'Learn to lead Kirtan' Immersion
Calling all kirtan lovers!
Do you love to sing and feel inspired to immerse in a week of Kirtan at Krishna Village? Want to learn more about the musical instruments used in Kirtan and have a go at learning to play them? Do you already have some musical talent and want to start leading your own kirtans, but not sure where to start, or need some support from other musicians? Want to learn a whole lot of mantras and how to play them on harmonium or guitar?
Immerse yourself into the heart & soul of kirtan
Join our lead yoga trainers Lila and Laxmi for an immersive week, diving into the foundations of kirtan. Lila and Laxmi have been practicing Bhakti Yoga for decades, are both professional musicians, and have been introducing kirtan to the guests of the Krishna Village during their courses and retreats. Over the last 10 years, they have guided, encouraged and provided support and opportunity for hundreds of musicians to grow in confidence in leading kirtan at Krishna Village - an ideal location to begin sharing these new skills.
During this 5-Day Immersion, we will cover...
Vocal basics, such as how to warm up and protect your voice
What to say: introducing kirtan to new people, and how to set the scene
How to successfully build a kirtan with different elements, solos and melodies
How to play basic chords on the harmonium (no prior knowledge required) for 10 or more different mantras, or access to chords if you already play guitar or ukulele
Rhythm workshop using djembe, cajon, mrdanga and karatals
Lots of opportunity to lead a kirtan (if you're ready to give it a go), with the support of other musicians playing along with you
You will receive a mantra songbook with the chords, and have the opportunity to take videos and voice recordings to practice and play along with at home after the retreat.
This retreat is for everyone, regardless of experience level and musical ability. Bring your own instrument, or we will have a number of various instruments to share around. By the end of the week we hope that everyone will be able to join in musically to a kirtan with their instrument of choice, and have the confidence to take a turn to lead a song.
Meet your teachers
Lila Kirtana
Lila Kirtana was first attracted to the yogic lifestyle in 2005. During the 3 years she spent deeply immersed in studies as a Vedic nun in an ashram, Lila completed her Level 1 and 2 500 hour certification and has been teaching yoga ever since.
Lila has been the course creator and head yoga teacher trainer at the Krishna Village Eco Yoga centre full time since 2016, and has accredited hundreds of teachers in that time. She is a passionate advocate for women's health and the environment, and also teaches on the Prenatal courses run at Krishna Village and various retreats around the shire.
From 2008 onwards Lila has worked full time as a yoga teacher trainer and retreat manager in Byron Bay [Certificate IV in Yoga Teaching, RYT-500, Cert IV in Training and Assessment, YACEP]. She completed Pre/Postnatal Yoga training with Bliss Baby Yoga in 2012 and began to teach regularly on their courses until 2016, and after becoming a mother, Lila completed a Children's Yoga teacher training with Zenergy Yoga in 2014 and has run several terms of children's yoga classes in Preschool, Primary school and High school. In 2017 she completed a 50 hour Yin Yoga certification, and a Yoga for Mental Health qualification in 2019 and 2020.
Lila also is a mother to two gorgeous children, holds a Diploma of Remedial Massage, plays various musical instruments and is the lead singer of the enCHANTed kirtan band which holds regular kirtan evenings and performs at various Yoga Festivals, and has a deep knowledge and understanding of Ayurveda through years of study and regular trips to India. Lila is a passionate Bhakti yogi inspired to share the things she loves through her yoga classes and her joy of chanting.
Michael 'Laxmivan' Kubitzky
Michael began his yoga journey at the age of 20 when he left his profession as a studio musician and joined a bhakti Yoga Monastery. For the next 10 years he travelled Australia, New Zealand and India as a brahmachari monk, daily studying the traditional yogic canons and engaging in strict daily yogic sadhana.
After another 6 years as a traditional Vedic (Hindu) priest, he took an interest in the more physical aspects of yoga and successfully completed a 3-year diploma course with Satyananda Yoga, before finally finding his passion with Power Vinyasa.
Since then he’s been certified by Baron Baptiste, became certified with Anti Gravity level 2, founded one of Australia’s most successful regional yoga studios, and has helped develop and facilitate many teacher training programs in Australia.
As a teacher trainer, Michael brings with him great integrity and depth, forged by more than 31 years of strict, yet joyful daily practice. His teaching is full of compassion, humour and authenticity, with a deep respect for tradition, but without being over zealous.
Cost & Payment
The investment for this fabulous 5 day course is $500 plus accommodation (includes 3x vegetarian meals each day). Introductory Rate for March 2025: Save 50% and join us for $250 + accommodation
Click on your preferred date below and you'll see the pricing options for each accommodation type (or commuter rate, which covers your meals only) in section 2 of the booking page. All rates include your course fee as well as your accommodation of choice.
Payments - We require a $600 deposit to hold your spot in the course. The full payment is due no later than 6 weeks prior to the start of your course. Please visit our Terms and Conditions for more information.
Choose a date and make your booking
Please note: On Monday, we offer a Welcome Tour for all new guests at 11am. The course itself begins at 1:30pm. For an extra relaxed experience, you have the option to add a night, so you can arrive early, and start the experience with morning yoga, delicious breakfast and a wander around on the farm, instead of rushing to get here on time. On Friday, we conclude at 2pm.
Before booking, please have a look at our Code of Conduct. If you are dealing with any physical or mental health issues, please also check our Are you ready page.
Accommodation options
Krishna Village is located on a beautiful organic farm in the scenic foothills of Mt. Warning, half way between Byron Bay and the Gold Coast. The closest town is Murwillumbah, and the nearest airport Coolangatta (the Gold Coast airport).
Our Retreat Centre is spread out across a beautiful natural farm setting, which means that some of our facilities and accommodation require a bit of walking. We offer a range of accommodation options from camping spots to creatively renovated container rooms, private pine cabins set in the hills overlooking the valley and more.
Delicious Vegetarian Meals
At Krishna Village, we offer 3x delicious vegetarian meals per day. From vegan kitchari, porridge, and fresh fruits for breakfast, to vegetable curry with rice or flatbreads, and heartier dishes for lunch & dinner... If you're looking to incorporate more plant-based options into your diet, you'll be sure to enjoy our meals.
If you have any specific dietary needs, you are welcome to use the Krishna Village kitchen to prepare your meals.
The Krishna Farm
The Krishna Farm, "New Govardhana" serves as an ashram to a community of yogis who aspire to live according to their deepest vows and commitments on their path of service, spiritual contentment and happiness (Bhakti Yoga). Their service and dedication make this location a beautiful place of growth, healing and spiritual awakening. The temple is the beating heart of the community at New Govardhana and we encourage all who visit the property to come along and experience the lifestyle and philosophy reflected by the practice of Krishna consciousness.
