About Kāru
Karu is run by us, husband and wife duo, Elliot Smith and Ella McNeill. We’re passionate about helping people feel more calm, creative and connected - to themselves, to others, and to everyday life.
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OUR BELIEF
Value Proposition
Kāru offers simple, evidence-based tools, techniques and experiences designed to help everyday people feel calm, connected and creative. Through meditation, yoga and retreats, we support individuals, teams and communities to slow down, reset and reconnect — making calm and clarity a natural part of modern life.
Our vision is a world where people feel calm, more connected and empowered to grow.
Our Mission
Karu exists to help everyday people feel calm, creative and connected to themselves and their community. We share tools, techniques and experiences that are practical, grounded and easy to integrate into modern life.
MEET ELLIOT & ELLA
MEET ELLIOT & ELLA
Who are we?
MEET ELLIOT & ELLA
A little bit about us
Kāru is run by us, husband and wife duo, Elliot Smith and Ella McNeill. We’re passionate about helping people feel more calm, creative, and connected — to themselves, to others, and to everyday life.
We’re hands-on, present, and deeply involved in every part of what we offer. We teach because we care, and because we’ve seen how much difference these practices can make when they’re shared in the right way.
That means real conversations, honest guidance, and a teaching style that’s down to earth and easy to follow.
Elliot Smith
VEDIC MEDITATION TEACHER
Generous, kind, passionate and enthusiastic — and his hair is the envy of most.
Elliot is a certified Vedic Meditation teacher, trained by pre-eminent master of Vedic Meditation, Thom Knoles in the foothills of the Himalayas and inducted into the Shankaracharya Tradition of India by Swami Kailashanand Giri Ji.
Soon after learning Vedic Meditation, he knew his calling was to teach this beautiful practice. His passion for the knowledge and endless possibilities of Vedic philosophy is contagious, and he is driven to share this technique and wisdom with anyone who'd like to learn it.
A natural teacher from an early age, Elliot welcomed his first students at 15 as a drummer, going on to forge a successful musical career touring Australia alongside The Waifs, Meg Mac, Christina Anu, Rhye and the Perth Symphony Orchestra.
He brings that same energy and generosity to supporting his students — and he can't wait to meet you.
Ella McNeill
YOGA TEACHER
Yoga teacher, musician and nonprofit leader, Ella brings two decades of experience in social change and arts management to everything she does at Kāru.
Her career has included time as CEO of the Human Rights Film Festival in Melbourne and Director of Arts & Culture at one of Australia's largest philanthropic organisations. She is Chair of the Fremantle Biennale and sits on the Board of the Centre for Asylum Seekers, Refugees and Detainees.
After completing her Yoga Teacher Training and learning to meditate, Ella found a new way to channel her lifelong commitment to helping others — sharing ancient knowledge in a modern, accessible way.
When she's not bringing Kāru to the world, you'll find her writing alt pop bangers, composing sound experiences for her Yoga Nidra events, or leading a strong yoga class with her original atmospheric tunes filling the room.
Sharing ancient knowledge that has stood the test of time - because things that work tend to last.
MEET ELLIOT & ELLA
Get to know us
Kāru is run by us, husband and wife duo, Elliot Smith and Ella McNeill. We’re passionate about helping people feel more calm, creative, and connected — to themselves, to others, and to everyday life.
We’re hands-on, present, and deeply involved in every part of what we offer. We teach because we care, and because we’ve seen the difference these practices can make to the lives of people in our community.
“Keeping it real” is more than a catch phrase to us, it’s the only way we know how. We keep our teachings relevant and easy to follow, while being ready to dig into the challenges of life with you, any time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you have a question that hasn’t been answered? Reach out for a chat we’d love to help.
We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we live and work, the Whadjuk people of Noongar Boodjar. We recognise their continued connection to the land and waters of this beautiful place, and acknowledge sovereignty was never ceded.
© Kāru Collective 2026