Our Staff

Erin

Erin Murphy completed her 200hr+ Vinyasa Flow Yoga certification through Happy Love Yoga with Sarah Jones. Erin has explored different styles of yoga but feels a deep connection with vinyasa flow. Yoga allows Erin to feel united with the Earth and appreciate the world around her. She loves SUP yoga, beach yoga, or any way she can bring her practice to the great outdoors. Erin believes that there is a strong connection between the energy of breath and body. Through her practice and teaching, she hopes to spread love, peace, and compassion with those she meets. Teaching allows her to help students see their great strengths and vast capabilities while having fun on the mat.

Outside of yoga Erin works as an elementary school music teacher for the Exeter School District and plays the clarinet. Off the mat Erin enjoys hiking, adventuring, live music, and spending time with her pets and friends.

“Just the act of inhaling and exhaling can be a tremendous love affair.” B.K.S. Iyengar

Jenn

Ong Kar Dev Kaur aka Jennifer Mercier is a KRI certified Kundalini Yoga and meditation teacher, currently working towards the KRI 500HR certification. She has been immersed in mind body practices since 2003. Over the years she has acquired over a 1000 hours in mentorships and continuing education along with several certifications: Black Belt in Ed Parker American Kenpo, Reiki Master Teacher Attunement, E-RYT 200HR in Yoga Flow, Certified My OmAbilities Teacher (Yoga for disabilities).

After an amazing investigation and journey in various holistic practices, Kundalini Yoga is what eventually captured her heart. Although she holds all Yoga in the highest regard, Kundalini is now what she dedicates herself to. As she puts it, when she was exposed to the practice in her Vinyasa training, she fell madly in love. It was different, it was challenging in the most unexpected ways, it was fabulously unique, and in short it was ALL she ever wanted. It provided the clarity, the peace, and the deep prayer within that she had longed for. Kundalini Yoga proved time and time again that it produced these effects in a quick direct manner.

Ong Kar Dev Kaur has a strong daily practice and a deep desire to share these teachings with her community. She has an unique sense of humor and always promotes the fact that you should never take yourself so seriously that you can’t laugh or crack a smile in a Yoga class. Show up to her class ready to work, laugh, perhaps cry and have a Kundalini Yoga experience, which in itself will always be one of a kind.

“Every beat of your heart is the rhythm of your soul. The voice of your soul is your breath.” ~ Yogi Bhajan

Leah

leah We welcome Leah Gatchell to the staff of Awakening Grace Yoga. Leah has been practicing yoga locally since the studio opened in 2009. She graduated with a creative eye as a Marketing Major from Suffolk University. She states, “My true passion is teaching”. Leah is certified in Kripalu Yoga 200hr and a registered yoga teacher (RYT) with yoga alliance. She has also trained in Expressive Yoga Dance and is happy to share her gifts as a teacher along with her love of yoga & movement. Leah also works in the Epping Schools and hopes to bring her yoga dance to children. She is a busy mother of 2 and a yogini to the core.

Molly

Molly Schlangen is the owner/director of Awakening Grace Yoga and a 500-hour Certified Kripalu Yoga Instructor. The ancient practice of yoga has been transformational for her on the physical, intellectual, and spiritual planes. She believes yoga is a channel for healing and personal growth. Yoga practice benefits all ages, body sizes, and fitness levels. “We start where we are, and allow yoga to transform”. She has worked as a Registered Nurse in the areas of community & mental health, sports rehabilitation, school health and is currently on the nursing faculty at NHTI. She holds a Master’s degree in Counseling Psychology. Molly considers herself a student of life, attempting to learn the lessons of love in their many forms. Her personal mission (at the moment) is to find and live the balance of stillness, movement and meditation…connecting body, mind & spirit. Her other interests include long walks in the woods, running, hiking, paddle boarding, & reading.

Nel

Nel has studied and experienced yoga since 1976. She holds a Kripalu 200 hour yoga teaching certification, an At Om 500 hour yoga teaching certification, a BA in English Literature, and has studied Tantra and meditation with Uma Parvathi Nanda Nath since 2008.
Immersion in a multitude of yoga styles and techniques has equipped her with fun, synthesized offerings for students to enjoy and explore sustainable movement and meditation, deeper awareness of inner and outer landscapes, expansion of breath, and customization of physical practice.
Nel is a devoted mother, nature lover, and delighted adventurer.

Pearl

Pearl has been studying and practicing in the fields of yoga, healing, massage and art since the late 1970s. She is 500 hour certified instructor through Pathways Yoga Systems with Swami Padmanada (Pat Bruno). She has studied anatomy and physiology, Hanna Somatics, and trained specifically in Craniosacral 1-2 and Somato Emotional Release 1-2 and Lymphatic Drainage through the Upledger Institute. She brings a lifetime of experience to her teaching. Pearl says, “Over time as we enter our senior years, we begin to move less therefore allowing the body to lose sensory motor skills. Which connects mind and body that communicates with each other and keeps us healthy and well balanced. In this class we practice a combination of yoga and somatics reestablishing a relationship with breath, body and mind. Students should be able to come to the floor and return to standing in this class. The old saying” if you do not use it you lose it” is true. We can still stretch like a cat, awakening the vital force within from a deep sleep. What brings joy for me is sharing the knowledge that I have gathered over the years with others so they can live their life to the fullest in comfort and joy.” She lives in Raymond NH with my husband Dan of 11 years. She loves singing, chanting, kayaking, swimming, walking, snowshoeing, blowing my conch and traveling.

“Dimming your light doesn’t do you or the world any good. You were meant to be great -stand in that power” -Lisa Nichols

Shannon

I have been practicing yoga on and off the mat for about 8 years. I am certified in aromatherapy and Herbalism at The Boston School of Herbal Studies from 2012- 2013. I try to incorporate tea and essential oils into my practice and classes as much as I can. I completed my 200 hour Ashtanga certification and my Reiki Master training at Living Yoga in 2016 and I have been practicing and teaching ever since.

I love the journey and all the ups and downs I experience throughout my practice. I believe the practice of yoga is a personal experience and one should always remain mindful of ones body to avoid injuries. I enjoy teaching vinyassa flow inspired by the Ashtanga primary series; connecting breath and movement while incorporating mudras, chanting meditation, mindfull readings and yoga philosophy connects one to their own spiritual journey for full body awareness and transformation. I always offer modifications and adjustments for a safe experience. Every body deserves yoga and making it accessible to everyone regardless of age, experience or injury is very important to me.We practice yoga on the mat so we can live mindfully off the mat.