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Jai Yen · ใจเย็น · cool heart

Calm your mind. Strengthen your body. Experience Thai wellness.

Gentle meditation, movement and Thai-inspired food, guided by us, Ross and Pim, and made to fit a busy life.

Try something freeSee the programmes

Free to start. No sign-up. 14-day refund on every programme.

Ross and Pim smiling together
Ross and PimHello. We started Jai Yen.Meet us →

The Jai Yen experience

Three ways in. Start with whichever calls to you.

Calm your mind

Guided meditation, slow breathing and evening relaxation, made simple.

Try a free calm minute →

Strengthen your body

Gentle Thai-inspired movement and simple strength, at home, at your own pace.

Watch a free sample →

Experience Thai wellness

Thai food, culture, and a free planner to shape your own trip to Thailand.

Plan your trip →
Ross and Pim, who started Jai Yen

Who is behind Jai Yen

Hello, we are Ross and Pim

Jai Yen is us: two real people sharing the habits that have shaped our own lives.

Ross grew up in Beckenham, England, and moved to Thailand when he was 19. He lived there for sixteen years, practising meditation, bodyweight training and clean eating. These are the habits he teaches, and he still trains himself every other day.

Pim grew up in a small village called Sai Mun, in Yasothon in north-eastern Thailand, and shares the Thai side of Jai Yen with Ross.

“Jai yen” is a Thai phrase for a cool heart: calm, patient and unhurried. It is the feeling we hope our programmes help you find.

Why you can trust us

  • We practise what we teach. Everything here comes from our own daily life.
  • Try before you pay. Ten free tools, and a free sample of every programme.
  • 14-day refund. If a programme is not right for you, ask and we will refund it.
  • Honest by design. No made-up reviews, no pressure and no health promises. Everyone is different.
  • You can reach us. Write to us any time, and a real person reads it.
Read our storyEmail us

Free to try

Ten free things to try, before you buy anything

No sign-up and no payment. Open any of them right here, in your browser.

One calm minuteSlow your breathing in 60 secondsMeditation timerSit quietly, with a gentle bellDesk resetLoosen up in two minutesThai word of the dayLearn a word and how to say itRecipe tasterCook a fresh Thai dish, step by stepTemple manners quizVisit Thailand with confidenceBest time to visitFind the right month to goGratitude jarNotice what went well todayTravel plannerBuild your own Thailand routeCalm Starter KitA free guide with recipes and a calm week

Plus a free video sample of every programme. Watch them

Try it now

Take one calm minute

Follow the circle. Breathe in as it grows and out as it softens. No sign-up and no payment.

  • Pause the rush. A short stop between tasks, so you are not running on autopilot.
  • Feel calmer. Slow, steady breathing is a simple way to help yourself settle.
  • Easy to repeat. It takes one minute, so you can use it before a meeting, after work or before bed.

A gentle pace: 4 seconds in (gold), 6 seconds out (blue). Stop at any time, and breathe naturally if anything feels uncomfortable.

Sound

Ready when you are

Free to try

Seven small things to try, free

Take a moment, learn something or plan ahead. There is no sign-up, and anything you save stays on your own device.

Enjoying these? Get the free Calm Starter Kit, a gentle 3-day plan for your mind, body and plate.

Sit for a few minutes

Choose a length and press Start. A soft chime marks the beginning and the end, and your screen stays awake while you sit, where your phone allows it.

03:00
Ambience

Programmes

Start small. Go as deep as you like.

Pick one, or take the whole month. Every programme is self-paced, beginner-friendly and yours to keep.

  1. 1. Try freeCalm minute, free tools and the Calm Starter Kit£0
  2. 2. Little extrasPrintable trackers and journal pagesFrom £2.99
  3. 3. Start7-Day Relaxation Programme£9.99
  4. 4. Go deeperPick one: meditation, movement or food£14.99 to £19.99
  5. 5. The complete monthAll four programmes in one plan£29.99
  6. 6. Stay supportedOne simple membershipComing soon
  • Try a free sample first
  • 14-day refund if it is not right
  • Yours to keep, at your own pace

Press “Buy now” to add a programme to your cart. You can keep browsing, then check out when you are ready. Everyone is different, so what you notice will vary.

New to these words? A plain-English guide
Body scan
A guided practice where you slowly move your attention through your body, from head to toe, noticing each part and letting it soften. Many people use it to unwind in the evening.
Mindfulness
Paying gentle attention to the present moment, such as your breath, without judging what you notice.
Loving-kindness
A meditation where you quietly wish yourself and other people well, with simple phrases such as “may you be happy”. It is a way of practising warmth and patience.
Qigong
A gentle practice that links slow movement with steady breathing.
Tai chi-style flow
Slow, continuous movements as you shift your weight from one foot to the other.
Ruesi dat ton
Traditional Thai “hermit” stretching: slow stretches and postures, held with the breath.
Shadow Muay Thai
Slow, non-contact practice of Thai boxing movements in the air, with no partner and no hitting.

Start here

Stacked stones and a frangipani flower beside a waterfall
Start here

Relaxation

7-Day Relaxation Programme

Seven evenings to switch off

One calm practice a day for a week. Learn to breathe, release tension in the body and wind down at the end of the day.

How it helps your day
  • Switch off after work with a 10 to 15 minute wind-down you can repeat any evening
  • Release tension in your shoulders, jaw and back with a body scan, a guided check-in from head to toe
  • Use slow breathing anywhere: in the car, at your desk or in bed

Free taste: try a calm minute

  • 7 daily practices of 10 to 15 minutes
  • Slow breathing, a head-to-toe relaxation check-in and gentle stretching
  • An evening wind-down routine
Who it is for and what is included

Who it is for: Busy people ready for a short, gentle way to unwind.

What is included: 7 daily practices of 10 to 15 minutes covering breathing, a body scan, gentle stretching and an evening wind-down, plus troubleshooting tips.

What is a body scan? A guided practice where you slowly move your attention through your body, from head to toe, noticing each part and letting it soften. You do not need to change anything. You can stop at any time.

£9.99

14-day refund if it is not right for you

Go deeper: choose one

A woman meditating at sunset facing a Thai temple

Meditation

Beginner Meditation Course

From “I can’t switch off” to a steady daily practice

A gentle 21-day path that teaches you to settle, to notice thoughts without being carried away, and to come back to the breath. Short guided lessons you can fit in before breakfast.

How it helps your day
  • Start the day with a clear head, with short lessons that fit in before breakfast
  • Learn to notice a worrying thought and let it pass, instead of replaying it all day
  • Build a daily habit that sticks, with a tracker that shows your progress

Free taste: try the meditation timer

  • 21 guided lessons of 5 to 15 minutes
  • Student handbook and practice tracker
  • Calming the mind, kindness practices and letting go of worries
Who it is for and what is included

Who it is for: Anyone new to meditation, or who has tried it and drifted away.

What is included: 21 guided lessons of 5 to 15 minutes, a student handbook with troubleshooting, a practice tracker and email support from the Jai Yen team.

£14.99

14-day refund if it is not right for you

Try a free meditation timer

A yoga class at sunrise on a wooden terrace above a forested valley

Movement

30-Day Calm Movement Programme

Gentle movement for people who do not love the gym

Slow, flowing exercises, traditional Thai stretches and a gentle boxing-style workout with no partner and no hitting. Twelve follow-along sessions at home, with no equipment and no experience needed.

Movement for calm, not for calories. This is not a workout programme. It is slow, gentle movement that we believe brings calm and helps your body feel in step with your mind. Go at your own pace.

How it helps your day
  • Gently loosen a stiff neck, shoulders, hips and back with slow, flowing exercises and Thai stretches
  • Practise balance and leg strength with slow, flowing movement at home
  • Build from 9 to 30 minutes at your own pace, with no gym or equipment

Free taste: try the 2-minute desk reset

  • 12 follow-along sessions that grow from 9 to 30 minutes
  • Short daily practices and rest days
  • No equipment needed
Who it is for and what is included

Who it is for: Beginners and returning exercisers who enjoy gentle, mindful movement.

What is included: 12 follow-along sessions that grow from 9 to 30 minutes, adding new movements as you go, short daily practices, rest days and a 30-day calendar. Check with your doctor first if you have a health condition or injury.

£19.99

14-day refund if it is not right for you

Try a free 2-minute desk reset

Fresh Thai ingredients: lemongrass, galangal, chillies, limes and shallots

Nutrition

Thai Healthy Eating Guide

Eat the way Thailand does: fresh, fragrant and whole

A 7-day plan of fresh, whole-food Thai meals with step-by-step recipes, a shopping list and prep tips, so a good meal is never a puzzle.

How it helps your day
  • Always know what is for dinner, with a 7-day plan and a ready-made shopping list
  • Cook fresh Thai meals from step-by-step recipes, with vegetarian swaps
  • Fill your plate with more vegetables, herbs and flavour, without bland diet food

Free taste: try the recipe taster

  • 7 days of breakfasts, lunches, dinners and snacks
  • Step-by-step recipes with vegetarian swaps
  • Shopping list and Thai pantry guide
Who it is for and what is included

Who it is for: Anyone drawn to simple, fresh, whole-food meals without counting every bite.

What is included: A 7-day plan, 14 recipes with vegetarian swaps and nutrition information per serving, a shopping list and prep tips.

£14.99

14-day refund if it is not right for you

Try three free recipes to try

Everything in one plan

Herbal compress balls, towels and a frangipani flower
Best value

Thai wellness

30-Day Wellness Programme

The whole month, woven into one daily rhythm

Meditation, movement and Thai meals in one simple 30-day plan, with weekly check-ins. The complete Jai Yen experience, and the best value.

How it helps your day
  • One plan for the whole month: a calmer mind, a looser body and better meals
  • Never wonder what to do next, because every day is mapped out for you
  • Weekly check-ins that show what is changing, so you keep going

Free taste: watch the free sample

  • 30 days of mind, body and food planned for you
  • Weekly reflections and check-ins
  • Thai wellness habits for everyday life
Who it is for and what is included

Who it is for: People ready for one clear plan for mind, body and food.

What is included: A 30-day calendar that combines the meditation course, relaxation programme, calm movement programme and eating guide into one daily rhythm, with weekly reflections.

Worth £59.96 if bought separately. Save £29.97.

£29.99

14-day refund if it is not right for you

Add strength

Strength

Simple Strength: three days a week

Whole-body strength, with no gym and no equipment

Slow, simple bodyweight moves such as squats, lunges, incline push-ups and planks, with an easier version of the key moves. A follow-along session of about 18 minutes, to repeat three days a week.

Why bodyweight strength
  • It uses your whole body. Moves like squats, push-ups and planks work many muscles at once, instead of one muscle at a time.
  • You can do it anywhere. All you need is a chair, a wall and a little floor space, so there is no gym membership and no travelling.
  • It is easy to scale. Easier versions are shown beside the push-up, the dip and the plank, so you start where you are.

A note from Ross. I train this way every other day. In my experience it has given me better results than gym workouts that focus on one muscle at a time. Everyone is different, so results will vary.

Free taste: watch the free sample

What is included: one follow-along session of about 18 minutes, with a marching warm-up, two rounds of seven moves (chair squats, supported lunges, incline push-ups, towel curls, chair dips, dead bugs and a plank) and a cool-down. It is separate from the Calm Movement Programme, which stays gentle and calm.

£14.99

14-day refund if it is not right for you. General fitness information, not medical advice. Please check with your doctor first if you have an injury or a health condition.

Free samples

Watch a free sample of every course

A short, captioned taste of each programme, with soft music. Press play and follow along. Gold means breathe in and blue means breathe out, and a number counts down each breath. No sign-up is needed. Images are created with AI for illustration.

Beginner Meditation Course

A short practice in noticing thoughts and letting them go, with an animated guide and a glow that follows the breath. About one minute, with soft music.

Read the transcript

Arrive. Sit tall but relaxed. Close your eyes, or lower your gaze. Find the breath. Rest your attention where you feel the breath most clearly. Count the breath. Breathe in, one. Breathe out, two. Count to ten, then begin again. A thought arises. A thought will come. This is normal. It is not a mistake. Notice it. Silently say, thinking. Do not follow the story. Let it go. Like a cloud passing, let it drift away as you breathe out. Return. Come back to the breath. Each return is the practice. Rest in awareness. Rest here, simply aware. Nothing to fix. Nothing to achieve. Close. Take one slow breath. Open your eyes when you are ready.

See the course

7-Day Relaxation Programme

A short head-to-toe relaxation (a body scan) from Day 1, with a soft glow moving through the body. About one minute, with soft music.

Read the transcript

Settle. Lie down or sit comfortably and take a slow breath. Face and jaw. Soften your forehead. Let your jaw hang loose. Shoulders. Let them melt away from your ears. Chest and belly. Feel them rise and fall without trying. Hands. Let your fingers uncurl and grow heavy. Legs and feet. Feel the weight of your legs, down to your toes. Whole body. Rest. There is nothing to do. Close. Take a deeper breath, then move slowly.

See the course

30-Day Calm Movement Programme

A taste of the programme. An illustrated guide shows six gentle moves in a calm layout: one clear instruction at a time, a big gold and blue breathing cue with a countdown, and a timer. About one minute, with soft music.

Read the transcript

Standing breath: stand tall with your arms relaxed. Breathe in slowly through your nose, and out slowly. Lifting the sky: breathe in and float your arms up. Breathe out and lower them slowly. Slow neck rolls: let your head roll slowly in a gentle circle, only as far as is comfortable. Shoulder circles: roll your shoulders forwards in big, slow circles. Gentle cat and cow: breathe in and lift your chest, breathe out and round your back, with your hands resting on your knees. Hip circles: hands on your hips, and draw slow, wide circles. Gold means breathe in and blue means breathe out. Move gently, and stop if anything hurts.

See the course

Thai Healthy Eating Guide

Som tam, step by step, as an animated recipe. About one minute, with soft music.

Read the transcript

Som tam. A fresh green papaya salad for two. Ready in about 15 minutes. Gather. 200 g green papaya, 2 garlic cloves, 2 chillies, 6 cherry tomatoes, 4 green beans. Pound. Pound the garlic and chilli lightly in a mortar. Bruise. Add the beans and tomatoes and bruise them gently. Dress. Add the papaya, 2 tbsp lime juice, 1 tbsp fish sauce and 1 tsp palm sugar. Toss and press. Toss, pressing gently so the flavours mingle. Top with peanuts. Per serving. About 105 kcal, 3 g protein, 8 g sugars and 0.5 g saturated fat. Estimates.

See the course

30-Day Wellness Programme

A day in the month, from morning to rest, as the sky changes from dawn to night. About one minute, with soft music.

Read the transcript

Morning. Three slow breaths and a glass of water. Movement. Ten gentle minutes of movement. Eat. One fresh, whole-food Thai meal, eaten slowly. Midday pause. A three-minute breathing break, away from screens. Evening. Name three things you are grateful for. Rest. Wind down gently and go to bed a little earlier.

See the course

Simple Strength

A taste of the session: chair squats, incline push-ups and a plank, with an easier version shown beside the push-up and the plank. About one minute, with soft music.

Read the transcript

Simple Strength. Free sample. How to follow along. Gold means breathe in. Blue means breathe out. The small picture shows an easier version, or another angle. You only need a sturdy chair and a little space. Chair squats. Sit down slowly, then stand up. Incline push-ups. Hands on a sturdy chair. Lower your chest, then press away. The easier version is wall push-ups. Plank. Hold a straight line from head to heels. Breathe slowly. The easier version is knees down. Want the full session? About 18 minutes, with a warm-up, two rounds and a cool-down.

See the programme

Free travel planner

Plan your own journey through Thailand

Tell us what draws you, when you can go, your budget and where you feel called to. Jai Yen Explorer builds a free starting route, with a description and map link for every place.

Also free: when is the best time to visit?

What draws you?

Where would you most like to go?

How long have you got?

When are you thinking of going?

We use this to check the season in each region. Your trip length is above.

What is your budget?

Per person, not counting flights.

Who is going?

A friendly heads-up: this is a starter list, not every place in Thailand. Opening times, fees and rules change, and many monasteries do not take bookings or answer email, so check the official site before you plan around anywhere. At temples, cover your shoulders and knees, remove your shoes indoors and speak softly.

Personal plans

Want a plan made for you?

Turn your route into a personal itinerary, written by Ross and Pim around your dates, interests and pace.

Personal Itinerary

£39.99

  • A day-by-day plan written for you by Ross and Pim
  • Built around your dates, interests and pace
  • Temples, meditation, wellness, food and movement, chosen with care
  • Etiquette, seasonal tips and what to book ahead
  • Delivered as a clear PDF by email
With a call

Itinerary and Planning Call

£79.99

  • Everything in the Personal Itinerary
  • A 30-minute video call to talk it through
  • One round of changes after the call
  1. Tell usFill in a short form about your trip.
  2. We confirmWe reply to check the details.
  3. Pay securelyAdd your plan to the cart when you are ready.
  4. Receive itYour plan arrives by email.

The planner itself is free to use, and always will be.

Questions

Common questions

How do the personal itineraries work?

You tell us about your trip in a short form. We reply to confirm the details, you pay securely, and we write your plan, which arrives by email as a PDF. The Itinerary and Planning Call also includes a 30-minute video call.

What is the refund policy for personal itineraries?

A personal plan is written for you, so please ask any questions before you order. If you change your mind before we have started work on your plan, we will refund you in full. If something is not right afterwards, tell us and we will make it right or discuss a fair refund.

What are the printables, and can I get a refund?

They are PDF files for printing at home: a 30-day habit tracker, journal pages and more, for your own personal use. Because a download cannot be returned once you have saved it, we cannot usually refund printables after download. If a file is faulty or not what you expected, email us and we will make it right.

Do you sell herbal medicines?

No. We do not sell medicines, and nothing on this site is medical advice. If we open a shop, it will offer wellness products only.

Which programme should I start with?

If you are new, start with the 7-Day Relaxation Programme: it is the gentlest first step. Then choose one programme to go deeper, or take the 30-Day Wellness Programme, which includes all four. You can also take the quiz above for a suggestion.

I cannot stop my thoughts. Can I still meditate?

Yes. Everyone’s mind wanders, and noticing it is part of the practice. The Beginner Meditation Course teaches you to notice thoughts kindly and return to the breath, and the student handbook covers the common problems.

Is this a fitness programme?

No. The Calm Movement Programme is not a workout. It is slow, gentle movement that we believe brings calm and helps your body feel in step with your mind, so it is not about burning calories or building muscle. Ross does it alongside his own calisthenics for strength and cardio, which he does every other day, and keeps the two separate. This programme is purely movement that connects mind and body.

I am not fit or flexible. Is the movement for me?

Yes. The movement is gentle, low-impact and non-contact, and you go at your own pace. Please check with your doctor first if you have an injury or a health condition.

How much time do I need each day?

Between 5 and 30 minutes, depending on the programme. Many practices are short enough for a lunch break.

How is this different from a free app or video?

Jai Yen follows a clear path from day one, drawing on real Thai traditions and two decades of researching and experiencing them together. Each programme comes with guidance, and you can try free samples before you buy.

Will it work for me?

Everyone is different, so we cannot promise results. What we can promise is a clear, gentle structure, free samples to try first, and a 14-day refund if a programme is not right for you.

Who are these programmes for?

Anyone drawn to a calmer mind and a healthier routine. Beginners are very welcome, and no experience is needed.

Do I need to be Buddhist?

No. The programmes draw on Buddhist teachings, but they are open to people of any belief or none.

Do I need any equipment?

No. For the movement sessions you only need a mat or towel and a little space.

How do I get my programme?

After you buy, you will receive access details by email, and you can follow the programme at your own pace.

Are the meal plans vegetarian?

They include fish, chicken and eggs, and every dish has a vegetarian swap.

Is this safe if I have a health condition?

The programmes are general wellness information, not medical advice. Please check with your doctor before starting any new exercise or eating plan, especially if you have a health condition, an injury, allergies or are pregnant. Meditation is not a replacement for medical or mental health care.

What if it is not right for me?

Get in touch within 14 days of buying at our contact address and we will refund you.

Can I cancel a membership?

Yes, you can cancel at any time, and your access continues until the end of the period you have paid for.

Start free today

Try the free tools, plan a trip to Thailand, or take the free Starter Kit. If you like how it feels, take it further with a programme made to be calm, clear and easy to follow.

Explore the free toolsChoose a programme

Or take the free Calm Starter Kit

More

More from Jai Yen

Printables and extras, and a little about us. Open whatever you like.

Printables and extrasTrackers, journal pages and a membership waitlist

2. Little extras

Little extras for your daily practice

Printable trackers and journal pages you can start using today. Print as many copies as you like, for yourself.

Preview of the 30-day habit tracker and weekly reset pages
Printable

Daily Habit Tracker

Small steps, ticked off

£2.99

  • A 30-day tracker for up to six small habits
  • A weekly reset page and a monthly reflection
  • 3 pages, A4 PDF
Preview of the daily journal page and gratitude list
Printable

Journal Templates

A few quiet minutes on paper

£3.99

  • Daily page, evening wind-down and gratitude list
  • Letting-go page, weekly reflection and Thai word notes
  • 6 pages, A4 PDF
Preview of four pages from the Printable Pack
Best value

Printable Pack

Everything, in one download

£5.99

  • Both of the above, 9 pages
  • Plus the 7-Day Calm Week tracker
  • 10 pages, A4 PDF

Printables are PDF files for printing at home, for your own personal use. Prefer something free? A 7-Day Calm Week tracker comes inside your free Calm Starter Kit.

Coming later

The Jai Yen shop

We are thinking about a small, hand-picked shop of Thai-inspired wellness goods. Tell us what you would love to see, and we will let you know if it opens. We will only offer wellness products, never medicines, and nothing here is medical advice.

I would love to see (optional)

6. Stay supported

One simple membership Coming soon

For people who want to keep going: every programme, plus a fresh short practice each month, for as long as you stay.

Jai Yen Membership

£9.99 per month

  • Access to every programme while you are a member
  • A new short guided practice each month
  • Cancel at any time
Buy now
About Jai YenWho we are and why we made this
Ross & Pim

About

Made by Ross and Pim

We met in Thailand in our twenties and have spent two decades learning, practising and sharing these habits: a few quiet minutes of meditation, healthy food full of flavour, and gentle movement. Jai Yen is how we pass them on, in a way that is simple, kind and practical.

“Jai yen” is a Thai phrase for a cool heart: calm, patient and unhurried. It is the feeling we hope these programmes help you find.

Read what we believe · A short history of Thai wellness

20years together exploring Thai wellness
21guided meditation lessons
25Thai recipes with nutrition information
299places in the Thailand planner

Why Jai Yen

Wellness with roots, made for real life

A lot of wellness is rushed, loud and driven by trends. Jai Yen is the opposite: calm, practical and built on traditions that have lasted for centuries.

Rooted in real tradition

Temple meditation, hermit stretching, the herbs and flavours of the Thai kitchen. Everything here draws on practices that people in Thailand have kept alive for generations.

Short enough to keep

Lessons and practices run from 5 to 30 minutes. You do not need a free weekend or a special room, just a few quiet minutes you can repeat.

Gentle by design

No extremes, no punishing plans and no jargon. Progress comes from small, kind steps, which is how habits really last.

Try before you pay

A calm minute, seven free tools, a travel planner and a video sample of every course are waiting for you. If you do buy and it is not right, you have 14 days to ask for a refund.

Drawn from real Thai life

Every lesson, movement and recipe comes from two decades of living, practising and cooking the Thai way, from temple meditation to the Thai kitchen.

See the programmesRead what we believe

Our belief

Small changes. A freer, happier life.

The key to true freedom comes from within.

We truly believe that small changes in daily life lead to big impacts, creating a more peaceful, healthier and happier person. True freedom comes from within, and it starts with the changes we can guide you through.

How Jai Yen began

Jai Yen grew from two very different upbringings. Sirinat (Pim) grew up in a small village called Sai Mun, in Yasothon in north-eastern Thailand, where healthy eating, kindness, meditation and respect for yourself and your elders are simply part of daily life. Ross grew up in Beckenham, on the edge of London, and moved to Thailand at 19, where the Thai way of living slowly changed him too.

Between us there is food and happiness, movement and self-growth, and meditation at the heart of it all. That is what we have tried to build into every part of this site.

We believe the answer is inner peace and truly living in the moment, something woven into Thai culture. You can hear it in everyday words: jai yen, a cool heart; sabai, at ease; sanuk, joy in the moment; mai pen rai, never mind. Jai Yen is our way of sharing it with you, one small step at a time.

Begin with one small change today

For the mindTake one calm minuteFor the bodyTry a 2-minute desk resetFor the plateCook one fresh Thai recipe

Roots

A short history of Thai wellness

Thailand’s traditions of meditation, movement, massage and herbal care come from Buddhist practice, Indian influence, royal patronage and village knowledge, handed down over many centuries. This is a short, honest overview. Where history and legend overlap, we say so.

How meditation took root

Most people in Thailand follow Theravada Buddhism, where meditation sits at the heart of practice. Two paths are often described: calming the mind, and seeing clearly how thoughts and feelings arise and pass. Temples have long been places to learn to sit quietly.

In the 19th century King Mongkut, who had spent years as a monk before taking the throne as Rama IV, led a reform movement called the Dhammayut. It put new weight on discipline and, as the century went on, on meditation.

Around 1900 a monk from the north-east, Ajahn Mun, and his teacher Ajahn Sao helped found what is now called the Thai Forest Tradition. These monks wandered, lived in the forest and made meditation the centre of their lives. One well-known technique from this lineage is to repeat the word “Buddho” silently with the breath. Ajahn Chah, who studied with Ajahn Mun, became one of its best-known teachers, and his students carried the approach to Europe, America and beyond.

  • c. 1900 The Thai Forest Tradition begins with Ajahn Mun (1870 to 1949)
  • 1918 to 1992 Life of Ajahn Chah, a teacher in the forest tradition

Try it: a free meditation timer or the meditation sample.

Sources and further reading

This is a general overview for readers, not an academic history, and some origins are traditional accounts that cannot be proven. Nothing here is medical advice.

See the programmesTry a free tool

Privacy notice

This explains how Jai Yen, run by Ross and Sirinat, uses personal information. You can contact us at our contact address.

What we collect and why

If you ask for the free Calm Starter Kit, we collect your email address, your first name if you give it, and a note that you agreed. We use them to give you the kit and to send occasional emails about Jai Yen, such as practices, recipes and programmes. Our legal basis is your consent, which you can withdraw at any time.

If you order a programme

We use your name and email address to create your account, deliver your programme and answer your questions. If you pay online, the payment is handled by PayPal. We do not see or store your card details. We keep a record of each order (what you bought, the amount and the PayPal order number) for our accounts and tax records.

Your account

When you buy a programme we create an account for you with your email address, and your name if you gave it. We store your password only in scrambled form, so we cannot read it. We also store what you have bought and which lessons you have marked as complete. We use one essential cookie to keep you logged in. It is not used for advertising or tracking. Our legal basis is carrying out our agreement with you. Your account details and the videos you have bought are stored on a server in the European Union, in Germany or Finland, run by our hosting provider, Hetzner.

Who handles your details

Details from the sign-up form pass through a form service called FormSubmit, which emails them to us, and they then sit in our email inbox. That service may process data outside the UK. We do not sell your details.

Trip requests

If you ask for a personal itinerary, we use the details you give, such as your dates, interests and preferences, to plan your trip and email you about it. Please share only what you are comfortable with.

Affiliate links

Some links on this site may be affiliate links. If you book through them we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. The partner then handles your booking and its own privacy rules.

On your own device

Your cart, your gratitude jar and your sound and motion choices are saved only in your own browser and are not sent to us.

How long we keep them

We keep your details until you ask us to remove them or you unsubscribe. We keep your account until you ask us to close it. We keep order records for as long as the law requires for accounting, which is usually six years. To unsubscribe or ask to see, correct, delete or close your account, email us and we will act promptly.

Your rights

You have the right to see, correct and delete your information, to object to its use and to withdraw consent. If you are unhappy, you can complain to the Information Commissioner’s Office at ico.org.uk.