Learn To Lead Kirtan Intensive – Cumbria

Cumbria. Wigton and Cockermouth 4th - 18th July 2026

Learn to Lead Kirtan Intensive

4th – 18th July 2026 · Cumbria · 50 hours

2 Weeks (10:00–17:00) +  Integration Days and 1-1s

A small, intimate training for yoga teachers, healers, therapists, meditation & sound practitioners who want to confidently use voice, harmonium, rhythm and mantra to hold sacred space and bring people together.

Group size is intentionally small (12 places).

Application: Opens on 3rd March 2026 and closes on 16th June 2026.

Is this you?

  • You already hold space (classes, circles, ceremonies, workshops) and feel the call to lead chanting.
  • You want musical foundations that feel doable – simple harmonium, rhythm, and how to start.
  • You love kirtan but feel held back by confidence, voice blocks, or the fear of being seen.
  • You want a devotional path that deepens your yoga/meditation practice beyond asana.

If so, we’d love to welcome you into this two week intensive – a practical, heart-led training in the foundations of leading kirtan.

Course Description

This is a unique opportunity to explore all the elements of kirtan leadership with Nikki Slade in an accessible format. The training weaves technique and devotion: learning how to lead musically, and learning how to hold a room with presence, humility and heart.

Who this training is for

This course is especially suited to:

  • Healers / therapists / facilitators who hold groups and want a devotional tool for connection
  • Sound practitioners who want to add voice, chant structure, and community singing
  • Meditation teachers drawn to mantra, bhakti and embodied practice
  • Yoga teachers who want to bring mantra and kirtan into classes or community events
  • Anyone with a sincere chanting practice who feels the call to share it

Who it’s not for

  • Those looking for a casual drop-in (this is a committed intensive with practice between sessions)
  • People who can’t attend the required dates (see attendance note below)
  • If you’re currently navigating intense instability, we recommend 1:1 support instead (see entry requirements)

What’s included

  • A space to open up your truest self-expression
  • Vocal technique to strengthen and free the voice
  • Devotion (Bhakti): connecting to the deities in their sonic form
  • Harmonium foundations: drones, simple melodies, basic notation
  • Rhythm and structure: how to build and guide a chant so a room can follow
  • Working with the inner critic and performance fear
  • Leadership skills: holding sacred space, guiding community, and leading with integrity
  • Certified by Yoga Alliance Professionals (counts toward further training hours)
  • Two 1:1 sessions (scheduled during the course)

Our promises

  • You will come away empowered to share kirtan with your community
  • You will have a joyful, heart-opening journey in community
  • You will come closer to a sustained inner connection to your true free self

Entry requirements

We recommend booking early – there is preparatory reading and practices that land best with time.

  • Basic piano skills are helpful but not essential
  • This format is not suitable for people with bipolar disorder and PTSD; 1:1 work is best suited (see Nikki’s 1:1 coaching)
  • We ask that you purchase/borrow/hire a harmonium to use during the course; we can share recommendations and support access where possible

Fees

£1500. Including two 1:1 sessions. ( The 1:1 sessions to be scheduled at the beginning of the course).

50% payment required on approval of your application.

£250 deposit will be retained if you withdraw from the course.

NOTE: The price is higher than the London Immersion Training as the costs for Nikki to be away are higher.

Application: Opens on 3rd March 2026 and closes on 16th June 2026.

Dates & Location

Dates: 4th – 18th July 2026

Attendance Note

Although we don not recommend it, you are permitted to miss only one day, except Day 1 and the finale. We ask you to please check your dates very carefully before applying.

Timings: 10:00 – 17:00 Daily and smaller groups on week two. Check the Syllabus for more info.

Lunch break: 13:00 -14:00 (lunch not included)

Location:

Week1: Gilcrux Village Hall. Old School, Gilcrux, Wigton CA7 2QD

Week 2: Lotus Dragon Yoga Studio. 12a Market Pl, Cockermouth CA13 9NQ.

Capacity: 12 students Maximum.

Next steps – How to apply

If you are interested in applying please email Lisa, our course organiser:[email protected] who will send you the application form and agreement.

Application: Opens on 3rd March 2026 and closes on 16th June 2026.

CUMBRIA – LEARN TO LEAD KIRTAN INTENSIVE  4th – 18th JULY 2026

£1500

4th  – 10th JULY 2026. 10:00 – 17:00 Daily.

Course Syllabus

Day 1.  6 hrs. 10:00 – 17:00. 4TH JULY 2026

Week One Venue: at Gilcrux Village Hall Wigton. Old School, Gilcrux, Wigton CA7 2QD

WHOLE GROUP

  • 10 – 10:30am – Introduction.
  • 10:30 – 11am – Chant to open the session.
  • 11am – 12pm – Yoga or free Movement session
  • 12 – 12:30pm – Break.
  • 12:30 – 1.45pm – Vocal Technique with Nikki to open the voice.
  • 1:45 – 2:45pm – Lunch
  • 2:45 – 3:45pm – Vocal technique continued
  • 3:45 – 4:45pm – Harmonium study
  • 4:45 – 5:00pm – Closing Chant

Day 2.  6 hrs 10:00 – 17:00. 5TH JULY 2026

WHOLE GROUP

  • 10 – 10:10am – Check in.
  • 10:10 – 10:30am – Opening Chant
  • 10:30 – 11:30am – Yoga or Free Movement
  • 11:30 – 12:15pm – Vocal Technique review.
  • 12:15 – 12:30pm – Break.
  • 12:30 – 1:30pm – Harmonium study.
  • 1:30 – 2:30pm – Lunch.
  • 2:30 – 3:45pm – Voice and Harmonium combined.
  • 3:45 – 4:45pm – Devotional Voice.
  • 4:45 – 5pm – Closing Chant.

Day 3.  6 hrs 10:00 – 17:00. 7TH JULY 2026

WHOLE GROUP

  • 10:00 – 10:10am – Check in.
  • 10:00 – 10:30am – Opening Chant.
  • 10:30 – 11:30 – Yoga or free Movement
  • 11:30am – 12:30pm – The heart of Devotion. The poet Saints.
  • 12:30 – 1:30pm – Lunch
  • 1:30 – 3:00pm – Creative session and Devotional Poetry.
  • 3:00 – 4:30pm – Practice in small groups.
  • 4:30 – 5:00pm – Closing Chant.

Day 4.  6 hrs – 10:00 – 17:00. 8TH JULY 2026

WHOLE GROUP

  • 10:10am – Check in.
  • 10:10 – 10:30am – Opening Chant.
  • 10:30 – 11:30am – Yoga or free Movement
  • 11:30am – 11:45pm – Break
  • 11:45am – 1:00pm – Syllabus Chants with Harmonium.
  • 1:00 – 2:00pm – Lunch
  • 2:00 – 3:30pm – Syllabus Chant continued in small groups.
  • 3:30 – 4:30 – Vocal Technique review.
  • 4:30 – 4:50pm – Closing Chant.
  • 4:50 – 5:00pm – Set-up integration period.

Day 5.  6 hrs – 10:00 – 17:00. 9TH JULY 2026

WHOLE GROUP

  • 10:00 – 10:10am – Check in.
  • 10:10 – 10:30am – Opening Chant
  • 10:30 – 11:30am – Session with Nikki on Sound and movement.
  • 11:30 – 11:45am – Break
  • 11:45am – 12:45pm – Harmonium Practice
  • 12:45 – 2:00pm – Mastery of the Inner Critic.
  • 2:00 – 3:00pm – Lunch
  • 3:00 – 4:30pm – Sessions in small Bhakti groups with Nikki to develop chants.
  • 4:30 – 5:00pm – Closing Chant.

Day 6.  6 hrs. 10:00 – 17:00. 10TH JULY 2026

WHOLE GROUP

  • 10:00 – 10:10am – Check in.
  • 10:10 – 10:30am – Opening Chant 20
  • 10:30 – 11:45am – Leadership skills.
  • 11:45am – 12:00pm – Break
  • 12:00 – 1:30pm – Leadership skills and chants combined. Bringing it all together.
  • 1:30 – 2:30pm – Lunch
  • 2:30 – 5:00pm – Satsang . Sharing of chants for each leader with the whole group and with centre staff

Day 7.  6 hrs. 10:00 – 17:00. 11TH JULY 2026

The group splits into 2 x groups of 6 people.

  • 10:00 – 10:10am – Check in.
  • 10:10 – 10:30am – Opening Chant 20
  • 10:30 – 11:45am – Integration Practice
  • 11:45am – 12:00pm – Break
  • 12:00 – 1:30pm – Integration Practice
  • 1:30 – 2:30pm – Lunch
  • 2:30 – 5:00pm – Finale Satsang. Sharing of chants for each leader with the whole group and with centre staff

WEEK TWO.  11th – 18th JULY 2026. DAILY.

The 2nd weekend: 11th & 12th July will be a weekend of 1-1s. The first 1-1 sessions of the training.

  • Integration Sessions to incorporate all the aspects of your training. 10:00 -13:00
  • 1-1 Sessions 14:00 – 19:00

Week Two Venue: Lotus Dragon Yoga Studio. 12a Market Pl, Cockermouth CA13 9NQ.

Saturday 18th JULY 2026. 6hrs. 10:00 – 17:00

Group day.

Final Practice

SUNDAY 19TH JULY 2026. 6Hrs. 10:00 – 16:00

Finale Satsang

Application: Opens on 3rd March 2026 and closes on 16th June 2026.

Testimonial

Sound is a powerful force. I believe Nikki is one of the most evolutionary sound magicians on the planet.

Barbara Marx Hubbard

When & where

Week1: Gilcrux Village Hall. Old School, Gilcrux, Wigton CA7 2QD

Week 2: Lotus Dragon Yoga Studio. 12a Market Pl, Cockermouth CA13 9NQ.

4th - 18th July 2026

Directions

Application: Opens on 3rd March 2026 and closes on 16th June 2026.