Kirtan Bhakti Bliss Academy
Learn The Power Of Kirtan & Mantra
December 5 - 9, 2024 and December 5 - 9, 2025
The Yoga Barn in Ubud, Bali
Are you a Kirtan lover and passionate about singing and chanting from the heart? Would you love to share this ancient & modern spiritual practice with the world?
This is a unique and transformational opportunity to study traditional and contemporary styles of playing and singing devotional mantras. Learn to express yourself through music referencing both Indian classical music and contemporary (Western) music, taught by Kirtan master Punnu Wasu.
The playful and empowering teaching style of Punnu will be supported by other highly-qualified music teachers incl. his father Babaji and his brother CJ in this heart, soul and voice activating intensive training. Their profound knowledge and vast experience in Kirtan combined with their music background and devoted approach to teaching provides an incredibly inspirational musical experience.
This training is accessible to beginners with no previous musical training, people with intermediate experience and Kirtan leaders who want to refine their skills.
What Is Kirtan?
Kirtan is not merely music; it is the living legacy of devotion that blossomed during the 15th-century Bhakti yoga movement in India.
Envision this: A lead group, like spiritual torchbearers, invokes mesmerizing melodies and sacred mantras. In this enchanting call-and-response dance, the crowd becomes a vibrant river of claps and joyful dances, their rhythms intertwining and spiraling higher. It's not just music - it's a profound journey that stirs the heart and soul.
Yet, Kirtan is not confined to jubilant rhythms; it is a voyage into the depths of meditation. Amidst the music's passionate embrace, you'll discover moments of profound stillness and unadulterated bliss, where your soul finds sanctuary.
Kirtan's purpose is transformation - it beckons singers to dissolve into the song, like individual drops merging seamlessly into the vast ocean of consciousness. The mantras, rich in meaning, are recitations of divine names and qualities, articulating elemental philosophical truths.
But the true essence of these mantras transcends mere words. It's discovered in the unity they invoke, the sense of well-being they nurture, and the timeless serenity they awaken. These mantras silence the restless mind, while the music liberates the captive heart. In Kirtan, ecstasy isn't just the destination - it's the very path we walk.
So, what is Kirtan? It is a captivating odyssey of the soul, an invitation to unite with the divine, and a celebration of the boundless joy residing within us all.
Benefits
Kirtan Academy Benefits
Experience the benefits of ancient and modern sacred mantra repetition as applied to chanting and meditation. Enjoy the ecstasy and deep spiritual fulfillment of Bhakti Yoga practice. Learn the proper pronunciation and meanings of Sanskrit vedic chants from the Hindu tradition, Gurbani chants from the Sikh tradition, Sufi zikars and also English songs.
You will gain insight into Yoga philosophy, along with traditional Indian deity stories and practices, and learn to explain them in accessible modern language. Study the instruments used for Kirtan and explore the possibilities of adapting the mantras to your own original musical compositions.
What You'll Learn
Daily chant of the day
Vowel modification and vocal technique
Toning sessions for the voice through Classical Indian Sargams/Alankars, Alap and Ragas
Develop devotion through the voice
Sanskrit, Gurbani, Sufi & Contemporary chants
Chanting with small and large groups
Mastering the breath in order to have better voice control and sustain
Yoga and Bhakti philosophy & history of Kirtan
Basic arrangement, harmonium, tanpura and percussion techniques for new students
Advanced arrangement, harmonium, tanpura and percussion techniques for experienced students
Percussion workshop: Tabla, different drums and kartals (talas) rhythms
Proper pronunciation and meanings of mantras
Using mantra as a tool to deepen meditation
Performance coaching on chosen or suggested songs
Explore the possibilities of creating your own chant compositions
Develop effective skills for leading Kirtan community
In depth study of chants and integration with personal practice
Participants are divided into groups: Beginner, intermediate and advanced depending on their skills and interest
Trainer: Punnu Wasu
Punnu Wasu is an Indian vocalist, musician, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. He was born and raised in Hyderabad into a family that has a true love for kirtan and spirituality. He began studying harmonium and singing at the tender age of 5. At age 10, he moved on to studying the Indian Classical Music (Hindustani) while travelling with his father throughout India singing the beautiful verses of Kirtan.
Later on he also studied mandolin and tabla. He performs Kirtan, Xtatic Kirtan, Indian Fusion, Indian Classical music, Sufi, Bollywood music as well as Sound Healing around the world. Punnu is featured in the documentary The Power of Mantra. He has his own Kirtan Academy and Sound Healing Academy and also leads music workshops in combination with yoga & meditation globally.
Daily Schedule
09:00 – 10:00am: Silent Meditation, Mantra, and Pranayama techniques to help open the vocal cords
10:00 – 01:00pm: Nada Yoga (yoga of sound) & Chanting, Percussion Workshop (rhythm practice – Kaherwa and Bhajani beats and Kartals) and Bhakti Yoga Philosophy
01:00 – 02:00pm: Lunch and Relaxation Time
02:00 – 05:00pm: Vocal and instrumental practice in small groups
05:00 – 06:00pm: Group performances
1 hour Homework
What's Included
Full tuition — Immersive study and practice
Highly qualified and professional musician teachers and assistants
In-depth Kirtan and Bhakti Yoga books and useful chant sheets
Certificate of participation upon completion of the module 1 training
Closed messaging group – A space is for learning, sharing, asking questions and keeping in touch
Prices
USD 1'290 (Organic vegetarian lunch included)
Early Bird
10% discount when fully paid 30 days before training commencement.
Accommodation and travel expenses are not included
Payment
Total amount upon registration
If your payment preference is PayPal a 5% fee is added by PayPal.
Instalments
Please contact us for paying in instalments.
There will be a handling fee of USD 50.
Refund
Refer to our refund policy regarding payment.
Further Information
Preparation
To get the most from the training, please listen to the mantras we suggest before arriving for the course
What To Bring
Comfortable clothes, notebook, pen, eye mask, earplugs, reusable water bottle. Bring your own instrument(s) if you have them.
Module 1 Graduation Requirement
No more than 1/2 day of absence during the training
Duration
Module 1: 5 days
Class Room Language
Punnu teaches in English. German translation by native speaker is available upon request. Indonesian translation is also available upon request.
Accommodation
Accommodation and travel expenses are not included.
Place to stay can be checked at The Yoga Barn, Airbnb, Momondo, Agoda, Booking
Previous students have shared their recommendations for the following places to stay: The Yoga Barn, Nick's Homestay, Lili House Ubud, Danasari Homestay, Dewa Hostel, Ubud Aura and Alaya Resort Ubud.
Please note that above suggestions are not personal recommendations from Punnu or his team.
Special Music Requests and Private Classes
Punnu can teach mandolin playing if requested. Private music sessions in person or online can be booked with Punnu and guest teachers after the training.
Insurance
All insurances (incl. health and travel) are the responsibility of the participants.
Teachers and assistants shall not be held liable for any damage, or loss of property or injury to persons.
Travel and Visa Information
Please check with the Indonesian Embassy in your country for the latest requirements to enter Indonesia before making your travel bookings.
Passports must be valid for six months beyond the exit date.
Fasting
Water and juice fasting are not recommended during the training.
Questions & Registration
Send us an email to book a phone call or Zoom if you have questions about whether this is the right training for you.
Please contact us if you are interested in attending, have any questions or for payment.
Punnu's Kirtan training was a transformative journey into the heart of devotional music. His wisdom, guidance, and the divine energy he brought to each session were nothing short of extraordinary. I emerged from this experience not only with profound musical insights but also with a deeper connection to my soul. It was, without a doubt, a mind-blowing journey of spiritual and musical awakening.
SANDRA SMITH, CANADA