Teachers

JEANELLE BOYER – Known for her “contagious joy”, Jeanelle Boyer is a yoga instructor, adventure athlete and lover of life. Within every person is an endless well of bliss and love, and Jeanelle enjoys guiding people through uplifting yoga experiences that remind individuals of their light within. As people connect back to that love within, fear melts away and compassion for all beings naturally arises. Jeanelle began practicing yoga in 1998 and has been teaching since 2005 after completing her 200 hr YTT at Kripalu. Her teachings are influenced by many amazing teachers including Shiva Rea, Desiree Rumbaugh, Seane Corn, Yoganand Michael Carroll, Saul David Raye, David Newman and many others. Jeanelle’s classes range from vigorous and playful vinyasa flow to very mindful, meditative practices and deeply restful experiences such as Yoga Nidra. Infused with joy, each class is truly an experience… a loving exploration of all the different aspects of self. Jeanelle is also very interested in nutrition and holistic wellness and is currently teaching courses in the Health Science department at Keene State College.

CARMEN BUCKLEY – A student of yoga for over 25 years, Carmen received her 200-hour certification in 2013 from the School Yoga Institute in Keene, New Hampshire.

Carmen is knowledgeable and experienced in a variety of yogic disciplines, and is dedicated to the practice of yoga as a therapeutic tool for physical, emotional, and spiritual healing. To complement this approach, she completed her Reiki certification in 2015.

Carmen is committed to supporting her students in a safe, non-judging environment. Her teaching is rooted in the Iyengar tradition, which focuses on proper alignment and is geared toward building strength and stamina. She welcomes students of all levels, and encourages beginners to try this deeply rewarding practice.

An accomplished musician, Carmen plays professionally and teaches flute and recorder at Elm City Music. When not teaching in the studio, she can be found outside, enjoying her passion for gardening and the natural world.

DEBORAH CALLAHAN BUFFUM  Deborah developed an interest in the healing arts, music and nature very early in life. She has always had the inclination towards keeping the world a vibrant, joyful and inspiring place for all of us the learn, love and grow.  She became certified to teach yoga in June of 2009, completing her training at the Stewart Mineral Springs near Mt. Shasta in northern California with School Yoga Institute .  She has taught yoga at local gyms, wellness centers, music festivals and local yoga studios. Her approach to teaching is very personal, individualized and light-hearted. Trained in the classical styles of Sivananda Hatha and Ashtanga Vinyasa flow yoga, Shamanic healing of Central and South America and influenced by the Jivamukti style of yoga, her classes are ever-evolving and universal. All are welcome.

Deborah received her Reiki II Attunement in the Traditional/Usui lineage from Gretchen Carmel in August 2014. She offers Reiki sessions by appointment.

 

NHP_3263GRETCHEN CARMEL (aka Rajeshwari, RajiMa, Raji) – Gretchen began to meditate at a very early age, connecting with the Divine. It was where she was happiest. As a teenager, she began to explore movement of the body, the strength of the physical and creative expression through dance. Another form of connection. Gretchen pursued the arts and graduated from SUNY College at Purchase with a BFA in Dance Performance and went on to dance professionally with The Southwest Chamber Ballet, The Contemporary Ballet Company, Dance Theatre of Long Island, Human Movement Dancers and various other independent choreographers, as well as, choreographing and showing her own work in the New York area.

Wanting to continue a physical practice but searching for a healthier lifestyle, Gretchen was certified as a Kripalu Yoga Teacher in 1993. Her path unfolded and lead to other certifications as a Vinyasa Flow Yoga Teacher, Phoenix Rising Yoga Therapist and Traditional/Usui Reiki Master. In 2003, she began her journey as a yoga studio owner and opened The Yoga Space, in Keene, NH.

It was during a Sanskrit Mantra Workshop at Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health in Stockbridge, Mass. in 2006 that Gretchen was graced and blessed to meet her Guru, Namadeva Acharya (Thomas-Ashley Farrand).  This was a time of major importance and initiation in her life. He quickly became her spiritual teacher, mentor and close friend. From this relationship, Gretchen was given many spiritual initiations in the form of energy transmissions, teachings on mantra and its application to life situations and teachings of vedic ceremony, assisting Namadeva in pujas/yajnas at Kripalu and various other centers in the U.S. She became a certified Sanskrit Mantra Teacher, and was initiated into The Jyoti Order, certified as a Pujari and ordained as a Vedic Priest before Namadeva Acharya’s passing in 2010, all honoring his lineage and Sanatana Dharma Satsang. She has also received many spiritual initiations from Namadeva Acharya’s Guru, Sadguru Rama Mata, widow of Sadguru Sant Keshavadas. To these experiences, she is forever grateful, as they create the basis for her dedication to the yogic path.

In addition to Gretchen’s teachings at The Yoga Space, she shares her wisdom with workshops and retreats annually at Bethel Farm Yoga  & Living Arts Center, Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health, as well as other yoga studios/festivals/retreat centers. She is the founder/director/senior facilitator of the 200-Hour, Yoga Alliance Certified, Mantra Teacher Training & Study Immersion offered in Keene, NH, Costa Rica and as an Online Course. 

Currently, Gretchen is the owner/director of The Yoga Space in Keene, is on the faculty of Moco Arts where she teaches Dance Conditioning for Dancers and continues her most precious journey as a mom with her two boys, Maxwell and Noah.

Gretchen holds a vision of compassion, healing and peace for our planet. She brings to her teaching a high level of commitment, love for her students and infuses her classes, workshops and retreats with the joy of mantra. She thanks all who help allow this vision become a reality.

SATTVA (SUSAN DANIELS)-is Svaroopa Yoga’s first graduate 700-hour CEYT (Certified Embodyment Yoga Therapist) in southern NH.  Sattva has studied directly with Svaroopa® Yoga’s founder Gurudevi Swami Nirmalananda Saraswati & her faculty of Swamiji’s for more than 11 years.  Her experience of visiting the Foundational lineage in India and Kula of supporting teachers on several continents and direct support from Nirmalananda imbues her teaching with vast experience.  Her previous work as an engineer enlivens her understanding of the science of yoga.  Through the ancient teachings and providing you with poses you can practice daily, she reveals your own Self and embodies these teachings into every pose and lesson plan that is provided to you.  It is Sattva’s honor to be able to provide you with individual attention and ease you into each pose and daily practice.

Education: 2019  Svaroopa® Yoga poses for meditation, 2018  Svaroopa® Yoga Therapy for Neck & Shoulders, 2013-14  Svaroopa® Yoga Therapy for Treating Pain, 2012  Svaroopa® Yoga Embodyment Certification, 2011  Svaroopa® Yoga Certified Basics Yoga Instructor. app.UBindi.com/Susan.Danielsattva4svaroopa@gmail.com, 603-324-2394

MALI JOHNSON – Mali moves through life with a playful and attentive attitude. Since coming to yoga in 2010, she has investigated and integrated a mindful way to help the body move on and off the mat. In 2014, she completed her 200-hr Yoga Teacher Training at Bethel Farm in Ashtanga Vinyasa Flow and Sivananda Hatha Yoga. Since then, Mali has developed a practice for all bodies and levels that incorporates a safe space to help nourish the mind, body and spirit. In May 2017, she completed her 200-hr Mantra Teacher Training studying under Rajeshwari Gretchen Carmel, deepening her understanding and practice of Sanskrit mantra through the lineage of Namadeva Acharya (Thomas Ashley-Farrand). She is currently enrolled in a 500hr Advanced Teacher Training studying Jivamukti Yoga and Sivananda Hatha Yoga under Stephen Bethel and Robert Moses. It is her passion to explore and understand welcoming ways to blend a spiritual and physical practice for all students in all walks of life.

Mali currently lives in Surry, NH where she relishes the grounding effects of nature and outdoor adventure. When she’s off the mat, she spends time exploring other modalities of movement such as acro yoga, rock climbing, and slacklining as well as connecting with families and children through her other line of work as an outdoor educator.

ANITA KINTISCH – Anita grew up in Kentucky and was introduced to a love of nature by taking long rambling walks with her grandmother and camping with her father. After attending yoga classes for several years, she decided to go deeper into the practice and
began her 200-hour training in Classical Yoga at the YogaLife Institute in Devon, PA, completing her certification in 2007. After moving to Keene in 2008, she was happy to discover The Yoga Space. Since then, Anita has studied Yin Yoga with several teachers,
including Kristen Butera, Joshua Summers and Paulie Zink. She received her Reiki 1
Certification from Cup of Life Healing Center in 2016. She holds a BA and is currently
studying to become a Physical Therapist Assistant at RVCC. She also is working toward
the 200-hr Mantra Teacher Training certification in the lineage of Namadeva Acharya, Thomas Ashley-Farrand, under the direction of Rajeshwari Gretchen Carmel.  Anita loves being part of the Yoga Space community and sharing her practice with others, encouraging body awareness, curiosity, and self-care.

Anita’s husband and 2 grown children always make her smile and laugh. She enjoys
living in New England and spending time with family and friends, cooking, and taking
long walks and short hikes.

AMANDA TOLL – Amanda believes full heartedly that yoga is a path to enlightenment (the realization of the interconnectedness of all beings and things) through compassion for all beings human and non-human alike.  Amanda has over 500 hours of documented teacher training. In the summer of 2011, Amanda completed the 200 Kripalu Yoga Teacher Training in Lenox, MA. In May 2013, she went on to complete the 300 hour Jivamukti Yoga Teacher Training studying daily and directly with Jivamukti Yoga co-founders Sharon Gannon and David Life. In July 2013, she completed David Swenson’s Ashtanga Yoga Teacher Training in Burlington, Vermont.  

Amanda is deeply grateful to her teachers Nancy Polacheck, Sharon Gannon, and David Life. They have taught her that true happiness comes from selfless service, and the importance of dismantling the present culture of domination through unconditional love. She is also very thankful for the amazing yogis & yoginis that attend her classes, they consistently inspire her to try and be the best yoga teacher she can be. Amanda’s classes are designed to give people a holistic experience that nurtures the body, mind, and soul through pairing yoga asanas alongside elevated intentions, chanting, skillful assists, and yoga philosophy. Amanda has been practicing yoga for over 15 years and is so excited to be part of The Yoga Space teaching team.