We live in a very Yang society: fast-paced, stimulating, and goal-oriented. Even the yoga we practice tends to be very Yang in nature, filled with strong, flowing, repetitive movements that heat the body.
Yin yoga honours our profound need for balance with its long-held, relaxed stretches. These stretches encourage the release of deep tension from the body while teaching us to trust our intuition and go with the flow. As life speeds up, it’s no wonder this quiet, introspective practice is in such high demand.
Melanie is a pioneer of Yin Yoga in Montreal. When she opened HappyTree Yoga Studio in 2007, she expected the hot yoga classes to be the most popular. But to her surprise, it was her Yin classes that quickly took the lead, revealing a deep societal need for quiet, rest, and introspection.
Affectionately known by her students as “The Queen of Yin,” Melanie launched her Yin Yoga Teacher Training in 2013 and has never looked back. Many of Quebec’s leading Yin yoga teachers and studio owners began their journey with her.
She took her first Yin Yoga Teacher Training with Paul and Suzee Grilley (Paul being one of the founders of Yin Yoga) at Studio Lyne St-Roch in 2007. Years later, in a full-circle moment, Lyne St-Roch invited her back to her studio to lead Yin yoga workshops. She has also taken Yin workshops with Bernie Clarke, author of YinSights and Sarah Powers, author of Insight Yoga.
Her trauma-sensitive approach to Yin goes far beyond stretching. It invites students to meet themselves - and their practice - with mindfulness, self-trust, agency, and compassion.
A key element of her trainings is the community they create: kind, empathetic individuals drawn together by a shared desire to explore and empower their Yin side, and to share this transformational, multidimensional, and profoundly healing practice with others.
If you feel called to this training, you're in the right place. In a time of intense change and uncertainty, the grounding practice of Yin yoga, and its heartful leadership rooted in peace, power, and purpose - has never been more important.
Yoga teachers and Yin yoga enthusiasts alike, are welcome to take this course! Whether your goal is to deepen your practice, accelerate your personal and spiritual growth, teach Yin yoga with ease and confidence or use the tools you learn to uplevel your existing yoga classes, this training is for you!
Melanie explains why the world needs Yin yoga now more than ever.
Yoga Philosophy
What is Yin Yoga?
Yin Yoga Principles
Finding Balance: The Yin/Yang relationship
The conscious and subconscious mind
Anatomy
Anatomy of connective tissue with BetsyAnn Baron, founder of Baron Bodyworks
Anatomy as it relates to Yin asanas and variations
The Five Yin Archetypes (NEW!)
Chinese Meridian Theory with Janine Maila, founder of Ayni Holistic Health
The Chakras
Techniques and Practice
Yin Yoga Practices
Analysis and practice of 20 + Yin yoga postures
Teaching Methodology and Practicum
How to:
Create “The Relaxation Zone” (covered in the restorative section of this training)
Teach deep and effective centerings and relaxations (covered in the restorative section of this training)
Integrate Yin yoga themes into your classes
Sequence structurally and bio-mechanically sound Yin yoga classes
Use props and posture variations
Use your voice and language as your most powerful communication and teaching tools
Plus, Group work, teaching practice and individual teaching feedback!
This training counts 50 hours of continuing education credits with the Yoga Alliance.
All folx are welcome to take part in this training! It is suitable for both yoga teachers and yoga students who wish to teach Yin yoga or simply dive deeper into the philosophy and practice of Yin yoga.
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Melanie truly teaches from the heart -so much so that the affirmations she plants resonate effortlessly. This enriching training empowered me to slow down and rest!