Music Sessions

How to Join: 

Subscribe to our Music List to receive updates and notifications about upcoming music events.  All sessions will be held on the Zoom link below:

Join via Zoom:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82199891986?pwd=kdg4OpKRxfi2FZAdSdPoFZvkHbyJsT.1

You are also very welcome to join us in person at the Inner Ilume Studio.

Inner Illume Twice-Weekly Music Practice

About the Sessions

In these free 90-minute sessions we focus on learning and sharing traditional devotional music across a range of languages, including:

• Sanskrit
• Hindi
• Bengali
• Italian
• Spanish
• English

These are relaxed, informal sessions suitable for complete beginners through to experienced musicians.

At times, priority may be given to specific music or musicians preparing for upcoming events.

Please ensure Zoom’s “Original Sound for Musicians” setting is turned on.

Monthly Kirtan

Kirtan is a traditional practice of devotional chanting and music originating in India. Through the shared repetition of sacred sounds, mantras, and songs, Kirtan creates an opportunity to slow down, become present, and connect more deeply with oneself and others. Often accompanied by instruments and offered in a welcoming group setting, Kirtan may be experienced as both a meditative and uplifting practice. People engage with Kirtan in many different ways: as a spiritual practice, a form of reflection, an experience of community, or simply as a space to rest in the transformative qualities of music and sound.

Our Kirtan sessions are designed for both in-person and online participation and are run live with Zoom access available. Musicians are welcome to join from anywhere in the world, and there is time before and after each session for participants to connect informally. Throughout the session, an MC provides gentle guidance and orientation so that everyone feels comfortable and included.

No prior experience with Kirtan, chanting, meditation, singing, or music is required. You are welcome to attend and simply listen, or, if you feel comfortable, to join in through chanting, singing, humming, or playing alongside us in your own space or in person. Participation is warmly encouraged, as many people find that engaging with the sound more actively allows the experience to become more immersive, meaningful, and personally resonant over time. Regular attendance can also provide a supportive foundation for developing your own chanting practice as part of your personal sadhana (personal practice).

In our practice, repeated chanting is used as a way of settling attention and inviting progressively deeper states of reflection and awareness. For this reason, the initial repetitions of a chant are often offered more strongly to bring the chant to the attention of the subconscious mind. The middle repetitions are offered at a natural singing volume and are intended to speak to the conscious mind. The later repetitions become progressively softer and quieter to invite connection with the superconscious mind, offering an opportunity to settle more deeply into the qualities and inner resonance of the chant.

As each musical set draws to a close, you are invited to continue silently repeating the final chant as your focus for a short period of meditation. Alternatively, if a particular phrase, image, feeling, or line resonates, you are invited to take that into your meditation.

Your Hosts

Events are hosted by Dr. Alexandra Hart, Suzie Price and invited guests.

To learn more, please visit their profile pages.

Your Hosts, and other participants who share music or lead music education sessions of our Music practice sessions generously volunteer their time.

In some cases, they are students or professionals receiving credit toward their continuing professional development.

If you are interested in contributing to these sessions in this capacity, please contact Inner Illume at info@innerillume.co.nz

 

Stay Connected

To receive session times, dates, and information about the music we will be learning and playing, please subscribe to our Music List.

You can also subscribe to our Newsletter for inspirational content, updates, and information about upcoming courses and events.

All free music events are offered as part of Inner Illume’s commitment to accessible learning, wellbeing, and community support.