YOGA definition;
From the Sanskrit word yuj which often translates ‘to unite, join or connect’; also means to center one’s thoughts. To connect the the
physical to self awareness.


We are happy to guide you on your personal yoga journey

RACHEL MARTIN, RYT

Rachel received her professional yoga certification through the Yoga of Energy Flow Teacher Training at the
Dover Yoga Studio. She has been practicing yoga since 2001 and enjoys a variety of yoga traditions, focusing
mainly on Ashtanga and Vinyasa flow. She believes that there isn’t one style of yoga that is more effective than
another.  Each person is different, and all styles of yoga lead to the same result…a peaceful mind and a sense of
calm and well-being.
Rachel found yoga at the perfect time, when her children were young, and it gave her rejuvenation and an overall
feeling of well-being. Yoga helped her get through panic and anxiety, and she likes to incorporate techniques into
her yoga classes which help with anxiety and stress reduction. Rachel believes that a daily yoga practice,
whether you have an hour or just a couple of minutes to practice, helps you to center, relax and help you to lead a
less stressful life. She also holds a certificate in The New England School of Thai Yoga for Thai Yoga Massage.  
Rachel lives in South Berwick, Maine with her husband and two children. She is an active volunteer in the South
Berwick community, serving on the Central School PTO, The Hot Summer Nights Concert Series, Powder House
Ski Hill, and other various committees in town.  
“I have many teachers to thank for where I am today including Carrie Tyler and Daniel Orlansky; my wonderful
teachers in the Yoga of Energy Flow Teacher Training.  Studying with David Swenson. Karen Varney, and Lona
Kovacs; the two beautiful teachers who taught me all about the Ashtanga practice and its life changing benifits.  I
still hear all of your voices when I step onto my mat and when I am teaching.  I am so grateful for your patience,
love and kindness.  Thank you also to Lisa Flynn, Michaela Wood, and my favorite yogini pal, Denise Bessette.
And of course, I am where I am today because of my supportive family, two beautiful children, and my husband
who has always believed in me".

DENISE BESSETTE, RYT

Denise has been practicing yoga for more than a decade. She has studied different styles of yoga among great
teachers such as Rodney Yee, Baron Baptiste and Gary Kraftsow. Denise is an RYT graduate of The Yoga of
Energy Flow at Dover Yoga under the expert guidance of Carrie Tyler, Daniel Orlansky and Jennifer Yarro. She
also holds certificates in Rasa Yoga as well as Thai Yoga Massage from The New England School of Thai Yoga.
“I like to incorporate some Thai massage into adjusting people while in their poses because it compliments yoga
well and it feels so good!” Denise also offers Restorative Yoga which guides people towards healthy ways to
unblock energies and regain balance by utilizing meditation and breathing techniques.
“I found Yoga at a challenging time in my life, and it pulled me through gracefully. I feel that Yoga has so many
benefits, physically and emotionally, especially if practiced over time. It’s something you can only experience
yourself. It trains you to de-stress yourself and brings balance and grounding into your day to day life- something I
wasn’t even aware I was lacking!”
Denise grew up on the seacoast and has made this her home.

JANIS SHELDON, RYT

Janis has been practicing yoga since 1992.  Her teachers are from Integrative Yoga Therapy, Kundalini, and
Kripalu traditions.  She has continued her education through workshops with spiritual leader Rama Jyoti Vernon,
Sudha Carolyn Lundeen, senior teacher at Kripalu Center, Somatic Movement workshops with Christa Rypins,
KYT and movement specialist, and trained with Daniel Orlansky of Meridian Yoga among others. Janis
completed pre-natal training with Kripalu teacher and pre-natal educator Martha Chabinsky in August of 2008.  
She is an ongoing student of Hannelore Moebius of Durham, N.H.  Janis has received Second Degree Reiki
Certification in the Usui System of Natural Healing and participates in Reiki shares at the Moebius Yoga Prana
Studio in Durham, N.H. Her philosophy in life is “Less is More” and encourages her students to listen to their
body’s wisdom and honor individual needs, as they turn inward to discover their true nature through the practice
of asanas, pranayam, mediation and relaxation.  Having had back surgery in 2003 she is compelled to share her
personal journey and how gentle yoga was and continues to be paramount in her recovery and daily comfort.  
She welcomes all who are interested in experiencing the benefits of a gentle practice. She is the proud mother of
two sons and shares a home in Stratham, N. H. with her husband of more than 30 years, Patrick.


LISA FLYNN, RYT

Lisa Flynn is the Owner/Director of ChildLight Yoga.  CLY provides classes, programs and trainings focused on
yoga for children.  Its mission is to encourage an early practice of yoga and relaxation, providing children with a
foundation for life-long wellness - body, mind and spirit.  For more information, please visit Childlight Yoga.

MISSI D’ARCY,  RYT

Missi received her yoga teacher certification from Mimi Loureiro at O2 Yoga Studio in Boston, MA.
Yoga has been her passion for over 5 years. “I have my daughter Devon to thank for introducing me to yoga.”
Missi left a career in the corporate world to pursue her passion. She hopes that she can help others to discover
as much enjoyment and benefit from yoga as she has found. “I have had some amazing teachers throughout the
years and everyone has helped me to realize my dream.” Missi has studied with Beryl Bender Birch, as well as
just completed a workshop with Lisa Flynn of Childlight Yoga. She continues to learn all she can through classes,
workshops, and trainings. Missi resides in Rochester, NH with her husband Tom and dog Maxx.
She also has two grown daughters (Devon & Danielle) and a 3 1/2 year old grandson(Gage).


MELISSA BURCHARDT

Melissa earned her Aesthetic License from the prestigious Institute of Skin Science in Rye, NH. Implementing
vegan and natural philosophies are at the heart of her Esthetics practice. She includes classic and therapeutic
facials as well as detoxifying body and foot care treatments. Hair removal methods are accomplished with natural
waxes and ancient threading techniques. Her application of pure mineral make up is the only choice when
designing a perfect look for bridal and special events. This New Orleans native has called New England home for
the past ten years. She lives in Stratham with her three cats, Chloe, Mel and Isis. Melissa’s passion for a green
earth and all things organic combined with her Masters Degree in International Business makes
South Berwick Yoga a perfect fit.  www.reviveskinspa.net

PAULA CLARK, LMT

I have worked with the energy of the body in my prior 20+ years in the martial arts and as a prior co-owner and
chief instructor of martial arts studios on both coasts.  I currently hold a 2nd degree Black Belt in Shaolin Kenpo
Karate and am a tai chi instructor, having taught locally for nine years. I have also been instructed in the shamanic
journey process and have used that in my practice on requestto help with unhealthy patterns that might have an
emotional basis as well as manifesting in the physical. I taught Reiki for seven years before becoming a
massage therapist.  In my practice I provide Swedish massage with an Esalen-flowing type of style, deep tissue,
thai massage, and chair massage as well as the strictly energy techniques of Reiki and Shiatsu. Having
practiced Reiki for seven years before massage gives me a much greater level of awareness when it comes to
working on the body.  Because of that as well as all of the other energy-opening methods I have been involved in
over the years, people really notice the difference when receiving a Reiki treatment from me vs. other
practitioners, and I have been complimented on that in just about every session I have given. The martial arts has
given me a much greater knowledge of body mechanics than your typical massage therapist, as well as
knowledge of energy centers of the body, all of which is invaluable when it comes to giving a thai massage,
providing correct stretching technique to help clients maintain some level of relaxation until their next
appointment, or aiding in other relaxation exercises.  I am also able to give very educated advice when it comes
to correct use of body mechanics or perhaps types of exercise routines beneficial to the client.
All of my prior experience allows me to provide a unique and tailored healing experience for the client.