Yoga Vacation ProgramSeptember 4 — 6, 2026
Raga Journey
Exploring the World of North Indian Classical Music
Pat Lambdin and Shawn Mativetsky
The sounds of North Indian classical music open doorways to a living tradition that has been passed down through generations. In this program, musician and music therapist Pat Lambdin invites you to experience the emotional and spiritual depth of North Indian ragas – the melodic frameworks that are the heart of Hindustani music.
A disciple of the renowned sitar maestro, Pandit Shivnath Mishra of the Benares Gharana, Pat bring years of dedicated study, practice, and immersion in one of India’s great musical lineages. He blends devotion, artistic improvisation, and deep listening, inviting listeners to discover deeper layers of awareness and an appreciation for music as a healing agent.
Through live performance, guided listening, and accessible rhythmic and melodic participation, you will:
- Explore how ragas shape mood and emotion
- Experience how ragas reflect natural rhythms and relate to times of day, seasons and cycles.
- Cultivate deeper listening and embodied presence
- Develop an understanding of the basic melodic and rhythmic structures of Hindustani music.
Whether you are new to Indian classical music or already familiar with its beauty, this workshop offers an opportunity to connect with music as a dynamic force of connection across cultures and generations.
Offered as 3 satsangs and 2 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.
Pat Lambdin is a versatile musician, sarod artist, songwriter, and music therapist based in Burlington, Vermont, dedicated to exploring the healing and transformative power of music. A board-certified music therapist, he supports individuals and groups through interactive music-making and deep listening, helping people reconnect with their innate creativity in settings ranging from psychiatric hospitals to schools and hospice care.
Pat is a devoted student of the sarod, a North Indian classical instrument, and trains under the legendary sitar maestro Pandit Shivnath Mishra in Varanasi, India. He regularly travels to India for continued study and has performed across North America and India, sharing this rich musical lineage with diverse audiences.
Also a songwriter and collaborator, Pat has released several albums of original music that reflect on love, resilience, and the shared human experience. Whether in performance, therapy, or collaboration, he brings depth, warmth, and a heartfelt presence to every space he enters.
Dynamic performer Shawn Mativetsky is considered one of Canada’s leading ambassadors of the tabla, and is a pioneer in bridging the worlds of Western and Indian classical music. Acclaimed as an exceptional soloist and a leading disciple of the renowned Pandit Sharda Sahai, Shawn Mativetsky is highly sought-after as both performer and educator, and is active in the promotion of the tabla and North Indian classical music through lectures, workshops, and performances across Canada and internationally.
Based in Montreal, Shawn teaches tabla and percussion at McGill University. His solo tabla album, Rivers, is rooted in the rich traditions of the Benares style of tabla playing, and his latest project, Temporal Waves, brings the tabla into electronic music territory. His recent work involves explorations with tabla, effects pedals, and synthesizers, along with the use of magnetic tape recording and manipulation. He has also published a book, Rudimentaal, featuring compositions for snare drum, inspired by the tabla drumming of North India.
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