Jillian Lavender
Jillian Lavender is a co-founder of London Meditation Centre and New York Meditation Center.
She’s based in London and teaches Vedic Meditation full time.
Personal Bio
When I learned to meditate back in 1995 I had no idea that I would end up being a full-time meditation teacher. At the time I was walking right up to the line of a major burnout. Living in Sydney, setting up a publishing company, spending my life on a plane. I felt tired and stressed.
On the recommendation of a friend I took the course and from that point things changed for me in a big way. My life was still full-on but I could handle it. I wasn’t exhausted. I felt the anxiety melt away. I was better at my job and I was nicer to be around. And I knew it was meditation that was making the difference.
Fast-forward five years and (after a stint in Paris) I was living in London and looking for a change. I quit the big CEO job and travelled for a year. Then I took up the invitation of my teacher, Thom Knoles, to train with him one-on-one in the U.S. and India. In 2003 I graduated and came back to London to start teaching.
In 2005 Michael and I met in India on a retreat and after some long-distance back and forth he moved from LA to London. We live together, teach together and have a daughter so we are partners in every sense.
India is special for us and we’re there at least once a year to teach and study. I feel grateful to be able to teach Vedic Meditation. Helping people be their best has always been the thing that motivates me. In my experience meditation is the tool that has the power to transform. I love seeing that process play out with our students.
Photo Gallery
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Professional Bio
Jillian Lavender: Vedic Meditation and Wellness expert
Jillian Lavender has been teaching Vedic Meditation since 2003. As co-founder of London Meditation Centre and New York Meditation Center, she has helped thousands of people across the globe to transform their lives.
Originally from New Zealand, Jillian held senior business roles in Sydney, Paris and New York. During this demanding time leading global publishing companies, she learned Vedic Meditation. The improvements to her life were immediate — stress levels began to dissolve and fatigue quickly subsided. This inspired her to become a teacher and share these benefits with others.
Alongside teaching meditation, Jillian speaks to groups about stress, well-being, and the impact of becoming more mindful in their daily lives. She is also an expert in Ayurveda and consults on health, diet, sleep, fertility and lifestyle. She delivers this ancient knowledge in an accessible and practical way.
Jillian’s first book, “Why Meditate? Because it Works.” came out in July 2021, receiving praise from The Guardian, The Times, Harpers Bazaar and more. The book is a modern, trustworthy explanation of what meditation is, and most importantly, what it will do for you. She busts common myths and explains the science and benefits of meditation with a clear and easy approach. Beautiful illustrations, real-life stories from students, and simple starter tips weave together to form a foundation to truly understand meditation and inspire you to seek a practice of your own.
IN THE PRESS
We’re really pleased to have been noticed in the national and international press.
Here are just a few places we’ve been featured:
