HappyTree Yoga

With a degree in communications from Concordia University, Melanie Richards launched her career in film and television. An athlete by nature, she turned to yoga to improve her physique and up her chances of landing promising roles in front of the camera. What she didn't expect was the impact the ancient practice would have on her. "Practising yoga made me feel calmer, more grounded and more confident," says Melanie. "I made it part of my daily routine and developed a thirst to know everything about it."

Melanie was so drawn to yoga that she left behind work on sets to pursue her new-found passion full time. With no business experience and plenty of entrepreneurial spirit, she set her sights on opening her own studio. "First I decided I was going to start my own studio," explains Melanie. "Then I figured I should become a yoga teacher."

Melanie completed her yoga teacher training in Ottawa and then headed back to Montreal to get things underway. It just so happened that a friend had a commercial space for rent and another friend was eager to invest in her project. On October 26, 2007, after renovating the space and sprucing up the design, HappyTree Yoga opened its doors in Montreal's west end.