Love and Devotion

Join us for a soul-stirring celebration of love, devotion, and divine connection as we welcome beloved kirtan artist Acharya Mangalananda back to the ashram over the 4th of July holiday. This uplifting program invites you to begin the second half of the year immersed in Bhakti Yoga, the path of the heart, through the sacred power of mantra, chanting, and spiritual practice.

A direct disciple of the great Indian saint Sri Anandamayi Ma, Mangalananda carries the living presence of Bhakti in his voice, presence, and teachings. Through three satsangs and three experiential workshops, you’ll explore mantra, kriya, and the deep inner work of devotion—learning to release into sound, awaken joy, and open the gateway to divine love.

Let the chants carry you beyond words. Let your heart soften and your spirit rise. Whether you’re new to kirtan or a longtime lover of mantra, this is a rare opportunity to sit with a teacher rooted in a direct spiritual lineage and experience the healing, transformative magic of collective chanting.

Why Chant? Why Now?

Kirtan—the sacred call-and-response chanting of divine names—is one of the most accessible and joyful practices of yoga. No experience is needed, only a willing heart. As the vibrations of mantra move through the body, they awaken the nervous system, calm the mind, and connect us to something far greater than ourselves.

Modern research now confirms what sages have known for centuries: chanting can reduce anxiety, elevate mood, regulate the nervous system, and even improve memory and focus. With every note, mantra invites us home—to peace, presence, and the pulse of the divine within.

Offered as 3 satsangs and 3 workshops (subject to change).

The presentations associated with this Yoga Vacation Program begin with an 8pm satsang on the first day of the program and conclude with an 8pm satsang on the last day of the program.  Click here to read more about the Yoga Vacation Program details and view the ashram schedule for yoga classes and meals during your stay. We suggest you arrive at least one day prior to the start of your program for the optimal experience.

What is kirtan?

What is kirtan? Kirtan is derived from the Sanskrit root meaning to call, recite, praise, or glorify. Put simply, it is the act of praising and glorifying some form of divinity. Kirtan involves joyous chanting often performed in a community environment with the accompaniment of instruments such as the harmonium, tabla, and cymbals.

The resurgence of kirtan in the 20th century in the East coincided with a renewed zeal or focus being placed on Bhakti yoga, the yoga of self-surrender and devotion. Swami Sivananda, one of India’s modern sages, did much to reignite the fire of kirtan in India by going from town to town and vigorously leading the entire town’s population into chants that lasted days. Since the mid-20th century, kirtan and the chanting of mantras has found its way to the West. Many find the chanting of mantras appealing because it doesn’t require intense focus and is often done in a collective environment that is supportive and uplifting.

What are the benefits of kirtan?

Chanting mantra has been shown to reduce anxiety, depression, dependencies and many mental ailments. The Alzheimer’s Research & Prevention Foundation recommends chanting for improving memory, developing greater attention, concentration, and focus, and bettering the mood. Other research studies also showcase the benefit of chanting for chronic pain conditions.

The practice of kirtan or chanting mantra regularly has been shown to bring our bodies back into balance, promoting holistic wellbeing: mental, intellectual, physical, emotional, and spiritual. Chanting helps us regulate our sleep, energy input and output, and, thanks to the stimulation of the vagus nerve, the “rest and digest” response of our bodies which is also responsible for regulating breathing, heart rate, muscles, digestion, circulation, and even the vocal cords. Simply put, chanting helps slow down the heart rate, lower blood pressure, relax different muscles and produce slow, regular, and deep respiration.