Arden Martin
Co-Founder & Teacher
While working as a burnt-out school teacher, Arden learned Vedic Meditation. Over the next ten years, she experienced a profound shift in her stress, anxiety, and relationship with the world at large. After a year-long teacher training intensive and two pilgrimages to India, she shifted her focus to sharing Vedic Meditation with others.
As a mother, Arden has found meditation to be an indispensable tool for cultivating the connection and inner stability that parenting demands. Arden is passionate about teaching people how to find more ease in their lives while riding the waves of the human experience. She lives and teaches in Central New Jersey.
Rick Little
Co-Founder & Teacher
Rick was introduced to Vedic Meditation over a decade ago while living the fast-paced and demanding life of a senior executive at a high-profile NYC nonprofit. The demands of his work were beginning to take their toll, and he was grateful to find a practice that made him feel more energized, creative, and fulfilled in every aspect of his life.
After learning this effortless practice, Rick discovered that the mental, emotional, and spiritual benefits he received from his longtime yoga practice are also available every time he closes his eyes to meditate.
Two years into his journey with Vedic Meditation, Rick was inspired to become a teacher in order to share this simple yet powerful practice and its life-changing benefits with others. He splits his time between NYC and the Pocono mountains and teaches in both locations, as well as offering occasional courses in Michigan, Washington State, and other parts of the country.
Derrick Yanford
Teacher
Derrick is a former performing artist, dance instructor, director, and choreographer who broke into the industry at the age of 15. As an educator, Derrick has served on the faculties of Connecticut College, The National Theater Institute and STEPS on Broadway where he has helped countless students realize their full potential.
After learning to meditate about 10 years ago, Derrick traveled to India to immerse himself in a certified training program and upon his return founded his own center, Your Best Self Meditation, to share this ancient wisdom with others.
As a mentor, coach, author, and podcast co-host of The Vedic Conversation, Derrick is continually finding ways to connect with and support the wellness community while creating opportunities for greater diversity and inclusion.
Marisa Löwenstein
Teacher
Originally from Argentina, Marisa proudly teaches both in English and Spanish. Marisa learned to meditate a decade ago, at the time she was the Senior Visual Creative Director of an international fashion company. The demands of leading a creative department, combined with the exhaustion from discovering a family member's bout with mental illness led her to look into meditation. The science behind Vedic Meditation is what convinced her to learn.
Meditation allowed her to quickly feel the effects that deep rest have on the body and mind, restoring her health and allowing reconnection with her inner-self. Soon after learning, she felt her creativity and patience increase.
Marisa is an active teacher, designer, and mentor who brings her unique background to support her students in the most personal way.
Mark Price
Teacher
Mark is an integrative wellness and performance coach who's worked with artists, CEOs, and entrepreneurs to help prevent burnout and increase overall states of well-being.
Mark discovered Vedic Meditation after suffering from the effects of PTSD and found the practice to be so transformative that he embarked on a 2 year teacher training process which included studies in Rishikesh, India as well as continued study with some of the preeminent masters of Vedic knowledge.
Having recognized an opportunity for greater nervous system care, Mark continued his studies in the fields of somatic facilitation and social change and is a certified somatic stress release practitioner. He founded Alchemy Collective to help others integrate these simple yet powerful tools for modern living. With his 15 years of experience as a teacher and performance coach, he's developed programs such as Base Camp and The Wellness Project for creatives.
Mark’s mission is to help others deepen impact, connection and create sustainable change.
Check out Mark’s Somatic Foundations course HERE.
Megan Sikora
Teacher
Megan Sikora is best known for her high kicks on Broadway and her diverse characters in television and film. During her 20 plus years in the industry she relied on a vegan lifestyle, yoga, Vedic Meditation, and reiki energy healing to keep her healthy in body, mind, and spirit.
In 2017 Megan dove into the world of reiki healing and has since become a Reiki Master and Licensed Practitioner. She has been serving her community through in-person reiki healings, distant healings, and group distant healings ever since. Megan’s unique background as a performing artist, mother, wife, and empath have helped her to hone a powerful and honest healing style.
You will still see her on your TV from time to time, but she is happiest helping others find their Joy through the healing art of reiki.