How does one begin to understand the Vedas?  What are some important things to know in order to comprehend the basics? Do we have to study all the Vedas? What is the method of study? This workshop, an initiation to the practice of Veda Recitation will help you answer some of these questions and more.

Join us for this special event of chanting all 1000 sacred names of Lalitā in Stotra form or verses of praise for her beauty, grace and compassion. Reciting Lalita’s divine names is a process of inner transformation and a way of awakening Divine qualities within ourselves.

Join us for this special event of chanting all 1000 sacred names of Lalitā in Stotra form or verses of praise for her beauty, grace and compassion. Reciting Lalita’s divine names is a process of inner transformation and a way of awakening Divine qualities within ourselves.

A Sunday workshop to help start your New Year by setting the right intention for your yogic practice through the year. Tune into and work with your inner conviction through this beautiful hymn from the Vedas - Śraddha Sūktam

Free introduction session to the Course on the 1st chapter of the Yoga Sūtras of Patañjali starting on Jan 21st

An FREE introductory session to initiate new students to the practice of Veda recitation. You will go through some exercises in recitation helpful for beginners, practice the pronunciation of Sanskrit syllables and understand the purpose and benefits of the practice.

Join us for this Sunday workshop to learn the first hymn of 9 mantras in the Rig Veda dedicated to Agni. This hymn can be cultivated to be a beautiful daily practice, developing the power of the will within us, allowing us to do our work with supreme aspiration and keeping us untiringly on the path of yoga.

On these two Tuesday mornings, 3rd & 10th March (9.30AM-10.40AM), our Yoga Sūtras study group will learn the Sanskrit alphabet and practice pronunciation of āsana names. We will open these two classes to anyone interested to learn.

This session gives a very high level overview of the classification of the Vedas intended to help a Veda recitation practitioner find their way around the terminology used in Veda nomenclature. This knowledge will serve the practitioner well in looking for important hymns and mantras in the source texts.

Through this workshop, you will have an introduction to some of the key concepts to get you started with studying Chapter 1, Samādhi Pāda, complete absorption. You will also experience a traditional method of study, through chanting the Sūtras and then exploring the key concepts through succinct explanations. 

This session will help the student of Veda recitation understand the following principle concepts of the Vedas:
Mantra, Sūktam, Chandas, Ṛṣi

This session will help the student of Veda recitation understand the following principle concepts of the Vedas:
Yagña – The sacred fire ritual of the Vedas and its symbolic meaning
Devata – The cosmic forces or gods & deities of the Vedas

We will examine some of the key concepts of Yoga that appear in the Vedas: Śraddha, Smṛti, Samādhi, Viveka, Dhyāna, Īśvara, Physical & mental health

This workshop is suitable for beginners and all levels seeking a deeper understanding of Peace mantras, their pronunciation, Vedic phonetics and meaning.

The strong oral tradition of the Vedas was maintained by Vegāṅga (branch of Veda) texts called Prātiśākhyā & Śīkṣā. These texts are considered the 'nose' of the Vedapuruṣa suggesting that it is the 'life breath' of the Vedas which are essentially a sound system or Śruti. These texts constitute the main sources of Indian phonetics.

The Vedas are mystical powerful poetry that need a deeper understanding of its words and structure to appreciate its value to our self-growth journey. When we use a literal word by word surface translation of mantras, they do not appear to be cogent. But when we use the deeper meanings of the words, the verses indicate they contain deep helpful wisdom.

This mantra is a prayer to the natural elements - Fire, Wind, Sun, Moon, Earth, etc to sustain the health of our organs and human body functions.

Learning the Rudram is a serious commitment and tapas, requiring one to put forward their best effort during the learning process. In this free introduction, students will have an introduction and will be able to learn the first few mantras of this magnificent hymn.

I will also give details of the one year study program scheduled to start in March 2021.

Learning the Rudram is a serious commitment and tapas, requiring one to put forward their best effort during the learning process. In this free introduction, students will have an introduction and will be able to learn the first few mantras of this magnificent hymn.

I will also give details of the one year study program scheduled to start in March 2021.

Join me for this introduction class and learn:

- What are the Vedas?
- Basics of Vedic chanting
- Tonal exercises for chanting
- Learn a mantra suitable for beginners.

I'm happy to offer this special 2 hour workshop to explore the idea of wellness in the Vedas and learn a short and beautiful prayer for health. This mantra has personally been very important to me in my own journey of recovering from a serious and sudden health situation I faced 4 years ago and I'm grateful to share this practice.

Join us for this special event of chanting all 1000 sacred names of Lalitā in Stotra form or verses of praise for her beauty, grace and compassion. Reciting Lalita’s divine names is a process of inner transformation and a way of awakening Divine qualities within ourselves.

Join me for this introduction class and learn:

- What some basic rules of Vedic chanting?
- Where do these rules come from?
- Tonal exercises for chanting
- Learn a mantra suitable for beginners.

Join me for this introduction class and learn:

- What are some basic rules of Vedic chanting?
- Where do these rules come from?
- Tonal exercises for chanting
- Learn a mantra suitable for beginners.

Join us for this weekend workshop to learn the first hymn of 9 mantras in the Rig Veda dedicated to Agni. This hymn can be cultivated to be a beautiful daily practice, developing the power of the will within us, allowing us to do our work with supreme aspiration and keeping us untiringly on the path of yoga.

Join us for this special event of chanting all 1000 sacred names of Lalitā in Stotra form or verses of praise for her beauty, grace and compassion. Reciting Lalita’s divine names is a process of inner transformation and a way of awakening Divine qualities within ourselves.

Join me for this introduction class and learn:

- What are some basic rules of Vedic chanting?
- Where do these rules come from?
- Tonal exercises for chanting
- Learn a mantra suitable for beginners.

Join us for this special event of chanting all 1000 sacred names of Lalitā in Stotra form or verses of praise for her beauty, grace and compassion. Reciting Lalita’s divine names is a process of inner transformation and a way of awakening Divine qualities within ourselves.

I'm happy to offer this special 2 hour workshop to explore the idea of wellness in the Vedas and learn a short and beautiful prayer for health. This mantra has personally been very important to me in my own journey of recovering from a serious and sudden health situation I faced 4 years ago and I'm grateful to share this practice.

This weekend workshop will introduce you to the nomenclature of the Veda with specific focus on where these peace mantras are presented and their significance. Most of the popular Śānti mantras are recited at the beginning of the Upaniṣads, but there is a wealth of peace mantras and Sūktams in other parts of the Veda. We will explore this in a systematic way.

Learning the Rudram is a serious commitment and tapas, requiring one to put forward their best effort during the learning process. In this free introduction, students will have an overview and will be able to learn the first few mantras of this magnificent hymn.

I will also give details of the one year study program scheduled to start in March 2022.

Learning the Rudram is a serious commitment and tapas, requiring one to put forward their best effort during the learning process. In this free introduction, students will have an overview and will be able to learn the first few mantras of this magnificent hymn.

I will also give details of the one year study program scheduled to start in March 2022.

Join us for this special event of chanting all 1000 sacred names of Lalitā in Stotra form or verses of praise for her beauty, grace and compassion. Reciting Lalita’s divine names is a process of inner transformation and a way of awakening Divine qualities within ourselves.

Join me for this introduction class and learn:

- What are some basic rules of Vedic chanting?
- Where do these rules come from?
- Tonal exercises for chanting
- Learn a mantra suitable for beginners.

Learning the Rudram is a serious commitment and tapas, requiring one to put forward their best effort during the learning process. In this free introduction, students will have an overview and will be able to learn the first few mantras of this magnificent hymn.

I will also give details of the one year study program scheduled to start in March 2022.

For countless generations in India, this mantra of Ṛṣi Viśvāmitra is being repeated with an unquestioned faith in the sacred character of the origin and certainty of its efficacy. It forms one part of an elaborate daily practice of Hindus called Sandhyāvandanam. 

Learning the Rudram is a serious commitment and tapas, requiring one to put forward their best effort during the learning process. In this free introduction, students will have an overview and will be able to learn the first few mantras of this magnificent hymn.

I will also give details of the one year study program scheduled to start in March 2022.

Join us for this special event of chanting all 1000 sacred names of Lalitā in Stotra form or verses of praise for her beauty, grace and compassion. Reciting Lalita’s divine names is a process of inner transformation and a way of awakening Divine qualities within ourselves.

Learning the Rudram is a serious commitment and tapas, requiring one to put forward their best effort during the learning process. In this free introduction, students will have an overview and will be able to learn the first few mantras of this magnificent hymn. We will also recite the Mahāmṛtyuñjaya mantra 108 times.

I will introduce the significance of Mahā Śivarātri, we will chant some mantras to express our longing to know Śiva. I will also introduce you to the source of the famous Oṃ namaḥ śivāya mantra. We will then recite this pañcākṣari mantra (namaḥ śivāya) 108 times.

Join me for this introduction class and learn:

- What are some basic rules of Vedic chanting?
- Where do these rules come from?
- Tonal exercises for chanting
- Learn a mantra suitable for beginners.

For countless generations in India, this mantra of Ṛṣi Viśvāmitra is being repeated with an unquestioned faith in the sacred character of the origin and certainty of its efficacy. It forms one part of an elaborate daily practice of Hindus called Sandhyāvandanam. 

I'm happy to offer this special 2 hour workshop to explore the idea of wellness in the Vedas and learn a short and beautiful prayer for health.

Join me for this introduction class and learn:

- What are some basic rules of Vedic chanting?
- Where do these rules come from?
- Tonal exercises for chanting
- Learn a mantra suitable for beginners.

Join us for this special event of chanting all 1000 sacred names of Lalitā in Stotra form or verses of praise for her beauty, grace and compassion. Reciting Lalita’s divine names is a process of inner transformation and a way of awakening Divine qualities within ourselves.

For the last two years, the founder of Indic Academy, Hari Kiran Vadlamani and I have been working on bringing a chanting teacher training program to our community. With blessings from my Gurus, The Challakere Brothers, I am very excited to announce that we will launch this certification program in September this year.

Join me for this introduction class and learn:

- What are some basic rules of Vedic chanting?
- Where do these rules come from?
- Importance of learning in a lineage and in the context of tradition.
- Tonal exercises for chanting.
- Learn a mantra suitable for beginners.

Join me for this introduction class and learn:

- What are some basic rules of Vedic chanting?
- Where do these rules come from?
- Importance of learning in a lineage and in the context of tradition.
- Tonal exercises for chanting.
- Learn a mantra suitable for beginners.

I'm hosting the first one-day gathering in June, in the countryside in Belgium to revive my old style of in-person teaching. I already have many confirmations to the event, therefore limited spots are left. Here's what the day will look like (with LOTS of breaks for social time):

I'm happy to offer this special 2 hour workshop to explore the āyurvedic perspective on vocal health.

A talk with Neema Majmudar who has studied in the tradition of Adi Sankaracarya, on what a traditional Teaching of Self-Knowledge is all about followed by a talk on the Symbolism of Dakṣiṇāmūrti by Surya Tahora, also contemporary teacher of Advaita Vedanta.

Join us for our last community event before the summer break. I will introduce you to the source of the famous Oṃ namaḥ śivāya mantra. We will then recite this pañcākṣari mantra (namaḥ śivāya) 108 times. I will explain the phonetics of this mantra as passed on to me by my teacher.

Join me for this introduction class and learn:

- What are some basic rules of Vedic chanting?
- Where do these rules come from?
- Importance of learning in a lineage and in the context of tradition.
- Tonal exercises for chanting.
- Learn a mantra suitable for beginners.

Join us for this special event of chanting all 1000 sacred names of Lalitā in Stotra form or verses of praise for her beauty, grace and compassion. Reciting Lalita’s divine names is a process of inner transformation and a way of awakening Divine qualities within ourselves.

In the 5th chapter of the Devī Mahātmyam, the inspiring hymn yā devī saravabhūteṣu is presented. In this adoration, the devā-s offer salutations again and again, to the Devī who is in all beings as consciousness, intelligence, sleep, hunger, contemplation, power, forgiveness, modesty, peace, commitment, good fortune, compassion, contentment, error etc.

Everyone is welcome to join us for the mahānavami (9th day of the Navarātri festival) offering of chanting Durgā Sūktam 11 times, followed by a short Durgā Gāyatrī mantra japa. There will be a short introduction to the practice before we begin.

Mahālakṣmi Aṣtakam from the Padma Purāṇa is an inspiring prayer devoted to Goddess Lakṣmī to invite abundance and beauty into our lives. Said to have been recited by Indra, the Goddess is exclaimed as an enchantress and the verses describe incredible visualisations that mesmerise the devotee. She grants success, intelligence & knowledge leading to liberation.

Learning the Rudram is a serious commitment and tapas, requiring one to put forward their best effort during the learning process. In this free introduction, students will have an overview and will be able to learn the first few mantras of this magnificent hymn.

I will also give details of the one year study program scheduled to start in Feb 2023.

Join me to celebrate this month's Vināyaka caturthi, with the simple and profound japa of Oṃ gaṃ gaṇapataye namaḥ. 

Join me to celebrate Gīta Jayanti - a day to honour this magnificent text that unfolds the nature of our Self. 

Learning the Rudram is a serious commitment and tapas, requiring one to put forward their best effort during the learning process. In this free introduction, students will have an overview and will be able to learn the first few mantras of this magnificent hymn.

For countless generations in India, this mantra of Ṛṣi Viśvāmitra is being repeated with an unquestioned faith in the sacred character of the origin and certainty of its efficacy. It forms one part of an elaborate daily practice of Hindus called Sandhyāvandanam. 

Join us for a short practice to celebrate the monthly Śivarātri, a time dedicated to the worship of Lord Śiva. I will introduce you to the source of the famous Oṃ namaḥ śivāya mantra. We will then recite this pañcākṣari mantra (namaḥ śivāya) 108 times. I will explain the phonetics of this mantra as passed on to me by my teacher.

Learning the Rudram is a serious commitment and tapas, requiring one to put forward their best effort during the learning process. In this free introduction, students will have an overview and will be able to learn the first few mantras of this magnificent hymn.

Some of the key practices taught at Veda Studies include Japa (repetition of mantra), Pārāyaṇa (one time recitation of longer hymns), Upāsana (practices including saṅkalpa, prāṇāyāma, japa & contemplation). 
- We are always receiving emails from students with questions like:
- How many times should I repeat my mantra? Does it have to be 108?
- How should I prepare for my practice? What are some basic protocols to follow?
- What direction should I face during my practice? ...

Śivamānasa pūja is the mental performance of all the steps of a Pūja traditionally performed physically at an altar, thereby, creating an inner altar through this process. Composed by Śrī Śaṅkarācārya, this chant teaches us how to do a pūja quite vividly in our mind.

Learning the Rudram is a serious commitment and tapas, requiring one to put forward their best effort during the learning process. In this free introduction, students will have an overview and will be able to learn the first few mantras of this magnificent hymn.

Śivarātri is the 14th day of the waning moon fortnight (kṛṣṇa pakṣa), dedicated to prayer and austerities. The planetary positions on this day are considered to create an astrologically beneficial condition for spiritual pursuits. Our mantra practice hold immense potential on this day.

When our practices are aligned with a lineage, we receive clear instructions, allowing a distraction free sādhana to guide our lives. In the Veda, we know of many Ṛṣikā-s (women seers) as well as Brahmavādini-s (women teachers). Women practitioners are sometimes faced with these questions:

Are women allowed to chant Veda?
Women are not allowed to chant the Gāyatrī mantra, what is your advice on this?
What are the instructions for practice during menstruation?...

Liṅgāṣṭakam is an octet (8 verses) offering salutations to Śiva in the form of Liṅga, the source of all creation. We praise Śiva the divine, as creator and creation, manifest and unmanifest, in the Liṅga.

Join me for this introduction class and learn:

- What is Vedic chanting or more specifically chanting of Veda?
- Importance of learning in a lineage and in the context of tradition.
- The different types of chanting practices and how to distinguish between Vedic and other chanting.
- Illustrations through chanting of yoga sūtras, bhagavad gīta and Veda mantra examples.

After successfully running our first Teacher Training program, with blessings from my Gurus, family and well-wishers, I am very happy to announce that we will start our second program for teachers in January 2024.

How do we meditate on the meaning of mantras while chanting?
Vedic chanting is so difficult, I can't seem to chant & also reflect on the meaning at the same time.
During the silence between chants, what are we supposed to be thinking about?
Do I need to study Sanskrit to understand meaning?
How can I develop a prayerful life when I don't understand the chants?
What does it mean to live a prayerful or devotional life?

This well known hymn composed by Śaṅkarācārya honours our source of food, our lifeline, our most basic requirement to live this embodied life.

Narasiṃha is the fourth incarnation of Lord Viṣṇu in the Daśāvatāra (10 incarnations), the unmistakable and fierce (ugra) manifestation as part lion & part man. The story of Prahlāda, the slaying of Hiraṇyakaśipu and restoration of dharma is the context behind this powerful "kavacam" - a genre of prayer that effectuates an armour to shield the devotee from harm and negative forces.

Join me for this introduction class and learn:

- What is Vedic chanting or more specifically chanting of Veda?
- Importance of learning in a lineage and in the context of tradition.
- The different types of chanting practices and how to distinguish between Vedic and other chanting.
- Illustrations through chanting of yoga sūtras, bhagavad gīta and Veda mantra examples.

Join me for the simple and profound japa of Oṃ gaṃ gaṇapataye namaḥ. One of the most frequently asked question is about the pronunciation of this mantra, I will explain source, significance and pronunciation which is based on how one practices this mantra.

Join us for this special event of chanting all 1000 sacred names of Lalitā in Stotra form or verses of praise for her beauty, grace and compassion. Reciting Lalita’s divine names is a process of inner transformation and a way of awakening Divine qualities within ourselves.

This morning prayer of only three verses, directs our mind, speech and body to the Absolute. Chanted in the morning, dawn becomes the outer symbol of our inner awakening and sets the tone for how the rest of the day could potentially unfold for us. 

Śivarātri is the 14th day of the waning moon fortnight (kṛṣṇa pakṣa), dedicated to prayer and austerities. The planetary positions on this day are considered to create an astrologically beneficial condition for spiritual pursuits. Our mantra practice hold immense potential on this day.

In this one-day workshop, some selected verses from the Yoga Sutras of Patañjali will be taught in the light of non-dual Advaita Vedanta in a clear and insightful way by Neema Majmudar, disciple of Swami Dayananda Saraswati, Arsha Vidya.

In this class we will address the following frequently asked questions:

How does one begin to practice chanting with Veda Studies?
I want to Rudram, when/how can I learn it?
I have been studying now for 2 years, how can I organise my practice so I can remember all these chants?
How can I prepare myself to eventually teach chanting?

The very popular śloka, gururbrahmā gururviṣṇuḥ gururdevo maheśvaraḥ forms part of the Guru Stotram, a composition presented in the Guru Gītā. It is considered the means to connect with one's personal Guru and understand the Guru principle, creating the conditions to invite transformative teachings into one's life.

In this one-day workshop, Dr.Vignesh Devraj will spend the day with us, with insights into this important topic of the role of prayer in healing. The event is will be available both on Zoom as well as in-person.

Join me for this introduction class and learn a little about the tradition of chanting:

- How is chanting being practiced in daily life in a traditional home in India.
- What are some chants that can be learnt in a "general" way?
- Some important names in chanting - an insider's insight from South India 🙂
- The different types of chanting - a brief introduction.

After successfully running our first Teacher Training program, with blessings from my Gurus, family and well-wishers, I am very happy to announce that we will start our second program for teachers in January 2024.