Practice healing chanting with guided voice training in the chanting workshop offered in honour of Paramahansa Yogananda’s 125th birth anniversary commemoration. Join us for a Himalayan Chanting Workshop to learn the basics of Sanskrit mantra chanting using auditory techniques (śruti) directly taught by His Holiness Swami Vidyadhishananda. This is a rare opportunity to learn from the very best authentic source and tradition, as His Holiness is renowned for his chanting expertise.
Experience and practice mantras as per the Himalayan system of chanting that emphasizes pronouncing sound constructs by intently listening to the sound partitions, orating them synchronized with breathing, and correct application of timing. Knowledge of Sanskrit letters or language is not a prerequisite. Attentive hearing and ability to repeat sounds will aid in memorizing.
Participants will learn both Vedic and Tantric mantra on lamp lighting and lamp extinguishing, using the correct cadence and voice tonality, as an appeasement to fire. Synchronizing the mantras with breathing rhythm as well as their breathless chant versions will be taught. The class will include practicing and orating a Sanskrit peace chant at various levels of difficulty. Other auspicious invocations to remove obstacles will also be taught using the same foundational techniques.
An Ayurvedic snack will be served following the chanting practice at the end of the workshop. This workshop is suitable for beginners as well as those already fluent with mantra chanting.
Program Schedule
4:00 pm – Check in
8:30 pm – Ayurvedic snack
9:00 pm – Close of fellowship
There will be a short break during the middle of the class
Note: There is limited seating in the fellowship room, and a full house is expected.
Travel & Flights
For those coming from out of town, we recommend flying into either LAX or SBA. SBA is half an hour drive from our centre, whereas LAX is a minimum 2 hour drive. Car rental may not be necessary, but could be helpful. Some rides will be provided by local Los Angeles and Santa Barbara area devotees.
Accommodations
Guests should book their own overnight accommodations at a nearby hotel, hostel or campsite. For more affordable options, we recommend Airbnb, which connects you with locals who have rooms or houses to rent out. Please visit airbnb.com to search for available rooms and houses. Or, click here for a list of other accommodation options. If you would like to stay in a hotel or Airbnb room with others, we would be happy to connect you with other devotees interested in room shares. Please call our Santa Barbara office for assistance in connecting with roommates.
Registration & Donation
Your registration is not a donation to the Nonprofit, as it only covers the expense of the catered meal, rentals, honorarium for the Vedic chanters, and ceremonial items. If you wish to make a charitable, tax-deductible donation to support this program and the Nonprofit’s curriculum, there will be an opportunity to do so during registration or in-person at the fellowship
