Yoga Teacher Training
Become a Certified Yoga Instructor with Our Comprehensive Program
You are invited on a sacred journey of self discovery, expansion, learning, and growth.
Through our eight weekends together, you will not only deepen your connection to your inner-guidance system, but you will also have the opportunity to cultivate a new and profound relationship with your physicality.
You will receive the tools to share this practice in a way that is unique, safe, and authentic to you and your body.
What lights you up about yoga, and how can we magnify that light?
How can you be a catalyst for others to connect to their own inner-guidance system?
How do we create greater UNITY, both within and in commUNITY?
How do we honor the roots of yoga and carry this wisdom as Americans?
Why Choose Root to Rise YTT?
This training is unique in that each immersive weekend centers thematically around a specific chakra. The energetic centers of the chakras are our blueprint for learning and experiencing. Through our eight weekends together, we will work our way from the Root to the Crown as we learn our energetic and physical anatomy, pranayama (breathwork), poses that center around the specific chakra, and so much more. The intention of this training is to assist you in planting a firm foundation through your daily sadhana (spiritual practice), and to awaken you to YOGA (aka union) in all aspects of life. When we begin to live our lives through the lens of yoga, everything shifts.
A note about the "style" of this training: The asana (posture) style of this training could be described as slow flow,rather than vinyasa. There is a heavy emphasis on the breath (pranayama) and linking movement with breath, but this is NOT a vinyasa training. Students will learn the traditional "sun salutation" form, but are encouraged to create sequences that focus primarily on breath, meditation, stillness, balancing the basic elements of physicality, and SLOWING DOWN. The emphasis of the asana aspect of this training is understanding how to balance the body/mind/breath, and making yoga accessible to ALL bodies.
We have an incredible staff of senior teachers who are so excited and passionate about sharing their yoga knowledge with YOU! Each teacher brings their own unique essence and beliefs about what yoga means. This creates a beautiful opportunity for you to explore many aspects and vibrations of yoga and decide how your yoga wants to be expressed in the world. It is our desire to help craft practitioners and teachers who are "mindful weavers" of breath, stillness, and movement. We bow deeply to the roots and traditions of yoga, while also exploring how we can honor and grow yoga mindfully within our American culture. We discuss and explore the difference between appropriation and appreciation of this powerful wisdom tradition.
Not only do we offer you the opportunity to dive deep into the many aspects that make up the yogic tradition, but you will also get to experience many out-of-the-box breakthrough exercises to connect you to yourself, your voice, and your power in a profound way. Whether you decide to teach or not, this experience will change the way you look at, and move through the world.
The intimacy of a small group (13 people max) is such a beautiful gift. By the end of the training, you will truly feel like you have a new soul family.
This Training Will Include:
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Anchoring In Your Sadhana For Transformation (daily spiritual practice)
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Teaching Methodology: posture breakdowns, sequencing, languaging, etc.
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Anatomy/ Kinesiology - including a visit to the Colorado Learning Center of Human Anatomy
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Chakras/ Energetics
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Philosophy: The Eight Limbs of Yoga & Tantra
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History of Yoga
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Being Trauma Informed & Understanding The Nervous System
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Yoga & Social Justice - Stepping off the Mat & Advocating for UNION
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Adjustments/Touch
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Meditation
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Intro to Ayurveda
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Pranayama and Be Free Breathwork
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Basic Prenatal and Yoga Postures for Disabilities
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Expanding the WHAT IS of Yoga
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The Business of Yoga
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Experiences of multiple styles of yoga including: Bhakti Yoga, Yoga Nidra, SATYA, Para Yoga, Yin, and Partner.
Your Teachers
The training will consist of 8 full weekend immersions
2025 Weekend Dates:
Jan 10-12
Feb 7-9
March 7-9
April 11-13
May 9-11
June6-8
July 11-13
Aug 8-10(testing)
Times:
Fridays: 6-9pm
Sat: 9am-5pm
Sun 9am-5pm
Location:
The Be Free Healing Center
1006 Spring Creek lane
Ft Collins CO 80526
Testimonials
"When I enrolled in this training, I knew it would be life changing..But the depths to which we traveled within ourselves to truly be the highest version of who we are not only as future yoga teachers, but as people, have made me forever grateful and fully ready to embrace what the future holds for me as my journey continues. Melanie, with her decades of experience and wisdom, creates a space of compassion while encouraging growth and cultivation of one's own unique voice. The guest teachers, engaging field trips, and the emphasis on moving through the chakras made this an experience I will never forget. I couldn't recommend this Yoga Teacher training more fully. Thankful! "
-Melissa Robinson '24
“Attending the Be Free “Root to Rise” 200hr YTT was really a leap of faith. I knew that Yoga had provided me a basis for strength in my mind, body, and soul, during some very difficult years, but the progression through each chakra really allowed me to be a witness to my own transformation. Melanie, and each guest instructor were amazing, and extremely knowledgeable in their teachings.
Each teaching provided the opportunity to facilitate my own growth, while honoring the process of arriving at true “inner peace “. I would highly recommend this program, not only to those wishing to become instructors, but those wishing to embark on a journey of true self discovery.
I am humbled, and grateful for the space and opportunity provided by Melanie and Be Free. “
Sally W
"Root to Rise was one of the most transformative experiences of my life, thus far. Melanie has cultivated a container that deeply honors the philosophy, tradition and lineage of yoga in all its forms, while fluidly interweaving her own eclectic knowledge and magic. Her emphasis and devotion to inclusivity allowed for me to soften into the experience and delve into self-study with a knowing that I was safe and supported throughout that process. Melanie’s use of the chakra system as a guide helped me to peel back the layers of self and explore the beauty of yoga in a way that felt digestible, yet thorough.
The guest lecturers provided a broad range of information that evoked inspiration and gave me an idea of where I’d like to focus my energy as I continue to deepen my knowledge and practice of yoga. I am beyond grateful for the opportunity to get to meet my inner teacher, and to have become more aware of the teacher in all. If you’re looking for a well rounded and deep introduction to yoga teaching, look no more.
Thank you Melanie for exceeding my expectations for what a YTT can be. I am so excited to nurture the seeds that have been planted in Root to Rise 2022!"
- KC Trujillo '22
"I completed Root to Rise YTT in August 2022. In the year following, I’ve kept a home yoga practice regularly, but more significantly, I’ve sustained a life yoga practice that defines my purpose and my relationship with the world. I started law school just days after our Root to Rise closing circle. While the glow and freshness of graduation has worn, the warmth has transformed into a feeling of absolute presence in all my actions. What a gift to experience acceptance and gratitude for all the highs and lows of life. Thanks to the heart-centered work of Root to Rise, as I navigate the notoriously anxiety-inducing atmosphere of law school and legal internships, I’ve enjoyed an err of authenticity that is so palpable to others that it can change the tone of conversations to constructive and compassionate exchanges. As I look forward to a life-long legal career, I am so thankful to Melanie for creating an 8-month container where I walked away feeling confident and safe in my body such that I can pursue my passion to restore justice for others, while unapologetically expressing myself. I cannot speak highly enough of this incredibly transformative program. Thank you, Be Free. Thank you, Melanie."
-Hannah A '22
“The entire experience empowered me to have the belief and confidence to be ok with where I am in my own practice of yoga. This in turn, translates to being mentally grounded and giving myself the grace I deserve in everyday life situations.”
- Angela Polenz '23
"I raved about this class to my family and friends for the entire 5 months. I found so much learning, love, and expansion each weekend. Melanie has my great respect. She walks her talk. She is a teacher who is always learning and growing in her own understanding of yoga. She prioritizes the learning and honoring of yoga's roots and the 8 limbs of yoga. She is working hard to be inclusive and to honor the lineages and teachers that have come before us. She invites in speakers with a wide range of skills to expand our understanding. She structures and paces the classes beautifully. She has an incredible depth of knowledge and wide skill set! Melanie is a most remarkable YTT trainer. I feel sure that no one is more competent, compassionate, supportive, collaborative, humble, ethical and qualified for offering 200 hour YTT. This training has impacted my life to a degree that I never anticipated. Thank you Melanie. Much love and appreciation." - Kathy D '21
Ready to Hop In?
Requirements:
A desire to go deeper into your practice. Please note: there is no required "level" of yoga you should be at to join this training. Your body/mind/spirit is invited to show up just as it is.
In addition to our eight weekends together, students will be asked to take a certain number of outside yoga classes throughout the training; to maintain a regular home practice; to write a reflection paper; to keep up with required reading; and to complete both a written final and final teaching presentation.
In order to receive your 200hr certification, you must complete all required work and demonstrate your competence in your final exams. However! This is yoga school... not regular school... the goal is LESS stress, internal alignment, and more awareness... and if you choose to take this journey and don't care about getting the certification, only your presence and desire to grow is required.
Self-Investment Pricing:
Self Investment (Early Bird) : $2500
(Full Price $3000)
registration is now OPEN!
2025 registration is now FULL.
$500 deposit required at registration
Remaining balance can be paid in January, or broken into 8 payments (each weekend)
LGBTQ+ and BIPOC partial scholarships available upon request.
We are committed to making this training available to ALL who feel the call.
Reach out to Melanie if money feels like a block.
More Information:
Please contact Melanie if you are have any questions!
or text/call Melanie@ 970-286-4447
The History of Root to Rise
2024 brings the 10th graduating class of Root to Rise!
Root To Rise was created in 2015 by Melanie Lighthouser and Sohalia (Nicole) Hussain. With over 20 years of combined yoga teaching experience, the two women set out to create a training that was unique and offered students the opportunity to dive deep within and (re)discover their inner teacher. In 2017 Sohalia moved away and Melanie decided to continue the Root to Rise tradition with the help of several incredible guest teachers.
To date, Root To Rise has certified 93 amazing beings to "go forth and share their light". We are so proud of each of these humans!
