Founded by MaharishiMahesh Yogi
Founded by MaharishiFresh off a remarkable victory, Rory McIlroy continues to demonstrate that elite performance is as much mental as it is physical.
As one of golf’s most accomplished athletes, his openness about meditation reflects a broader shift in high-performance sport—where practices like Transcendental Meditation® are increasingly recognised as essential tools for focus, resilience, and creativity.
McIlroy has shared that he turned to meditation “to live a healthier life… away from the golf course as well,” highlighting the importance of balance and mental clarity. He has also spoken about how meditation helps him stay composed under pressure.
While McIlroy has not publicly specified a particular technique, his experience closely aligns with the benefits of Transcendental Meditation, developed by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi and introduced to the West more than 60-years ago.
TM is a simple, effortless technique which is taught in a personalised, one-on-one session, allowing the mind to settle into a state of “restful awareness.”
This state of profound physiological rest and mental alertness, experienced during TM, has been widely studied.
A large body of research shows TM can significantly reduce stress, lower blood pressure, and improve overall cardiovascular health.
In one long-term randomised trial, practitioners experienced a 48% reduction in risk of heart attack, stroke, or death compared to controls.
These physiological benefits are paired with enhanced brain coherence and cognitive function—factors linked to improve decision-making, creativity, and performance under pressure.
Golf legend Gary Player, pictured above, has highlighted the importance of deep concentration in championship golf, and has spoken about Transcendental Meditation as a tool to access the level of focus required for world-class putting and performance.
Tennis pioneer Arthur Ashe was also known to practice Transcendental Meditation, valuing its ability to cultivate inner calm and clarity—qualities that defined his composure on and off the court.
In American football, Hall of Fame quarterback Joe Namath has been among the more vocal proponents of Transcendental Meditation, crediting the practice with helping improve aspects of his mental game, including reaction time and awareness during play.
More recently, J.J. McCarthy has spoken about meditating before games, describing Transcendental Meditation as a “tune-up” for his brain—ensuring he steps onto the field without a “cluttered mind.”
This idea of mental clarity is central to high performance across all sports.
Transcendental Meditation is an effortless technique to cultivate stillness—a powerful yet often overlooked component of peak performance. In that stillness, the mind becomes more creative, more adaptive, and more resilient.
Scientific research also links the practice of Transcendental Meditation to improved cognitive flexibility, reduced anxiety, and enhanced overall wellbeing, all of which are critical for sustained excellence.
Learn more about how the Transcendental Meditation technique can help you achieve your personal best, register for a free introductory talk at tm.org.au.
