Bhakti Yoga & Soul Celebration In The Heart Of New Orleans with Seán Johnson & The Wild Lotus Band

Seán Johnson & The Wild Lotus Band's annual 8 Day BHAKTImmersion attracts seekers, yogis, and yoga teachers from around the country and abroad who wish to experience the inspiration of bhakti yoga in a deep, fun, integrated way. The sessions are educational, experiential, and help participants to empower their creativity through the arts of bhakti yoga: singing, dance, storytelling, poetry, and more.

Sing your heart out, rekindle your soul, awaken the gods and goddesses within you, tap into your inner poet, dance like a child, feel your fingers tickle the harmonium, get your hands on a drum and find your rhythm, explore the beauty, romance, and celebration of New Orleans, rejoice in the awakening of your unique voice and creativity. Enhance your connection to Life through Bhakti yoga and kirtan. This 8 Day Immersion is for anyone who wants to steep in bhakti- the yoga of the heart, for yogis who are seeking to deepen their practice, and for yoga teachers seeking inspiration in integrating more bhakti into their classes.

The BHAKTImmersion kicks off Saturday afternoon with a celebratory hometown mantra music set as part of The New Orleans Sacred Music Festival with Seán, Alvin, Gwendolyn & Narada. The band will share music from their 20 year repertoire.

The week includes lots of daily kirtan, live music, and dance.

Daily storytime from the mythological world of yoga told in a fun and entertaining way by Seán with live music from Gwendolyn, Alvin, and Narada. Coloring and drawing to help awaken your intuitive connection to the stories.

Beginning and Intermediate Harmonium Lessons! If you don’t already have a harmonium, and wish to learn, you can order a harmonium in advance from Old Delhi Music with the discount promo code “wildlotus5” for a 5% discount.

Drum and rhythm lessons with Gwendolyn + guitar for kirtan with Alvin. Most people who come to the BHAKTimmersion have never played a musical instrument before and relish the safe supportive, environment to begin a music practice from the heart.

Bringing the myths to life. As adults we sometimes lose touch with our creative spirit. The BHAKTimmersion is a place to re-ignite your playful, expressive nature.

The week includes two all-levels Bhakti On The Mat classes guided by Seán with storytime and live music with Alvin, Gwendolyn & Narada. If you’d rather not practice asana, you can just rest and take in the music.

There will be two evening gatherings include: dinner at a lovely local home; a night of live local music with Gwendolyn; and backyard dinner and dance party with live New Orleans funk band.

Listen to New World Kirtan Podcast Documenting One Day at the BHAKTImmersion

Check Out The Bhakti Beat’s Blog & Photo Gallery From The BHAKTImmersion

Spaces are limited. The BHAKTImmersion has sold out in years past, so early registration is highly recommended.

Investment: $1275

Register with a $700 non-refundable deposit. Full balance due by March 1st, 2025.

Some partial need-based work trade scholarships also available. Email teamlotus@wildlotusyoga.com to inquire.

Price includes BHAKTImmersion experience plus extensive guidebook, daily snacks, and one dinner. Price does not include housing and other meals.

For questions, email teamlotus@wildlotusyoga.com

BHAKTImmersion Schedule:

(Schedule could change slightly in the flow of the week)

Saturday: 5:45-7:15pm Music Set at The New Orleans Sacred Music Festival - Cafe Istanbul inside The New Orleans Healing Center, 2372 St. Claude Ave, New Orleans, LA 70117.

Starting on Sunday, mornings are focused on self-exploration and satsang through singing meditation, interactive chanting, exploration of the archetypes of the gods and goddesses, guidance on how to bring more bhakti into your life; dancing, storytelling, mythology, journaling, and love poetry from the Bhakti tradition. Through the week there will also be a couple of Bhakti On the Mat asana practices led by Seán and accompanied by Alvin, Gwendolyn & Narada. Afternoons include more kirtan and option of supportive instruction in: basic harmonium with Sean; intermediate harmonium with Narada; basic rhythm and drumming workshops with Gwendolyn; and basic guitar-and-bass-for-kirtan with Alvin. Evening celebrations include house party with live local music; and NOLA music outing with Gwendolyn.

Schedule may change slightly in the flow of the week.

Sunday: (9:30am: doors open: snacks, tea & settling in) 10am-12:30pm BHAKTIMMERSION morning session. Lunch 12:30-2pm. 2-4pm BHAKTIMMERSION afternoon session.

Monday: (9:30am: doors open: snacks, tea & settling in) 10am-12:30pm BHAKTIMMERSION morning session. Lunch 12:30-2pm. 2-4pm BHAKTIMMERSION afternoon session. 6pm til: optional LIVE LOCAL MUSIC night on the town with Gwendolyn

Tuesday: (9:30am: doors open: snacks, tea & settling in) 10am-12:30pm BHAKTIMMERSION morning session. Lunch 12:30-2pm. 2-4pm BHAKTIMMERSION afternoon session.

Wednesday: (9:30am: doors open: snacks, tea & settling in) 10am-12:30pm BHAKTIMMERSION morning session. Lunch 12:30-2pm. 2-4pm BHAKTIMMERSION afternoon session. 6:30pm til 10pm / DINNER & HOUSE PARTY Location TBA

Thursday: Free Day to explore New Orleans.

8-9:15pm Intimate candlelight kirtan with the band.

Friday: (9:30am: doors open: snacks, tea & settling in) 10am-12:30pm BHAKTIMMERSION morning session. Lunch 12:30-2pm. 2-4pm BHAKTIMMERSION afternoon session.

Saturday: (9:30am: doors open: snacks, tea & settling in) 10am-12:30pm BHAKTIMMERSION morning session. Lunch 12:30-2pm. 2-4pm BHAKTIMMERSION afternoon session

Food

We will be providing a yummy homestyle vegetarian dinner at our Wednesday night gathering with a local vegetarian chef, as well as a table of simple healthy snacks during our daily gatherings. You will be responsible for all the other meals. There are restaurants, a neighborhood grocery that serves sandwiches, and other dining options in the neighborhood including Whole Food Market which is 12 blocks away.

Guidebook

At the Sunday orientation you will receive a guidebook binder which will include bhakti resource materials we’ll be working with during our time together including articles by Seán; singing, harmonium and rhythm exercises; a list of other bhakti resources, and more. This book will be a great resource to support your bhakti practice once you return home as well.

Asana Practice and Yoga Classes

There will be two Bhakti On the Mat yoga sessions held during the week guided by Seán and accompanied by Alvin, Gwendolyn & Narada, but the main emphasis is on other bhakti yoga practices. If you wish to take other classes at the studio that week, Wild Lotus offers a 7 Day Visitor's pass - unlimited yoga classes for $50. See our schedule of daily classes at http://www.wildlotusyoga.com/