Melanie (Madhuri) Phillips

Updated 2021

Author, Yoga Teacher, Energy Healer

Constitution: Pitta-Vata

Melanie is an author, yoga teacher trainer, clinical Ayurvedic specialist, and energy healer. She created the Madhuri Method: 100-hour Ayurvedic Yoga Training and the Inner Empowerment Mentorship program to assist souls in a practical and empowering way to know their own brilliance and experience freedom and self-love. Melanie is passionate about merging ancient wisdom with modern sensibility for transformation and healing. She firmly believes that laughter is the best medicine.

Follow Melanie (Madhuri) Phillips

Articles by Melanie (Madhuri) Phillips

- Emotional Wellness
- December 08, 2020
Beating the Winter Blues
Honoring the natural inward rhythm of winter while avoiding the black hole of melancholy is the dance. Here are a few ways to make the dance smoother this season.
Read Article
- Yoga, Meditation & 8 Limbs
- January 16, 2018
Pose of the Day: Warrior III
Warrior III (Virabhadrasana III) gets its name from its strong energy and the resilience it develops through practice.

It challenges our balance and perspective as we stand on one leg and gaze straight down to the earth beneath. This posture embodies the warrior energy, to stand steady and stable we must also be soft and still in our mind and body.
Read Article
- Yoga, Meditation & 8 Limbs
- December 12, 2017
Pose of the Day: Child’s Pose
The relaxing Child’s Pose (Balasana) is a profoundly restorative posture for the body, mind, and heart.
Read Article
- Yoga, Meditation & 8 Limbs
- November 06, 2017
Pose of the Day: Standing Forward Fold
Welcome to the first article in our new series, Pose of the Day! In this series, we will explore common yoga postures and their effects on the doshas, bodily systems, and energy pathways.
Read Article
- Routines and Rhythms
- October 03, 2017
Daily Rejuvenation in Less than Two Minutes
When I began to study Ayurveda, I was taken by its soulful approach. I recall being touched and moved to tears learning that the root cause of all dis-ease is that we’ve forgotten that we are Spirit.
Read Article
- Fall Recipes and Health
- September 25, 2017
Goodbye Summer! Welcome Fall with this Ritual
As we shift into the autumn season and vata’s hurried tendency starts to creep in, it’s time to intentionally slow things down. By reflecting on the last few months and honoring yourself with some self-care, you will set a positive trajectory for moving into the next season.
Read Article
- Natural Cleanse and Detox Tips
- September 11, 2017
Into the Unknown: My First Ayurvedic Cleanse
Whether you choose to go to a panchakarma center or do a home cleanse of a kitchari mono-diet for a day or more, taking a step in the direction of giving your body-mind time to unwind and be still is healing in and of itself.
Read Article
- Summer Recipes & Health
- August 04, 2017
How to Cool Your Pitta in 60 Seconds
If you find your inner fire, impatience, frustration, or anger building within you, cucumber might be an ally to turn to.
Read Article
- Banyan Community
- March 20, 2017
Meet Our 2017 Catalog Cover Model– Mas Vidal
Mas and I have known of one another for a while, mostly through similar circles and social media. But what a joy to meet him and connect with him for this interview. He’s such a beautiful soul who embodies the wisdom of the Yogic and Ayurvedic sciences.
Read Article

Experience and Education

Melanie is a certified clinical Ayurvedic specialist with advanced training under the direction of Vasant Lad, MASc. Having immersed herself in ashram living and study at the Bihar School of Yoga of India—and having taught since 2000—Melanie’s embodiment of Ayurveda, yoga, and a multitude of energy modalities has earned her excellence in leadership, teaching, and mentorship for those seeking a way home to their intuitive and brilliant nature.

Melanie was a head faculty member, teaching and creating curriculum for the Yoga Teacher Training Program at Langara College in Vancouver for seven years. She was honored to be a guest teacher and speaker at the Toronto Yoga Conference, Vancouver Yoga Conference, NAMA (National Ayurvedic Medical Association) Conference, Wanderlust Festival, Victoria Yoga Conference, International Bellyfit Summit, and Yoga Outreach Retreat.

She has also been a teacher and guide to many students on retreats in India, Europe, Mexico, Indonesia, and North America.

Publications

Melanie is the co-author of Your Irresistible Life: 4 Seasons of Self-Care through Ayurveda and Yoga Practices that Work, and the bestselling author of Living After Loss: A Soulful Guide to Freedom. Learn more about these books at her website.

Upcoming Events

Melanie offers programs to empower you with the wisdom to listen to your body and teach you how self-acceptance is the most profound form of healing. These include Inner Mastery Mentorship programs based in Ayurveda, yoga, and energy work, as well as 100-hour online Ayurveda Yoga Training.

Melanie Phillips

Melanie’s Point of View

How were you introduced to Ayurveda?

I came to Ayurveda after seeing numerous doctors without any of them being able to support me. I had returned from a journey to Asia without any energy. Prior to that trip, I was very active—a trained dancer with incredible vitality. When I came back to Canada, I couldn't walk up a flight of stairs. I was told I had Post Viral Fatigue Syndrome and there was nothing the medical system could offer me.

I began my Ayurvedic studies to heal myself. Over the next ten years, I did exactly that. I used Ayurveda and energy psychology to heal myself and now enjoy being active again: skiing, rock climbing, and mountaineering.

I love sharing the tools of Ayurveda and energy medicine with my clients and students worldwide.

When are you most likely to go out of balance and how do you bring yourself back in balance using Ayurveda?

I'm most likely to go out of balance when I don't eat properly! I always carry food with me and make sure I eat my meals regularly to ground the pitta and vata energies that can easily go out of whack.

What does the future of Ayurveda look like to you?

To me, ideally, the future of Ayurveda will be based on understanding and appreciating all forms of healing for the body-mind, bringing the best of the East and the West together.

What's one Ayurvedic practice anyone can implement to spur change in their life, right here, right now?

Slow down and breathe. ;)