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The Practice of Connection Interview with Yandara Yoga Institute

This week we had a beautiful conversation about connection and trust. Nina Rao, who is a beautiful Kirtan musician, had a very interesting path. She was first introduced to chanting in south India by her chanter-musician grandfather at the age of 9 years old. Nina and her family moved abroad and actually her early work life began in the banking world in NY and then organizing and leading photographic wildlife safaris in Africa and India. It was only when Nina met Krishna Das in NY that her path returned to chanting. Nina spoke with our host Yael Ginzburg about the simplicity of singing together to bringing people together, trusting the pull towards connection, allowing the benefit of the practice to motivate us to continue, not having to ask permission to trust ourselves and more. We had a bird in the studio with us so when you listen, it will be a beautiful reminder of how it is to be in the studio with us on our grounds in Baja.

"We surrender to what is. And what is includes what we want. And then whatever we receive will be the gift.“ -Nina Rao. This clip is about the power of being able to trust ourselves. The way Nina speaks is so heartfelt and moving that it makes one believe in the good of the world.

The Vocal Sanctuary Podcast (Nina Rao Ep 7)

Show Notes:
Today, I’m joined by the graceful and world recognized bhajan traditional singer Nina Rao.
Nina Rao learned traditional chants (bhajans) from her grandfather in a village in south India when she was nine years old. The chants quietly stayed with her until she rediscovered chanting with Krishna Das in New York in 1996. For many years Nina has been Krishna Das' business manager and accompanies him musically as well. In 2007, she recorded the track 'Nina Chalisa' on Krishna Das' CD "Flow of Grace " ; January 2013 she released her debut album, "Antarayaami - Knower of All Hearts"; August 2017 her second album “Anubhav” was released. Nina regularly leads kirtan workshops, and retreats in her hometown of Brooklyn, New York and beyond. 

Podcast Recap: 

  • The power of chanting and how anyone can do it.

  • Beautiful mantra practice of Jai Ram Sita Ram by Nina Rao

  • Her story of recording with Krishna Das for the first time.

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Nina Rao – BHNN Guest Podcast – Ep. 95 – Sita’s Fire w/ Vrinda Sheth & Keli Lalita Reddy

Nina Rao and Keli Reddy interview author Vrinda Sheth about Sita’s Fire, a retelling of the Ramayana that brings Sita and the other female characters from the story to center stage.

Vrinda Sheth was raised in the Gaudiya Vaishnava tradition in Sweden. She is an alumnus of the reputed Kalakshetra institute, holding a First Class Diploma in Bharata Natyam, Indian classical dance. She remains devoted to tradition while exploring ways to bridge the gap between the modern and the ancient. Vrinda is passionate about bringing women’s voices and stories center stage and is the author of the award-winning Sita’s Fire Trilogy. She has a B.A. in English from the University of Florida and is pursuing a Masters in Literature. She lives in Florida with her husband and three children.

Check out the Sita’s Fire Trilogy at sitasfire.com

Cultivating Wise Hope

Cultivating Wise Hope is a 16 hour virtual retreat experience that explores hope, compassion and resilience through the lens of a diverse lineup of Bhakti, Buddhist, Christian and Sikh visionaries and teachers. This digital download features a wide spectrum of Dharma talks, meditation, storytelling, music and Q&A sessions.

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