We are delighted to welcome Snatam Kaur back to the ashram as part of the annual Christmas and New Year Symposium.

Join one of the most inspirational singers of devotional music of the Sikh tradition as she shares her angelic voice through song in two evening satsang performances. She and her husband, Sopurkh, will also offer two afternoon workshops in which you will be able to dive deep into the practices of kirtan, releasing pent-up emotions and fostering healing on the mental, physical, and spiritual levels.

Offered as 2 satsangs and 2 afternoon workshops. (subject to change)

What you’ll learn:

• How to release emotions through chanting
• How to foster concentration and create one-pointedness in the mind
• How to create a feeling of interconnectedness with others and all things and beings in the Universe
• Stress management through devotional singing
• Increasing positive mood, feelings of relaxation and focused attention
• Promote internal self-healing on spiritual, mental, physical, and intellectual levels with communal and individual chanting practices

What is kirtan?

What is kirtan? Kirtan is derived from the Sanskrit root meaning to call, recite, praise, or glorify. Put simply, it is the act of praising and glorifying some form of divinity. Kirtan involves joyous chanting often performed in a community environment with the accompaniment of instruments such as the harmonium, tabla, and cymbals.

The resurgence of kirtan in the 20th century in the East coincided with a renewed zeal or focus being placed on Bhakti yoga, the yoga of self-surrender and devotion. Swami Sivananda, one of India’s modern sages, did much to reignite the fire of kirtan in India by going from town to town and vigorously leading the entire town’s population into chants that lasted days. Since the mid-20th century, kirtan and the chanting of mantras has found its way to the West. Many find the chanting of mantras appealing because it doesn’t require intense focus and is often done in a collective environment that is supportive and uplifting.

What are the benefits of kirtan?

Chanting mantra has been shown to reduce anxiety, depression, dependencies and many mental ailments. The Alzheimer’s Research & Prevention Foundation recommends the chant Saa Taa Naa Maa for improving memory, developing greater attention, concentration, and focus, and bettering the mood. Other research studies also showcase the benefit of chanting for chronic pain conditions.

The practice of kirtan or chanting mantra regularly has been shown to bring our bodies back into balance, promoting holistic wellbeing: mental, intellectual, physical, emotional, and spiritual. Chanting helps us regulate our sleep, energy input and output, and, thanks to the stimulation of the vagus nerve, the “rest and digest” response of our bodies which is also responsible for regulating breathing, heart rate, muscles, digestion, circulation, and even the vocal cords. Simply put, chanting helps slow down the heart rate, lower blood pressure, relax different muscles and produce slow, regular, and deep respiration.