Meet the Teacher: An Interview with Varun, Lead Instructor at Ananda Dhwani

At Ananda Dhwani, sound healing isn't a side offering — it's the whole of what we do, and at the heart of it is Varun, our founder and lead instructor. He personally teaches every student who trains with us. We sat down with him to understand his journey, his teaching philosophy, and why sound healing changes lives.

Varun holds a Master's in Yoga Science, is a Certified Sound Healing Practitioner and Yoga Alliance–certified teacher, and has personally taught 200+ students across 15+ countries — including at yoga schools across Rishikesh and beyond. He authored Ananda Dhwani's 500-page sound healing manual, and our teacher training is CMA-UK accredited.

Varun, can you tell us about your journey into sound healing?

Varun: Sound healing sort of flowed into my life. As a child, I wanted to be a guitarist, but societal expectations and the need for stability led me to abandon that dream. Later, I wanted to study philosophy, but again I was advised to pursue something more practical, so I left that aspiration behind too. I'd always practised yoga since childhood — and it wasn't until 2010, when I saw a singing bowl at a small fair, that I felt an instant connection. The sound fascinated me, and my curiosity only grew.

Later, I found an old bowl in the storeroom of my house — it turned out my great-grandmother had used it as an eating vessel. I started playing it with a stick, and that was the beginning of my exploration into sound. After years in the corporate world, in a well-paid, flexible job, I realised it didn't bring me happiness. Despite reaching the top of my career, something was missing. That realisation led me back to yoga, and ultimately to sound healing — where I found my true calling.

What makes Ananda Dhwani's sound healing course unique?

Varun: We blend traditional techniques with modern practice, so students experience the full range of sound healing tools — gongs, tuning forks, singing bowls, and more. What truly sets us apart is personal att

ention: our class sizes are small, often one-to-one, so every student gets the guidance they need, whether for personal growth or professional practice.

The other cornerstone is hands-on experience. Our students don't just learn theory — they practise healing techniques on one another in a safe, guided environment. That builds real confidence and proficiency, so they leave genuinely ready to apply what they've learned.

But this isn't only physical training — it's a journey of self-discovery. The course opens students to seeing life as vibration, a cosmic dance of frequencies. When you start to see the world through that lens, everything shifts. Sound healing becomes a way of life — a way to stay in tune with yourself and the world around you.

How do you bring your personal philosophy into your teaching?

Varun: For me, healing through sound isn't just a therapeutic process — it's a transforma

tive journey. I believe every person has the ability to heal themselves, and sound is an incredible tool for unlocking that. So I teach not only the technical side of sound therapy, but how to truly connect with the vibration and frequency of the sounds you work with. That deeper connection — to the tools and to the self — is what makes healing meaningful.

I live by the philosophy of Nada Brahma — the idea that the universe is sound, and that sound is the very essence of creation. It's this mindset I encourage in my students: to experience the world as vibration. I also emphasise self-healing alongside helping others. When students learn to heal themselves, they can heal others far more effectively.

What do you hope students take away from the course?

Varun: My hope is that every student leaves empowered. Whether they want to bring sound healing into their own wellness practice or become professional practitioners, I want them to feel confident in their ability to make a difference. It's not just about using the instruments — it's about understanding how sound influences vibration, frequency, and the energetic body.

What I love most is when students tell me the course helped them reconnect with their own childlike wonder, creativity, and openness to life. When they come back and share how they've woven these principles into their days, it brings me immense joy. They don't just learn new tools — they awaken to a more harmonious way of living.

What's the most rewarding part of teaching at Ananda Dhwani?

Varun: Seeing the transformation in our students. Watching someone move from uncertainty to feeling empowered — capable of using sound to heal themselves and others — is deeply fulfilling. It's not just about techniques; it's about being part of their journey. When graduates return and share how they've used what they learned to help others, it's a powerful reminder that we're all part of a growing healing community.

Can you share a success story?

Varun: There have been many, but one stands out. A student came to us during a very difficult emotional period, having tried several other modalities without lasting relief. After completing the course, she shared that she felt a significant shift — the sound healing practices and deep meditations helped her release long-held emotional tension and find a sense of inner peace she'd been searching for. Seeing her go on to support others with what she'd learned was truly inspiring.

Why do you believe sound healing is so powerful?

Varun: Because it works with the most basic, universal form of energy: vibration. Everything in the universe is vibration, and sound is one of the most accessible ways to influence and shift it. Whether we're working with t

uning forks, singing bowls, or gongs, we're using frequencies that resonate with body, mind, and spirit. Sound can reach places within us that words cannot — helping release what's held and heal on a deeper level. That's what makes it so profound.

Learn Sound Healing with Varun at Ananda Dhwani

Under Varun's personal guidance, Ananda Dhwani offers a dedicated, CMA-UK–accredited path into sound healing. Small class sizes, deep hands-on experience, and a genuinely personal approach make it a rare place to learn how to use sound to heal — yourself and others. If Varun's journey resonates with you, our [5-Day In-Person Sound Healing Teacher Training in Rishikesh] ) is where it begins. You can also experience his work firsthand through a [personal sound healing session].