Vedic Meditation with Alya Hopkins
A four-day beginners course in Vedic Meditation, taught in Coffs Harbour and across the Coffs Coast — and in Slovenia and online. One effortless technique you practise on your own, twice a day, for life.
Based in Coffs Harbour, NSW · Taught in the lineage of Thom Knoles
What is it costing you?
Most people come to Vedic Meditation carrying one of these. Tap a card to see what changes.
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You can’t switch off at night
The day keeps replaying after your head hits the pillow. Sleep gets shorter and lighter. And using caffeine as a band aid over a gaping wound isn’t a solution to the long term problem.
Each meditation lets the body discharge the day’s stress. The nervous system winds down on its own, and sleep starts arriving without a fight.
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You’re always a little on edge
It becomes the weather you stop noticing. Slowly it decides which invitations you accept and which risks you take, until a smaller, quieter life starts to feel like the sensible one.
As accumulated stress clears, the background hum quietens. There is more room to think, and more of your choices get made from calm rather than caution.
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Your family gets what’s left of you
Work takes your sharpest hours and your family gets the version of you that’s running on empty. Years of half-present evenings add up to a relationship you didn’t mean to have.
Rest twice a day means the evening arrives with something in reserve — the attention and patience the people at home actually want from you.
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You snap at things that don’t deserve it
The small eruptions leave residue: on your team, on your kids, on your own idea of the person you are. You apologise more than you’d like and trust yourself a little less.
The pause between what happens and how you answer gets wider. You respond on purpose instead of reacting, and the apologies get rarer.
Wondering if it’s for you?
Thom Knoles — Alya’s teacher — on how to decide whether to learn.
The Beginners Course in Coffs Harbour & beyond
Four consecutive days, about ninety minutes each — on the Coffs Coast or in Slovenia. You leave with the full technique for life.
- Four in-person sessionsOne-on-one on day one, then three days of guided practice.
- A technique that’s yours for lifeNo ongoing fees, ever.
- Follow-up & group sittingsRegular check-ins so the practice sticks.
- Lifetime revision, anywhereFree access to any beginners course, with Alya or in Thom Knoles’ worldwide lineage.
Europe · 2026
Australia · 2026
Book an intro talk
Advanced courses with Thom Knoles (Exploring the Veda) also run in Slovenia (11 – 13 Sept) and on the Coffs Coast (24 – 26 Sept & 23 – 25 Oct) in 2026.
About Alya
Alya Hopkins teaches Vedic Meditation on the Coffs Coast of New South Wales, in Slovenia, and online, one-to-one and in small groups. She is an Independent Teacher of Vedic Meditation, trained by Thom Knoles.
Her work is simply to hand you the technique, make sure you can do it on your own, and stay available while it becomes a habit.
Coffs Harbour, NSW 2450, Australia
Where do I teach Vedic Meditation?
In-person beginners courses run in Coffs Harbour and across the Coffs Coast, with regular courses in Slovenia and one-to-one instruction anywhere in the world online.
- Coffs Harbour Home base — beginners courses and group sittings run here through the year.
- Port Macquarie Regular beginners courses down the Mid North Coast.
- Bellingen Courses in the hinterland, a short drive from Coffs Harbour.
- Slovenia Beginners and advanced courses several times a year across Slovenia.
- Worldwide · online Learn one-to-one over video, wherever you are.
Before you decide
Where are the courses held?
In-person beginners courses run in Coffs Harbour and across the Coffs Coast, with regular courses in Port Macquarie, Bellingen and Slovenia. One-to-one instruction is available worldwide over video.
Do I need any experience?
None at all. The course is designed for complete beginners, and being “bad at meditating” is not a thing here. The technique is effortless by design.
Is Vedic Meditation religious?
No. It’s a mental technique, not a belief system. People of every faith and none practise it. You aren’t asked to adopt any philosophy or lifestyle.
My mind never stops. Will it still work?
Yes — that’s exactly who it’s for. You don’t stop thoughts or push them away. The practice uses the mind’s natural tendency to settle, so a busy mind is not an obstacle.
How much time does it take each day?
Twenty minutes, twice a day, sitting comfortably in a chair. Most people fit it around the start of the day and the late afternoon.
Do I have to attend the intro talk first?
Yes. The free intro talk is a short, no-obligation online meeting and a prerequisite for the course. It’s there so all your questions are answered before you commit to anything.
What does the course cost?
The course fee and any concession options are covered in your free intro talk, so you can ask everything and decide with the full picture. The technique, follow-ups and lifetime revision are all included in the one fee.
What people are saying
Google reviews from students who’ve learned Vedic Meditation with Alya.
I found the whole experience extremely helpful to my progress on the yogic path. Alya made the experience very natural, calm and enlightening. I certainly look forward to learning more with Alya and the community around her. Namaste ❤️
I have been a practitioner of Transcendental Meditation and the extended ‘TM Sidhis’ program for many decades. Vedic Meditation, as taught by Alya Hopkins, is the same time-honored technique passed down through a long lineage of masters including Maharishi Mahesh Yogi and his protege Thom Knoles – Alya’s teacher. I can highly recommend Alya Hopkins as a sincere and loving soul who goes above the ‘call of duty’ in teaching this wonderful life skill.
Alya is a kind, attentive teacher. The practice itself has been surprising — in quiet and unexpected ways. She prepared me for all of it, and I never felt alone in the process. I’m grateful.
I feel so grateful to have learned the one on one 4 day Vedic Meditation course with Alya Hopkins. She is such a wonderfully gentle and compassionate guide. Her training was absolutely A1 — thorough, clear, and delivered in a way that made everything easy to understand and integrate. I couldn’t recommend her more highly to anyone considering learning Vedic Meditation.
I have found Vedic meditation to be beneficial in all areas of my life. I felt welcome and relaxed, and although I was uncertain that I could become self sufficient in my meditation after 4 days of teaching, that’s exactly what happened. Alya’s calm and thorough approach has set me up to continue benefiting and evolving with my meditation practice.
I found Vedic Meditation simple to learn and honestly underestimated just how effective it would be. I was taught by the kind, calming, and caring Alya, and her gentle, supportive approach made the whole experience feel welcoming and stress-free. Thank you Alya 🥰
Would highly recommend Alya
Alya is warm, personable and professional. I highly recommend her. A pleasure working with a professional.
I feel blessed to have met Alya and allowing her to take me along on my first Vedic Meditation journey. I’m looking forward through Vedic Meditation practices to once again feel a sense of connection and calmness and in harmony with everything around me. ❤️🙏
I found Alya to be knowledgeable and generous, and felt like I was learning from a true teacher. It is very easy and pleasant to do and flows naturally while at the same time being powerful in its effects. I am very grateful to have found both Vedic Meditation and Alya who teaches it so well.
Alya taught me and my 11 year old to meditate recently. The personalised teaching we each received was very special and impactful. I am sleeping deeper than I ever have and I feel so much calmer. It’s a lifetime skill for my child and I am thrilled to also have a new way to bond with my daughter.
Highly recommend learning Vedic meditation with Alya. She guided me with care through the learning and practice. I haven’t missed a meditation – it’s so easy and so beneficial.
Alya is very knowledgeable and explains everything in an easy and understandable way and also supports me on my Meditation journey. I found in Alya the perfect person to teach Vedic Meditation and can highly recommend her (and Vedic Meditation) to anyone!
Alya was a wonderful meditation teacher and I really enjoyed my course with her. She explains things clearly and creates a supportive environment for learning and growth. I would recommend Alya for anyone wanting to learn more about vedic meditation.
Alya welcomed me into her home over 4 consecutive days to teach me the ancient art of Vedic meditation. She was accommodating, knowledgeable, easy to speak with and had me feeling confident to continue this journey myself.
Alya is amazing her explanations and guidance is next level – and makes it easy and understandable for first timers – would highly recommend
In only a short time, meditation has already made a huge difference to my life. By guiding me through Vedic Meditation, Alya has helped me reduce stress in my life, become more focused and I feel a calmness in my life that was never present before.
My experience with Alya’s teachings and the addition of vedic meditation into my life has been nothing but positive. Alya is so supportive and generous with sharing her knowledge of meditation and how it impacts our everyday lives.
I feel so grateful to Alya for her generosity with her knowledge and time. Vedic meditation is something I had wanted to learn for decades and I love the relaxed and friendly way Alya teaches it.
Since starting meditation with Alya I have developed a deeper appreciation of each moment in this very short life. Her presence and simple but authentic explanations made it easy for me to embrace Vedic meditation. I feel an inner calm and am more centred, even when dealing with difficult situations. I am more focussed and tasks are done effortlessly and with purpose.
I have just begun my meditation journey and have already noticed a dramatic improvement in my ability to manage stress and to remain calm and focused in my daily life. Alya is a dedicated teacher who gives her full presence during the sessions, creating a welcoming and supportive atmosphere.
Doing my vedic meditation course with Alya has been super beneficial in many ways. Having the knowledge and understanding on how to practice my meditation thanks to Alya, has helped me to relax and boost my energy levels more than a cup of coffee ever could.
Your calmer mind starts with four days.
Reserve a place on an upcoming Beginners Course, or book a free intro talk and bring your questions.