Harmonium & Kirtan Retreat at Spetses with Seth Lieberman
Neda Yoga Shala has the pleasure and honor to organize a special 4-day retreat on Kirtan and Indian harmonium, with Seth Lieberman and 3 other teachers from America and Italy in Spetses on July 18-22!
Join us this summer for a unique opportunity to study keyboard and kirtan in a beautiful setting. This intensive and experiential retreat will offer participants an immersion in the study of music, kirtan practice and Bhakti Yoga. Apart from the educational component, in the seminar we will do kirtan daily, along with people from different corners of the world and wonderful musicians, experiencing its uplifting power.
Seth Lieberman is a fantastic musician, teacher and dedicated Bhakti Yogi. He has been accompanying some of the world's most famous guitarists for many years now. Joining us will be:
- Kavi Chandra (mridangam) from Italy
- Kalindi (kartal) from Italy
- Ferdie Lopez (for morning yoga) from America
- And the well-known Esco who will be preparing his nice food for us!
It is recommended for anyone who already has a basic understanding of how to play the keyboard, knows the names of the notes and wants to deepen their learning and experience of sankirtan. It is also aimed at those who wish to develop their personal chanting practice and those who wish to lead kirtan. Students will learn about the technical aspects of playing the harmonium and the cartal, add new kirtan and melodies to their repertoire, and practice leading the kirtan in a supportive group environment. Simple sheet music and recordings will be provided to support learning.
WHAT IS INCLUDED
-5 days and 4 nights
-Daily harmonium/quintan lessons
-Cartal and rhythm lessons
-Breakfast and evening satsang & kirtan
-Daily morning asana and meditation
-Healthy vegetarian meals
WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED
-Transportation (air tickets, ferries etc.) to and from the retreat venue
-Equipment - keyboards and cards - you must bring your own (anyone who does not have one please let us know and we may be able to help)
SCHEDULE
Thursday 18 July - Suggested arrival after 12 pm.
-Welcome
-Satsang & Kirtan
-Dinner
Friday 19 July - Sunday 21 July
-6:30 am. Meditation and Asana
-7:45 a.m. Satsang & Kirtan
-8:00am Breakfast
-9:00am Harmony Class
-12:00pm Free time
-5:00pm Kartal Class/Practice time
-6:30pm Satsang & Kirtan
-8:00pm Dinner
Monday, July 22 - Suggested departure between 11am-6pm
-Review and Asana
-Satsang & Kirtan
-Breakfast
-Closing circle
* The schedule may be modified according to the needs of the retreat.
**Please note that the first day of the retreat begins at 6:00 pm and the last day of the retreat concludes at 11 am.
INSTRUMENTS
Students must provide their own competences. We have a very limited number of harmoniums available for loan during the retreat, and they will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis.
You will also need to bring your own concertinas (if you do not have your own please let us know)
BIO
SETH LIEBERMAN
Seth Lieberman is a musician and yoga teacher residing in the Hudson Valley of New York. A lifelong 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 New York City, 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 United States, Europe, India, Australia, Japan, and all over the world. He is excited to host his first Harmonium and Kirtan retreat in Greece this July!
FERDIE LOPEZ
Ferdie discovered yoga 25 years ago during a time when a new job, a new relationship, and a move to a new city simultaneously occurred. Over time, he learned that the “whole” of yoga is more than just the physical practice and began to cultivate a greater sense of self which allowed him to find a better balance between his spiritual and corporate life. Gradually, Ferdie’s connection to bhakti yoga grew, strengthening his devotional and spiritual practice which has guided him to where he is today. He completed his 200 hour YTT with the Samarya Center in January 2015 and has been studying with Seth since November 2019.
KAVI CHANDRA
Kavi, raised in Bhakti culture, has immersed himself in Kirtan throughout his life, striving to develop expertise in the Mrdanga, Harmonium, Kartals and more recently Saxophone. He further refined his practice through extensive training in the 24-hour Kirtan program in Vrindavan, India. Here he spent years deepening his understanding in the philosophy and art of Kirtan. He shares his love for the practice by leading and assisting Kirtan events and festivals all over Europe, America and India. Committed to supporting aspiring practitioners he shares the transformative power of Kirtan to seekers globally, in both physical and virtual spaces, emphasizing deep connection and soulfulness.
KALINDI
Kalindi has been immersed in the Bhakti Yoga tradition since childhood, engaging in Kirtan by singing and playing instruments like the Harmonium, Mridanga, Kartals, and Bansuri flute. Her commitment to sharing her passion for this spiritual practice has led her to travel around America, India, and Europe, to share the joy of kirtan with others.