This workshop on the above flyer is in honor of International Day of Peace which is on the 21st of October. Vedic Chant is a branch of meditation in Yoga practice. It is a process of uncovering the true Being that we are , connected to all in Unity . Chanting is a discipline of focusing the body in breathing and pronunciation, the mind in paying attention to each moment and the task at hand, remaining patient and steadfast learning or furthering the ability to surrender to one’s Highest Wisdom to be present in love, guidance and protection . Always a rewarding practice that deepens with the time spent in practice and research. If there is interest in the workshop please read all through this page. To register or obtain more information please visit the Contact us page and send an email.

The language used is Vedic Sanskrit also called Devanāgarī (language of the Gods or Divine Powers). It is a beautiful and logical language. When each syllable is pronounced correctly, it resonates and the effect is subtle and very powerful. The chants touch us deeply, nurturing, nourishing, replenishing, and bringing healing, and revelation.

Because there are specific rules that are followed in Vedic Chanting, it is very much a branch of meditation. In order to chant correctly with true benefits, our attention must be carefully applied in each present moment. As with meditation practice, it is cumulative and is best practiced daily, even if one is busy with many demands. A mini practice is always helpful! When practiced regularly and correctly, it cleanses and strengthens the thought content of the mind; revealing to us what thoughts go around and around, what are we desiring, what thoughts do we dwell on, where our thoughts originate, past traumas and victories, our generational heritage and our environmental influences. We learn to repeat and revere that which is beneficial, to let go of attachments, releasing that which is harmful. In the process of learning and practicing the chants, as in other forms of meditaion when our concentration wanders from our chosen focus we learn to become aware of this and bring our attention back to the present.

It is best to approach it with a “slow and steady wins the race” attitude! Usually the teacher pronounces a sound, then a word, then a phrase of a mantra, and then the whole mantra, and the student listens carefully and repeats each in the process 2-3 times. In this way a whole chant is taught, and learned. It is good to have a general idea of the meanings, and then after the chant has been learned and all the aspects carefully refined, the full meanings are revealed. Learning and passing on the traditional chants orally is called Veda-adhyayanam, meaning “to move inside the self”.

Mantra and whole chants are truly Sovereign, gentle, subtle and peaceful weapons against any affliction; physical, mental, emotional, social, and professional, as it has neuro-linguistic effects. Chant can be as meditation and prayer combined to provide a vehicle for us to be transported to the Presence everywhere; the Highest Source of life, love, peace, truth, and wisdom. Vedic Chants that can be taught by Joy are:

Laghunyāsah, Mantrapușpam, Ganapati prārthanā, Sarasvatī prārthanā, Āyurmantrah, Sūryanamaskāra mantrah, Ārogya mantrah, Śivapañcāksāri mantrah, Candranamaskrtya mantrah, Gāyatrī mantrah, Śiva mantrah, Mrtyuñjaya mahāmantrah, Sarvagunasampanna mantrah, Medha mantrah, Triguna mantrah, Rudranamaskāra mantrah, Rājasūya mantrah, Āśīrvāda mantrah ,Aruna praśnah, Purușa sūktam, Nārāyana sūktam, Visnu sūktam, Śrī sūktam, Bhū sūktam, Nīlā sūktam, Durgā sūktam, Medha sūktam, Śraddhā sūktam, Pavamāna sūktam, Śrīrudrapraśnah, Camakapraśnah, Daśaśāntayah, Nārāyanopanișat, Taittirīyopanișat Śīksāvallī, Brahmānandavallī and Bhrguvallī, Mahānārāyanopanișat, Īsāvāsyopanișat, Ganapatyatharvaśīrsopanișat, Sūryopanișat, Hiranyagarbha sūktam, Nāsadīya sūktam, Aksībhyam te sūktam, Agni sūktam, Āyusya sūktam, Ā No Bhadrāh Sūktam, Devi (Vāk) Sūktam, and Nakștra sūktam. More Vedic chants will be forthcoming! (Bhāgya sūktam, Navagraha sūktam).

Ślokah and stotra that can be learned: Āditya Hrdayam, Astvidham Pușpam, Prāthanā to Ganapati , Patanjali, and to teachers in the lineage: Śrī Krisnamacārya and Mr. Desikachar, and closing śloka: Ksamā-ślokah and Sāttvika-tyāgah. (coming: Vișņusahasranamā).

PRIVATE INDIVIDUAL ONLINE CLASSES;

Twenty five minutes: $30.00

Fifty minutes: $60.00

Payment is through Venmo or PayPal, please. Contact me via the Contact us page.

Please give 24 hours notice if there is a need for cancellation or there will be a charge of half the session fee.

For students that have not studied with Joy before, payment is due before class.

I will be teaching a group class at Taborspace in Muir Hall on Saturday, September 14th from 10 am-12pm. I will offer a chant for peace and wholeness from the Upanishad-s: Pūrņamadah Pūrņamidam. The cost is $50.00.

Testimonial:

“I have been practicing Vedic Chant with Joy for about 4 years. She has a vast knowledge of the chants stemming from her studies with her teachers from the Krsnamācārya school and lineage. Joy is patient, unruffled, never critical, always positive and helpful. She has enhanced my knowledge of chant through regular classes which not only focus on the correct Sanskrit pronunciation and breathing, but also on the deeper spiritual meaning of the chants. Joy is also a student of the Sanskrit language, which brings added clarity to my understanding of the chants. I would highly recommend Joy as a teacher to anyone seriously interested in learning the beautiful practice of Vedic Chant.” Barbara

If you would like to contact Joy, please go to the Contact us page.

Peace and Blessings.