Bhakti is a love song to the divine. A devotional path to enlightenment that comes from a place of love and surrender.
In Zorba’s very first Bhakti retreat, we will delve into the depths of this heart-centred practice through kirtan, music, sound healing, yoga, chanting, dance, movement, and transformational workshops by celebrated teachers. Yoga is the artwork of awareness on the canvas of body, mind, and soul. We will explore the various forms of yoga and use it as a medium to connect with the Universal energy and radiate bliss.
Zorba the Buddha is situated on the lush, green outskirts of Delhi. With its earthen buildings, gardens and water bodies it forms the perfect backdrop for this journey. Come join us in this 3-day residential retreat as we grow and expand together!
Kirtan and Mantra Alchemy
We will learn enchanting melodies from Vrindavan and Navadvipa Krishna Bhakti traditions. Sing along as the Kirtaniyas draw you in bhakti bhav with the sounds of harmonium, caratals and mridanga drum.
Bhakti Yoga
We will flow into the elements that surround us and connect with the divine through the ancient practice of yoga.
Transformational Workshops
Under the guidance of Swami Ashwin Bharti, we are going to explore a host of transformational meditations like Atisha’s Heart Meditation in which we take in sorrow from the world and turn it into bliss and Third-eye Opening, which opens us to the beyond by activating the power of pineal gland.
Mantras, Beats and Bass
Kirtaniyas will enchant you by mixing traditional sanskrit mantras with electronic dance music and subsonic bass until you’re dancing to the flavours of Bhakti Yoga.
Temple Cooking Experience
The singing and dancing will accompanied by divine offerings—Vrindavan style—from the Bhakti Kitchen. As a part of Sattvik Cookout, we will come together to prepare a delicious meal as community and offer it to Radha Krishna.
Vijay Krsna was initiated into Bhakti-Yoga at the young age of 11. The very first order from his beloved Guru was to “always be engaged in Kirtan”. From that time on he has been traveling the world with various spiritual teachers learning the depth of this art and developing great expertise on the Mridanga drum. He has also spent extensive time in India studying vocal in the various Kirtan styles from holy men, mendicants, temple monks, villagers and singing strangers. Now having absorbed the essence of his study, he has developed a synergy between these styles of Kirtan, bringing with it mood, depth and passion.
Malini is a 3rd generation bhakti yoga follower who has used her extensive training in bharatnatyam dance as a platform to express the inner teachings and moods of loving devotion to the Divine which she has received in her travels to Vrindavan under the tutelage of her spiritual masters and guides. She has toured in several festivals, engaging audience members in in singing and dancing without inhibition. Malini is also the founder of Bhakti Kids Camp in the United States, and loves to create spaces for children to learn the process of bhakti, have fun and dance.
Ashwin Bharti became a disciple of Osho in 1977 and is an ambassador of Osho’s vision. From being a successful businessman, he became a philanthropist and started helping himself & others in their spiritual journey. Being a channel for Osho’s energy, Ashwin created Zorba the Buddha, one of the world’s largest open faith spiritual centre and cultural hub. Over the years, he has received transmissions from various teachers in Sufism, Tantra, Zen, Shamanism, Pulsing, Osho therapies & meditations, bodywork, biodanza, contact improvisation, art and music. Today, Ashwin continues to live his vision of bringing people to meditation as well as celebration, and has been facilitating Osho meditations for more than a decade.
Yess Miakoda is a student of life, availing herself to continuous philosophical education from various spiritual disciplines that express the interconnectedness of the physical and spiritual self. Yess expresses an undying devotion to her evolving practice as a Yogi, Vedic Thai-Yoga body worker, Ayurvedic practitioner, and artist. She considers herself an extension of great teachers. She exhibits authenticity as a Yoga teacher, encouraging transcendental, inward integrity through the communion of the physical and spiritual self. Yess has an artistic approach to the ancient wisdom of the six yoga systems—Hatha Yoga, Raja Yoga, Bhakti Yoga, Jnana Yoga, Kriya Yoga, Karma Yoga. Her knowledge of Ayurveda and Vedic Thai-Yoga body work compliments and sustains her integrative approach.
Gunjan Kochhar has 200 hours yoga teachers training in alliance with Yoga International from Srima School of Transformational Yoga with Swami Vidyanand, a month and a half training in Traditional Yoga from JawaharLal Nehru University, New Delhi, as taught by KaivalyaDham Institute, Lonavala (Maharashtra) India, 200 hours Level 1 Teachers Training in Kundalini Yoga certified by Kundalini Research Institute and Golden Bridge Yoga, L.A and NY, Yoga alliance, four Level 2 Teachers Training modules completed in Kundalini Yoga, with Kundalini Research Institute, New Mexico and with Golden Bridge Yoga, L.A (U.S.A) and Level 3- 2-1 stages of meditation in Kundalini yoga to her credit. She has also 100 hours vinyasa krama advanced teacher training with Srivasta Ramaswamy along with various therapies I also do one to one empowerment programs for clients based on various tools and therapies.
California based Kirtaniyas are a global collective of energetic, multitalented artists. These twenty-somethings grew up in a Vedic culture of song, dance, philosophy and devotion between ashrams and temples both in India and the western world.
Vijay Krsna, band leader, a student of devotional Indian folk music known as “Kirtan” in the sacred village of Vrindavana, India. This rare traditional art form is an ancient call-and-response mantra chanting practice, that originated in the Indian subcontinent over 5000 years ago.
Joined together with his musically gifted friend Sarasvati, soulful vocalist Rasika and drummer Nitai, Vijay Krsna formed the Kirtaniyas in 2009. Together with members including Malini Dance, Nakula Das and Jamuna Sheth, they have since travelled the World to over 20 countries infusing new life to these ancient chants with youthful spirit and energy. A full Kirtaniyas presentation features up to seven of its members.
Besides the largely traditional approach to their acoustic sets, Kirtaniyas now push the boundaries of genre to combine all of their passions into one new and unique sound. Melodious dance orientated “Worldbeat” music and subsonic bass meets the call and response singing of ancient Sanskrit mantras, accompanied by live acoustic instruments. This is where the boundaries between performers and audience become blurred, everybody is united in one voice and everybody becomes the band.
Early 2012 saw the release of the long anticipated first acoustic album called “Heart & Soul” with distribution through Silenzio (Europe) and White Swan Records (USA). Funded largely by the groups growing fan base, the album debuted at #11 on the iTunes World music chart.
The band members are multi-instrumentalists accomplished in traditional Indian style vocals, Harmonium, classical Violin, Tabla and Mrdanga drums, hand cymbals, bells, Gub gubi, music production, hiphop and classical Bharatnatyam, Oddissi dance forms.
They have collaborated with artists such as Cheb i Sabbah, Kula Shaker, The Polish Ambassador, Jai Uttal, MC Yogi, DJ Drez amongst others.
Veer is a human physiology expert who spent the better part of his career teaching aviation physiology and training rescue drivers. He was drawn towards yoga from an early age. He has a 200Hr training in Vinyasa-Krama with Miss Dominique Renucci, 300Hr training in Yoga Therapy-Panchkosha From Association of Yoga & Meditation, Rishikesh, and a 100Hr Advanced-training in Vinyasa-Krama Sri Ramaswami Srivastava behind him and has been visiting faculty at various yoga schools. His understanding of movement application and the human body makes him an ace instructor.
- Two Artist Scholarships Available
- Two Need-Based Scholarships Available
Date & Timing : 10th – 12th Feb, 2017
Contact : Chandrika
Phone: +91 9958067997
Email: devotion@zorbathebuddha.org