Count me in for kirtan!

Kirtan is yoga-centric singing, and I like to sing. In the shower, in the car–wherever I think I can get away with it. Also, I am attracted to mysterious beauty. Thus I spent ninety minutes last night ensconced in a small yoga studio, raising my voice with others in praise, lamentation, and gratitude.

It was definitely spiritual, but more immediately it was a meditation on sound. As I chanted mantras and melodies again and again, the familiar became blurry and new syllables emerged. I got lost in the music, found a vision in the sounds, and felt utterly and absolutely fulfilled. I felt sated and at peace.

I would like to talk about the specifics of my kirtan experience, but that seems tantamount to describing a church service, or a choir practice, or a campfire singalong. Which is to say that it is something personal and worthy of firsthand experience. (Though if you have questions or want more details, you are welcome to comment or email me.)

The important thing to know is that kirtan is an opportunity for contribution and release. I felt expressive in a way that’s usually denied me. It was like getting to sing in the shower without my roommates hearing me. It was also like I was performing, in that I was giving effort and attempting harmony, but there was no pressure to “get it right.”

Because really, kirtan is about voicing love. I could feel the love last night, so fully, swelling in my chest and emerging past my throat in the form of music. We met to share love and be of service, gathering to raise funds and awareness for the Boys & Girls Clubs of America. It was a privilege to be with people who appreciate that sometimes yoga is music, and I am so grateful to add the joyous component of kirtan to my practice.