January 10: Music Workshop – Kirtan for Beginners with Chakradhyan

Connect with the joy of music and self-expression as you discover your skills as a kirtanist.

“You can hear peoples’ hearts in their voice. My job is to open up my own heart so that people can feel theirs and find their heart sound. We can all sing. We all have the ability to find our voice and sing from the heart.” ~ Chakradhyan

Kirtan is a practice of Nada Yoga, the yoga of sound and Bhakti Yoga, the yoga of the heart and emotions. In Kirtan, mantras are chanted in a call-and-response method with musical accompaniment. The repetition of the ancient mantras becomes a tool to release the mind from its patterns and to connect with the heart. Kirtan is a very powerful and uplifting practice of yoga that opens the heart, calms the mind and harmonises the body’s systems.

Enjoy a day of music, creativity, mantra and community as you discover and cultivate your skills as a kirtanist. immerse in this powerful yoga practice and learn how to lead kirtan with a group. This course is for absolute beginners and no previous musical experience is necessary. This workshop is a condensed version of the Kirtan Level 1 six week course run at the Chant Yoga Kirtan School in Melbourne. By the end of the workshop you will be able to lead a kirtan with a harmonium and have the tools to progress on your own.

In an easy learning style you will effortlessly cover:

• The fundamental structure of kirtan, how it differs from normal songs.
• The essential of energy work in kirtan: Rhythm and timing.
• The harmonium…getting to know your instrument.
• Swara Scales to improve your voice and train your ear.
• Simple techniques for improving the voice.
• Progressing on your own; simple music theory. So you will be able to learn kirtans by yourself.
• Changing kirtans to suit your voice.
• Learn at least 3 kirtans whose chord structure can be used in many other kirtans.

About Chakradhyan:
Kiwi-born kirtan king, Chakradhyan, knows how to sing from the heart. Better yet, he wants to teach us all how to do it! Watch a video interview with Chakradhyan here.

Many well-known kirtanists begin as musicians and later develop into kirtan artists. It is thus a rare quality to discover a kirtanist who originates from a yoga tradition and then merges this love of yoga with music. Classically trained in the yogic arts at the Bihar School of Yoga in India, Chakradhyan’s experience draws upon a knowledge of the yoga’s of Mantra, Nada (energy vibration) and Bhakti (devotion).

Blending these traditions with his own artistry he has developed a moving and unique kirtan style that weaves Satyananda Yoga kirtan with elements of folk rock. His raw and emotive kirtans engage group participation and allow an honest expression of joy, opening participants to access the rare and essential magic of kirtan, known as ‘bhava’.

In 2009 Chakradhyan established the Chantyoga Kirtan School

He runs the Chant and Chai Cartel and Mantra Dance nights in Melbourne, and is the co-organiser of the Melbourne Chant Fest, Kindred Spirit Festival and the Return of the Sun Festival.

Chakradhyan has over 15 years dedicated experience in yoga, mantra and meditation practice. His experience spans the globe and includes 5 years living and teaching in Satyananda yoga ashrams in Australia, India and New Zealand.

Deepen your experience of kirtan and also join the Art and Science of Music – Kirtan In-Depth

with Chakradhyan on 15th of January.

These workshops run before and after our signature event Nurturing Positivity on 11th – 14th January. For more info and SPECIAL FULL WEEKEND PRICE click here.

Booking Information:
PH: +64 (3) 525 9887
Email Anahata Yoga Retreat
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Investment:
Beginners: NZ$95
Art and Science of Kirtan: NZ$95
Package deal: Both workshops NZ$170
includes lunch and program
Non-refundable deposit of 20% of total payment required to hold your place.
Locals discount available.

Optional stay for an ancient fire ceremony and dinner from 5:30 – 7:30pm. (KOHA)

Registration at 9am