What is Kirtan Yoga?
Jack UtermoehlKirtan yoga is a devotional practice centered around mantra chanting, usually performed in a call-and-response format with music. Rooted in the tradition of Bhakti yoga, it channels emotional expression and spiritual connection through sound and collective participation.
Kirtan sessions typically involve singing sacred names or phrases, often accompanied by instruments like harmonium, tabla, or cymbals. This practice encourages deep emotional release and heart-centered meditation, creating a shared spiritual experience among participants.
Unlike other yogic disciplines focused on movement or stillness, Kirtan engages voice, rhythm, and sound vibration to elevate consciousness and quiet the mind through repetition and devotion.
Origins of Kirtan Yoga
Kirtan traces back to the devotional Bhakti movement, which began around the 6th century CE in India. This movement emphasized love and surrender to the divine, making spiritual practice inclusive and heart-led. Kirtan became a central expression of this devotion, transcending social boundaries through sacred sound.
As part of Bhakti yoga—one of the four main yogic paths outlined in the Bhagavad Gita—Kirtan offers a path to spiritual awakening through love, sound, and emotional resonance rather than intellectual study or physical effort.
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Shop NowKirtan Yoga Practice
The core of Kirtan yoga lies in mantra chanting, often accompanied by traditional Indian instruments.
Sessions may begin with breathwork (pranayama) or silence and evolve into rhythmic, ecstatic singing. Practitioners may sit, sway, dance, or remain still depending on personal preference and group dynamic.
Common Practices: Call-and-Response Chanting, Pranayama (Breath Control), Seated Meditation Posture (Sukhasana, Padmasana), Mudras
Kirtan Yoga Suitability
Experience Level: Mixed Level (Suitable for All)
Physical Demand: Gentle Movement
Mind-Body Engagement: Primarily Meditative
Adaptability: Highly Adaptable
Focus Area: Spiritual Growth & Emotional Connection
Notes on Kirtan Yoga
Kirtan fosters emotional expression, collective joy, and heart-centered spiritual practice.
It is deeply relaxing and often uplifting, providing both personal transformation and a sense of communal unity.
The practice is open and expressive—some may sit in stillness, others may chant, clap, or dance.
Similar Styles
Bhakti Yoga, Mantra Yoga, Japa Yoga, Nada Yoga (Yoga of Sound)
Equipment Needed
Required: None (Instruments are optional)
Nice to Have: Harmonium, Tabla, Cymbals
Optional: Comfortable Cushion, Blanket for Seating
References
The Yoga of Sound: Tapping the Hidden Power of Music and Chant by Russill Paul
Chants of a Lifetime: Searching for a Heart of Gold by Krishna Das
Bhakti Yoga: The Path of Devotion by Swami Vivekananda
The Nectar of Devotion: The Complete Science of Bhakti-Yoga by A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
