"The 30hr yin yoga teacher training with Melanie Cooper provided the fire I needed to get going with my teaching. It was a well structured yet relaxed weekend with lots of hands-on learning with fellow students. Straight away we started with the topic of assists in yin yoga and I liked how there was an expectation that we had already done some background homework via the generous recordings we had access to beforehand. Generosity is definitely a word I would associate with my time on this course - the space was generous, so too were fellow students and staff with their kindness and there was a generosity of knowledge and experience being shared by Melanie which was fantastic. I had only really started practising yin yoga with some regularity last year, and certainly attending the teacher training made me fall in love with it even more."

"I had completed the Yin Yoga course in May 2023. I have practiced Yin for 10 years and after my Yoga teacher training, I thought it would be a useful additional course to complement this. The reason why I wanted to complete the Yin Yoga course was to learn more about the philosophy behind Yin and understands the benefit it can bring to students. I also wanted to share this knowledge and move on to teach Yin Yoga. I am a strong believer of encouraging diversity within the studio space. Therefore, I was pleased when the Shala advertised a bursary for people within the BME communities. I believe in the value of having diverse mix of teachers within the yoga space, and one of the reasons why I wanted to be a yoga teacher is to encourage this. I am now teaching Yin Yoga in a few studios and gyms in London. I am also supporting the Yin workshops hosted by Norman Blair at the Shala which has been an invaluable outcome. "

"Pranayama can be a difficult topic for both teachers and students, at least I know it was not easy for me to understand in depth! So when I found out Melanie was teaching it, I knew I could learn about it from someone who would help me understand it and teach it well. And I was not disappointed! I’ve been following Melanie for a while and did some trainings with her so I knew - and it was like that - that she would teach with empathy, skills and knowledge. Everything was well-researched, so if you are keen on the science side of things like me, Melanie has you covered! Various techniques were explained, including what to do, what to be careful about, when not to practice them or teach them. So I can assure you, you’d finish this course and feel confident that you know how to teach and practice pranayama! Thanks a lot to the Shala for the opportunity! - I am a strong believer of encouraging diversity within the studio space. Therefore, I was pleased when the Shala advertised a bursary for people within the BME communities. I believe in the value of having diverse mix of teachers within the yoga space, and one of the reasons why I wanted to be a yoga teacher is to encourage this. I am now teaching Yin Yoga in a few studios and gyms in London. I am also supporting the Yin workshops hosted by Norman Blair at the Shala which has been an invaluable outcome. "

My 3 days with Anne and the other course attendees was wonderful. Anne is so giving and open and talented! She has a very practical approach to training and we were thrown in the deep end within a few hours on day 1, which was nerve wracking but so good! We all got to know each other within a few hours and honestly the collective energy and willingness in the room was amazing. I feel that this was made easy by Anne, as her ‘can do’ attitude rubbed off on all of us. Anne teaches from the heart and she is so inspirational. There’s so much more to this course than the practicals of learning how to play the instruments. Learning about holding space, ceremonies to make our offerings more authentic and not being afraid to show our true personalities, all the things that will make a difference for sure!

Receiving the bursery for the training has hugely impacted me and my students and the area we are based in. Learning and growing is so important to me, and being the best teacher I can to just be there for students through my learning. What I learn goes directly to them and betters their and my experience each week. Without this help from the shala I would really struggle to be able to afford the trainings, teaching in a low income and diverse area means I keep fees very low and even free for those who need it. The opportunity to be a more confident and knowledgeable teacher (I hope) is directly so I can help those in my community more and I can't express how much I appreciate the kindness and help from you all, and I know those I work with feel this too. Thank you.

I am writing to express my heartfelt gratitude for being selected as a recipient of a bursary for the Yoga Nidra course. This generous support has made a significant impact on my ability to pursue my yoga studies and deepen my practice. I’m truly appreciative of the opportunity The Shala has given me to continue my personal and professional growth in such a beautifully warm and welcoming space. Your belief in my potential and commitment to supporting my journey means more than words can convey. The bursary not only helped ease the financial burden of my yoga training, but it also served as a reminder of the power of community and the importance of giving back. I am deeply inspired by your kindness, and I will carry the lessons learned through this incredible opportunity forward in my practice and teaching, aiming to share the benefits of beautiful Yoga Nidra with others in the future.

Yin yoga is both a physical and emotional sanctuary for me and I really wanted to train as a teacher for the past few years. The bursary provided me with this wonderful opportunity at the Shala which is such an awesome place to learn and practice. Everybody I met there was super kind and inspiring, and Melanie is a real vibe, an excellent teacher and provided a safe, supportive, non-judgemental space for us all. I’m thankful I was able to experience training here and am now able to share my passion to inspire others to find their own special connection to yin.

Still buzzing and soaking in the magic of my time @theshalalondon 🧡💗💜 One of my most favourite spaces to learn and make meaningful connections with other yoga teachers and wellbeing facilitators, not only is it a beautiful space physically…but it genuinely radiates warmth, intention, and high vibrations Every part of the centre feels like a safe space for embracing growth and deep transformation, I always come away feeling fuller, more equipped for life and teaching my students ☺️👌🏾 I’m bursting with gratitude to have been part of the Creative Sequencing Teacher Training, curated by @melaniexcooper and @jennie.wadsten of Yoga Treat 🕉️ Guided by the wonderfully wise and beautiful soul @melaniexcooper ☺️ Her guidance was thoughtful, super duper creative, empowering, and as ever, deeply rooted in so much experience and knowledge, I feel like she’s my Huru at this stage 😂 I can never thank you enough @melaniexcooper you have a special way of holding space for our growth and encouraging each of us to find our unique voice as teachers, you really do bring out the best in teachers, in me, taking me to places I didn’t I could go! So excited to share with students 🙏🏾☺️ And to all the beautiful souls I connected with throughout this lovely little journey… thank you! Your energy, stories, ideas, knowledge and support added so much depth and meaningfulness to this experience for me ☺️💫 It’s been truly a gift to move, learn, and grow beside you… “It’s All Yoga Baby!” 😂😘 Feeling inspired, open, and full to the brim with gratitude ☺️💫