Meet Alya
About Alya, in her words
From a young age, I felt a natural sensitivity to people and a deep interest in understanding inner world. This early awareness shaped the path I would later follow - one of supporting others in finding great ease, clarity, and journey back to Self.
I now support individuals and communities in realising their full potential through meditation teaching and other professional work.
My professional journey began in social work, where I've specialised in frontline trauma relief work. This gave me a strong foundation in understanding the human condition: we are faced with constant challenges and change whilst in this life - and it's where most of struggle and suffering comes from.
Over time, I felt drawn to explore approaches that would offer deeper and more sustainable support, and initially up-skilled in the area of energy psychology by becoming an Emotional Freedom Techniques Master. I continued to seek helpful techniques both effective and gentle in addressing stress and human suffering.
My journey finally led me to Vedic meditation. I meditated twice daily, which helped me maintain a busy schedule, working in demanding roles, parent my teens and ultimately remind me who I truly am.
After several years of prerequisite study in Australia, I responded to a deeper calling and completed an intensive three-moths residential teacher training in Northern Indian Himalayas under my brilliant master teacher, Thom Knoles.Through graduating, I was entrusted with the responsibility of sharing this effortless technique, in accordance with the Vedic tradition, in its purity.
Today, I offer this simple, natural practice of Vedic meditation that enables our physiology to release stress, restore overall balance, and enable expansion of our consciousness and experience of life.
So - WELCOME!
I invite you to explore my offerings and step onto the transformational journey of Vedic meditation practice.
It is a meaningful investment - a return to your own inner stillness, and a sacred devotion to your heart, mind, and your own Being.
In deepest Gratitude to…
My dream would have remained just dreams if it weren’t for my remarkable teacher and others who have profoundly impacted my journey:
Dr. Thom Knoles, PhD
Shri 1008 Mahamandaleshwar Maharisi Vyasanand Giri Maharaj
My teacher Thom is my connection to the lineage of teachers of the Vedic tradition. Thom has personally taught meditation, Vedic philosophy, and applied spirituality to over 50,000 students worldwide. He is a celebrated speaker on cognitive sciences on the relationship between quantum physics, consciousness and on the 5,000-year-old body of wisdom known as the Veda. Thom is the only westerner and a householder to be induced into the Vedic tradition at the highest level. One of Thom's most awe-inspiring and admirable attributes is his unwavering dedication to bringing Vedic meditation to the world in its purity, which he has done for over five decades.
Stephanie Colman and Jamey Hood
I’m beyond grateful to the radiant, shiny soul Stef for opening the door for me to dive deeper into the Ocean of Self and into the expanded state of Being and ultimately inspiring me to become a teacher of Vedic meditation myself.
https://www.stephaniecolman.com.au
Jamey has had an immeasurable impact on me from the very first time we met. She is not only the founder of the Veda Vyasa Book Club but someone whose wisdom, kindness and wholehearted presence profoundly continues to shape my journey.
https://www.jameyhoodmeditation.com
I offer all of them my deepest 'Namah.
Prior and parallel to my Vedic path, in my professional life as a frontline Clinical Social Worker I’ve been beyond fortunate to have been invited to initially travel with the Mind Heart Connect Foundation in a volunteer, professional role and have been a trainer facilitator for the incredible Mind Heart Connect Foundation since 2022.
https://katehelder.com
https://www.mindheartconnect.com/.
Dr. Peta Stapleton, PhD & Kate Helder
Dr. Peta - I have been certified, supported, and continue to be inspired by brilliant Peta since 2017. Peta is the world-leading researcher, author (incl. Hay House), registered clinical and health professional, professor at Bond University. Peta is a Founder of Evidence Based Emotional Freedom Techniques. Peta shares her knowledge selflessly, and is incredibly supportive and encouraging of Evidence-Based EFT practitioners. Peta is also leading a professional team in a premium accreditation program in EBEFT.
Kate - Kate's down-to-earth approach and her commitment to action in bringing EFT to most traumatised communities is what I admire most about her. Kate is a co-founder and co-director of the Mind Heart Connect & Mind Heart Connect Foundation, an author and a social entrepreneur. Kate's belief in me and my role within Mind Heart Connect Foundation makes all thins possible, especially when it comes to expanding the reach to where our work is truly needed.
https://katehelder.com
And last but not the least my professional mentors and trainers in the EFT world:
Dr. Lori Leyden, PhD & Gary Craig and Sheri Baker
Dr. Lori - A world-renowned trauma healing expert, an author, humanitarian, and transformational leader who I have the privilege to be mentored and guided by since 2018. Lori has brought EFT, her heart-centred work, peace and hope to Rwandan genocide orphans, communities in the USA affected by school shootings, and to Australia into traumatised communities. Lori is the founder of the non-profit Create Global Healing, Project LIGHT.
https://www.createglobalhealing.org/
Gary - In 1995, Stanford engineering graduate and personal performance coach changed the world of somatic therapy when Emotional Freedom Techniques were born. Over the course of 30 years 'EFT' spread across the world in unimaginable ways. I was fortunate enough to be trained directly at the Gary Craig Offical EFT Centre and graduated as EFT Master with Gary himself in both Gold Standard EFT and the Optimal EFT. Since Gary left the physical body in January 2026 I know he would want for effort of healing to continue via EFT and mostly beyond the known layer of the consciousness and the possibilities that come forth from that layer. The sky is the limit, thank you Gary for your service and your lasting legacy.
Sheri - My trainer and a director of the Gary Craig Official EFT Training Centre. For over a year, Sheri patiently guided me through gaining knowledge and skills and taught me how to pay attention to the fine detail and powerful healing possibilities with Optimal EFT. Parallel to that, the incredible Sheri helped me further develop to hear my intuition louder and clearer. Sheri is one of the kindest souls I have ever met.
It goes without saying that I'm beyond thankful to my family and close friends for their unwavering support and for journeying alongside me. You know who you are.
MY ENDLESS LOVE TO YOU ALL !
