Vibrations of Love: Community Kirtan Chanting | Nectar Yoga, Bowen Island

Vibrations of Love is a community kirtan chanting evening at Nectar Yoga Retreat on Bowen Island, British Columbia, led by Jack, Soorya, Matthew, and Deviki. It is an introduction to Bhakti Kirtan, the devotional practice of call-and-response mantra singing, and it suits anyone drawn to chanting, sound, and gathering with others, whether or not they have sung before. Bowen Island is about 20 minutes from Vancouver.

What to Expect

The gathering runs 90 minutes and is built as a gentle progression. It opens with grounding breathwork and mindfulness, which give the body and attention a chance to settle. From there the group eases into kirtan itself: a leader sings a line, and everyone answers. Most of the mantras are chanted in Sanskrit, the ancient language of Yoga.

The organizers describe Bhakti Kirtan as a heart-expanding practice that connects people through sound, stillness, and community. Nothing is performed for an audience. The chanting is shared, and the room's voice is the instrument.

The Leaders

The event is offered by Jack, Soorya, Matthew, and Deviki, who lead the chanting together. Deviki also hosts her own heart-centred offering at Nectar later in the season, an afternoon devoted to listening to the heart's longing and relaxing into presence.

The Setting

Nectar Yoga Retreat is on Bowen Island, in Howe Sound, a fjord northwest of Vancouver. The space hosts independently run yoga retreats, meditation retreats, and workshops from visiting teachers and wellness facilitators, and it is known for a geodesic dome and forest surroundings. Many people come from Vancouver for the day, since the island is only a short trip away.

Before You Go

No prior kirtan experience is mentioned as necessary, and the call-and-response form is made for beginners: you follow the leaders and sing what you hear. Because most mantras are in Sanskrit, you may meet unfamiliar words, and listening first is a perfectly good way to begin.