The Heart of Devotion Retreat with Krishna Das (2025)

The Heart of Devotion Retreat

with Krishna Das

Join Krishna Das and friends for a weekend retreat of yoga, chanting, and devotional heart-opening practices. This is a wonderful opportunity to spend time with a group of dedicated seekers and immerse yourself in practices, teachings, and discussions.

Over this retreat weekend, Krishna Das will lead nightly kirtan with accompanying musicians, and guide us during afternoon workshops with discussions and Q&A.

Nina Rao will lead morning chant sessions.

We will take a Rhythmic Sound Journey with Arjun Bruggeman.

To help you transition into retreat mode and settle us into the heart space, Shamina Rao will lead a Gentle Yoga Class on Friday Afternoon – 4:15-5:30 PM ET as well as daily morning practice through the weekend. The retreat will wrap up on the 17th after lunch (by 2:00 p.m. ET)

Schedule for Opening Day (subject to change)

3:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Check-in

4:15 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. Gentle Yoga (Please bring yoga props with you if you can)

5:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Dinner and Welcome Talk

8:00 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. Krishna Das Programming

TEACHERS

Krishna Das is a Grammy-nominated chant artist and has sung with people all around the world for over 35 years. His music offers the practice of chanting mantras mostly in the Indian tradition with some Buddhist and Gospel infusions! By sharing his life experiences on the Path in his book “Chants of a Lifetime” and workshops with people around the world, participants have found a way to integrate spiritual practices in their lives in a better way with some peace of mind. Krishna Das released his latest and 16th album last year “Peace of My Heart”. To learn more about his work, please visit his website.

Nina Rao is Krishna Das’s assistant and leader of chanting. Her first recording is of the ‘Nina Chalisa’ on Krishna Das’s “Flow of Grace – Chanting the Hanuman Chalisa” album. In January 2013 she released her own album “Antarayaami – Knower of All Hearts”. She released her second album “Anubhav” in September 2018 and continues to chant with people in Brooklyn and beyond. She is currently working on an album of chants for the 21 Taras with Chandra Easton and Genevieve Walker. For more information, please visit: https://www.ninaraochant.com/.

Arjun Bruggeman, world percussionist, drummer, composer and session recording artist, is highly acclaimed for his unique hybrid of East-meets-West rhythms. He brings over two decades of experience as a practitioner of Eastern and Western spiritual practices to his playing, along with 19 years touring as a tabla player with Krishna Das. He has  collaborated with artists including David Darling, Belinda Carlisle, Robert Bly, Snatam Kaur, Jason Mraz, Mark Egan, Adam Holezman, Jerry Marotta and “John Densmore and Robby Krieger” of The Doors. He’s currently at work in the studio with John Densmore.  Arjun also offers his Rhythmic Sound Journey as solo concerts across the US,  follow him on Instagram for the latest: https://www.instagram.com/arjunbruggeman/

Shamina Rao with over 25 years of yoga practice, Shamina brings deep experience and passion to her teaching. Born in India and raised across the globe, her classes offer a thoughtfully sequenced, breath-centered vinyasa practice, emphasizing the profound connection between the work we do on the mat and its impact on our lives beyond it. Shamina has been teaching in Brooklyn Studios for over 14 years. In addition to her weekly studio teaching, she frequently leads specialized workshops, retreats in Mexico, urban retreats that blend yoga and Ayurveda, creating immersive experiences that deepen practice and promote holistic wellness. She has taught teens and young adults at NYC schools and Pratt Institute, using yoga to nurture self-awareness, build confidence, and cultivate self-love from an early age. Shamina is also an International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant, a full-spectrum doula, and a prenatal and postpartum yoga instructor. Her holistic approach to wellness weaves asana, pranayam, meditation, and mudras, to foster balance, empowerment and joy. Shamina believes in the power of yoga to unite people of all backgrounds, and create spaces for growth and healing. Learn more about her at: https://www.shaminarao.com

Here is some of what you can expect while on retreat. 

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COVID-19

The health and safety of our guests and staff is a top priority for the Garrison Institute. To attend a retreat or event all guests, teachers, and staff are required to self-test (at home antigen test is acceptable) within the 48-hour window prior to arriving for a retreat on site, and to bring a 2nd self-test kit when coming on site. We encourage everyone to self-monitor for symptoms of COVID-19 and other illnesses before your visit. If you experience symptoms or have a positive diagnosis, please notify us immediately at events@garrisoninstitute.org We will continue to follow any COVID-19 guidelines set forth by our local officials, New York State and the CDC.