Heart Practice of Chanting

Imagine your voice joining a circle of seekers, your heart opening through the ancient Sanskrit names of the divine. Heart Practice of Chanting is a half-day devotional retreat that invites you into the transformative power of kirtan—call-and-response group chanting rooted in bhakti (devotional) yoga. Led by Krishna Das, the Grammy-nominated devotional singer and beloved lineage keeper, and Nina Rao, this workshop at Omega Institute in Rhinebeck, NY on Monday, September 7, 2026 offers far more than a musical experience: it's an invitation to know yourself through the heart.

Whether you've chanted before or are completely new to kirtan, you'll discover how devotional singing dissolves the boundary between spiritual practice and everyday life. Krishna Das carries the teachings of Sri Neem Karoli Baba—a beloved saint whose grace flows through the practice of love and service. In this intimate setting, you'll learn not just how to chant, but why chanting is a direct path to the heart's awakening.

What to Expect

The session unfolds as a gentle journey inward. You'll begin in the early afternoon with the Hanuman Chalisas, a classical 40-verse devotional chant that honors courage, devotion, and the power of surrender. From there, the practice flows into call-and-response chanting, where you'll experience the joy of singing together—your voice part of something larger than yourself.

Woven throughout are teachings about Sri Neem Karoli Baba and the lineage of bhakti practice, offered by Krishna Das with warmth and clarity. Reflective dialogue creates space to explore how this ancient practice lives in the modern heart. You'll leave understanding chanting as a vehicle for service, inquiry, and genuine spiritual transformation—and with melodies that continue to work in your consciousness long after the event ends.

Venue & Logistics

This half-day retreat takes place at Omega Institute in Rhinebeck, New York, one of North America's most respected centers for yoga, wellness, and spiritual practice. The early-afternoon timing allows you to be present and spacious. Wear comfortable clothing you can sit in; the practice is accessible to all bodies and all levels of chanting experience. Omega provides a beautiful, supportive environment ideal for opening the heart.