Bhakti Yoga, Satsang, & Kirtan: Yoga in Community
Bhakti Yoga, Satsang, & Kirtan: Yoga in Community
Kirtan at Sarnai
In today’s fast-paced world, many spiritual seekers are turning to yoga not only for physical wellness but also for spiritual nourishment. Among the many yogic paths, Bhakti Yoga, the yoga of devotion, has become increasingly popular. Through heartfelt practices like kirtan (call-and-response chanting), mantra repetition, and satsang (spiritual gatherings), practitioners discover the joy of communal connection and inner transformation.
Bhakti Yoga invites us to approach the divine with the power of magical sounds.
What is Bhakti yoga?
Bhakti Yoga is one of the four classical paths of yoga in Indian philosophy, alongside:
Karma Yoga – the path of selfless service
Jnana Yoga – the path of knowledge and wisdom
Raja Yoga – the path of meditation and self-discipline. This includes yoga asana.
Bhakti Yoga centers around devotion to the divine, often expressed through song, prayer, chanting, and rituals. It encourages surrender of the ego and fosters love, compassion, and gratitude. Whether one’s image of the divine is a deity, the universe, nature, or an inner higher self, Bhakti provides a heart-centered approach to awakening.
Casa Floresta kirtan evening
Mantras: Sacred sound as spiritual practice
Mantras are ancient sound formulas, usually in Sanskrit, believed to carry spiritual and vibrational power. These sacred syllables are not just words; they are energetic codes that can shift consciousness. While mantras are found across all yogic traditions, they are especially central in Bhakti Yoga, where sound becomes the bridge between the practitioner and the divine.
In Bhakti, chanting mantras out loud, particularly with instruments, in a style called “kirtan”, can evoke a powerful sense of connection, emotion, and unity. If you want to learn more about the use of mantra in your every day life, check out Zach’s blog post about mantras here.
Kirtan: The joy of call-and-response devotion
Kirtan is one of the most beloved practices in Bhakti Yoga. It’s a group musical meditation where a leader chants a mantra and the audience responds. The repetitive, melodic rhythm creates a trance-like atmosphere, often accompanied by instruments like harmonium, drums, guitars, or even hand cymbals.
While the practice can be deeply meditative, it is also ecstatic and uplifting. Inviting participants to sing with their whole hearts, to move, dance, or simply absorb the sound.
A modern icon of this tradition is Krishna Das, whose moving renditions of the Hanuman Chalisa (a 40-verse hymn in praise of the monkey-god Hanuman from Hindu mythology) have introduced thousands to kirtan. Every New Year’s Day, he chants the Hanuman Chalisa 108 times, a devotional marathon that can last over 15 hours. It’s a true testament to the power of mantra and community.
The Mystical Yoga Farm creates great satsang events
The energetics of chanting in Bhakti yoga
Chanting is more than just music; it is a form of breathwork and energy activation. Just like pranayama (breathing techniques, one of the Eight limbs of yoga), chanting engages the breath and voice in a rhythmic, intentional way. It activates the vagus nerve, stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system, and calms the mind.
In this sense, chanting becomes a form of vibrational medicine, helping us align body, mind, and spirit.
You Don’t Have to Be Hindu to Practice Bhakti Yoga
One of the beautiful things about Bhakti Yoga is its universal accessibility. While its roots are deeply embedded in Hindu tradition, you don’t have to subscribe to any specific religion to benefit from its practices. Whether you’re connecting to deities like Krishna, Shiva, Durga, or simply tuning into a feeling of love and presence, Bhakti invites spirituality without dogma.
Satsang: Gathering in truth
Satsang is a Sanskrit word meaning “gathering in truth.” Traditionally, it refers to being in the company of a satguru (an enlightened teacher), but in modern times it has evolved into any spiritually focused community gathering. These can include:
Dharma talks
Meditation circles
Kirtan events
Book readings and study groups
When my wife Carrie and I were traveling through San Marcos La Laguna, at Lake Atitlán in Guatemala, we were amazed to find kirtan events happening three nights a week. Each event had its own unique flavor, with local and visiting musicians coming together in shared devotion. These spaces were some of our favorite times at the lake, experiences that we shared with old and new friends.
Kirtan at Karuna with our friend Stephanie
How to start chanting mantras in daily life
If you’re new to Bhakti yoga or mantra practice, here are some practical ways to start integrating it into your daily routine:
Start with a teacher: Seek guidance from someone who understands Sanskrit pronunciation and the deeper meaning behind the chants.
Use a mala: A string of 108 beads helps you count mantra repetitions and stay focused during meditation.
Be consistent: Like any practice, repetition brings results. Mantras like Om Namah Shivaya or the Gayatri Mantra reveal their power over time.
Chant out loud or silently: Begin with vocal repetition to feel the vibration, then move to whispering or silent mental repetition for deeper introspection.
Incorporate into transitions: Chant during walks, while doing dishes, or before bedtime. Mantra repetition during mundane tasks brings mindfulness into daily life. Chant while stuck in traffic, instead of looking at your phone!
Listen to Devotional Music: Explore Spotify, YouTube, or Apple Music for artists like Krishna Das, MC Yogi, or Ananda Das.
Found Ananda Das leading kirtan at Sarnai in San Marcos, Guatemala
Beginner-Friendly Mantras to Explore:
Om Namah Shivaya – I bow to the inner Self
Lokah Samastah Sukhino Bhavantu – May all beings be happy and free
Hare Krishna Hare Hare– A chant celebrating divine joy and love
Om Mani Padme Hum – A Tibetan mantra for compassion
Gayatri Mantra – A Vedic prayer for spiritual illumination
Each of these mantras holds a different vibration and intention. Explore them to find which resonates most with your heart.
Create your own magic with a ceremony involving mantras in your home
Where to learn more about Bhakti yoga
If you’re feeling called to deepen your journey into Bhakti, here are some excellent ways to dive in:
In-Person: Attend local satsangs and kirtan events at yoga studios, spiritual centers, or conscious festivals.
Online Courses: Teachers like Krishna Das, Ananda Das, or Bigger Life Adventures offer satsangas and events.
Books: Explore titles like “Bhakti Yoga” by Swami Sivananda or “Chants of a Lifetime” by Krishna Das.
Retreats and Ashrams: Visit places in India (like Rishikesh), or ashrams and retreat centers.
Final thoughts: The heart of Bhakti yoga
In a world full of disconnection, Bhakti Yoga brings us back to the shared heart of community, music, and spirit. Whether you’re a long-time yogi or a beginner, kirtan and satsang events can offer a safe, welcoming, and joyful pathways into deeper spiritual practices.
____________
Where to find kirtan at Lake Atitlán in Guatemala:
Sundays 12pm at Karuna in Tzununá
Wednesdays 5:30pm at Sarnai in San Marcos la Laguna
Monthly at Casa Floresta with Forest Path
Shamana also does a kirtan night but we were not able to attend and don’t know the time!
The Mystical Yoga Farm has amazing satsang events from time to time! They really have some good vibes over on their hippy island.
Bhakti Yoga, Satsang, & Kirtan: Yoga in Community
Kirtan at Sarnai
In today’s fast-paced world, many spiritual seekers are turning to yoga not only for physical wellness but also for spiritual nourishment. Among the many yogic paths, Bhakti Yoga, the yoga of devotion, has become increasingly popular. Through heartfelt practices like kirtan (call-and-response chanting), mantra repetition, and satsang (spiritual gatherings), practitioners discover the joy of communal connection and inner transformation.
Bhakti Yoga invites us to approach the divine with the power of magical sounds.
What is Bhakti yoga?
Bhakti Yoga is one of the four classical paths of yoga in Indian philosophy, alongside:
Karma Yoga – the path of selfless service
Jnana Yoga – the path of knowledge and wisdom
Raja Yoga – the path of meditation and self-discipline. This includes yoga asana.
Bhakti Yoga centers around devotion to the divine, often expressed through song, prayer, chanting, and rituals. It encourages surrender of the ego and fosters love, compassion, and gratitude. Whether one’s image of the divine is a deity, the universe, nature, or an inner higher self, Bhakti provides a heart-centered approach to awakening.
Casa Floresta kirtan evening
Mantras: Sacred sound as spiritual practice
Mantras are ancient sound formulas, usually in Sanskrit, believed to carry spiritual and vibrational power. These sacred syllables are not just words; they are energetic codes that can shift consciousness. While mantras are found across all yogic traditions, they are especially central in Bhakti Yoga, where sound becomes the bridge between the practitioner and the divine.
In Bhakti, chanting mantras out loud, particularly with instruments, in a style called “kirtan”, can evoke a powerful sense of connection, emotion, and unity. If you want to learn more about the use of mantra in your every day life, check out Zach’s blog post about mantras here.
Kirtan: The joy of call-and-response devotion
Kirtan is one of the most beloved practices in Bhakti Yoga. It’s a group musical meditation where a leader chants a mantra and the audience responds. The repetitive, melodic rhythm creates a trance-like atmosphere, often accompanied by instruments like harmonium, drums, guitars, or even hand cymbals.
While the practice can be deeply meditative, it is also ecstatic and uplifting. Inviting participants to sing with their whole hearts, to move, dance, or simply absorb the sound.
A modern icon of this tradition is Krishna Das, whose moving renditions of the Hanuman Chalisa (a 40-verse hymn in praise of the monkey-god Hanuman from Hindu mythology) have introduced thousands to kirtan. Every New Year’s Day, he chants the Hanuman Chalisa 108 times, a devotional marathon that can last over 15 hours. It’s a true testament to the power of mantra and community.
The Mystical Yoga Farm creates great satsang events
The energetics of chanting in Bhakti yoga
Chanting is more than just music; it is a form of breathwork and energy activation. Just like pranayama (breathing techniques, one of the Eight limbs of yoga), chanting engages the breath and voice in a rhythmic, intentional way. It activates the vagus nerve, stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system, and calms the mind.
In this sense, chanting becomes a form of vibrational medicine, helping us align body, mind, and spirit.
You Don’t Have to Be Hindu to Practice Bhakti Yoga
One of the beautiful things about Bhakti Yoga is its universal accessibility. While its roots are deeply embedded in Hindu tradition, you don’t have to subscribe to any specific religion to benefit from its practices. Whether you’re connecting to deities like Krishna, Shiva, Durga, or simply tuning into a feeling of love and presence, Bhakti invites spirituality without dogma.
Satsang: Gathering in truth
Satsang is a Sanskrit word meaning “gathering in truth.” Traditionally, it refers to being in the company of a satguru (an enlightened teacher), but in modern times it has evolved into any spiritually focused community gathering. These can include:
Dharma talks
Meditation circles
Kirtan events
Book readings and study groups
When my wife Carrie and I were traveling through San Marcos La Laguna, at Lake Atitlán in Guatemala, we were amazed to find kirtan events happening three nights a week. Each event had its own unique flavor, with local and visiting musicians coming together in shared devotion. These spaces were some of our favorite times at the lake, experiences that we shared with old and new friends.
Kirtan at Karuna with our friend Stephanie
How to start chanting mantras in daily life
If you’re new to Bhakti yoga or mantra practice, here are some practical ways to start integrating it into your daily routine:
Start with a teacher: Seek guidance from someone who understands Sanskrit pronunciation and the deeper meaning behind the chants.
Use a mala: A string of 108 beads helps you count mantra repetitions and stay focused during meditation.
Be consistent: Like any practice, repetition brings results. Mantras like Om Namah Shivaya or the Gayatri Mantra reveal their power over time.
Chant out loud or silently: Begin with vocal repetition to feel the vibration, then move to whispering or silent mental repetition for deeper introspection.
Incorporate into transitions: Chant during walks, while doing dishes, or before bedtime. Mantra repetition during mundane tasks brings mindfulness into daily life. Chant while stuck in traffic, instead of looking at your phone!
Listen to Devotional Music: Explore Spotify, YouTube, or Apple Music for artists like Krishna Das, MC Yogi, or Ananda Das.
Found Ananda Das leading kirtan at Sarnai in San Marcos, Guatemala
Beginner-Friendly Mantras to Explore:
Om Namah Shivaya – I bow to the inner Self
Lokah Samastah Sukhino Bhavantu – May all beings be happy and free
Hare Krishna Hare Hare– A chant celebrating divine joy and love
Om Mani Padme Hum – A Tibetan mantra for compassion
Gayatri Mantra – A Vedic prayer for spiritual illumination
Each of these mantras holds a different vibration and intention. Explore them to find which resonates most with your heart.
Create your own magic with a ceremony involving mantras in your home
Where to learn more about Bhakti yoga
If you’re feeling called to deepen your journey into Bhakti, here are some excellent ways to dive in:
In-Person: Attend local satsangs and kirtan events at yoga studios, spiritual centers, or conscious festivals.
Online Courses: Teachers like Krishna Das, Ananda Das, or Bigger Life Adventures offer satsangas and events.
Books: Explore titles like “Bhakti Yoga” by Swami Sivananda or “Chants of a Lifetime” by Krishna Das.
Retreats and Ashrams: Visit places in India (like Rishikesh), or ashrams and retreat centers.
Final thoughts: The heart of Bhakti yoga
In a world full of disconnection, Bhakti Yoga brings us back to the shared heart of community, music, and spirit. Whether you’re a long-time yogi or a beginner, kirtan and satsang events can offer a safe, welcoming, and joyful pathways into deeper spiritual practices.
____________
Where to find kirtan at Lake Atitlán in Guatemala:
Sundays 12pm at Karuna in Tzununá
Wednesdays 5:30pm at Sarnai in San Marcos la Laguna
Monthly at Casa Floresta with Forest Path
Shamana also does a kirtan night but we were not able to attend and don’t know the time!
The Mystical Yoga Farm has amazing satsang events from time to time! They really have some good vibes over on their hippy island.