Who We Are
At the Life of Wellness Institute, we believe that healing begins when we feel safe in our own bodies. We train yoga teachers, guides, and facilitators to become skilled, compassionate allies in mental health and trauma recovery. Our approach is rooted in the understanding that a regulated nervous system is the foundation for personal transformation.
Through our small, intimate cohorts, we ensure you receive the depth of learning and personal attention necessary to do this sensitive work. Here, you will gain:
- Nervous System Expertise: Learn the neuroscience of trauma and stress to skillfully guide others toward regulation and resilience.
- Embodied Mentorship: Receive 1:1 support to develop your unique voice and build a sustainable, heart-centered career.
- A Compassionate Community: Join a circle of dedicated practitioners united by a commitment to integrity, personal growth, and the transformative practice of Viniyoga.
At the heart of our community are our experienced teachers, dedicated students, and supportive staff. We are united by our commitment to embodying our purpose (Dharma) and personal mission (Swadharma) through the transformative practice of Viniyoga.
From Survival to Guidance: My Journey in Trauma-Informed Care
My own path to becoming an educator was forged through my recovery from PTSD. I learned, in my bones, that true healing isn’t about perfecting a pose; it’s about rebuilding a relationship of safety and trust with oneself.
For years, I have trained hundreds of teachers and facilitators to support individuals navigating mental health challenges, trauma, and eating disorders. This work has taught me one essential truth: safety is not a buzzword, it is a biological imperative.
I bring this lived and professional expertise to you through principles that honor the human behind the practice:
- A Foundation of Safety: We prioritize psychological safety through emergent, live-only learning and consent-based cueing, protecting the vulnerability of every student.
- Wisdom, Not Dogma: We integrate neuroscience with the timeless wisdom of yoga to create adaptable, person-centered practices.
- Sustainable Service: We focus on building resilience and preventing burnout, so you can have a long-lasting, meaningful impact.
Our small cohorts ensure you are seen, supported, and mentored. If you feel called to guide others in their healing journey, let’s connect.
With compassion,
Melanie Taylor
Our Story
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Why Viniyoga? Because Adaptation is the Antidote to Harm
Viniyoga is not a style of yoga defined by shapes; it is a principle that honors the individual. This makes it the perfect vehicle for mental health and trauma-informed work. It is a practical, neuroscience-backed methodology that helps people regulate their nervous systems and reclaim a sense of agency.
We apply this principle in everything we do:
- Trauma-Informed Practice: Learn to design sequences and use language that supports those with anxiety, PTSD, and chronic pain.
- Personalized Tools: Blend somatic practices with modern recovery frameworks to meet students where they are.
- Accessible for Every Body and Nervous System: We reject one-size-fits-all solutions and harmful performance norms. Our focus is on internal resource building, not external aesthetics.
Our Commitments: The Framework for Our Work
Our approach is built on a few non-negotiable foundations:
✅ Safety & Ethics First: We exceed standard ethical guidelines by embedding trauma-informed principles, consent, and psychological safety into every aspect of our training.
✅ Evidence-Informed Practice: We bridge the gap between ancient wisdom and modern neuroscience, ensuring our methods are both timeless and relevant.
✅ Community Care: We foster a culture of mutual support over competition, understanding that we can only hold space for others when we are also held.
Land & Community Commitment
In the spirit of respect, reciprocity, and truth, we honor and acknowledge Moh’kinsstis, the traditional Treaty 7 territory, and the oral practices of the Blackfoot Confederacy—Siksika, Kainai, and Piikani—as well as the Îyâxe Nakoda and Tsuut’ina Nations. We recognize the Métis Nation of Alberta, Region 3, within the historical Northwest Métis homeland.
We extend our acknowledgment to all Nations—Indigenous and non-Indigenous—who live, work, and play on this land and who honor and celebrate this territory.
This sacred gathering place offers us an opportunity to engage in and demonstrate leadership on reconciliation. We are grateful for your enthusiasm and commitment to joining our community on Treaty 7 territory.