An ancient practice that awakens the Heart through sacred sound.
Kirtan, a cornerstone of the Bhakti yoga tradition, is a call-and-response devotional singing practice that originated in ancient India. While yoga postures strengthen the body and meditation calms the mind, Kirtan directly opens the Heart through the power of communal singing.
How We Practice
The format is beautifully simple: a leader sings a line, and you sing it back. Accompanied by harmonium, drums, and cymbals, we begin slowly and gradually build in tempo and energy. No singing experience needed - your natural voice is the perfect instrument for this practice.
Is It Challenging?
Not at all. Kirtan welcomes everyone:
- Melodies are simple and repetitive
- No need to understand Sanskrit
- Focus is on feeling, not performance
- Join in exactly as you are
Beyond Religious Beliefs
While traditional kirtans often invoke deities from Hindu tradition, you don't need to believe in gods or goddesses to benefit deeply from this practice. Many approach kirtan as sound therapy, meditation, or a celebration of universal qualities like love and peace.
Why Practice Kirtan?
- Emotional Freedom The repetitive nature of kirtan creates a safe container for emotional release. As you sing, layers of stress, anxiety and emotional barriers begin to dissolve. Many experience profound joy, release, and connection after just one session.
- Mental Clarity The simple act of focusing on mantras gives your analytical mind a rest. This creates space for intuition, creativity, and deeper wisdom to emerge.
- Physical Wellbeing The rhythmic breathing and vocalization in kirtan naturally regulates your nervous system, lowering blood pressure and creating a state of calm alertness.
- Spiritual Connection Kirtan creates a bridge between the individual and the universal. The vibrations of these ancient mantras work on you whether you understand their meaning or not, operating on an energetic level beyond intellectual comprehension.
- Community Bond Perhaps most importantly in our disconnected world, kirtan brings people together in harmony. There's something profoundly healing about adding your unique voice to a collective sound.
Join us in this ancient practice of heart-centered singing and discover how your voice can become your medicine and your Heart can remember its song.
No previous experience necessary. All voices welcome.
