Become A Meditation Teacher  |  A 6-Week Meditation Teacher Training Intensive

Become a meditation teacher, expand your knowledge, learn from industry leaders. Introducing the Happy Melon Meditation Teacher Training program. A 6 week, 80-hour, one-of-a-kind program combining the science, history, philosophy and teaching methodology of meditation. This course has been developed by senior teacher Meg James in collaboration with industry experts and the Happy Melon teaching team. Grow and thrive as a teacher through teaching practice, attendance of in-studio shadow classes and personalised 1:1 mentoring sessions.

11am - 5pm, Sunday 1 August, 2021 – Sunday 5 September, 2021.
Upfront Payment: $3,000 / Payment Plan: $3,750. Full details below.

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The Course

Since its inception, Happy Melon has been at the forefront of the modern meditation movement, as a first-of its-kind mind and body studio that blends mindfulness with movement. As Melbourne’s premier meditation studio, Happy Melon is a place of nurture and community, built on the foundation of teaching practices that bring people together.

In 2021 we’re incredibly proud to be launching our best-in-class 80-hour Happy Melon Meditation Teacher Training program, which was developed by our expert accredited teachers and reflects our commitment to the integrity of the practice as well as our diverse and dynamic community.

This unique 80-hour course is specially designed for those who are looking to become meditation teachers, and to those who are looking to further deepen their practice and knowledge through an intensive training program. Our one-of-a-kind program, developed by our senior teacher Meg James, brings together industry experts Sacha Stewart, Zoe Kanat, Daniel Cerny, Annemaree Rowley and Simon Davey, in a robust training program that combines the science, history, philosophy and teaching methodology of meditation with the opportunity to grow and thrive as a teacher through teaching practice, attendance of in-studio shadow classes and personalised 1:1 mentoring sessions. 

Following this program, students will be Australian Meditation Association certified and equipped to bring meditation and mindfulness to their communities and organisations with integrity.

What you will gain: 

• A deeper understanding of the Eastern and Western history of meditation
• The mechanics of stress, the nervous system and how this relates to meditation
• Different styles of meditation and the influences of ancient foundational bodies of knowledge
• The skills, confidence and knowledge to lead guided meditation classes
• The ability the support your students through the experiences they will have during meditation practice
• The ability to speak about the impact of meditation on the mind and body
• An understanding of the ethics and values that support the role of a teacher
• Access to your authentic teaching voice
• The ability to effectively market yourself as a teacher
• A deeper commitment to your own meditation practice
• Connection with a community of like-minded people

Course Requirements and Certification

The Happy Melon Meditation Teacher training is fully accredited with the Meditation Association and is comprised of in-person training sessions, 1:1 mentoring sessions and practice teaching hours (40 contact hours) in addition to assignment work, shadowing meditation classes at Happy Melon, weekly reading material and a daily meditation practice for the duration of the 6-week course (40 non-contact hours). 

The course itself includes theory, practice, group exercises, regular opportunities to guide the class and valuable connection time with your Happy Melon mentors and peers.

Includes topics on the following:

• The Science and History of Meditation & Mindfulness 
• Therapeutic Applications for Meditation & Mindfulness
• A Broad Range of Meditation Techniques (i.e. Mantra, Breathwork, Yoga Nidra)
• Trauma and Trauma-Informed Teaching
• The Happy Melon Teaching Methodology
• Facilitation Techniques and Strategies 
• The Ethics and Professional Considerations of Teaching Meditation 
• The Business of Meditation

In order to qualify for a Provisional Membership with MA, students must:

• Attend at least 80% of the training sessions
• Facilitate 2 x Community Class at Happy Melon
• Shadow 2 x Meditation Classes at Happy Melon
• Meditate for at least 30-minutes daily (21 hours) for the duration of the 6-week course and keep a record of these hours
• Attend 3 x 60-minute 1:1 Mentoring Sessions with a Happy Melon teacher of your choice
• Complete course reading materials as required
• Research and write a 45-min presentation explaining the physiology, psychology and neuroscience of meditation in your own words
• Create two class plans in accordance with the Happy Melon teaching philosophy
• Record their community classes and make feedback notes for their own improvement

The Curriculum

Module 1 - WESTERN HISTORY, PHILOSOPHY & PRACTICES

• The Science of Meditation & Mindfulness
• The History of Meditation & Mindfulness
• The Happy Melon Philosophy & Values

Module 2 - EASTERN HISTORY, PHILOSOPHY & PRACTICES

• Buddhist Philosophy
• Mantra Meditation
• Breathwork & Chanting

Module 3 - STRESS, MENTAL ILLNESS, TRAUMA & RELAXATION

• Therapeutic Applications for Meditation & Mindfulness
• Understanding Trauma and Leading Trauma-Informed Classes
• Yoga Nidra for Rest and Relaxation

Module 4 - THE HAPPY MELON TEACHING METHODOLOGY PART ONE

• How to Craft & Deliver Instruction Skilfully
• Overcoming Common Student Misconceptions & Challenges
• Planning and Preparing Guided Meditation Classes

Module 5 -  THE HAPPY MELON TEACHING METHODOLOGY PART TWO

• Discovering Your Authentic Voice and Teaching Style
• Guiding Diverse Audiences (i.e. corporates, schools)
• Planning and Preparing Workshops & Courses

Module 6 - THE BUSINESS OF TEACHING MEDITATION & MINDFULNESS

• The Ethics & Professional Considerations of Teaching Meditation
• The Business & Marketing of Meditation 
• Creating Quality Content for Online Audiences

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Learn From Industry Leaders 

Meet your course facilitators and mentors

Meg James
Meg holds a degree in Psychology with Swinburne University, an Advanced Diploma of Yoga and Meditation Teaching with the Australian Yoga Academy and an ICF accredited Certificate of Life Coaching with BYCA. She has spent the past 6+ years teaching meditation and mindfulness and working one-on-one with people from all around the world. Meg gently encourages her students and clients to feel their feelings, listen to their intuition, develop their sense of self and manage the thoughts that keep them awake at night. Meg's meditation recordings have been shared internationally through multiple apps such as Insight Timer, Happy Waves and Keep it Cleaner, reaching over 2 million meditators.

https://insighttimer.com/megjames

 

Sacha Stewart
Sacha is a certified meditation and mindfulness teacher through Melbourne Meditation Centre, is a member of the Meditation Association of Australia, plus a certified 200hr Hatha Yoga Teacher through The Practice Bali Yoga.  She holds a double diploma in Kinesiology and Mind Body Medicine from the College of Complimentary Medicine, and is a certified Wellness Coach through Wellcoaches USA. With her formative career as a producer in the advertising and film industries, she knows the pressure of the corporate world, and experienced first-hand how much impact stress had on the mind and body.  Her passion became to educate others in mindfulness and wellbeing practices, to give them the opportunity to use these tools to empower themselves to create work / life balance, increase their vitality, and develop a greater sense of peace and happiness within.

https://insighttimer.com/sachastewart

 

Zoe Kanat
Zoe Kanat is a qualified meditation teacher, mindfulness educator, trained Psychotherapist and Counsellor. She is a tutor at Monash University, Department of General Practice, as part of the Health Enhancement Program led by Associate Professor Dr Craig Hassed. Zoe is also deeply passionate about the art of relaxation, the ancient practice of Yoga Nidra and has spent several years personally and professionally practicing and studying in this area. She is a qualified Yoga Nidra facilitator, specifically in The Daring to Rest Program developed by teacher and author, Karen Brody.  In 2019 Zoe assumed a position on the board of Meditation Association of Australia, the national peak body representing meditation and mediation teachers. Zoe is passionate about sharing the ancient practices of mindfulness and meditation in a direct and accessible way.

https://insighttimer.com/zoekanat

 

Annemaree Rowley
Annemaree is a teacher of classical Hatha Yoga, Yin Yoga, Restorative Yoga, Mindfulness practises and Meditation with over 30 years of experience. The underlying principle of her work is that a healthy body and a calm mind promise exemplary personal and professional accomplishment in all facets of life and her focus is on relieving anxiety and stress for those she works with.

https://insighttimer.com/annemareerowley

 

Jess Krishnan-Nair
Jess is a graduate of the Chopra Centre’s Meditation Teacher Training Program and Perfect Health: Ayurvedic Lifestyle Program led by world-renowned author and holistic medicine advocate Dr Deepak Chopra, Ayurveda and Integrative medicine expert Dr Sheila Patel, and Vedic Educator Dr David Frawley. Alongside teaching, Jess has over 15 years’ experience in various senior roles within large NGOs, specialising in organisational strategy, program design, social enterprise and social impact measurement.  She truly believes that a regular meditation practice enables people to work and live with greater clarity, creativity and efficiency and regularly coaches CEOs, senior management and teams on the benefits of mindfulness and meditation in the workplace. Jess brings a depth of understanding of the intersections between ancient yogic wisdom, modern science and psychology to all of her classes and transcendental meditation courses to help bring greater peace, ease, freedom and inspiration to our busy lives.

 

Daniel Cerny
Daniel has many years of clinical experience as a Naturopath, nutritionist and herbalist, he offers a deep insight and respect for the intimate connection between the mind and body, creating space for others so they can feel at home within themselves. In ever-changing world, the mindfulness practice offers refuge, nourishment and connection. The ability to reconnect with our inner sanctuary — a place of peace, stillness and love, and to develop the inner resources to calm and overactive mind, take greater care of ourselves and to live a fuller and more purposeful life.

https://insighttimer.com/danielcerny

 

Simon Davey
Simon grew up in rural New Zealand which set the tone for a unique and calm upbringing – one he is incredibly grateful for. After finishing his Physiotherapy degree he made the move to Melbourne where he quickly realised how much stress a big city can create. Seeing there was a need for a home-like space where people could slow down and reconnect, he co-founded Happy Melon, a first-of-its-kind studio that blends mindfulness with movement and has meditation at its core. Over the past 5 years, he has led the business to where it is now as one of the leading wellness studios in Australia.

 

Mentorship Program

Within the Happy Melon business we currently facilitate a multitude of weekly meditation classes, regular workshops, corporate programs and courses. To continue to guide the students who have completed our Happy Melon Meditation Teacher Training course and are interested in further developing their skills, we intend to offer the opportunity to practice teaching within these settings as part of an ongoing mentoring system. 

These positions are limited in number and will be granted via an application process.

 

Registration Details

When: Sunday 1 August, 2021 – Sunday 5 September, 2021
6 x 6-hour sessions, 11am - 5pm
Training Location: Happy Melon Studios

 

Investment

Upfront Payment: $3,000 (payment required to secure your spot)
Payment Plan: $3,750 ($750 non-refundable deposit required, the balance to be paid in 3 x $1,000 instalments prior to training commencing)
Investment Includes:

• Teaching and facilitation of the above curriculum at our studio
  
• 3 x 60-minute 1:1 Mentoring Sessions with a Teacher of your choice
• A comprehensive course manual
• A 6-week Unlimited Full Membership to Happy Melon
• Happy Melon water bottle

Spaces are limited to 20 participants so please register early!

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Frequently Asked Questions

Who is this course suitable for?

• Suitable for anyone with two or more years meditation experience that has an interest in guiding or teaching meditation
• Open to students of all backgrounds and fields of work
• Typical participants include yoga teachers, psychologists, counsellors, massage therapists, teachers and others involved in education, health and wellbeing