Have you been yearning to get back on your mat or to deepen your existing practice? Now is the perfect time.
Spring is a natural season of growth, expansion and transformation. As the ground begins to thaw, new life bursts forth, attracted by the warmth and light of the sun.
In much the same way, Yoga draws us closer to the light of our True Self. By applying the practices and philosophy to our life, we can grow out of the mud of our conditioning, into the expanded awareness of our Divine Nature.
When you work with these teachings experientially—through your body, your breath, and your mind—change and expansion stop feeling like something you have to force or figure out and become, much like the effortless blooming of spring flowers, a natural outcome of the practice.
In this 8-week series, I’m excited to share a carefully curated set of practices and teachings that have supported real transformation in myself and hundreds of my students over the past twenty years.
Eight weekly 90-minute sessions, each including:
A 60-minute yoga practice
Each practice is thoughtfully designed to embody and support the week's theme. In the morning classes, you’ll come out glowing and energized from rhythmic Kundalini Kriyas or meditative flowing Hatha sequences, while in the evening classes, you’ll leave ready for a restful sleep with Yin, Somatics and Guided Relaxation (Yoga Nidra). Each class also incorporates subtler practices such as guided imagery, breathwork, mantra meditation and mudras. No matter the practices, accessibility is on the menu - Melanie will be offering variations and alternatives to meet you where you are.
A 30-minute online learning circle
After each class, our half-hour integration circle begins with a short talk either led by Melanie on the week’s theme, drawing primarily from the Yoga Sutras, or by a surprise guest teacher sharing wisdom from their own area of expertise. This is followed by guided group sharing, open discussion, and questions.
Unlimited, on-demand access to the recordings with no set deadline!*
Practice between our live sessions to integrate and go deeper, and continue revisiting this rich toolkit long after our series ends. *All yoga classes and Melanie’s teaching portions of the learning circles will be recorded. Group discussions during the learning circles will remain private and will not be recorded.
🌙 Evening Sessions (Bi-weekly Mondays)
🕖 7:00 – 8:30 PM
April 13
April 27
May 11
May 25
☀️ Morning Sessions (Bi-weekly Wednesdays)
🕖 7:00 – 8:30 AM**
April 22
May 6
May 20
June 3
**The start time of the morning sessions may be changed to 6:30-8:00 am, subject to group consensus.
New insights, mini-breakthroughs and awakenings
Growth in confidence and positive self-image
Better sleep, digestion and global health
Frequent synchronicities and glimmers (the opposite of a trigger - moments that activate feelings of joy and safety)
Stronger, steadier energy
Feeling empowered to make positive changes in your life
More frequent flow states (complete immersion and effortless enjoyment of your activities)
Openness to and attraction of new people and opportunities
Spontaneous arisings of joy
Spontaneous feelings of unconditional love toward yourself and others
Deeper compassion and capacity to be of service
More presence and appreciation of beauty
The feeling of coming home to yourself and of being guided by your True Self
These teachings come from a tradition that has explored the full spectrum of the human experience, offering practical tools for working through challenges such as anxiety, depression, burnout, addiction, grief, poor body + self image, trauma, and even the fear of stepping into your own full power and potential. With the right support and consistent practice, you can progress on the path of liberation no matter how stuck you’ve felt in the past.
“What you are now is what you have been. What you will be is what you do now.”
~ Quote widely attributed to the Buddha
In this series, not only will you have support from Melanie, surprise guest teachers, and the Yoga practices and philosophy, but you’ll also benefit from each other's support through online sharing circles after every practice.
We grow faster when we grow together! In noble community (Sangha), listening to Dharma talks and learning from each other’s stories, questions and experiences can spark insight, normalize our experience, and remind us that no matter what we’ve been through, change is possible. The support and encouragement of a like-hearted community can give you the courage to keep showing up on your path of spiritual expansion.
Plus, you’ll have the opportunity to stay in touch with your new friends during and after the course through our Spring Awakenings WhatsApp group!
🌙 Monday, April 13th, from 7:00 - 8:30 pm
To live with awareness is to live in the present moment. The present moment is the only place where choice exists—and choice is power. In yoga, this quality of awareness is known as Draṣṭā—the inner witness, the part of you that can observe your thoughts, emotions, and experiences without getting caught up in them.
From this place of clear seeing, we begin to meet reality as it is. In other words, we meet ourselves and our lives with acceptance. In yoga, the term Vairagya refers to a state of non-attachment in which we maintain an evenness of mind amid our cravings and aversions. Together, Draṣṭā and Vairagya allow us to respond to our lives rather than react in the same old way, and this is the foundation for expansion and transformation.
☀️ Wednesday, April 22nd, from 7:00 - 8:30 am
Ahimsa (non-harming) begins with ourselves. Nothing is more likely to sabotage our best efforts and our growth than harsh self-judgment and negative self-talk. Shame, blame, guilt, anxiety, and criticism can keep us trapped in the very patterns we wish to change. Compassion allows us to meet ourselves with kindness, creating the safety and openness needed for real transformation.
🌙 Monday, April 27th, from 7:00 - 8:30 pm
Empowerment is not created through constant effort and tension. When we are chronically stressed or overwhelmed, we lose access to our creativity, intuition, playfulness, and joy. Prayatna Śaithilya - the relaxation of effort - helps us consciously soften unnecessary tension, allows the nervous system to reset and opens the door to the Infinite, where inspiration, insight, and renewed energy flow effortlessly. Sometimes the most powerful thing we can do is take it easy!
☀️ Wednesday, May 6th, from 7:00 - 8:30 am
In The Yoga Sutras, truth follows compassion. When we meet ourselves with kindness, we gain the courage to see clearly, including the ways we may be contributing to our own struggles. This clarity helps us recognize what’s within our power to change and inspires us to take aligned action toward greater freedom.
🌙 Monday, May 11th, from 7:00 - 8:30 pm
Appreciate your life, and it will be extraordinary! Gratitude and appreciation shift our attention from what is missing to what is already present. When we cultivate contentment (Santosha), we begin to see our lives through a lens of abundance rather than lack. This shift in perception changes our emotional state, helping us feel more resourced, confident and ready to take meaningful action in our lives.
☀️ Wednesday, May 20th, from 7:00 - 8:30 am
Awareness and clarity alone won’t create change - action is also required. Often, we wait until we feel confident or motivated before acting. But the Yogic teachings offer a different approach. This Kundalini Yoga Sutra reminds us, “Start, and the pressure will be off.” Taking even a small step forward shifts our energy, restores momentum, and builds the confidence we need to keep moving forward.
🌙 Monday, May 25th, from 7:00 - 8:30 pm
May devotion to your higher purpose (Dharma), to serving the greater good (Seva) and to leading from your heart guide your way on. Sometimes getting caught up in our insecurities and shortcomings keeps us from contributing our gifts to the world. Devoting yourself to something bigger than your small “s” self and having faith that you're part of a bigger plan can help you find the courage to expand out of your comfort zone and live wholeheartedly.
☀️ Wednesday, June 3rd, from 7:00 - 8:30 am
Practicing together creates a natural sense of collective joy and celebration, and for our last class, we’ll take a moment to honour and appreciate how far we’ve come. The Yoga Sutras tell us that our True Nature is joy, bliss (ananda), peace, love and truth - all higher emotional states that invite expansion. Together, we’ll create space for these qualities to rise within.
"Thank you, Melanie! Just did the first class of the series and LOVED it! Exactly what I needed. Thank you for all that you do and bring to the world! So grateful."
“Melanie, you are a special gift. I wonder if you have any idea what you transfer to others on your path? I don’t think you do. I think you just are being you. Thank you, my dear Melanie… it was a magic hour every week.” Joan G.
Melanie Richards is the founder of Yoga HappyTree Inc., the 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 community.
Melanie teaches yoga to psychiatry inpatients and outpatients. Last year, she was featured on CTV National News for being a yoga instructor pushing back against skinny culture. In 2023, she received a Builder of Hope Award from The Douglas Foundation, recognizing her efforts and contributions 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 Experienced Registered Yoga Teacher (E-RYT 500) with Yoga Alliance. She is a certified Hatha teacher and Kundalini yoga teacher and has sat multiple 10-day Vipassana silent meditation retreats over the past decade. Her teachers include Barrie Risman, Nischala Joy Devi, Nubia Teixeira, and her spiritual mentor, Lisa Lajoie, with whom she's led local and international yoga retreats.
Melanie shares Yoga from her heart with relatability, humour, 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.