Hold the phone! No, spray can! World acclaimed graffiti artist NASIMO flew in from Bulgaria and created the most spectacular backdrop for KVan, North America’s largest FREE outdoor yoga and Kirtan Festival. NASIMO’s work spans many variations – from the sublime to the childlike and back again. We will post glimpses of his masterpiece over the next weeks – for now, check out NASIMO’s website and see what we are so excited about!
This giveaway is courtesy of Paranada Traders, and wow, what a generous gift it is!
Kid’s Drum, flute, Auroshikha incense, Dali Lama scroll, and a compassion card. Yes, all of it in one gift!
Paranada continues the strong tradition of working with the local people in Rajistan, India, Nepal, and Indonesia to produce clothing, hats, and bags from natural fibre materials, hand block printed with natural vegetable dyes on hand woven or power loom materials from an array of cotton, silk, hemp, rayon, banana, and flax fibres. Their work is environmentally sustainable.
Join Paranada’s circle at Paranada for a fun drumming session with the talented and energetic Ras Nikhilesh! Every Wednesday, Time: 5:00 - 6:30 pm. See their website for more details.
3 Ways to enter (each counts as one vote, do all and be entered 3 times):
- Like us on facebook (and let us know you have liked us)
- Comment and like us below
- Share the link on facebook
Winner will be announced NEXT Tuesday, and can collect gift from a downtown Vancouver location.
Visit Paranada Traders at:
1505 Commercial Drive
604 - 255 - 3600
paranadatraders@gmail.com
http://www.paranada.ca
Today's Globe and Mail shows Justin #Trudeau doing yoga on #Parliament hill. I wonder if he knows there will be #FREE #yoga at 2nd Beach Stanley Park on August 10th 2013? Somebody should tell him.
We are a community. What says that better than a lovely t-shirt donated by #Inner Fire Creations for our first #giveaway! (Size: Ladies Large).
Inner Fire Creations is a small Vancouver-based company that creates yoga and lifestyle products for the urban yogi or adventurer. All products are handmade with love by local yoga teacher and artisan Leah Emmott. She strives to create stylish and sustainable products that inspire people to live more conscientious lives. Current products include meditation cushions (zafus), yoga bags and not-so-serious yoga apparel.
How to enter giveaway:
3 Ways to enter (each counts as one vote, do all and be entered 3 times):
- Like this link on our Facebook
- Comment below
- Share the link on your Facebook
Winner will be announced NEXT Tuesday, and can collect gift from a downtown Vancouver location.
Where to see more of the lovely Leah's collection:
Website: myinnerfire.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/myinnerfire
Email: innerfire.creations@gmail.com
Twitter: FireCreations
GOODLUCK!
Season of Giving in June? Why not! #Kirtan Vancouver has teamed up with our favorite people and will be giving away #FREE items EVERY week on Wednesday until our big event on August 10th 2013! The giving starts THIS Wednesday, so be ready to receive 
What a great mission statement. The Call and Response Foundation is a registered non-profit organisation that has a goal of promoting peace and harmony by sharing the chanting experience with 1million people by 2020. Their efforts include live events, community outreach projects, and support to artists. Take a look at what they are all about at http://www.callandresponsefoundation.org/ How do you promote peace and harmony?
Note: Kirtan Vancouver is not affiliated with this project. This post is meant to inform of other organisations that share the goal of promoting the benefits of Kirtan and yoga.
Flipping through the pages of the internet, I just came across a great article on Kirtan in Psychology Tomorrow magazine - At the intersection of art and psychology, by The Rev. James Reho Ph.D..
http://www.psychologytomorrowmagazine.com/kirtan-chanting/
The article talks about the meaning of Kirtan, it’s timeline in history, the science behind the sounds and instruments, and a unique look at the comparisons between other meditative dialogues.
As Kirtan mainstreams, there will be more and more opportunities to participate and practice in the meditative state that the call and response form of yoga invokes. I can’t help but smile and rejoice “Halleluiah”, or should I say, “Hari bol” to that!
Did you know that the music we listen to leaves an impression on our mind and consciousness? Here's a video of Sacinandana Swami speaking about the impression Kirtan leaves on us.
Krishna Das is a 2013 Grammy award nominated kirtan artist. Originally from the United States, Krishna Das traveled to India in pursuit of true happiness. This new documentary follows his struggles, spiritual development and eventual success as a kirtan leader. As of yet, no screenings have been scheduled in Canada, but we hope that changes soon!
Click here to watch the trailer for One Track Heart: The Story of Krishna Das
For the last two years, Enchant has been taking place every other Saturday at Unity Yoga. What started as a small group of people coming together to experience kirtan, spiritual discussion, and vegetarian food, has now become a gathering place for the spiritually inclined to connect in Vancouver. Guests simultaneously experience calmness from mantra meditation and building energy from the sound vibrations. This week's gathering was no exception. About 40 people ranging in age from babies to grandparents came together to chant and learn. There was a nice blend of regular attendees and those new to the kirtan world. For people unfamiliar with the mantras, sheets with words are provided to allow for maximum participation.
This Saturday, we were lucky enough to have Mahat Tattva das, who has been a monk for the last 17 years, share his insight and lead some kirtan. The discussion was thought-provoking, and the kirtan lively. Enchant is a great place to check out some up and comers in the kirtan world as the melodies are often led by young adults eager to share their music. The night ended off as it always does…with plates full of vegetarian food! It was fun having the chance to meet new people, especially while eating samosas, salads, rice dishes and cookies! Make sure to check them out on meetup at: http://www.meetup.com/Enchant108/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zRFEt0Ck61A
The Mayapuris talk about the kirtan experience, during a live performance in Byron Bay, Australia 2011.
Real Kirtan
By Sacinandana Swami
Kirtan is ultimately something which cannot be explained by words - it has to be experienced. It‘s always a higher connection - even if you are not consciously feeling it. It‘s alive, progressive, and rich with the fine nuances of an unfolding relationship.
Sometimes it may act as a mirror which reveals the pulse of your inner life ... How can you describe the relish of honey, the emotion of love, or the event of giving birth? In some mysterious way, kirtan can be compared with all of that - but then it is also completely different.
Words can show us the direction in which to look for the kirtan-experience, but only when you sit down, move towards your inner space, and then sing out, will you start to know what kirtan really is. Because at that time your soul will rise up and start to dance ...
Please visit frequently for new posts about Kirtan!
