Where do you teach?

I teach locally in person in and around Charlottesville, Crozet, and Nelson County, Virginia, and I also travel periodically to teach in other locations.

Private and small-group courses can also be arranged by request — locally or beyond.

Where can I find your upcoming courses and events?

The Upcoming Events section of this site has a current listing of all upcoming introductory talks, courses, workshops and events.

How do I learn Vedic Meditation?

Vedic Meditation is taught in person over four consecutive days, with each session lasting about 90 minutes.

By the end of the course, you’ll have everything you need to meditate on your own — naturally, effortlessly, and enjoyably.

You’ll also receive lifetime access to group meditations, follow-up sessions, and support from me as your teacher.

Learn more about the four-day course here.

I’ve tried meditating before and found it difficult. How is this different?

You’re not alone. Most people come to me after trying apps, guided meditations, or mindfulness techniques that require effort or concentration — and then feel like they “failed.”

Vedic Meditation is different because it’s effortless. It doesn’t require you to focus, control your thoughts, or “empty your mind.” Instead, you use a personalized sound (called a mantra) that allows your mind to naturally settle into a deep state of rest — more restorative than sleep.

By the end of the course, you’ll find yourself looking forward to meditating each day. It becomes something your body craves, not something on your to-do list.

Do I need to sit in a special position or posture?

No special posture is required—just sit comfortably with your back supported , head free and eyes closed.

Is Vedic Meditation the same as Transcendental Meditation (TM)?

Vedic Meditation and Transcendental Meditation come from the same ancient Vedic lineage of teachers in India.

My teacher, Thom Knoles, was trained directly by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, who brought meditation to the West in the 1950s and famously taught The Beatles in India.

I trained under Thom and a team of senior Vedic masters in India for over three months in an intensive 3,000-hour program. Like my teachers, I teach independently of the TM organization.

What does the science say?

The form of meditation taught by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi (and later by Thom Knoles) has been extensively researched for more than 50 years.

Hundreds of peer-reviewed studies have documented its benefits, including:

• Better sleep and less insomnia

• Reduced anxiety and depression

• Lower blood pressure and cholesterol

• Increased energy and resilience

• Improved focus, memory, and creativity

• Greater emotional stability and overall wellbeing

In short — regular practice helps your mind and body recover from stress, restore balance, and function as nature intended.

Is it religious?

No.

Vedic Meditation is a universal, secular practice — a technique for the mind and body, not a belief system.

People of all backgrounds, faiths, and philosophies practice it comfortably, including those who consider themselves spiritual-but-not-religious or agnostic.

How long before I notice results?

Many people notice changes within the first few days, with benefits growing over time through regular practice.

Can’t I just use a mantra I found online?

No.

The mantra used in Vedic Meditation is a specific sound chosen just for you by your teacher during a traditional ceremony called a puja.

Mantras found online (or shared casually) are not properly “activated” and will not produce the same effect. The personal selection and initiation process are what enliven the mantra and allow it to create deep transcendence.

My friend gave me their mantra — can I use that?

Think of your mantra like a personal prescription — what works beautifully for one person could have no effect (or even an adverse one) for another.

Your mantra is chosen based on factors such as age, life stage, and physiology. Using someone else’s would be like taking their medication without consulting your doctor — not recommended.

I perform best under pressure. Will meditation dull my edge?

Actually, the opposite happens.

Stress can feel like it gives you an edge, but it’s really just borrowed energy from your future self. Over time, that debt comes due — often as burnout, illness, or anxiety.

Vedic Meditation allows you to perform from clarity, creativity, and ease, without needing adrenaline to push you. You become more productive, but less reactive — which is true sustainable performance.

Isn’t sleep enough?

Sleep helps, but it doesn’t release stress the way meditation does.

When we sleep, the mind is still on alert, scanning for danger — it doesn’t reach the deepest levels of rest.

In meditation, the mind stays awake while the body rests more deeply than in sleep. That’s what allows old layers of stress to dissolve — the kind of stress that even a good night’s sleep can’t touch.

Why can’t I learn online or through an app?

Vedic Meditation must be taught in person, the same way it’s been taught for thousands of years.

This isn’t something you can learn from a video or book — it requires a qualified teacher who can initiate you into the practice and ensure you’re meditating correctly.

Once you’ve learned, you can meditate anywhere, anytime, for life — but that personal instruction is essential at the start.

Who is Maharishi Mahesh Yogi?

Maharishi Mahesh Yogi was a renowned Indian Guru who brought the ancient Vedic knowledge of meditation to the modern world.

He was the teacher of Thom Knoles, my teacher, and inspired generations of meditation teachers worldwide.

Maharishi’s work bridged the worlds of science and spirit, showing that higher consciousness and everyday life are not separate but deeply connected.

How much does it cost?

The Course Fee: A Tradition of Giving

The course fee for the Four-Day Learn to Meditate program is offered in the spirit of Guru Dakshina — an ancient tradition of honoring the teacher. Traditionally in India, students would bring their teacher flowers, sweet fruit, and the equivalent of one week’s wages. This custom reflects the deep respect and personal value placed on the teachings.

In that same spirit, the fee for this course is offered on an honor-based sliding scale according to household income. I do not verify income and trust you to choose the rate that feels appropriate and respectful. If you need flexibility, I’m always happy to have a conversation — I never want cost to be a barrier.

Why isn’t it free?

There are countless ways to meditate, but they don’t all go to the same depth. Vedic Meditation comes from the original source of these teachings and provides direct access to the deepest, most restorative state of consciousness. If you’re looking for real, lasting change rather than surface-level calm, this practice delivers it — naturally and efficiently.

In traditional ashrams, teachers were supported by the community, so students didn’t pay directly. In today’s world, teachers rely on course contributions to make this work sustainable.

The teaching itself is priceless, but your course contribution honors the tradition, covers your instruction, and includes a lifetime of ongoing support.