As a musician, songwriter, interfaith minister and leader of devotional chanting, Jyoti brings a unique blend of offerings to her yoga classes. Call-and-response kirtan chants, mantras, and her own original songs are woven into the practice experience.
Why Chant?
Chanting and singing is used across faiths and cultures to come home to our Center and connect with Spirit. When we chant mantras, Divine Names, or simply sing songs that celebrate life, we are dipping into that expansive wellspring of joy and peace that dwells in every human heart. When we chant together in yoga class, we create community among ourselves and enjoy the beautiful sound of our voices resonating together. While most students enjoy participating in the chanting, some prefer to meditate in silence, allowing themselves to be enveloped in song.
Chanting opens the heart, awakening the qualities of love and devotion. This heart-centered practice is known as Bhakti Yoga, which uses singing to express our love and longing for God/Goddess/Spirit. Each individual invokes whatever form or name resonates with him or her personally.
The vibrational aspect of chant is known as Nada Yoga, the yoga of sound. Through the power of vibration, the practice of chanting balances and heals the subtle energy body. This has a transformational effect on us physically, energetically, and spiritually.
Perhaps most important, chanting is fun. Come experience the power of chant as a way to enhance and deepen your yoga experience!
Is this a religion?
Chanting does not require you to adopt any particular religious doctrine or belief in any deities. At Singing Heart Yoga, we draw upon chants from many spiritual traditions, recognizing that all paths lead to the One. As the Sufi poet Rumi so beautifully said, “There are hundreds of ways to kneel and kiss the ground.”
What is Kirtan?
Kirtan is a Sanskrit word that means "to communicate, to celebrate, to praise." It is an ancient yoga practice of call-and-response chanting, repeating the many names and attributes of the Divine. It is a joyful and uplifting practice. Each repetition of the Name is a sip of that sweet nectar that is the Divine Presence. The interesting paradox is that through chanting the Names, we deepen into the experience of the Nameless.
SINGING HEART KIRTAN with Jyoti
Join Jyoti for online kirtan and global devotional chanting on Wednesday evenings, 5:30-7 PM
Free and open to all!