It is May 2015 and in the evening I walk to the yoga room at my yoga teacher training. We are introduced to bhakti yoga through kirtan. When the teachers were explaining it before dinner I was highly sceptical: Devotion? Really? Sitting in a circle and chanting together sounded very wooowooo to me. I took a spot and told myself to be open because you never know how practices will touch you. Never try, never know! After a moment of meditation, Lalita opened her mouth and started to chant Om namah Shivaya. Instantly I was hooked. Something big shifted within me and I almost started to cry. Gently swaying with the music, I chanted together with the teachers and fellow students. I cannot describe the feeling, but the closest I get to it is that my soul was touched by pure love in that moment and I felt connected to a part of me and to a collectiveness I had lost in life. At the end of teacher training we received our yogic names from Swami Shantimurti… Can you believe I was given the name Bhaktidharma? I never thought I would properly lead kirtan but here we are, Swami Shantimurti knew something a long time ago that took me a while to fully embrace. Every night during training we practised kirtan and it is one of my favourite practises, one I hope to share with you.

Since 2015 bhakti yoga holds a very special place in my heart. It is the yoga of devotion and is a practice that dives deep into the soul. How often do you devote time to yourself? To connect with your divine inner spark and connect with the collective? This practice connects us to others, to ourselves, and to the divine within and without.

Connection
In the fast-paced, individualistic culture of the Western world, many of us have lost our sense of connection. We live in societies that value productivity over presence and independence over community. Bhakti yoga offers an antidote. It reminds us of our interdependence and invites us to reconnect with ourselves, with others, and with the divine within and without, in whatever form resonates with us.

At its core, bhakti yoga is about opening the heart. Through practices like chanting (kirtan), storytelling, and rituals we tap into something much greater than ourselves. For me, sitting in a room filled with voices united in song is extremely loving, beautiful, and nothing short of transformative.

The Power of Community
One of the most profound aspects of bhakti yoga is the sense of community it fosters. When we come together to chant, we create a shared sacred space where everyone belongs. This collective energy uplifts and inspires, offering a kind of healing that is difficult to achieve in solitude.

Across the world, in cultures like those in Africa and India, people regularly gather to sing, drum, and share stories. These communal practices are magical, they create a palpable sense of connection and shared purpose. In the Western world we often miss out on this simple yet profound form of togetherness. Bhakti yoga brings us back to this essence, reminding us of the joy and magic of coming together in harmony.

Benefits Beyond the physical
The benefits of bhakti yoga are both tangible and ethereal. On a physical level, the practices often involve breath and rhythm (maybe dancing too), which help regulate the nervous system and reduce stress. Emotionally, bhakti yoga nurtures a sense of inner peace and contentment. Spiritually, it offers a direct path to experiencing the divine, however you define it - energy, universe, God, Goddess, Henry, it doesn’t matter.

Perhaps most importantly, bhakti yoga allows us to reconnect with our true selves. In a world that often pulls us outward, bhakti yoga invites us to go inwards, to the sanctuary of the heart, where love and wisdom reside.

Why Try Bhakti Yoga
You don’t have to be spiritual, religious, or even a seasoned yogi to try bhakti yoga. All you need is an open heart and a willingness to explore. Whether you join a kirtan session, light a candle in reverence, or simply take a moment to express gratitude, you are practicing bhakti. In embracing the path of love and devotion, we rediscover what it means to live fully and authentically. We remember that love is not something we seek but something we already are.

So, if you have never tried bhakti yoga, never tried kirtan, I encourage you to step into this sacred space and join me for a unique experience. It just might change your life, as it has changed mine.