What is Kirtan?

Kirtan is an ancient sacred practice centered around call-and-response chanting, in which a leader calls out a mantra or phrase and the participants respond. Kirtan is a group practice, and the lines between caller and responder blur as the chanting proceeds, often escalating into an ecstatic crescendo where music and voices merge. It is a primary practice of bhakti yoga, the yoga of love and devotion, which originated thousands of years ago in India and is being resurrected around the world in step with the rise in popularity of yoga. Kirtan is a giving and receiving of love and devotion to each other, self and the higher.

Participants experience the effects of kirtan in diverse ways, from deeply meditative to ecstatically blissful.

Merry trained with Govind Das’s kirtan training at Bhakti Yoga Shala in Santa Monica, and with local Bhakti musician and music therapist, Sita Rose, and is excited to share the ancient healing of mantra and singing with you. Her joy for Bhakti yoga started with her first visit to The Soul of Yoga, in 2012 with Soul Talk hosted by Tom and Trisha Kelly, the founders.

Govind Das is a California-based kirtan singer, yoga teacher and his spiritual name suggests, a “servant of the divine”. He is the co-director/owner of Bhakti Yoga Shala in Santa Monica, CA. Govind Das’ commitment to Bhakti yoga and the ideals of love service, and devotion is the essence which is reflected and transmitted through his music and teachings.

His intention is to share yoga in the spirit of celebrating life and developing a personal and intimate connection with source. He leads evenings of kirtan, bhakti yoga workshops, kirtan training, presents at festivals, and leads transformative retreats throughout the world.