May 04, 2024 at Yoga Under the Palms studio in Honolulu
Workshop - Nada Yoga Raga Kirtan Mantra
Workshop topics:
1. Intro to Indian Classical Music - grammar notation, and ragas, differences between Western and Indian music grammar including a brief tour of the different genres of music from the Indian subcontinent. For example Khayal, Ghazal, Bhajan, Kirtan Mantra, Folk.
2. Nada Yoga - Music as meditation - the importance of sound in Indian spirituality, focus on vocalizing.
3. Demonstration and group singing participation - of simple Raga phrases, short sections of songs in a few ragas, singing mantras/ kirtan interwoven with short mindfulness meditations.
Optional: dancing/movement with chanting kirtans at the end
To get digital copies of the workshop flyer and detailed notes on the above topics:
Neel (Nilanjan Sarkar) | 808-465-7722 | nilanjan_sarkar@gmail.com
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1. Intro to Indian Classical Music - grammar notation, and ragas, differences between Western and Indian music grammar including a brief tour of the different genres of music from the Indian subcontinent. For example Khayal, Thumri, Ghazal, Bhajan, Kirtan Mantra, Folk, Geet, Bollywood.
The standard keyboard scale in Western notation :
This is a picture with labels for the Indian music notations
The notes are Sa , Re , Ga , Ma , Pa , Dha , Ni , Sa ( upper ).
In western music it corresponds to Do , Re , Mi , Fa , So , La , Ti , Do ( upper )
if you play these notes on a keyboard and start from the Middle 'C' they would
correspond to C , D , E , F , G , A , B , C ( upper )
2. Nada Yoga - Music as meditation - the importance of sound in Indian spirituality, focus on vocalizing.
Some points-
Yoga means Union. Music is also a form of Yoga. Nada Yoga.
● Music is God's universal language
. Hence... With Music comes Spirituality
● With a focus on your breath and your mind ...Every note of music can connect you
to the Universe.... connect you to the present moment ....as well as to eternity.....
● Through music, the Divine can manifest in us here on Earth. A true yogi in the
traditional Eastern sense has achieved union with God.
● True music is what you play or sing for the Supreme or Divine or Eternal which is
also your own self or your Soul deep within you....that is what makes you happy ...
● Indian Music connects to Spirituality because a lot of emphasis is on Vocal/singing
and vocalizing the melody or the raga. The voice is treated as an instrument playing just
the one sound of an open “aa’ for example for most part of a 30 minure recital for
example.
● Yoga and Pranayama techniques combined with Vocal exercises provide unique
benefits in singing, speech, public speaking, stress relief, and retaining optimum
health......Everything that we see, every particle in our bodies are actually packets of
energy which are vibrations.
● It is a metaphysical concept that the entire cosmos is built on vibrations which is
the energy and is same as the Nada. Om sound is associated with this base vibration.
● In the Nada yoga concepts there are two types of sounds or vibrations (1) Anahat
(2) aahat. The first one is internal sounds that cannot be heard by our ears but are
perception after certain meditative practices The second one refers to the external
sounds that are processed by our ears.
● Focusing on the sounds and notes penetrates the entire body and can be used for
Healing! This treatment can be one of the safest methods of treatment as well as the
most enjoyable!
● Vibrations created by sounds have a profound effect on one's brain activity.
● In ancient traditions, for example, the Shamanic, drums were used to transport the
shaman out of his or her body into other realms of reality through the use of constant
rhythmic vibrations.
● We see similar effects brought on by the constant and rhythmic drone of another
ancient tradition - the Tibetan Buddhist chants that transport the monks and even other
listeners into realms of blissful meditation.
● Frequency, rhythm and pattern connects to Beta, Alpha, Theta, and Delta
frequencies at varying levels over a day as your brain modulates them to match your
activities . It also has effects on health mainly in terms of blood pressure, release of
toxins, pain relief etc.
3. Demonstration and group singing participation - simple Raga phrases, short sections of songs in a few ragas, singing mantras/ kirtan interwoven with short mindfulness meditations.
Create your own phrases with 3 or 4 notes of the scale
Sing in Aakar or Sargam or lyrics from following songs listed
Raag Yaman
Notes played - All 7 notes but sharp Ma: S R G m P D N S’
Key - C ; (With Tanpura only)
Anandmayee Chaitanyamayee Satyamayee Parame
<< 3 minute meditation >>
Raag Bhoop / Bhoopali
Notes played - pentatonic scale: S R G P D S’
Key - C ; suggested beat - Bhajani(8) - basic- 120 bpm
He Govind, Hey Gopal, He daya nidhaan
Praan nath Anaath Sakhe , deen dard nivaar
<< 3 minute meditation >>
Raag Malkauns
Notes played - pentatonic scale: S g m d n S’
Key C , starts from Ma
suggested beat - Bhajani(8) - Shuffle- 150 bpm
Om Namah Shivay Om Namah Shivay, Har Har Bhole Namah Shivay
Maheshwara Shiva Maheshwara, Har Har Bhole Maheshwara
[ Maheshwara replaced by Rameshwara, Gangadhara, Jatadhara, Someshwara, Vishweshvara, Koteshwara]
<< 3 minute meditation >>
Raag Bihaag
Notes played - pentatonic scale: S G M P N S’
Raag Bhairavi
Notes played - All 7 notes but flat versions: S r g M P d n S'
[optional Body movement for opening up physically ]
[1]
Om Mani Padme Hum
[2]
Govinda Bolo Hari Gopala Bolo.
Radha Raman Hari Gopal bolo
[3]
Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare
Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare
Namaste !!!
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