Finally!

Hi Folks,



The wait is finally over! I have been wanting to attend this chant group, Satsang Kirtan, that meets monthly in Birmingham for months and months. I've been teaching Foundations of Practice, Heartwood Yoga's ongoing beginner series, since the Fall of last year and the two happen on the same night, sadly leading me to believe I could not attend.



But, miraculously, John is teaching this 6-week series and I had last night free. Joy! There were 14 people in attendance, and we had so much fun. We began with intentional breathing and a small amount of movement, followed by a statement of intentions from the group leader, brief introductions and a few warm-up rounds of Om.



Each chant was pronounced and then explained; paper copies were provided as reference. Some were traditional Indian chants, others were simple prayers sung in English - all in call and response format. Aside from our voices, we were mostly a percussive crowd, banging and clanging on whatever we brought or were invited to use upon arrival. There was a break about 45 minutes into the kirtan in which we stood and did a few standing exercises for the body, mind and spirit. One participant suggested a series of light-hearted positive statements be told, with conviction, to each other's neighbor and after laughing our way through several statements, the room was agog for the chanting to continue.



On we sang and drummed, finally winding down around 9pm. After sitting quietly for a few moments, we began talking and milling about. I saw a few faces that were familiar to me, and they turned out to be old friends that I hadn't seen or spoken with in years. I met a couple of other yoga teachers from around town and the feeling of community was warm and comfortable.



This group meets at the Pink House in the Forest Park neighborhood of Birmingham on the first Wednesday of each month, from 7:30-8:30(ish)pm. I have been assured that punctuality is not required and to show up if and when you can. Donations are appreciated for the use of the space.



Note: Next month's kirtan will be held at an earlier time because it is open to families and they want the kiddies to experience the kirtan with respect to their lil bedtimes.



Let me know if you'd like more information about this group. I'd be happy to share my new friends!



Shanti,

Lauren

Sweet Surrender

I attended my fourth kirtan last Friday at Heartwood. It was a smaller group than the previous three...but I like to think of it as intimate. Attendance at a kirtan, for me, is like a going to a concert-yoga-class-sing-along-party where it doesn't matter if I can carry a tune (most times, I can't, but I can always clap my little heart out). It's good, clean fun, and leaves me feeling uplifted, joyfilled and in a fabulous mood.


The Sanskrit word kirtan may be translated into English as "to repeat". Kirtan is call-and-response chanting performed in India's devotional traditions, and more frequently in yoga studios, ashrams and Honda Civics around the world.


So, my yoga music collection is growing - slowly. I enjoy listening to this music when I'm looking for that calm balanced place within me. (It's difficult to be chanting one moment and yelling at someone in traffic the next!) Indian chants are also a great addition to my personal yoga practice, good background music while preparing dinner, or just putzing around the house.


This past week, had the absolute pleasure of chanting with Prema Hara. If you click on that link, you'll be able to listen to or buy their music. Some others of note that I've experienced and loved, either live or via CD:

Shantala
David Newman
(kirtans #1 and #2, respectively)

Wah!
Bhagavan Das

If Sanskrit chanting isn't your thing, Benji Wertheimer of Shantala, has some lovely discs of instrumental Indian music. Be warned, there is a lot of music out there for the yogic at heart, so do pace yourself.

Do you have favorites? Please feel free to share.

Shanti!