Mantra & Kirtana
I have been working with mantra as a daily yoga practice for around 13 years. Mantra (Sanskrit मन्त्र ) is a sacred utterance, a numinous sound, a syllable, word or phonemes, or group of words in Sanskrit which has a religious, or spiritual significance and a specific vibration. It is a way to pray but also to calm and clear the mind, by flooding it with a repeated word or verse and a particular frequency.
The Indian Art and Tradition of कीर्तन Kīrtana is devotional singing or shared recitation of verses in Sanskrit. This is call and response style of chanting or singing, accompanied by music.
I have been a part of a few kirtana groups over the years and have had the blessing of leading kirtana with the harmonium, and support singing for world-renowned kirtana professionals. In 2017, I co-founded a collective a group of musicians and yoga practitioners with whom I sometimes offer kirtana in Dornbirn and the Rheintal, but these days I am sharing at home again, in the new Yogaraum at Secret Garden Yoga!
I'm constantly inspired by the traditional kirtan of the Vaishnava tradition and I am lucky enough to share some valuable and uplifting time studying, practising and learning among friends and kirtana and classical Indian music professionals.
लोकाः समस्ताः सुखिनो भवन्तु
Lokāḥ samastāḥ sukhino bhavantu
May all beings everywhere be happy and free.
Mögen alle Wesen glücklich und frei sein.
ॐ
THIS IS MY FAVOURITE MANTRA
I LOVE IT SO MUCH THAT I TATTOOED IT ON MY FOREARM.