inspired by the heartfelt feedback from their community, they officially co-founded The Cocoon: Transformational Wellness in 2025. Clare lives in the Lakes Region of New Hampshire with her husband, Mike, and their quirky cat, Leo. She enjoys hiking, photography, gardening, and spending time with family and friends, including her two adult daughters who live in Denver, Colorado.

Kelley DeCoste
RYT200

To me, Yoga has been a profound part of my life for the past 9 years when I started my journey to recovery from alcohol addiction. Yoga has always been a place of stillness, of quiet introspection and has taught me how to live the same both on and off the mat. Through breath, meditation and stillness it has helped me overcome and cope with the struggles that life brings. Through the creative sequencing and a focus of unifying breath to movement, I strive to create an environment where students can build strength, confidence, and tools they can utilize on the mat as well as in their daily lives. I like to have a fun atmosphere where we can all laugh and realize not to take life too seriously.
Off the mat, I enjoy cooking, taking hikes with my dog and just enjoying all the life brings.
I completed my RYT 200, June 2022 with Prasada Yoga Teacher training under Michelle Plante.

David Santucci

David Santucci, PhD, CIYT is a Certified Iyengar Yoga Teacher who has studied Iyengar Yoga for more than 20 years. He completed a two-year teacher training program and regularly studies with Patricia Walden, one of the foremost Iyengar Yoga teachers in the world. He has traveled to India twice to study at the Iyengar Yoga Institute in Pune. He currently serves as President of the Iyengar Yoga Association of New England. He has a PhD in Neuroscience and works in the biotech industry. David recently moved to the Lakes Region with his wife Kate, and the two of them recently had a new baby, Maeve.

Stephanie Milne

Maya is a NH based EYRT200 and RYT500 yoga teacher with certification in Yin Yoga, Restorative Yoga and Yoga Nidra. Cultivating balance, health and peace, self exploration and honoring oneself are all encouraged in her teaching. “I have found yoga to be a life-changing practice that has deepened my relationship with myself and those around me and has contributed to better health in body and mind. There is great wisdom and strength to be found when looking within and taking the time to nourish and be with yourself. I love sharing this perspective in my classes.” Off the mat Maya enjoys being creative in the kitchen, the garden and with arts and crafts, taking long walks with her pup Mindy and reading! Maya has been a student of many styles of yoga for over two decades. She is a registered ERYT200 and RYT500 with Yoga Alliance. She is a graduate of the Abhyasa Institute 200 hour Yoga Teacher Training and YogaLife Institute of NH advanced 300 hour Classical Yoga Teacher Training program. In addition, she has completed several complimentary yoga trainings including; Yin Yoga Teacher Training : Foundations Module with Josh Summers from Josh Summers School of Yin Yoga Fundamentals of Breath-Centered Anatomy, Vinyasa Practice and Principles, Yoga of the Foot and Reimagining Allignment From the Ground Up with Leslie Kaminoff Restorative Yoga and Yoga Nidra with Maureen Miller of Yoga NH Yoga Nidra with Jean Marie Belzile of At Om Yoga, NH Yoga Nidra with Rolf Sovic of the Himalayan Institute, PA Maya also has Reiki II from Carol Wallace, has a Shodan degree in Shorin Ryu Karate from Sali Azem and is a Certified Zentangle Teacher instructing mindfulness with pen and paper.

Suzy McGourty

RYT200

I have been practicing yoga off and on for the last 35 years. I have been so very blessed to have had the most amazing yoga teachers guide me physically, emotionally and mentally during this time. Each one of them has been an inspiration.

Finally, in 2016 I did my 200 hour yoga teacher training at Kripalu in Lennox, MA. It was a dream come true. I love being a yoga instructor. I also work with adults with disabilities when I am in MA. I work in a day program and also in group homes. I love my job!

Lauria is a lifelong student of yoga, a practice that has been interwoven into her life for over a decade. Her journey began during her time at UVM, where she discovered Sangha Studio while pursuing her nursing degree. It was here that Lauria found a true sense of “sangha”—the Sanskrit word for community—that resonated deeply with her. This experience led her to complete both a 200-hour yoga teacher training and a Level 1 Chair Yoga certification, both through Sangha Studio.
Lauria teaches with the belief that yoga is accessible to every-body. Her goal is to cultivate an environment where everyone feels welcomed, respected, and heard. She leads vinyasa-style classes with a restorative touch, aiming to bring more calm and mindfulness into the world. Her teaching is grounded in precise anatomical cues, self-guided assists, and the belief that each student knows best what their body needs. With a passion for continuous learning, Lauria is committed to deepening her practice and sharing her growing knowledge with others."

Stacey Gibbons is a certified Advanced Forrest Yoga teacher who holds certifications in Power Vinyasa and Jaguar Path Yoga. She most recently studied SATYA Yoga with Tias Little. She has trained in Ashtanga yoga under Manju Jois and has taken ‘Yoga for Emotional Balance’ with Bo Forbes’, ‘Trauma Informed Yoga’ with David Emerson, Traditional Native American Wisdom with Cie Simurro and Para Yoga Nidra with Rod Stryker. She is passionate and devoted to empowering men and women on their healing journey. As a lead counselor, she created and taught a yoga, mindfulness and meditation program for Mountain Valley Treatment Center which provides residential treatment for teens with anxiety, depression, OCD, and other nervous system imbalances.

Stacey holds Master Certifications in Traditional, Karuna, and Shamanic Reiki and has created Jaguar Path Reiki for the Jaguar Path School of Modern Shamanism and the Science of Healing. She has studied with prominent shamans of diverse backgrounds. Notably, she holds a certifications in Peruvian Shamanism and Advanced Kolaimni Healing. She teaches yoga and wellness retreats, workshops and certifications worldwide and has taught at Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health. She is a faculty member at the Omega Institute for Holistic Studies. She is known for her teaching precision and free spirited sense of humor, as well as her ability to hold a strong and sacred container for her students, apprentices, and clients.

Lauria Patz

RYT200

Cindy Bedford

RYT200

Yoga has been in my life for more than 10 years. I always toyed with the idea of becoming a teacher, however at the time I was on a different path of caring for my family and working. In August 2014, I walked into Yoga from the Heart and my yoga journey took a huge leap forward. Being recently retired, I now had more time to dedicate to my practice and low and behold the opportunity of a teacher training program appeared and I jumped in with both feet. This reminds me of the Buddhist Proverb “when the student is ready the teacher will appear”! One year later, I am a graduate from the Yoga NH, RYT-200 program as well as Reiki II certified. I was trained in the Ashtanga method by my amazing teachers Beth-Aime Labonte and Maureen Miller. I have also practiced/studied with other wonderful teachers, Joyce Kendall under the Anusara method of yoga and Karen Kenney, Kripalu style yoga. My style of teaching is very heart-felt and will be primarily gentle to all-levels flow. My students can expect to laugh and relax as we share our time on the mat. Off the mat I enjoy spending time with my family and friends being outside in nature, hiking, biking, gardening and kayaking.

I look forward to sharing in your yoga journey!

Rosemary Shannon

E-RYT

Rosemary completed her yoga teacher training in 2005 and has been a Registered Yoga Teacher since 2006 and is currently at the E-RYT level. She has taught yoga in Gilford for the past 12 years. Her yoga teaching style is influenced by both Anusara and Kripalu yoga. She has studied with Todd Nurian, Rama Birch and Doug Swenson. Rosemary believes that yoga can benefit "every body" and "everybody". She infuses her classes with breath work, the Chakras and hand mudras with options for using several types of yoga props, including chair yoga.

Rosemary has been a lifelong runner, having completed one marathon and 4 half marathons, the most recent being the More Magazine Half Marathon in New York City's Central Park in April of 2013. She is retired from the State of New Hampshire and is married to Gary her husband of 45 years. They have three sons, a daughter-in-law and two beautiful grandchildren.

Susie Normandin

RYT500

After years of running, weight training, and spinning, my body was tight and plagued with injuries. Seeking relief, I began dabbling in yoga classes at my local gym to “stretch”. To my surprise, within a few months, I noticed a significant reduction in tightness and felt less stressed. More importantly, I began to cultivate an awareness of my body and thoughts for the first time. I learned how to take yoga “off the mat” by incorporating the calmness and steadiness that I had been practicing in class to all aspects of my life.

Without even realizing it, I developed a deep curiosity and desire to learn more about this "thing" called Yoga, which ultimately led me down the path to teaching. I have been guiding yoga classes since 2009 and find immense joy in helping others discover the transformative power of Yoga. I am a full-time yoga instructor and owner of SereniThai Bodywork with Susie. I earned my 200-hour yoga teaching certificate in July 2009 and completed my 500-hour certificate in December 2013, both through the YogaNH teacher training program. In 2015, I completed Thai Yoga Massage training levels 101 and 201 from the Still Light Centre.

When I am not on the mat, I love spending time with my family and friends and soaking up all of what nature has to offer. If you are wondering whether Yoga is for you, I encourage you to join one of my classes. I promise the hardest part is walking through the door!

Melissa LeVine

RYT200
I believe Yoga is a powerful pathway to deeper connection and harmony within ourselves. Yoga teaches us to explore our potential and embrace the truth of who we are, if we allow it. Yoga can truly heal - by creating a pathway for us to connect with our authentic selves. When we can learn to connect to our body from the inside, huge transformation can take place.

What started off as strictly an Asana practice for me, has transitioned into a deeply spiritual journey. I continue to address my own physical challenges of aging, emotional challenges of trauma and recovery from substance abuse through embracing Yoga. I completed my RYT200 with Prasada Yoga Teacher Training and Prasada Yoga in North Hampton, NH, under Michelle Plante E-RYT 500.

I completed the J. Brown continuing education training, Gentle is the New Advanced, a deeply breath-centered therapeutic yoga practice, inspired by the TKV Desikachar tradition; and Restorative Yoga & Yoga Nidra training with Katie O'Connell ERYT500 YACEP of Dragonfly Yoga Barn.
My goal is to make class challenging, but accessible to all levels, bringing a greater awareness to the breath, body and mind. I care deeply about the practice and those willing to practice with me. I hope to guide others toward a life of presence and connection, providing tools that inspire a sense of inner peace and resilience in the face of challenge.

In 2025 I entered the role of studio owner after mentoring under Sheryl Gauthier, who founded the studio in 2013. I will continue what Sheryl began for our community, from the heart, and hold space for all that want to share their Yoga practice with us.

If you would like to reach out to me via email, please do!
Melissa@yogafromtheheartnh.com

Sheryl Gauthier

E-RYT500 & YACEP

From the first yoga class I took I was hooked. Being a person who finds it hard to sit
still, yoga gave the gift of quiet stillness. This gave me a newfound relationship and comfort with myself. I teach from my heart and believe that yoga is a personal experience for every student. My role is to create a space for every student to find what is inside of them and express that through their practice.

My training includes Yoga of the Heart Cardiac and Cancer Certification with Nischala Joy Devi which included over 100 hours in the specific application of Yoga for clients with Cardiac, Cancer and other life threatening diseases, 300 Hours of Yoga Therapy Training with Yoga Life Institute, 200 hours of training with Yoga NH. Other training includes Trauma Aware Yoga with Erin Byron, MA, Thai Yoga (bodywork) 101 and various workshops and classes with Karen Kenney, Thai Yoga 201 with Shai Plonski of Still Light Center in Toronto Canada, Yin Yoga training with Josh Summers, TIMBO training with Sue Jones of Yoga Hope, Child Light training as well as workshops with Beryl Binder Birch and Stacey Gibbons.

In 2013 I founded Yoga from the Heart to be able to share yoga. Everyone has experienced some sort of challenging situation in their life that has affected them deeply in one way or another. Through yoga one gets to know themselves better and on that journey to oneself amazing things happen. It is an honor and a privilege to be able to share yoga with others and I am truly grateful.

Yoga from the Heart's purpose is to bring our love of yoga to the community of Laconia and surrounding areas. We will hold the space for anyone who comes to practice at Yoga from the Heart to feel comfortable and free to follow their own path on and off the mat.

Teachers