A Journey to Becoming a Certified Meditation Teacher
For Ann, the journey to become a meditation teacher began with a moment of clarity. After leaving her 20-year career as a journalism lecturer, she found herself at a crossroads, contemplating her next move. While corporate communications seemed like a natural next step, something about it didn’t feel quite right.
“I was walking mindfully around our property trying to find some clarity when the thought of teaching meditation and mindfulness came to me,” Ann recalls. “I felt a sense of calm—it truly was a lightbulb moment.”
With a background in teaching, Ann wanted to approach this new path with a solid foundation. Her research led her to the Australian Centre for Meditation and Mindfulness (ACMM), which she found to be the most comprehensive and engaging program available. She shares that the one-on-one coaching, high-quality curriculum, and Meditation Australia recognition made it an easy decision.
The ACMM Experience
The ACMM ExperienceAnn completed the Advanced Certificate in Guiding and Teaching Meditation and Mindfulness, under the guidance of ACMM mentor Susie McPhie. She found immense value in every aspect of the course, from the mentoring and electives to the supportive community at ACMM.
“I enjoyed just about every aspect of the course,” she shares. “The community is so welcoming, supportive, and helpful. The electives are incredibly well-planned, and I felt deeply connected, immersed, and blessed to do the Meditation for Connecting with Nature elective.”
Beyond developing her teaching skills, the course also transformed Ann’s personal meditation practice. “I used to be a mad multi-tasker, but now you will regularly find me in my sit-space just breathing it all in.”
Founding Marvellous Meditations
Ann launched her meditation business, Marvellous Meditations, which has grown steadily over the past two years. She offers a weekly in-person mindfulness meditation class, which is often subsidised by her local council’s Healthy & Active Program, making it free or low-cost for participants. Her group has now become a close-knit community of regular attendees.
“I love that my classes have emerged in a community setting rather than a corporate one,” she reflects. “There’s something incredibly rewarding about seeing familiar faces return each week.”
Ann also offers one-on-one sessions and courses via Zoom and has plans to start a regular online class soon. Additionally, she creates guided meditations for Insight Timer and hopes to expand her offerings on the platform.
Insights from a Meditation Teacher
Reflecting on her journey, Ann shares some key insights for those starting their teaching careers:
- Trust Yourself: “I never imagined I’d be guiding 30-40 minute meditations spontaneously, but now I can read the energy of the room and trust my intuition to guide the session.”
- Silence is Golden: “Don’t rush your meditations. Take your time and allow quiet moments to create a deeper experience.”
- Start Small and Build Slowly: “I initially wanted to dive into retreats, but I was advised to establish myself as a teacher first. Two years later, I know that was the right call.”
Growing a Meditation Business on a Budget
With a small budget, Ann has found success marketing her classes through Facebook community pages and word of mouth. “Each time I post about my classes, I usually get a few new faces, and participants often bring friends along.” She also utilizes community notice boards in local shopping centers to spread the word.
Future Plans and Further Study
Ann is eager to continue her learning journey with ACMM. While she is carefully managing her budget, she hopes to complete more electives and is considering pursuing the Diploma in Guiding and Teaching Meditation and Mindfulness in the future.
Join Ann’s Meditation Community
Ann invites others to explore her work through her website and weekly blog:
🌿 Website: www.marvellousmeditations.com
📖 Blog: News & Views (subscribe via email: ann@marvellousmeditations.com)
📌 Follow on Facebook: Marvellous Meditations
With her deep connection to nature and mindfulness, Ann’s work continues to inspire those seeking a sense of calm and balance in their lives. “I love the feeling of being immersed in meditation, and I’m grateful I can share that with others.”
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