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
“I would recommend this course to EVERYONE!! 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!
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.
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.