Costa Rica Retreat, March 2012
By · CommentsThe retreat includes:
- Daily kirtan and satsang with Shyamdas
- Special access to evening kirtans with Deva Premal and Miten
- Daily 2 hour Jivamukti Yoga class with John Smrtic
- 7 nights’ accommodations
- 3 meals per day
- Full beach access
- Use of the infinity swimming pool
- Wi-Fi access throughout the main building
- Transfer to and from Liberia airport and Blue Spirit
Shyamdas has lived in India for nearly 40 years exploring the arts of puja and celebration. A prolific translator and writer, he has more than 20 books on bhakti yoga—the yoga of devotion—and sacred chant, divine service, puja, and Vedanta. He originally studied with Neem Karoli Baba and later with His Holiness Goswami Prathameshji. Shyamdas has also studied classical Indian music and specializes in classical dhrupada music of the mystic poets of North India. He teaches and performs internationally and his numerous CDs include Beloved Chants and Cool Dual.
John will utilize teachings from Bhagavad Gita, Yoga Sutra and even the lilas of Shri Krishna as a springboard to launch us into our daily Jivamukti Yoga practice. Each session will include an uplifting yet challenging asana practice from an intelligently sequenced vinyasa format, blissfully intertwined with a thematic Bhakti Groove music mix to keep us in the bhav! The extended class format will also allow for deep relaxation and meditation, to start each day off just right.
John Smrtic, J.D., E-RYT, is an Albany, NY based Jivamukti Yoga teacher who has spent a rare 600+ hours in front of his teachers and Jivamukti founders, Sharon Gannon and David Life. Soaked in this direct transmission, John is passionate to convey their teachings and method as purely as possible. Using these teachings and traditional yogic scripture as a foundation, John blends wit, music and challenging, intelligently sequenced asana from a vinyasa format to make each class a unique experience. John has gained acclaim for his class music mixes, affectionately referred to as Bhakti Groove. Check John out atwww.bhaktigrooveyoga.com
Shyamdas appears in new film, “Yoga Is”
By · Comments“Thirty million Americans and countless millions worldwide have taken up a practice that is transforming their lives. Follow filmmaker Suzanne Bryant as she meets with the most prominent Yoga Gurus and teachers in the west and travels to India to explore the power of this ancient practice. Along the way she discovers what YOGA IS.”
Look forward to the premier of the new film featuring interviews with Shyamdas, Krishnadas and many more next week when “Yoga Is” premiers next week!
For more information about the film and filmaker and to request a screening, please visit http://www.yogais.com.
Password with Deva Premal
By · CommentsDeva Premal’s new music album, Password, is now available through iTunes and White Swan Musica:
http://itunes.apple.com/us/preorder/password/id459242568
“Mantras are passwords that transform the mundane into the sacred,” says Deva Premal. Password represents a shift in direction for Deva and Miten, with the introduction of Danish producer RajRishi, who brought the cream of Copenhagen’s jazz players into the mix. The result is a substantial, musically refined album with sublime arrangements of ancient mantras, complementing Deva’s soulful vocals.
You can enjoy a short sample of Deva’s work at the following address: http://whiteswanrecords.bandcamp.com/track/shyam-prabhu-mix
Announcing our November India Retreat with Shyamdas
By · CommentsPlease find below the flyer detailing this year’s exciting odyssey of kirtan, yoga and devotion in the heart of India visiting the cities of Vrindavan, Jatipura and Agra among others led by the renown kirtan artist Shyamdas as well as Vraj Devi and Carla Olla from Love Yoga Center.
The program runs from November 23 – December 8 and includes all daily meals, accommodation, kirtan, yoga classes and more!
We hope to see you later this year!
Ecstatic Couplets: The Yugal Gita
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This and other sacred texts translated by Shyamdas are available now at sacredwoods.net
Shri Prathameshji
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His Holiness 108 Goswami Shri Prathameshji
I had the extreme pleasure of living with His Holiness Goswami Prathameshji, a direct descendant of Shri Vallabhacharya and the head of the first seat of the Vallabh Sampradaya, for eighteen years. Although his physical form disappeared from this world in 1990, Prathameshji’s devotional teachings remain with us. His knowledge was vast. He was a pundit of Ayurveda, Vedanta, as well as the Shrimad Bhagavatam. He was a master of Sanskrit, Urdu, Gujarati, and Vrajbhasha languages and an accomplished classical musician.
Prathameshji masterfully played the tabla and pakhavaja drums, harmonium, sitar, flute, and even sarangi, but most of all, it is the way he sang Dhrupada-Dhamar devotional kirtan songs that still resonates throughout my being. He was a master of “Lila kirtan.” His life and songs emerged from the eternal realm and somehow manifested here in this world. His being was full of Lila-mood. He often sang, in total ecstasy, poems written by great bhaktas who had actually seen and experienced Shri Krishna’s Lila.
In this recording, His Holiness Shri Prathameshji ends one of his amazing teaching sessions by leading the audience in the traditional concluding kirtan, the following poem by the famous blind bhakta-poet, Surdas:
I have firm faith in Shri Vallabh’s lotus feet.
Without the moonbeams that shine from His toenails,
the entire world falls into darkness.
In this age of struggle, there is no other practice
by which to attain true liberation.
Sings Sur, I may be blind in two ways,
but I am His priceless servant.
Maharajshri Sings Ashraya Pad [0:51m]: Shravan
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During the month of Shravan, occurring roughly in August, Shri Krishna plays with all of His bhaktas in Vrindavan by the door of His Lila bower, filling them with His inner nectar. During Shravan, Shri Krishna daily swings in a Hindola, which can be painted, studded with jewels or mirrors, decorated with fruits or flowers, or can be made of silver or even gold. Shri Harirayaji explains in a kirtan:
Swing, swing, swing – Beloved Krishna, swing!
A golden Hindola stands by Yamuna’s banks,
surrounded by lovely blossoming trees and vines.
Rasika Pritam sings, “When I see this, the pains of my heart are relieved.”
[excerpted from Path of Grace by Shyamdas]
They swing together, arm in arm.
Look by the door of the fresh forest bower – see the splendor all around!
Krishna first plays a full scale on His flute, then plays a protracted tone, and then softens the note.
Sings Swami Haridas, “Radha plays in Krishna’s bower.
When I behold that divine beauty, I give everything else away.”
Bhakti Immersion 2010, Ananda Ashram
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Annual Bhakti Immersion Weekend with Shyamdas at Ananda Ashram
Radhe Radhe! If you are in the New York area don’t miss this intimate devotional retreat at the serene Ananda Ashram. I consider Ananda to be my home-ashram, where I have been visiting and leading programs for decades. We will have plenty of time and the lovely space to explore bhakti teachings, stories, mantras, songs, and more. anandaashram.org
Arjun Bruggeman
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Arjun Bruggeman is featured on Shyamdas’s Songs of Sweetness album and joins him for several events every summer. Shyamdas and Arjun combine their passions for rhythm and improv to create spontaneous bhava well worth witnessing — and taking part in!
Arjuna is Krishna Das’s primary touring and recording tabla accompanist. He studied classical percussion under Michael Frashe and tabla with Zakir Hussain, Ty Burhoe, and Benjy Wertheimer.
Adam Baba
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Adam Baba — doesn’t this photo say it all? A blissful, benevolent being who loves to “bhaj.” His humor and goodness are matched only by the spiritual funk he conjures up with his bass, enough to get anyone in the divine mood. Connect with this soul brother at one of Shyamdas’s many New England events, like the Boston Chant Fest, Omega, and others. Sample Adam Baba’s groovy bhajan bass from Shyamdas’s Songs of Sweetness album, below:
