HappyTree Yoga/200-hour YTT 2025

  • $4,200 or 12 monthly payments of $350

200-hour Hatha Yoga Teacher Training

With Melanie Richards and guest teachers
January - June 2025
At Morpho Bleu Studio


Partial scholarships of $1,000 are available!

Apply Now.

Prices included all taxes and service fees.

Yoga needs YOU!

Being your beautiful, badass self is the secret to impactful yoga teaching.💥

 
Join a movement of yoga teachers and leaders disrupting the industry's status quo of young, bendy white people doing fancy postures, leaving most of us feeling like we don't belong or we're not enough.

We're. So. Over it!! 👏👏👏


These are exciting times of change. Yoga needs you because people who identify with your uniqueness will know that yoga is also for them.

Together, we're creating a world that honours the true heart of Yoga: connection, consciousness, truth, joy, service and love for ALL!

❤️🧡💛💚💙💜🤎🖤

"The 200-hour hatha YTT was a truly transformative experience."

"I left with not only an enriched understanding of yoga and how to teach but also a deepened knowledge of and connection with myself. Melanie is an incredible instructor - she teaches with love, precision and a deep respect for her craft, which inspired us to do the same, in our own ways. I felt supported to find my own voice and style, to be the yoga teacher I want to be. This training was such a gift, and I am grateful to have had the opportunity to experience it."

- Jodie-Ann Muckler (They/Them)
Class of 2024 graduate

Is HappyTree's Teacher Training Right for You?

Listen to Melanie's story and the stories of her students to find out!

This training is for you if you want to:

  • Transform in alignment with your True Self

  • Become an authentic and highly employable yoga teacher

  • Deepen your practice

  • Nerd out on all things Yoga, including philosophy and spirituality

  • Learn the tools to live with more peace, joy and resilience

  • Uplevel your confidence

  • Fill your cup

  • Learn and grow as a person

  • Know and love yourself more deeply

  • Discover your unique voice and niche

  • Belong to an uplifting, supportive and inclusive community

  • Build lasting friendships

  • Inspire and be inspired

  • Make a REAL difference in your life and the lives of others doing what you LOVE!

"Thank you for everything."

"It was an amazing experience! I learned so much about myself, and I feel like I grew exponentially through this journey."

- Naïla Stoodley (She/Her)
Class of 2024 graduate

Training Schedule 2025

2025 Dates

January 17-19
January 31-February 2
February 14-16
March 7-9
March 28-30
April 11-13
May 15-19 (5-day Urban Retreat)
June 6-8
Summer 2025 (Individual final evaluations and feedback)
September 21 (Graduation!)

Hours

Fridays from 6:00 pm - 8:45 pm - online (except for the first and last weekends and the Urban Retreat weekend)
Saturdays from 10:00 am - 5:30 pm - in person at Morpho Bleu
Sundays from 10:00 pm - 5:30 pm - in person at Morpho Bleu
An hour on both Saturdays and Sundays will be reserved for lunch.

Urban Retreat
Thursday, May 16, from 10:00 am - 5:30 pm - In person at Morpho Bleu
Friday, May 17, from 10:00 am - 5:30 pm - in person at Morpho Bleu
Saturday, May 18, from 10:00 am - 9:00 pm - In person at Morpho Bleu (including potluck dinner and Kirtan!)
Sunday, May 19, from 10:00 pm - 5:00 pm - In person at Morpho Bleu
Monday, May 20, from 10:00 am - 5:00 pm - In person at Morpho Bleu

Morpho Bleu Studio is located at 4260 Av. Girouard 3rd floor, Montreal, Quebec H4A 3C9

In this training you will learn and experience:

A solid foundation in over 60 classic Hatha Yoga postures and their variations.

How to practice and teach biomechanically safe postures and sequences, and how to prevent common yoga injuries.

16 workshops with seasoned guest teachers who are experts in their subjects.

Plenty of yoga practice, including the establishment of a home practice.

Pranayama (Breathwork), Meditation, Yoga Philosophy and Spirituality.

Yoga beyond the mat, including health, lifestyle, ethics and community service, as well as Trauma-informed Yoga.

A 5-day urban retreat with mentorship sessions from international guest teachers and a Kirtan concert with recording artist Myriam Turenne.

Teaching practice, group mentoring and one-on-one coaching.
The business of yoga and entrepreneurship.

Plus, you'll have the opportunity to teach a full 60-minute Hatha Yoga class for your friends, family and classmates as your final teaching evaluation over the summer!

"I want to give Melanie a huge THANK YOU for creating this life changing training! It truly changed my life for the better." <3

- M.G.
Class of 2024 graduate

Curriculum

HappyTree is a Registered Yoga School with the Yoga Alliance, and we follow their 200-hour Core Curriculum:

Techniques, Training, Practice

75 hrs

Asana
Pranayama & Subtle Body
Meditation

Anatomy & Physiology

30 hrs

Anatomy
Physiology
Biomechanics

Yoga Humanities

30 hrs

History
Philosophy
Ethics

Professional Essentials

50 hrs

Teaching Methodology
Professional Development
Practice Teaching

Electives

15 hrs

This year's training has a special focus on Yoga for mental health.

Guest Teachers

In Person

Anita Sharma

She/Her

Introduction to Ayurveda

More about Anita...

Barrie Risman

She/Her

Biomechanics of Sequencing
The Bhagavad Gita

More about Barrie...

Bhaskar Goswami

He/Him

Principles of Optimum Health

More about Bhaskar...

Brandon Dawson-Jarvis

He/Him

Yoga in Action: How personal transformation leads to social change

More about Brandon...

Diana Perez

She/Her

Anatomy 1
Anatomy 2
Anatomy 3
Anatomy 4

More about Diana...

Jodie-Ann Muckler

They/Them

Ethics and Accessibility
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in Yoga
Trauma-Sensitive Yoga

More about Jodie-Ann...

Lauren Enright

She/Her

Prenatal Yoga

More about Lauren...

Lisa Lajoie

She/Her

Intention Setting and Opening Ceremony

More about Lisa...

Myriam Turenne

She/Her

Sara Gallagher Bloom

She/Her

Kundalini Yoga

More about Sara...

"The fabulous guest teachers you brought to us gave us an incredibly well-rounded training."

"The wisdom they shared with us is invaluable. I grew more in those 6 months than I did in my lifetime. I can't thank you enough!"

Gaby Morency (She/Her)
Class of 2024 graduate

International Guest Teachers

🎤 Mentorship Series

It's story time with some of the world's most seasoned and inspirational yoga and mindfulness professionals! Meet Melanie's teachers live on Zoom and listen as they share their story, mission, and what drives them. They'll also share their best life, mental health, and yoga-teaching advice with you and their favourite yoga practice. Time will be set aside at the end of each mentorship session to answer your burning questions! 🔥

Author, international yoga teacher and founder of the Bhakti Nova School of Yoga & Dance, based in California.

Nubia Teixeira

She/Her

Mindfulness Coach specializing in Mental Health Recovery, Relapse Prevention and Pain & Stress Management, based in the UK.

David Behrens

He/Him

Author, world-renowned yoga educator, freelance writer and content creator, based in California.

Sarah Ezrin

She/Her

"In a time where attention is the new currency, learning to master your focus, energy and awareness is not only wealth, it's empowerment."

~Melanie Richards

Meet Your Lead Trainer, Melanie Richards

(She/Her) E-RYT 200, RYT 500

Melanie Richards first started yoga in her early twenties to lose weight. She was feeling fearful and insecure after her acting agent said she would never get a lead role due to her size.

But after months of regular yoga practice, something surprising happened: she quit acting. 

Discovering her True Self through yoga, Melanie tapped into a newfound confidence that didn’t require her to prove herself as a leading lady - nor lose weight. Instead, she felt a strong calling to be of service and share this powerful practice of joy, self-love and acceptance, and in 2007, she founded HappyTree Yoga.

"Melanie's strong voice, deep compassion, and remarkable ability to hold space for our growth left a lasting impression on me."

"I'm beyond grateful for my experience with the HappyTree YTT and wish I could relive it over and over again. Melanie's dedication to our success was evident in everything she did. She made sure we had the most up-to-date information, and her course structure was beautifully organized, with thorough instructions that kept us perfectly on track. She was always punctual, kept us on schedule effortlessly, and provided insightful, honest feedback to each of us. Melanie truly goes above and beyond for her students. Her commitment to excellence shone through in every aspect of the training, and I am profoundly grateful for her guidance and support."


Zoë Stopnicki (She/Her)
Class of 2024 graduate

“Melanie has the profound ability to hold space."

"She makes everyone feel seen/heard and the wisdom and knowledge she has about yoga is remarkable. She gives people space to learn, absorb and create at their own rhythm. She leads in a very authentic way, making her students feel comfortable and supported. I truly enjoyed every minute of this training led by Melanie. A remarkable and unforgettable experience!”

Marianthy Ziavras (She/Her)
Class of 2024 graduate

More about Melanie

Melanie Richards is the founder of Yoga HappyTree Inc., creator and leader of Yoga teacher training programs, and a mental health advocate. For ten years (2007-2017), she owned and operated HappyTree Yoga Studio, known for its vibrant, inclusive community and regularly voted one of Montreal's top five yoga studios in Cult Mtl. 

Currently, Melanie teaches yoga at two hospitals for folks with addictions and mood and anxiety disorders. Last year, she received a Builder of Hope Award from The Douglas Foundation, recognizing her efforts and contribution toward establishing The Rebecca Joy Richards Award for Research in Eating Disorders.

She also received a Quebec Notable Award for Social Entrepreneurship and has a TEDx talk on the power of intention setting (2014). In 2012, she was recognized by CTV's The Power of One for her work in the community with cancer patients and underprivileged youth.

Melanie is a 500-hour certified Hatha teacher and a 200-hour certified Kundalini yoga teacher. Over the past decade, she has attended multiple 10-day Vipassana silent meditation retreats. Her teachers include Barrie Risman, Nischala Joy Devi, Nubia Teixeira, and her spiritual mentor, Lisa Lajoie, with whom she has led local and international yoga retreats

Melanie shares Yoga from her heart with relatability, compassion and enthusiasm, fostering a warm and inclusive learning atmosphere. She empowers people from all walks of life to take the path of Yoga back home to their hearts.

To learn more about Melanie, visit https://happytreeyoga.com/about

Join Melanie's 9th cohort for a 6-month transformational journey!

January 2024

June 2024 (look how they glow!!)

Now for a bit of admin...

The application process

  1. Start by filling out the application form

  2. Once your application is received, Melanie will read it and email you usually within a week, either requesting more information if needed or sharing the good news: That you're in!! (if you're still waiting to receive an answer after a week, please check your spam folder or text Melanie at 514-806-9642 to make sure your application was well received!)

  3. Once you're in, you'll also receive a link to register with the early bird discount (if paid in full by October 1st, 2024) or the BIPOC partial scholarship of $1,000, if applicable. 

  4. If you'd like to discuss a payment plan or payment methods other than the ones offered, no problem at all! We can discuss it and come up with a plan together.

How to apply for a partial scholarship

  1. Fill out the application form, including the extra question related directly to the partial scholarship.

  2. Once your application is accepted, you'll receive a link to register with $1,000 off the regular price of $4,200 (all taxes and fees are included).

  3. If you'd like to discuss a payment plan or payment methods other than the ones offered, no problem at all! We can discuss it and come up with a plan together.

What's included in the tuition fee

  • Seven weekends of tuition

  • The 5-day urban retreat

  • Workshops with 13 world-class guest teachers

  • Individual evaluations, coaching and feedback with Melanie

  • Unlimited lifetime access to the teacher training's online platform page, with all the course material

  • Donna Farhi's book, Yoga Mind, Body & Spirit

  • A teaching certificate recognized by the Yoga Alliance upon successful completion of the course

I want in! 🎉 How can I guarantee my spot?

Once your application is accepted (YAY!), you can guarantee your spot by either paying in full or starting your payment plan.

What's the refund policy?

Before October 1st, 2024, you're eligible for a full refund—no strings attached!

Between October 2nd and December 31st, 2024, you're eligible for a full refund, minus a $300 deposit, on all payment options. 

Refund requests after December 31st, 2024, will be reviewed case-by-case. 

Questions?

Call or text Melanie at 514-806-9642 or email melanie@happytreeyoga.com

Testimonial Video

In this 48-second video, you'll hear three testimonials from my 2024 Hatha YTT grads that I hope will inspire you to join me in 2025.

More of what Melanie's YTT grads are saying...

"I can't say enough about how wonderful Melanie is. Top shelf on all levels and strongly recommend her 200h YTT. This is not simply Yoga; it is an interactive deep dive into the teachings of what it means to be a well-rounded Yogi."

Annamaria P.

"Melanie Richards really did a spectacular job of bringing so many unique voices to this course, which helped us find our own voice. I am grateful for her vast knowledge, life experiences, and encounters that she brings to this yoga teacher training course. She set the tone, and beauty unfolded!"

Melissa Grassi

"Melanie is a great resource, teacher, and guide. Her warm and loving energy made our training much more meaningful and special. I'm so glad I waited to do my training with Melanie because it was so worth it! She designed such a complete and in-depth training for future yoga teachers that now, more than ever, I believe that practicing and teaching yoga play significant roles in changing the world and creating a better future."

M. G.

"This experience was very well-rounded and touched on history, technicality, tools, meditation, and creativity. It was like walking through a door of possibilities. I always left each class feeling love, inspiration, creativity and wholeness. I will cherish this experience forever."

Marianthy Z.

"Melanie is a wonderful person that I admire. She is professional and very attentive to each student. She is generous and provided us with great knowledge. I would add that the platform, web tools are very well organised and greatly appreciated. I am very grateful to have had the chance to have my teacher training with Melanie."

M.B.

"One of the best decisions I’ve ever made."

Ashanta Farrington

I found a mentor in Melanie. She is genuine and real. This was my third teacher training and by far my favourite!

Farnaz Mamizadeh

It would be tough to imagine a yoga community without Melanie. She continually offers community support and engagement. 

Brandon Dawson-Jarvis

Melanie's presence, the way she welcomes everyone into the space, her confidence in who she is, the enthusiasm with which she shares her knowledge and her openness to others’ ideas all had the biggest impact on me. 

Linda Viselli

Mel's loving, shining, guiding light aside, her ability to provide solid constructive feedback while honouring and acknowledging everyone’s gifts was beautiful to witness. I would do her training again and again if I could!

A. F.

The teacher training with HappyTree is not a regular one; it's a transformative one. Melanie is a true spiritual guide that accompanies each and every one of us in the achievement of our goals. In six months, I have not only learned about yoga philosophy and asanas; I have learned about myself, the kind of yoga I would like to teach, and most of all, what kind of human being I would like to be.

Mireille Courte

The space was so welcoming and gentle but structured. Thank you for sharing yourself, your experience, and your knowledge with me. For being light.

Farhana Begum

Melanie teaches from the heart and transmutes compassion and kindness to her students.

Irene A.

Melanie is honest and relatable, and her trainings are powerful!

M.A.

Melanie is a source of inspiration for everything related to compassion! 
In a word, her trainings are complete.

Stéphanie S.