What we’re about
This group welcomes everybody from absolute beginners to seasoned Chanters of this Bhakti practice. Chanting (Kirtan) is a deeply inspiring practice that opens the heart and reveals the experience of our own true nature. It calms the mind and helps us to release unwanted tensions allowing us to experience the freedom within and connect with pure joy. We chant in Sanskrit, a language revealed by sages in ancient times as the language of the heart. There is a deep wisdom within the vibration of each chant (Kirtan) and each individual has their own unique experience of grace through the power of chanting. Chanting (Kirtan) replenishes the soul and unites us with one another and is the perfect way to experience the joy of singing in a group where the focus is on participation rather than performance. Nikki leads these sessions with voice, harmonium and drum. You can join her in singing a range of easy-to-learn devotional and uplifting chants or just bask in the sound of the chants.
No singing experience essencial and you do not have to be a singer to enjoy this practice.
'Chanting makes meditation easier if you find it difficult, and deepens an existing meditation practice'.
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- Learn to Lead Kirtan Immersion CourseThe Lodge Space, London£825.00
Do you have an interest in kirtan and are looking to develop a chanting practice?
Do you have blocks in your voice and are looking for a way to free this?
Or perhaps you are looking for a way to deepen your yoga practice beyond asana and explore the devotional side of yoga?
If any of these resonate with you then I invite you to book onto our Learn to lead kirtan immersion course, a 6 Pillar course taking you through the basics of leading kirtan.
Course Description
This is a unique opportunity to explore all the elements of Kirtan leadership with Nikki Slade. After facilitating six successful 200hr Kirtan Leader trainings here in the UK, Nikki is now opening up her work in a new format of shorter courses with a more accessible time frame. The first of which will take place at The Lodge Space hosted by Lisa Daopraky, a recent graduate of the 2023 Nikki Slade Learn to lead Kirtan 200 hr training.
What is on offer in this training?- A space to open up your truest self-expression
- Vocal Technique to strengthen your vocal instrument
- Exploration of Devotion (Bhakti), we will dive into connecting deeply with the deities in their sonic form
- Learn basic harmonium melodies with drones and simple notation
- Master your Inner Critic
- Develop your leadership skills to share chants with your community
- Option to have 2 private sessions with Nikki during the course for an additional £250 to develop your leadership skills in between sessions.
- Approved and Certified by the Yoga Alliance Professionals. Counts towards Further Training Hours
Our promises
- You will come away empowered to share kirtan with your community
- You will have a joyful, heart opening journey in community
- You will come closer to a sustained inner connection to your true free self.
Logistics
We ask that you purchase or borrow a harmonium to use during the course.
Entry Requirements
– no previous experience of kirtan needed
– basic piano skills helpful but not essential
– students can miss one day if they have prior commitments, but will need to book a catch-up session with Nikki, online for £80.
– The format of this course is not suitable for people with bipolar disorder and PTSD. From our previous experience in this area, 1-1 work is best suited for clients in this category. Please see Nikki’s Personal Kirtan 1-1 Kirtan Leader Coaching programme.
– we ask that you purchase, borrow or hire a harmonium to use during the course. There are a 2-3 harmoniums we can lend out but these are not enough for everyone. We suggest you do your research now to give yourself time to finance this, we have recommendations of where to purchase a harmonium. Please don’t let the harmonium be an obstacle to joining. If necessary, we will find a way to support you in accessing one for the duration. That acknowledged you will certainly want to have your own instrument to develop your own practice at home and for sharing the fruits of your training with your community afterwards.
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Fees
£725 Early bird. Available until 25th Feb, payment in full.
£825 Full price.
Instalment Option: 50% on booking, 50% due 1st April 2024.
50% payment required on approval of your application.
£150 deposit will be retained if you withdraw from the course.
Dates & Location
Dates: Sundays – 28th April, 5th, 12th, 26th May, 2nd & 9th June 2024. (Break on 19th May).
Location: Studio 3 at The Lodge Space. 120 Lower Rd, London SE16 2UB
Capacity: 16 students
Timings: 10:00 – 17:00
Lunch break: 13:00 -14:00 (lunch not included)
Next steps
If you are interested in applying please email Lisa, our course organiser: lisa.daopraky@gmail.com who will send you the application form and agreement.