The Australian Centre for Meditation and Mindfulness (ACMM) is a National and International Meditation Teacher Training Organisation that offers unique courses making study a pleasurable and enlightening journey. Our courses are conducted online with optional in person retreats and we have harnessed the gifts of accessible modern technology to create a community of students that is vibrant, connected, interactive and dynamic. Our students, graduates and coaches are doing wonderful work and providing inspiration, assistance and encouragement to each other. The opportunities are numerous for students to communicate and share and for students to receive close knit and encouraging support from our coaches.
Our mission is to increase personal and global peace and wellbeing by training and supporting meditation teachers that work from the heart and bring a holistic approach to teaching meditation, mindfulness and wellbeing.
We teach by compassionately supporting the individual journeys of our students with heartfelt encouragement and validation, and with honest feedback and direction. That is why the majority of our teaching is done on a one on one basis with students.
At the Australian Centre for Meditation and Mindfulness (formerly the Australian Centre for Holistic Studies) we pride ourselves on delivering courses that are easy to access, easy to follow and understand even if you haven’t studied for a while, very well supported with lots of one on one training, inspiring, life changing and most of all that truly help you develop the skills you want to achieve.
We are blessed to have the most wonderful team of dedicated teachers and coaches who wholeheartedly believe in their work and really walk their talk. Our work is a complete joy to us and this comes through in how we interact with and support our students.
Simply because:
- The Australian Centre for Meditation and Mindfulness has a flawless reputation for delivering high quality courses with 5 star Facebook reviews and happy students and graduates.
- One on one training throughout your studies with our fantastic coaches. Read about them on our home page. All our coaches are leaders in bringing meditation out into the community and the wider culture and work in the field.
- Opportunities to train with other students built into the course.
- Regular interaction and communication with other students available. Face to face training through our retreats.
- Thorough and effective training that is easy to access and holistic in nature and delivery.
- Our courses provide a deep, nurturing learning experience that enhances your personal and professional development. Lisa’s background as a holistic living counsellor and teacher means that the personal growth aspect that underlies meditation is a feature of our training.
- Learn to create original meditations (not using templates) and deliver them live with no script.
- Be able to create meditations for any audience (corporate, support groups, community groups, children, individual clients, health retreats, relaxation groups etc.) with our electives.
- High quality training that is professionally written, presented and conducted. Well researched scientific and psychological information is utilized in preparing our coursework. Our training is in depth, thorough and very practical.
- Our meditation teacher training courses are accredited by the Meditation Association of Australia (MA) and the International Institute of Complementary Therapists (IICT).
- The team at the Australian Centre for Meditation and Mindfulness is constantly updating our training materials and offerings, so you know that you are getting the best training that we can possibly provide. Our coaches work as meditation teachers and are at the forefront of their fields of expertise.
- Our Eco policy ensures that we are 95% paper free, our manuals are delivered in pdf format and our team all work from their homes. This means less commuting, less paper, less power and less waste. ACMM cares for the environment in a very practical way.
Meet Lisa
“Leading up to founding ACMM, I completed a BA(Hons) at Melbourne University and later a Diploma in Holistic Living Counselling , Advanced Certificate in Counselling Children Holistically and a Cert IV in Workplace training and assessment. I have also trained in Reiki and other healing modalities. I have spent 6 years training and teaching alongside my teacher Alannah Dore. I taught the Certificate in Holistic Communications and Diploma in Holistic Living Counselling for the Melbourne region based at Deakin University. My work with Alannah involved facilitating personal development and holistic living retreats in Byron Bay and Victoria and collaborating in developing educational programs and events. I have been working in private practice as a Holistic Living Counsellor for 14 years and more recently as a holistic children’s’ counsellor. I run workshops and presentations in schools, at universities, support groups, private organisations, conferences and training events on meditation and self support. In 2017 I was invited to join the board of Meditation Australia, and present workshops and masterclasses at the 2018 Australian Meditation Conference. In 2021 I took up the Vice-President’s role.
Meditation has been a part of my life since I was 16 and in my final year of high school (and experienced my first stressful experience of exams). I returned to it in a more committed way later in life to help me manage problems in very tough times. In those times, meditation allowed me to experience myself as a wiser and more expanded person. Removing myself from the limitations of my current thinking, allowed new solutions to present and helped to relieve the stress I was going through.
17 years ago I started facilitating meditation groups and loved sharing this inspirational healing tool with others. Our meditation experiences were wonderful and as the group grew a core group of us stayed together. The longer we meditated together, the more miracles occurred in our lives and meditations. Each week was an exciting new adventure as we explored our inner worlds together. Over time I developed a unique technique for guiding meditation that worked well in my group. Members of the group accelerated their personal growth quickly and long running members of the group asked me to teach them my technique so that they could start teaching. This was the beginning of my meditation teacher training course that I originated and has since been developed and expanded to include many more techniques and teachings.
The courses taught at ACMM have evolved organically through my own curiosity and need. I have gone through a deeply holistic, personal and professional research process in creating both the core meditation teacher training and the electives. See my videos on the course pages for more information.
Taking time for yourself can be the greatest gift you can give yourself on a daily basis. This can become a fundamental practice that brings health, well being and support to you for the rest of your life- like a trusted friend. The benefits flow in all directions of your life and those you come in contact with. The deep understanding of this daily miracle is the foundation for teaching meditation. ”
Listen to an interview with Lisa on the Wild Success Podcast with Lizzie Moult here.
— Lisa Forde –(
Our Supportive Teachers
Julie Bond-Rowe
Julie has been coaching meditation students at ACMM since 2012 and has authored the “Bringing Mindfulness Home” and “ Mindfulness and Buddhist Psychology” Electives and “Meditation for Kids” Program. She has co-authored the “ Meditation for Parents and Children” elective and coaches these programs. She regularly works on improving and updating the Core Manuals (Sessions 1-8) and is the lead Assessor on for the Assessment and Case Study team. She is also on our Coaches Support and Management Teams.
Julie was introduced to meditation in her teens. She pursued this path in her 20’s by studying the art of Transcendental Meditation at a time of experiencing huge challenges with her mental health and this began her successful healing journey. She found Reiki, completing a year long Reiki Master Healer Training, travelled to Nepal to study Buddhist philosophies and Meditation in the Mahayana tradition, and completed a Diploma in Shiatsu Therapy. Her further education has consisted of training professionally in Tarot reading, a Certificate in Holistic Communications and she is currently studying her Advanced Dip in Holistic Living Counselling. She is a Senior member of the Meditation Association of Australia, an accredited Mindfulness Teacher with the International Mindfulness Teachers Association (IMTA) and member of the International Institute of Complimentary Therapists (IICT). She runs the popular meditation site: childrensmeditation.com.au providing support for children of all ages and their families.
Julie met Lisa in 2003 when she joined Lisa’s meditation group. Loving instantly this form of Meditation, she became a regular and then went on to complete the Certificate in Guiding and Teaching Meditation. She moved to rural Victoria with her husband and began running meditation groups – Grounded Mind Meditation locally.
“As a young child I had a sense of awareness, that there was a part of me that was calm and unwavering and also limitless. I began to see this more clearly as a teen and miraculously (!?) was introduced to meditation at my high school. That moment changed my life. Now I see that being able to support myself, my family, friends and community with mindfulness and meditation how incredibly life enhancing this has been. I feel extremely grateful to have learnt this powerful healing tool and be able to share it.”
Morgan Jai-Morincome
Morgan is a qualified and experienced meditation & mindfulness guide & coach and depth psychotherapist.
She has taught in both mainstream and special education settings from pre-school to university, as well as almost a decade in inclusive adult community education and cultural development. Raised from a young age amongst a yogic community, Morgan was immersed in a variety of meditation approaches, sacred sound practices and healing modalities from childhood and continues to be a lifelong learner and practitioner across different wisdom traditions and psycho-spiritual approaches.
She has completed certified training with ACMM and post-graduate qualifications in holistic counselling and psychotherapy. Morgan runs her own business Sacred Inner Wild in Canberra offering individual sessions in person and online as well as meditation circles. Her professional and personal experience creates a safe, compassionate, creative and sacred space for her clients and students. Her deep understanding of body and voice work, healing modalities and yogic practices make her the perfect coach for the Chakras elective and her knowledge and experience as a psychotherapist & meditation practitioner are a rich resource for those who work with her through the elective Supporting Anxiety & Trauma with Presence. Morgan also brings her deep compassion, empathy and understanding to her role in the Student Wellbeing Team.
Kate Gee
Kate runs her own meditation business: “Beach Buddha Meditation” on the stunning Bellarine Peninsula in Victoria. She incorporates meditation circles, beginner’s classes, workshops, 1 on 1-mindfulness sessions for children, school Mindfulness programs, working with NDIS recipients, Reiki and crystal healing sessions.
Kate was a primary and special needs teacher for over 30 years. Upon retirement, she decided to combine her love for meditation and teaching to form “Beach Buddha”. This passion for working with children has also resulted in the development of an original Primary School Mindfulness Program: ‘Mindfulness & Me.’
Kate’s meditation practice began 20 years ago through a life trauma that drew her to learning meditation. Kate completed the Graduate Diploma with ACMM and has been leading meditation circles now for over 12 years. Kate’s extensive experience in education makes her perfect to support Julie with on the Assessing Team and as assistant coach for the Parents and Children’s Elective. She has recently authored and coaches the “Heart Centred Practices” elective.
“I am passionate about creating a nurturing space for others to connect to their own inner wisdom. I feel it is a privilege and joy to teach and guide others in meditation and mindfulness; particularly children. To foster that connection and to find space in this frenetic world in which to discover happiness and creativity; is of great importance. I am so grateful and blessed to experience the contentment, inner peace and wisdom that meditation brings into my life. I am keen to share what I have learnt with others and laugh lots on this journey together.’’
Email: kate@meditationandmindfulness.com.au
Tim James
Tim’s business Meditation Life, based in Adelaide, supports people to bring meditation into their everyday life, to connect deeply with their inner calm and find the wisdom that lies within.
Tim sees his coaching role with ACMM as an ideal marriage of his passion for supporting people through his expertise as a life coach and meditation teacher. After managing a charitable organization in Adelaide for several years, he now works full time as a Meditation Teacher and ACMM coach.
Tim has a Certificate IV in Life Skills Coaching, Certificate IV in Training and Assessment, has studied Quantum Touch Energy Healing and has completed the Diploma at ACMM.
Tim’s path, like that of many, has not always been easy. From anxiety, panic attacks and burnout some 17 years ago, he began a deep inward journey. The benefits of meditation have been profound for his own healing journey and he loves sharing meditation with his weekly groups. He also enjoys bringing mindfulness practices and meditation to the corporate world and exploring self-inquiry meditation with groups on retreat.
In the time that Tim has been part of ACMM he has made some important contributions; authoring the “Deepening through Meditative Inquiry” elective, and the ” Corporate Meditation and Mindfulness” elective, and joining the ACMM management team.
“I feel very blessed that meditation came into my life at a time of deep need and also now that I am able to teach others this beautiful expression of who we are. Meditation is intimate and expansive, it connects us to our essence and opens us up to our connection with others and our surrounds. To be a coach with ACMM is truly humbling. I am blessed to have this opportunity to be a part of your journey.’’
Leanne Russell
Leanne started her personal experience with meditation back in 2001; she found it a great foundation of support during the busy times of life and raising a family. She now has her own meditation business based in the Wollondilly Shire in NSW, and is passionate about connecting to others to bring meditation into their lives.
Leanne has worked as an Early Childhood Educator for over 25 years, has completed the Diploma with ACMM and an Advanced Diploma in Holistic Counselling and Psychotherapy (Process Orientated Psychology). She is also a Reiki Teacher and an Australian Bush Flowers essences Practitioner. She runs classes locally and online – Inspiration Meditation.
She has wealth of experience meditating with different techniques, applying these in her own life and supporting her participants to use these also. Leanne’s gentle and compassionate nature is a gift to her students.
“Meditation has been such a wonderful support in my life. Finding a quiet space for myself, at times of overwhelm and stress, is so valuable. I have the chance to reconnect with an inner calm and find self-reassurance. All that is faced in life, I now face with confidence, and moving forward with meditation as a great foundation. My absolute love of meditation and all the wonders it offers is what I wish to share with others. It makes my heart sing.”
Lauren Howe
Lauren is a meditation and embodiment teacher, coach and Gestalt psychotherapist in training based on the Sunshine Coast, Qld. She runs her own business using these modalities to support women to heal their relationship to self, the feminine, others, and the natural world.
Lauren has experience running retreats, women’s circles, meditation classes for corporate organisations and schools, as well as group classes and courses.
Before becoming a meditation teacher, Lauren, with a background in law, worked for the WA public sector. After experiencing fertility challenges, Lauren was called to explore an alternative path and through this began living more holistically and exploring various healing modalities – which put her on the path to meditation.
Lauren looks forward to working with new students and empowering them along this incredible personal and professional journey. She is also the artist behind our colourful Social Media presence and graphic design.
“My meditation practice has brought me home to my body and the wisdom that resides there, allowing me to live my life more fully and experience what it means to be human. Most importantly it has positively impacted how I relate to the world off the cushion and way I choose to live my life. I am so thrilled to be a coach with ACMM and to share this transformative practice our students and future meditation teachers!”
Jaine Alston
Jaine runs her own business as a meditation teacher & healer in ‘One Breath at a Time Meditation’, in the beautiful Jervis Bay area of NSW working with meditation, Reiki and other alternative therapies. Jaine loves to work with her groups and enjoys learning from her them. She has a passion for life-long study that can support others in finding themselves and manifesting better health and their dreams.
Jaine has been a Registered Nurse for 15 years and has an interest in Pain Management, she has worked with the Acute Pain Service, as an Anaesthetics and Recovery nurse, as a Ward nurse and now supports patients through their surgical journey in a Pre-Anaesthetic Clinic. During this time, she has gained a clear understanding of the emotional, physical, social and mental processes involved in the journey as a patient and how she can best support them holistically.
“My own journey with meditation, before and after completing my certified training and Diploma with ACMM, has seen me be able to utilize many different techniques to support myself and others in life’s ebbs and flows. It is such a pleasure and an honour to be part of other’s journeys, through supporting my students and groups. I truly believe there is a meditation technique out there for everyone, you just have to find it!”
Susie McPhie
Susie runs her own Yoga and Meditation business, Snow Gum Yoga in Cooma, NSW. Snow Gum offers weekly meditation and yoga groups, beginners meditation courses, guest sessions with Government and Non-Government bodies. She has a background in health as a nurse, midwife and maternal and child health clinical nurse specialist for many years, both locally and in Sydney.
Susie brings a calm and grounded approach to her teaching and her students here at ACMM are compassionately supported under her guidance.
“I have always believed in the power of the mind and the human potential to be able to improve our happiness quotient and our ability to manage physical and emotional pain. Learning the variety of skills taught at ACMM, and managing to put them into practice, has really change my life.
I experience greater levels of peace, calm and happiness. Of course, life is never going to be positive all the time, but having a meditation and mindfulness practice allows me to remain afloat even in stormy seas.
Being able to introduce people to simple practices which can enable them to grow, find peace and contentment, as well as to manage the challenges they face, is a huge privilege. It is so exciting to accompany people on their personal journeys.”
Jacqui Mulholland
Jacqui is a meditation teacher, holistic health practitioner, remedial massage therapist and yin yoga teacher and runs her own business called Shine Meditation www.shinemeditation.com.au
Working in natural therapies for over 18 years, her personal journey with meditation began through her yoga practice in her early 20s and meditation then became an integral part of her wellbeing practice and was particularly supportive in coping with the challenges of raising a young family. Jacqui has is passionate about natural and holistic health and she integrates her knowledge and experience into her business. She runs workshops, women’s health support groups, wellbeing programs, weekly movement and meditation classes, and offers one on one meditations to clients. Her passion is working to support women’s health and wellbeing naturally. She has had experience guiding meditation for children, teens, corporate, in community centres and yoga studios. Jacqui holds a Post Graduate Diploma with ACMM and brings kindness, compassion and a nurturing approach to her students on their meditation teaching journey with ACMM.
“Meditation has always been a part of my life in different ways and it continually grows and evolves. I am always learning something new about myself and each day and each practice brings me more insight and a closer connection to Being and Self Awareness. I am so blessed to have found ACMM and honoured to be able to coach students though this incredible process of self discovery through meditation.”
Jen Hill
Based in Adelaide, SA, Jen is passionate about empowering people and sharing the transformative power of meditation, which she does through her business, Right Brain Liaisons coaching individuals, teaching courses, guiding groups, delivering workplace training programs and coaching ACMM students.
Understanding the stresses of modern working life, Jen’s teaching is largely focused on helping people realise presence, peace, happiness, well-being and balance in their life.
With a scientific background, a Post Graduate Diploma in Guiding and Teaching Meditation and Mindfulness (ACMM), a keen interest in mind and body sciences, physics, philosophy, spirituality and ancient wisdom, Jen brings a mix of traditional and modern insight, evidence-based practice, compassion and care to her work.
“Thanks to meditation, I know that finding peace and happiness is an inside job and is available to everyone regardless of who you are or what you do. Thanks to ACMM, I have been gently guided along my path of ‘knowing thyself’ and have the privilege of supporting others along theirs.”
Sammy Wynn
Sammy is a Mindfulness and Mindset Coach who is dedicated to helping others feel more empowered and fulfilled through meditation, mindfulness and mastering their mindset. Sammy runs her own holistic mindfulness business, Still with Sammy www.stillwithsammy.com.au in Engadine, NSW.
Sammy was introduced to meditation from an early age, cultivating within her a deep sense of connection to mindfulness practices. Following significant shifts in her life, leaving a high-pressured corporate job from mental and emotional burnout, as well as experiencing a significant loss, Sammy knows how empowering and supportive meditation and mindfulness can be at any stage of life.
As an experienced Meditation Teacher, Women’s Circle Facilitator, Children’s Mindfulness Teacher, Law of Attraction and Mindset Coach, Sammy supports and guides her clients in deepening their connection with themselves and the world around them through self-awareness and self-reflection practices.
Sammy holds an Advanced Certificate in Teaching and Guiding Meditation with ACMM as well as membership with Meditation Australia Association.
“Mindfulness is much more than meditation, it’s a way of being. Mindfulness is like a beautiful flower that starts as a seed and blooms into every area of our lives. At the centre of this beautiful growth is meditation, a practice that will no doubt enrich each aspect of your being as you undertake this inspiring journey. I feel grateful and honoured to be able to guide students at ACMM as they too welcome the beauty of mindfulness into their lives”.
Brea Willingham
Brea runs her own wellness business in the beautiful coastal town of Innes Park, (Bundaberg) Queensland.
www.breawillingham.net She is a qualified Meditation Teacher, has her Diploma in Holistic Studies, Entrepreneur and Wellbeing and Mindset Mentor.
Brea offers a wide range of wellness services both in person at her home studio and online such as private meditation sessions, group gatherings and healing sessions. She uses movement, sound, intuitive guidance, oracle and tarot guidance, chakra alignment, energy and frequency balancing, crystal therapy and meditation to help her clients.
Brea loves all things personal development and is passionate about health and wellbeing on all levels – Physical, Mental, Emotional and Spiritual. She believes that connection to Self and the Soul essence is where healing takes place and happiness evolves.“Meditation and mindfulness practice is something that lights me up. I’ve always been a very visual person from a very young age and learnt how to properly visualise in meditation at 8 years old. I love the journey that different meditation techniques can take me on, and the feeling of clarity, peace, acceptance, understanding and alignment that cultivate as a result. Its a privilege to be able to guide others along their journey of self-discovery through meditation and mindfulness practice”
Australian Centre for Meditation and Mindfulness supports Save the Children
Save The Children work hard to protect children from harm and help them access quality education and health services.
