What began as a personal journey of self-discovery became an unexpected new direction for ACMM graduate Sithara Sajeev. Today, she brings together meditation, mindful movement and sound through her Melbourne wellbeing space, State of Harmony.
For many people, the decision to study meditation comes from a desire to deepen their own practice, better understand themselves or bring greater awareness into everyday life. Sometimes, that journey opens doors they never expected.
This was certainly the case for Sithara Sajeev, a physiotherapist and graduate of the Australian Centre for Meditation and Mindfulness (ACMM) Diploma in Guiding and Teaching Meditation and Mindfulness.
After years working in physiotherapy, Sithara was increasingly drawn to meditation, particularly its relationship with the mind, body and emotional wellbeing.
At the time, she had no plans to become a meditation teacher or establish a wellbeing business. She simply wanted to explore something that had already become meaningful in her own life.
Today, Sithara runs State of Harmony, a wellbeing centre in Glen Iris, Melbourne, where she offers meditation classes, Yoga Nidra, sound experiences, mindful movement and workplace wellbeing programs.
Her story is a lovely reminder that sometimes our most meaningful professional paths begin with the simple intention to understand ourselves more deeply.
From Achievement and Perfectionism to Self-Compassion
Before enrolling with ACMM, Sithara had spent many years working as a physiotherapist. Alongside her professional life, she had begun recognising some deeply familiar patterns within herself.
She describes being strongly achievement-focused, with tendencies towards perfectionism, people-pleasing and self-criticism.
Meditation became an important part of learning to recognise these patterns and gradually relate to herself with greater kindness.
As she explains:
“Meditation became an important part of that ongoing journey, helping me recognise that I didn’t have to believe every thought that came into my mind, and gradually changing the way I related to myself.”
With her background in physiotherapy, Sithara was also fascinated by the connection between the mind and body. She wanted to understand meditation beyond her personal experience, including the science behind how these practices may support physical, mental and emotional wellbeing.
It was this combination of personal curiosity and professional interest that led her to ACMM.
At that stage, teaching meditation wasn’t part of the plan.
“What started as a journey of personal exploration gradually became something much bigger,” she reflects, “and eventually led me to creating State of Harmony.”
Discovering the Confidence to Guide Others
One of the unexpected discoveries during Sithara’s meditation teacher training was how much she enjoyed guiding meditation for other people.
She remembers recording a guided meditation as part of her course and then receiving feedback from her mentor, Jacqui.
Hearing how Jacqui had experienced the meditation was a particularly meaningful moment.
“It helped me see that something I had created and guided could have a meaningful impact on someone else.”
For someone who had often questioned whether she was good enough, the experience helped shift what she believed might be possible.
Sithara began to recognise that teaching meditation wasn’t necessarily about being perfectly confident or having all the answers. It was about showing up with care, preparing thoughtfully and being willing to continue learning.
That understanding remains important in her teaching today.
“Teaching has also shown me that I don’t have to be a perfect meditation teacher. I need to be present, prepared, genuine and willing to keep learning.”
Learning Through Practice, Teaching and Mentoring
Throughout her Diploma, Sithara valued the combination of personal meditation practice, theoretical learning, practical teaching experience and individual mentoring.
She remembers Jacqui’s nurturing support during her core studies, Lisa’s important role throughout her Diploma journey, and Tim’s guidance during her Community Work Placement and exploration of workplace meditation.
She also appreciated the opportunity to follow her interests through electives including Yoga Nidra, Chakra Meditation and Buddhist Psychology.
For Sithara, the value of the training was not simply in gaining new knowledge, but in experiencing and applying what she was learning.
“The combination of personal practice, theory, practical teaching and mentoring meant I wasn’t just learning meditation intellectually. I was practising it, teaching it and reflecting on what happened.”
This experiential approach also brought personal challenges.
As Sithara deepened her practice, she became increasingly aware of old beliefs, conditioning and patterns that had shaped the way she saw herself.
She speaks openly about how uncomfortable this process could sometimes feel, while also recognising its value.
“Rather than continuing to live through those old patterns unconsciously, I’ve been learning to meet them with greater understanding, kindness and compassion.”
Her experience reflects something important about meditation teacher training. Learning to guide others can also invite us into a deeper relationship with ourselves.
It is not always a comfortable process, nor is it one that reaches a final destination. For Sithara, it continues to unfold through both her personal practice and her teaching.
Creating State of Harmony in Melbourne
What began as a personal interest in meditation has now grown into State of Harmony, a wellbeing space in Glen Iris, Melbourne.
Drawing on her background in physiotherapy and her meditation training, Sithara brings together meditation, sound, restorative experiences and mindful movement.
Her offerings include weekly in-person and online meditation classes, private sessions, Yoga Nidra, meditation and sound experiences, clinical Pilates, small-group mindful movement and workplace wellbeing programs.
She is particularly passionate about supporting adults who spend much of their time doing, achieving and caring for others, sometimes at the expense of their connection with themselves.
Through State of Harmony, she hopes to create opportunities for people to pause, rest and reconnect, without feeling that they need to accomplish anything.
As Sithara shares:
“I’ve also been surprised by how much people value having a space where nothing is expected of them. They don’t have to achieve anything, be a certain way or even feel relaxed. They can simply come as they are.”
Through her sessions, people have shared experiences of feeling calmer, lighter or more connected with themselves.
For Sithara, some of the most meaningful moments come through small comments. Someone expressing that they didn’t want a meditation to end, or noticing that they feel different as they return to the rest of their day.
These experiences continue to remind her why she loves the work.
Bringing Meditation and Mindfulness Into Workplaces
Another exciting part of Sithara’s journey has been exploring how meditation can support people within their working lives.
As part of her ACMM Community Work Placement, she facilitated six 30-minute meditation and mindfulness sessions for staff at Berry Street’s Noble Park office.
This practical teaching experience strengthened her interest in making meditation more accessible within workplaces.
Today, workplace wellbeing sessions and tailored programs form part of her offerings through State of Harmony, and she continues to explore opportunities with organisations and community groups.
For Sithara, it is another way to bring meditation into the places where people live and work, offering moments of presence and connection within the demands of everyday life.
Letting Go of the Perfect Meditation Teacher
One of the most valuable lessons Sithara has learned is that being a meditation teacher does not mean creating a particular experience for everyone.
Some participants may feel deeply relaxed, while others feel restless or distracted. Some may connect easily with a practice, while others may find it challenging.
She has also learned to become more comfortable with the natural uncertainties of teaching, including the fact that some sessions may attract a full group while others may have only one participant.
Rather than measuring her effectiveness through these external outcomes, Sithara has begun to focus more on the qualities she brings to her teaching.
“My job isn’t to control their experience. It’s to prepare well, create a supportive and trauma-sensitive space, guide with care, and then allow each person’s experience to belong to them.”
It is a thoughtful reminder that meditation teaching is not about making people feel a certain way. It is about offering supportive guidance and allowing space for each person’s experience.
Sithara also recognises that teaching continues to be part of her own learning.
“Every group, every session and every person brings something different. I feel like I’m growing alongside the people I guide, and that’s something I really value.”
What Sithara Would Tell Herself Before Enrolling
Looking back on the beginning of her ACMM journey, Sithara has some beautiful advice for anyone who is curious about studying meditation but unsure whether they are ready.
“You don’t have to become a different version of yourself before you’re ready to begin.”
She continues:
“You don’t need to have overcome every insecurity, have a perfect meditation practice or know exactly where the journey will lead.”
And perhaps most importantly:
“Start where you are. The training itself will become part of your growth.”
For Sithara, meditation teacher training became far more than an opportunity to learn new skills. It opened a pathway to deeper self-understanding, meaningful teaching experiences and the creation of a wellbeing space that reflects her own values.
Her journey is a reminder that we don’t always need to know where something will lead before taking the first step.
Sometimes, following a genuine curiosity is enough.
Explore Sithara’s Work at State of Harmony
Sithara offers regular meditation classes, private sessions, mindful movement, workplace wellbeing programs and monthly Yoga Nidra, meditation and sound events at State of Harmony in Glen Iris, Melbourne.
Visit State of Harmony to learn more, explore her offerings or view upcoming events.
You can also connect with Sithara on Instagram.
Begin Your Own Meditation Teacher Training Journey
Sithara’s story shows that meditation teacher training can begin with a simple desire to deepen your own practice and grow into something you never imagined.
Whether you feel called to share meditation with others, integrate mindfulness into your existing profession or explore your own relationship with meditation more deeply, the Australian Centre for Meditation and Mindfulness offers flexible, mentor-supported training that brings together personal practice, theory and practical teaching experience.
Explore ACMM’s meditation teacher training courses and discover where your own journey might lead.
If you enjoyed reading about Lisa‘s journey you might also be interested in:
- Lisa de Jong: Bringing Meditation Into Retirement Communities With Confidence and Care
- Lauren Sieger – Creating Community and Connection Through Meditation
ACMM provides a range of certified meditation teacher training options and support, including our Post Graduate Diploma and Community Work Placement Program which supports new meditation teachers to begin or expand their teaching practice. Download a prospectus for all the details or book a discovery call here to find out more!
