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Summer Retreat With Nina! June 22-24

OCEAN OF CHANT AND MANTRA
 

We are so exciting to be doing this again, this summer. Here is some information. Come join us!

This retreat is for everyone; no chanting experience required!
Immerse yourself in the sacred practice of chant—from the spiritual traditions of India—to quiet the mind, open the heart, and most of all, feel connected. Whether you are an experienced chanter or just beginning, come explore practices that transform you from the inside out, including

  • Japa (mantra repetition)

  • Asana practice led by Keli Lalita, connecting body and mind with breath and movement, accompanied by live chanting and music 

  • Group chanting of prayers and kirtan (call-and-response chanting of Divine Names) with the bhakti band

  • Recitation of prayers including the Hanuman Chalisa, Devi (Goddess) prayers, and Krishna bhakti tradition prayers

  • Puja (devotional offerings)

  • Optional early-morning guided meditation.

Take time out to retreat into the hridaya, the cave of your own heart, and create a sustainable personal practice that fits into your daily routine. Word sheets are provided, as well as reading and audio lists for support after the retreat. Come spend time with like-minded seekers and practice together as you strengthen your own practice and find that inner place of refuge to which you can always return.

Yoga will be taught by my dear friend Keli Lalita Reddy. 

Evening Event
Saturday, June 23, 7:30–9:30 pm
Nina Rao and Friends
Free for program participants and in-house guests; no general public tickets available.

REGISTER HERE

Sounds of Liberation Benefit Concerts Boston Jan 12 & NYC Jan 13, 2018

Such an honor and delight to listen and Chant with this wonderful woman Ani Choying Drolma. I was enchanted by her voice on a CD playing in Tibetan restaurant downtown years ago, and to meet her magnetic personality and hear of the great work she’s done for girls, is such a blessing. She led the chanting along with Krishna Das, and Lama Tenzin in benefit for Shedrub Development Fund here in NYC and Boston. Tashi Delek!

Here are some photos from two lovely evenings ... Boston Jan 12 & NYC Jan 13, 2018.
Krishna Das, Ani Choying Drolma, Manose Newa and Lama Tenzin Sangpo, together with musicians Noah Hoffeld on cello, Mark Egan on bass, Arjun Bruggeman on tabla, me on kartal, and music director John McDowell.

Omega Ecstatic Chant + Bay Area Tour

There's been so much wonderful chanting this month including Ecstatic Chant Weekend at Omega and chanting the Bay Area with my west coast buddies. What an honor for me!

Spring Ecstatic Chant Weekend at Omega May 2014 L-R: Shyama Chapin, Keli Reddy, Genevieve Walker, me, Roshni Thompson, Mark Gorman, Devadas Labrecque

Spring Ecstatic Chant Weekend at Omega May 2014 
L-R: Shyama Chapin, Keli Reddy, Genevieve Walker, me, Roshni Thompson, Mark Gorman, Devadas Labrecque

From Left-Right: C.C. White, Wah!, Me, Snatam Kaur, Ajeet Kaur Khalsa, Donna De Lory, Gina Salá

From Left-Right: C.C. White, Wah!, Me, Snatam Kaur, Ajeet Kaur Khalsa, Donna De Lory, Gina Salá

Chanting Hanuman Chalisas at Open Secret San Rafael

Chanting Hanuman Chalisas at Open Secret San Rafael

Kirtan at Integral Yoga Institute San Francisco

Kirtan at Integral Yoga Institute San Francisco

(Thanks for the photos Jennifer Mazzucco!)

I'll be with Krishna Das at his annual retreat at Yogaville; back in New York for more of his events in early June; and onward to Bhakifest Midwest; and a whole Kirtan Wallah Tour with Krishna Das in the summer. Look forward to chanting with you soon in CT and MA and much more...

Asheville, NC Weekend

My old friend, Saraswati

My old friend, Saraswati

I think we might finally be passed snow on the ground while flowers try to bloom! It finally feels like spring. It's been nice to hang with the kids during school break.

Had a great time in Asheville where we joined Krishna Das in kirtan, workshop, I sang for Saraswati's yoga class at her most beautiful center and we chanted Hanuman Chalisas as a group. Saraswati's yoga style weaves principles of Chinese medicine into an asana and pranayam practice designed to bring women's energy and hormones into balance. See this article in Yoga Journal for more information.

 Singing for Dr. Saraswati Markus' yoga class at Nourishing Life in Asheville, NC

 Singing for Dr. Saraswati Markus' yoga class at Nourishing Life in Asheville, NC

Here's a clip of live Radhe Govinda from KD's new CD  Kirtan Wallah !

This weekend come chant with my friend from the Bay Area, David Estes of Ananda Rasa kirtan who is leading chanting at Brooklyn Yoga School Sat April 26 8pm. He's a wonderful musician, loves chanting AND offers harmoniums - check out Ragamala.

David Estes playing with me at Bhaktifest West last year

David Estes playing with me at Bhaktifest West last year

One of Ragamala's lovely harmoniums

One of Ragamala's lovely harmoniums

Hope you can join us at Omega Spring Ecstatic Chant!

Am so looking forward to seeing my Bay Area friends and chanting together very soon!