Harmonium Course for Bhakti Yoga (HCFBY)
A 25-Hour Kirtan Immersion
with Seth Lieberman and special guest, Acyuta Gopi
REGISTER HERE
Description
Bhakti Yoga, the yoga of devotion and pure love, is a rich practice and tradition that places special emphasis on kirtan (to praise/glorify) and chanting the various names of God and Goddess as central to the spiritual advancement of the practitioner. To support this chanting, the harmonium has become a central accompaniment instrument for kirtan and the singing of these names and related prayers.
In this special online harmonium course for bhakti yoga, we will focus specifically on harmonium playing and music used for singing the names of Radha and Krishna, and prayers and invocations from the tradition of Vaisnavas (worshippers of God as Vishnu and His incarnations). The course will cover harmonium playing, from basic to more advance levels, the practice of kirtan and kirtan leadership, bhakti yoga philosophy, and western music theory. The melodies and music used will be traditional and popular melodies, taught through a western (mostly chord-based) music perspective.
This course can either be taken live on zoom, with video playback available later the same day, or a combination of live and video playback depending on your availability.
There will be at least 2 guest appearances from 1 or more distinguished kirtan artists. So far, we will be joined by Acyuta Gopi.
This course is open to a variety of levels of harmonium experience, from newer harmonium students to intermediate, but is not intended for a complete beginner or a highly advanced student. See prerequisites below or contact Ferdie if you have any questions about your level.
This course includes
24 and 1/2 hours group classes on Zoom (live or video playback)
1 private 30 minute coaching session with Seth taken during course
2 or more appearances from distinguished guest kirtan artists
Audio recordings of each chant
Video playback of each class, available within 6 hours of each session
Chant notation sheets
Music theory handouts and worksheets
Bonus! Free membership to weekly Thursday drop-In Harmonium & Kirtan classes for the duration of the course
Bonus! Free video library access to 100+ prerecorded harmonium classes for the duration of the course
content covered includes
10 chants, easy to intermediate level, including:
5 Kirtans using different names of Radha & Krishna
5 Maha Mantra melodies, 2-4 parts
Traditional invocations / prayers including:
Mangalacharan
Guruastakam
Gaura Arotik
Nrsimha Prayers
Kirtan leadership and musicianship
Western music theory for harmonium playing and singing
Bhakti Yoga Philosophy
PREREQUISITes
Can play at least 1 or 2 simple kirtans on harmonium
Can identify keys on keyboard by western note names
For complete beginners, you may take at least 1-2 private sessions with Seth in advance of the course. You’ll receive a discount code for this session upon course registration. Please contact Ferdie to receive your code.
Yoga Alliance Continuing Education Credits
You have the option to receive a certificate of completion, and be eligible for 25 hours of Continuing Education credits provided you meet the following criteria:
You have attended all classes or watched the video playback
You have completed both private sessions with Seth
You have completed, in person or via recording, a final teaching assignment
Dates and Times
January 9th - February 23rd, 2024
6 Tuesdays & 6 Fridays for 6 weeks , 11am-1pm EST
* There are no classes on January 30 & February 2nd
Group Classes
EST: 11am-1pm*
PST: 8am-10am*
*You can still take the course even if you can’t attend live. Videos will be available later the same day to view.
Private Sessions
You can schedule one, 30-minute session Mon-Fri between 9am-7pm EST based on availability. These must be completed between week 1 and week 6 of the course.
Pricing
$1008
Payment Plans are available upon request. Please contact Ferdie for more information and to set up payment plan.
Registration
Class size is limited to allow for more personal attention and a more intimate, group experience.
Early registration is recommended to ensure a space.
*Registration for this course closes on Friday, January 5th*
HARMONIUM PURCHASE
If you wish to purchase an instrument, please contact Ferdie for a list of recommended harmonium vendors.
Cancellation and Refund Policy
Should you need to cancel for any reason, if you give *at least 1 week notice* from the start date, you will receive a full refund minus a *$50 cancellation fee.* With less than 1 week notice *no refund* or credit transfer will be given.
REGISTER HERE
Seth Lieberman
Seth Lieberman is a musician and yoga teacher residing in the Hudson Valley of New York. A life long music maker, he studied music composition, theory, clarinet, and piano at the University of Maryland, where he received BA in Music. During his 10 years of time living in Brooklyn, NY, he completed 3 different yoga teacher trainings. Seth has joined his two passions of music and yoga through playing and teaching the harmonium, leading kirtan, and creating original music related to mantra and yoga. He has been actively teaching harmonium both online and in-person for the past 8 years and has helped bring the joy of mantra and music to many students throughout the world.
As long as Acyuta can remember, Kirtan or the Bhakti Yoga practice of mantra meditation through music has been the focus of her life. She has had the amazing fortune to travel the world singing, writing, and witnessing those heart transformations that she love so much, first hand. She’s conducted workshops, classes and seminars on kirtan that have absolutely changed her life for the better. Now along with her family, she focused her efforts on the NYC community and pours her heart into the beautiful practices of Kirtan, writing, and the incredibly transformative tradition of Bhakti Yoga.