Meet Our Graduates: Trauma-Informed Educators Changing Communities
At the Life of Wellness Institute, we train teachers to serve with integrity—not ideology. Our graduates are reshaping yoga’s future in prisons, recovery centers, and 2SLGBTQI+ spaces using neuroscience-backed tools and trauma-sensitive frameworks.
Alex
“I would recommend this training to others with confidence! In fact, I have people already reaching out to me for information because of how highly I have spoken about this experience. This training was detailed, trauma-informed, and person-centered. It also taught skills that have led me to feel confident in my abilities to be a teacher in the world.
I appreciated this training because Melanie really takes the time to understand her student’s needs, including their personal and professional goals.
Melanie holds space for her students and encourages them to find answers within themselves- knowing they have always been there. Her warm energy and nonjudgmental approach allow others to feel safe to share their needs. This care benefited me because it gave me the tools to care for myself, which in turn helps me care for others. I feel ready to teach yoga and provide a safe environment for all.” – Alex Pattinson
Cori Williams
“I would recommend this course to EVERYONE!! Whether you want to learn further about yoga or create your own yoga coaching program, this course will take you on a journey of self discovery. It will open your mind and heal you all the while you learn to do this same for others. Even if they don’t want to teach yoga or know anything about yoga. The knowledge and support you will gain from Mel will change your life!!
I am filled with more confidence, and my flame has been reignited! I believe I can change my life and my career and help support others in their own healing.” – Cori Williams.
Chelsea
“Melanie is an outstanding facilitator. She’s dynamic and engaging as an educator. She brings an incredible amount of warmth and empathy to her work. And she has a remarkable capacity to create a space where people feel safe, valued, and connected with one another. She brings a real depth to facilitation because she knows the inside of mental health struggles, and she’s walked the path of healing herself. We’re lucky to have her at Eat Breathe Thrive!” – said Chelsea Roff, Founder & Director of Eat Breathe Thrive.
Alyssa G
“I had the pleasure of learning from Mel in her 300 hour YTT course over 18 months. While this initially seems like a massive time investment, it was something that was more than worth the time, energy, and investment. This yoga training has helped me not only to do the difficult internal work to find more compassion and joy in my day-to-day life, but it has also allowed me to elevate my practice as a yoga provider.
I feel equipped to support clients on their healing journeys (through simple modifications of the principles of yoga) and navigate those experiences with more intention, compassion, and clarity. Not only has this training supported my practice as a yoga provider, but it has also allowed me to develop a community of life-long friendships that I am certain will never lose their impact.
This training also strengthened my understanding of my purpose (or “dharma”) and how I can utilize this purpose to benefit others in a way that honors my own wellness and strengths. Mel is a wonderful teacher, mentor, and friend… It has truly been an honor to learn from her and I will miss the community at LOWI more than words can describe!” – Alyssa G
Mary Whiteside
“Melanie is on your team and wants you to succeed. She facilitates a beautiful space online where I never felt like I was missing out on anything, and I am so glad I’ve been able to join class wherever in the world I was living at the time. I came away feeling prepared to be an independent instructor, with renewed excited about my own practice.
Trauma-informed yoga feels like it gets to the heart of what yoga really is intended to be. I wanted to make sure if I were to take yoga teacher training that, it would align with my personal outlook on yoga, and I think having an introduction call with Melanie helped me to feel certain that I was signing up for something that I believed in.” – Mary Whiteside
Juliana Leal
“One advice that I could share is do not wait for the “perfect” time. Just do it and start from where you are. This experience was life-changing for me. It helped me to keep my sanity in one of the hardest moments of my life. It brings me emotional balance and tools that I applied in very stressful moments. It also keeps my mind busy, studying and practicing – protecting my mental health from being lost in worries and anxiety. It also brought me hope because I was always looking to the possibilities in the future, in my new profession, and not focusing on the turmoil that I was going through.
I am truly grateful for having this experience in the YTT. I felt supported all the time by Melanie and also by my colleagues in this journey, and being respected as a person, not only as a client.” – Juliana Leal
Meagan
“Melanie is a role model to me in mothership and cares for her clients in a way that always has them feeling listened to and well understood. I have had the honor of learning yoga teacher training from Melanie, and we both share a passion for bringing tools to our clients for stress reduction, empowerment, humanity, and trauma-informed practices. Melanie is a key support person for those of us in this community and has volunteered endless hours of time to better the community and support the people who are part of it.” – said Meagan Saum. Emotional Wellness & Resilience Coach.
Lindsey
“Melanie, I need to impress upon you that what you are doing is profoundly important. You are giving women a new lease on life. The value is priceless. Nothing but love and respect for you. Sometimes you light candles; sometimes, you light a firecracker. This time you lit a lighthouse that will endure and guide others as well.” – Lindsey Coyle
Sherri
“I started as a student of Melanie’s in Jan 2018 during my 200 hr yoga teacher training and loved her so much that we became co-facilitators of an embodiment and mindfulness-focused program this past year! Melanie is able to connect with people through her vulnerability and compassion; she meets her students where they are at and is a beacon of light towards a newfound experience of empowerment and self-love. Thank you for continuing to challenge and support me in all I am up to in the world, Mel!” – said Sherri Stokes. Founder and Yoga Teacher at Oasis Within.
Sarah S
“If you are interested in learning what yoga is truly all about, don’t hesitate. Sign up today!! It is an unparalleled value financially and offers great ease of access with the online, synchronous classes scheduled every other weekend. It feels like Mel is right in the room with you when you are practicing and teaching because she is consistently offering individualized feedback to support your experiential learning.
Mel’s curriculum is trauma-informed, and her course offers a felt sense of safety to learn and practice. Her passion for this work is unmistakable, and this is evidenced by how available she makes herself to her students and the degree of compassion and encouragement she offers along the way. If your goal is to cultivate your own interoceptive awareness for enhanced physical and emotional well-being, this is the place to learn. It is perfect if you just want to learn for your own benefit or if you already know you want to teach. I came to LOWI thinking I did not want to teach and left feeling passionate about wanting to offer yoga to the world in some way!” – Sarah S