Kirtan.

Kirtan is a Sanskrit word that means "narrating, reciting, telling, describing" of an idea or story. It also refers to a genre of spiritual performance arts, shared recitation, or devotional singing, particularly of spiritual ideas, native to the Indian subcontinent.

Kirtan is call and response in nature, and chants are led in a language called Sanskrit. Sanskrit is described as a "vibrational language" because, in ancient Indian spiritual traditions (like Yoga and Tantra), its sounds are believed to be derived from the fundamental, inherent vibrations of the universe and the human energy system, rather than being arbitrary human conventions for communication.

Science has even discovered wonderful physiological and neurological benifits to Kirtan including: nervous system regulation, increased social connection and soothing the mind.

I love being able to share the freeing and meditative practice of Kirtan, particularly because it was the practice that first drew my attention to my inherent self-consciousness and inner critic around my voice. I actually met my Kirtan mentor (Nikki Slade) back in 2011 where she led a Free the Inner Voice workshop at drama school (way before I even stepped into a yoga class!) Kirtan was a gateway into un-tangling the voice in order to sink into the heart and connect from a place of love, generosity and connection.

Kirtan is also a wonderful way to cultivate community and belonding due to the sense of union it can bring with it’s call and response format.