Hot Yoga Aurora Graduates

Larnie Chui
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When I first looked at the Yoga Teacher Training material and realised the sheer volume of work, both the theoretical & practical, I was so overwhelmed. The program suited me because I could work according to my schedule and still continue with my accounting & consulting business. The timing in my life was perfect, the support system was awesome; and in a few months I was transformed into a capable and confident yoga instructor. I am so grateful to the Ananda Yoga Studios community and specifically to Melissa Williams a.k.a ‘Boss Lady’ :) She knows when to be patient and allow for growth & individuality and when to challenge us to nudge us past our comfort zones.

Jessica Monkcom
I am so grateful for Melissa and the team at Ananda Yoga Studios to have guided, challenged and inspired me in fulfilling my dream of becoming a yoga yeacher. From the moment I communicated with Melissa about my goals and expectations for the YTT program, I instantly felt a connection and sensed her love and devotion to yoga and knew that the Ananda Yoga Studio was the only choice for me to deepen my yoga practice. As a full-time school teacher, I found Melissa was beyond accommodating with my busy schedule and we shared many laughs and late nights together along the way. As expected, I was provided the tools and experience to become a yoga teacher, but what I didn't expect was the love and close friendships that have evolved as a result of the wonderful and talented staff members at Ananda Yoga Studios. Every day I look forward to seeing the yogis and yoginis that have helped shaped me and my teaching delivery. Thank you HYA for your inspiring and continued support. Namaste.

Heather O'Neill
I remember being one of the first clients of Hot Yoga Aurora. The humble and comforting environment fostered my love for Asana and practice. As I expanded my practice to other studios and teachers, I always found myself grounded to Melissa Williams, the Director of Hot Yoga Aurora. It was her teachings that inspired me to strive to become a teacher myself. The program offered through HYA is comprehensive and Melissa has developed an incredible curriculum and team of Teachers that support your training. Each of them will give you many insights and encourage your personal growth. Melissa’s style of teaching truly offers gentle guidance and she cultivated not only my transition from student to teacher – but from student to yogini. I learned that yoga does not seek to change the individual, but rather allows you to find a natural state for total health and to integrate it and make it your own reality. Thank you Melissa, Laura, Darlene, Mike, Lynn, Henny, Jim and Naz for everything you taught and shared with me. Namaste.

Adriana Correale
The YTT program at Hot Yoga Aurora was a life-changing experience for me. I met and made some really great friends and learned so much about myself in the process. Melissa's program is an intense journey that prepares you to be a knowledgeable, spiritual, and confident yoga teacher. There is no pressure to complete by a certain time and with Melissa's support and guidance I have progressed through the program with ease and enjoyment. The various teachers and students I've met along the way have been great mentors and friends and have provided me with the tools necessary to be the kind of yoga teacher I want to be. Many Thanks, Namaste.

Ashley Ward-Williams
Melissa and the team at Hot Yoga Aurora have inspired me beyond belief. The incredible passion and endless knowledge that was passed along helped me to expand my own personal practice as I, in turn, began to blossom into an instructor. The guidance and encouragement from the facilitators created a comfortable, supportive environment to learn in and build confidence in myself. The hands-on practicum teaching hours at the studio have been an invaluable opportunity. With a full-time job and many other activities on the go, the flexibility of the program helped me maintain balance. I cannot thank HYA enough for my experience in the program and look forward to the future with all of the wonderful people I have met along my journey!

Candice Rahman
The yoga teacher training program at Hot Yoga Aurora went above and beyond my expectations. Melissa and her team have played an integral role in what has been a life-changing experience for me. Their patience, guidance, passion, and flexibility have been at the core of this experience and I will always be grateful for this. Thanks to the team at HYA, I can now confidently help students reap the full benefits of yoga mentally and physically. I look forward to a continued relationship with HYA on my yoga journey. Namaste.

Erin Ward-Williams
Hot Yoga Aurora's Teacher Training Program was wonderful and very accommodating to my busy schedule. Melissa and her team are just so full of knowledge. I learned more than I could have imagined. The studio has a true sense of community between both teachers and teacher trainees. The experience has been life changing and has allowed me to find my style of teaching while furthering my journey in yoga. Thank you HYA for your ongoing support!

Kathryn Rutherford
There was no doubt in my mind that Hot Yoga Aurora was the place that I wanted to complete my RYT-200. As a student, I found the studio was welcoming and warm. It very quickly became my home away from home. As my studies in the yoga world deepened, so did my relationships with the other lovely yogis that were on the same path as me. I was so fortunate to build meaningful friendships with people from so many walks of life. Melissa's kind and gentle ways of teaching made even some of the hardest Asanas and deepest philosophies seamless and easy to understand. I am eternally grateful for the opportunity I had to do my teaching with Melissa and my other teachers at HYA and would recommend it to anyone.

Rachel Cheam
The path to becoming a yoga teacher is one of Self-Discovery and Community. From the moment you step into Hot Yoga Aurora’s space, you instantly feel a connection. Hot Yoga Aurora attracts like-minded individuals that are supportive, kind, and most of all fun to be around! That is why I chose to take my journey with Melissa and her skilled faculty. As expected, I was provided with all the necessary tools of the trade to make my dream of teaching yoga a reality. Even more, I gained the confidence and passion of sharing the practice of yoga with others, and learnt a lot about myself along the way! Ultimately, I believe that the people you surround yourself with during your training directly affects the teacher you become. That is why I ended my search for the perfect training with Hot Yoga Aurora. They’re wise, authentic , and now a part of my family! Thank you so much! Namaste.

Maria Litvak
Taking the 200-Hour Yoga Teacher Training at Hot Yoga Aurora with Melissa Williams was one of the best decisions of my life. I received so many benefits from the course; I am eternally grateful for the experience. My original goal for taking the program was to become a Yoga Teacher—and not only did I achieved my goal but so much more than I could have ever imagined. Melissa’s wisdom and insight into Yoga and Spirituality is nothing like I have seen before. She has given me the knowledge and skills I need to live a balanced and happy life. I feel truly blessed and thankful for meeting Melissa, taking the program, and making friendships in the process. What a gift to have so many experienced teachers sharing their wealth of information and experience. I feel confident with the tools I have learned that are affecting my life and quality gained in each moment—connecting to my inner stillness and finding peace within—so that I can pass on this essential practice to others, truly bringing a balance between body, mind, and spirit.  The Yoga Teacher Training is so much more than learning to lead people through Asanas. While maintaining emphasis on safety in Hatha yoga, it also offers an open door to discover a much deeper and more meaningful side of yoga, providing the opportunity to become a better, stronger, and happier person.

JamieLee Smith
After searching for some time I finally found the perfect place to do my teacher training in Hot Yoga Aurora. When I met with Melissa I instantly felt her compassion for yoga & her natural teaching ability shined through. I feel that taking my training was one of the most rewarding things I have experienced. HYA worked around my hectic life & full time job. Melissa gave me the guidance and encouragement to succeed & achieve one of my life goals. I am thankful to have had the opportunity to study such a beautiful art alongside some of the most inspiring teachers. I look forward to fostering a lasting relationship with HYA.

Natalie Stuart
As a mum with a full time career, I could not have been successful in this program without the flexibility that Melissa offers. I was able to set my own schedule and work at my own pace and, at the same time, be pushed by Melissa to explore all aspects of my journey and expand myself fully. She struck a wonderful balance between warm flexibility and strong guidance! I was also blessed to be able to build relationships with fellow teacher trainees...relationships that have blossomed into friendships as we challenged and supported each other.

April Vande Beek
Hot Yoga Aurora’s Teacher Training program combines a unique approach of both individual and group work. My individual work with Melissa proved invaluable as she tailored her teaching style to best challenge and improve my skill set. Group work with the instructors and fellow Teacher Trainees, enabled me to learn and collaborate with a variety of approaches. The Sangha at Hot Yoga Aurora is built of a beautiful array of personalities and perspectives, and I feel blessed to have begun my teaching journey at this studio.

Betty Fleming
Melissa and her faculty of fantastic teachers helped to make my teacher training journey fun and filled with knowledge. The training was very flexible, I was able to work around my schedule and still express through the course at my pace. I am forever grateful for everyone involved for making me a better me and for giving me the tools to make people better too! Taking my yoga teacher training at Hot Yoga Aurora was the best thing I ever did for myself. Namaste Mera Dost

Amanda Mayo
I appreciated the flexibility of the training, the availability of various yogic philosophy resources and variety of teachers. Melissa was very helpful in providing adequate studio time for private asana practice as well as classes for teaching hours. HYA is constantly offering new workshops for continuing my yoga education and enhancing my RYT200 certification.

Kellie Bales
Hot Yoga Aurora's flexible teacher training schedule gave me the skills I needed to fulfill my dreams of becoming a yoga instructor while maintaining a full time job in another career. The program was informative and inspiring. Melissa is a wonderful teacher, her patience and knowledge were constant throughout. I am so grateful to have her and Hot Yoga Aurora.

Naz Karim
Taking my Yoga Teacher Training at Hot Yoga Aurora with Melissa has been a life changing experience and one of the best decisions I have ever made. The program was completely flexible and structured around my availability. The comprehensive curriculum covered a broad range of topics taught by experienced and insightful teachers. Melissa is knowledgeable, patient, encouraging and a true inspiration. She is driven to see each of her students go on to become amazing teachers in their own right. I am blessed to have encountered Melissa and her wonderful team of teachers on my yoga journey.