Chanting Circle Facilitator Course

The Chanting Circle Facilitator Course is a six-night residential training in kirtan and mantra circle leadership, held at the Puls Der Erde retreat center in Polling, Bavaria, near Munich. It is taught by Kevin James and Susana Rodríguez, and is meant for people who want to lead chanting circles with more confidence: yoga teachers who would like to close a class with a chant, musicians hoping to hold their own circles, and those who want to build a life around Bhakti, the path of devotional singing.

What to Expect

The course is built around practice. There is chanting every day, and participants take turns leading the group and supporting one another as they do. Teaching covers the forms themselves (kirtan, bhajans, rainbow songs) and the structure of a circle, then moves into the craft of leading one: preparing yourself and the room, sound acoustics and equipment setup, holding space, and working with the rising and falling energy of a group. A recurring theme is the difference between a ceremonial, participatory circle and a passive performance.

The music side is equally practical. You learn new songs on guitar or harmonium and the art of keeping them simple, and explore songwriting and composition for circles, with personal guidance from Kevin on a new song or one you already have. Further sessions cover recording options, the basics of music business and marketing, and Kevin's vocal practices for tone, pitch, opening the voice and caring for it. Each day includes time for questions.

Evenings after dinner are free, and many people gather in the living room or by the fire to jam. Song sharing sessions bring in mantras from around the world, offered by Kevin and by the group. On the final evening, a Bhakti night circle welcomes guests from outside the retreat center, with some participants leading as part of a Bhakti band.

The format is hybrid. Alongside the residential week, an Online Course and Resource Library holds the core teachings and technical explanations, so the retreat itself can stay hands-on. After the retreat, a private online group offers continuing support. Numbers are capped at 25, and a questionnaire at registration helps tailor the course to each person.

About Kevin James and Susana Rodríguez

Kevin James is an Australian singer-songwriter who brings devotional music to the world free from religious dogma. His music is a world fusion of English lyrics joined with mantras from around the world, alongside what he calls Heartsongs, English songs that carry the depths of Eastern philosophy in a joyful, open way. What began as singing gatherings with friends in the 1990s grew into a way of living, and since 2010 he has travelled continuously, sharing chanting circles. He has been a musician for more than 30 years, and discovered mantras early on.

He continues this path with his wife Susana, who plays harmonium. Together they hold chanting circles, retreats, trainings and workshops, including this course for people who want to facilitate kirtan and mantra circles.

The Setting

Puls Der Erde is a quiet retreat center in nature at Polling, about an hour east of Munich and its airport. The atmosphere is simple and grounded, with plenty of privacy and several spaces to spend time in. Meals are vegetarian or vegan and made with homegrown organic vegetables when in season; allergies should be mentioned in advance.

Rooms include two singles, plus shared rooms of two, three or four beds, all with shared bathrooms. Beds are assigned in order of registration, with men and women housed separately.

Before You Go

This is an intermediate course. You should be able to play and sing several songs and know the basic chords on your instrument; it is not suited to complete beginners. Teaching is in English.

Included are tuition for seven days, three meals daily, snacks, coffee and tea, six nights of accommodation, and access to the Online Course once the retreat is under way. Please bring your own guitar, harmonium or other instrument. Travel to the center is not included, and travel and cancellation insurance is optional. Towels and bedding can be rented if you cannot bring your own.