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Bhakti 9 Day YTT Module
Bhakti 9 Day YTT Module
5.001 review
June 1 - 11, 2025
Retreat Highlights
- Yandara’s Bhakti & Mantra Training is an elective part of our 300hr Teacher Training Program. You are also welcome to attend just this module as a regenerative retreat or continuing education course. During these 9 days we will explore the practices and philosophy of Bhakti Yoga and the art of Kirtan! This retreat-style training will be healing and nurturing for the body, mind and heart. We will prioritize the cultivation of a calmer state of being through daily regenerative practices and activities.
About this Retreat
The lead teacher of the Bhakti Yoga training is Mercy Ananda Dev Sangeeta Kaur (M.A., E-RYT500). Mercy Ananda is a highly trained musician as well as Certified Sound Healer. She performs on the many kirtan albums produced by the Mount Madonna Center, Hanuman Fellowship. She is a member of the Sacred Sound Choir with Karuna Ault, and chants on their "Mahamrityunjaya Healing Mantra" album. Mercy also performs on many other kirtan albums, including the "Shri Ram Jaya Ram" album by Shri Anandi Ma.
Mercy has a daily bhakti yoga sadhana of asana, meditation and mantra. Through her love of Bhakti yoga she has participated in the satsangs of teachers such as Baba Hari Das, Sri Satchidananda, Anandi Ma, Sri Karunamayi, and Sri Mata Amritanandamayi.
Mercy Ananda received a Bachelor's Degree in Music, with classical violin focus, from UCSC in 2003. In 2005 she completed an M.A. in Music Composition, focusing on Ethnic and East Indian Music. She studied classical East Indian music with Maestros Ali Akbar Khan and Deepak Ram. She plays harmonium and several traditional devotional instruments, including the sitar, and has lead satsangs for over 25 years.
Mercy believes that "Bhakti Yoga creates a presence and resonance of healing and love." She is an experienced certified Yoga Teacher and express her service through the sharing her heartfelt love of Yoga with her students.
Sarasvati brings an open mind and an open heart to the mat. A lover of the Ocean and the Elements, she often ties her classes into the themes of nature. She loves exploring Yoga as an expression of the joy and abundance all around us.
Sarasvati has been studying and teaching with Yandara since 2009. She is an inspired devotional musician and has had the pleasure of studying mantra and kirtan with her mother, Mercy Ananda. Her receptive and joyful nature invites exploration on the mat and a playful outlook on life.
Inspired by the transformations she sees in the students at Yandara, Sarasvati holds a loving space for all to express their unique gifts with the community. More than anything, she believes in the power of a group, where each individual puts the best parts of themselves forward to heal the Earth and all beings!
Student Testimonial
Sarasvati is truly an inspiration and a beacon of light! She is knowledgable and gifted. Her radiant energy and her kindness are an absolute joy!Details of this retreat
Yandara's Bhakti & Mantra Training is an elective part of our 300-hr Teacher Training Program. You are also welcome to attend just this module as a regenerative retreat or continuing education course. During these 9 days we will explore the practices and philosophy of Bhakti Yoga and the art of Mantra! This retreat-style training will be healing and nurturing for the body, mind and heart. We will prioritize the cultivation of a calmer state of being through daily regenerative practices and activities.
Bhakti Yoga
Born from a deep desire to feel and express ones relationship to the divine, Bhakti Yoga offers a way to connect the spiritual heart with everyday life experience. Together we will explore many different heartfelt practices. You will learn to share traditional as well as contemporary mantras and kirtans. You will receive personal instruction on how to play Indian Bhakti Yoga instruments, such as harmonium, sitar, tamboura, shruti box, drums, and kartals. Instruments will be provided or you can bring your own, if you enjoy playing the guitar, bring it and learn to play mantras/kirtans.
Learn how Bhakti developed in the yogic tradition, participate in study groups to discuss and apply the wisdom from ancient Yogic texts, such as the Bhagavad Gita, Narada's Bhakti Sutras, and the Vijnana Bhairava Tantra. Learn and share mythological stories about Gods and Goddesses, and find out about the origin and stories behind many of the mantras and asanas. Become familiar with the Bhakti Yogis of India, such as Ananda Mayi Ma, Sri Caitanya and the wandering mystic Mirabai.
Heal and unravel your heart's radiant nature. Bhakti is a world of overflowing love, Yoga's sweetest path to enlightenment. Through Ishvarapranidhana - love and reverence for the essence of life - we look forward to support you in your individual expression of Bhakti Yoga.
Topics Explored in the Bhakti Yoga Training:
What is Bhakti Yoga
Sanskrit Mantra and Kirtan
Sargam - Indian Musical Notation - discover your SA (voice foundation note)
Instrument Classes - harmonium, shruti box, tamboura, dotar, sitar, dilruba, kartals, drums
Ancient Yogic Texts and Stories
The History and Development of Bhakti Yoga
The Relationship of Guru (teacher) and Shishya (student)
Mudra, Mudra Meditation Kriya, Nyasa (blessing of the physical body)
Puja (ceremony) and Arati (offering light with a traditional Indian oil lamp)
Sacred food - learn a chant to bless your food and learn to prepare prasadam - blessed food.
Bhakti Yoga
Born from a deep desire to feel and express ones relationship to the divine, Bhakti Yoga offers a way to connect the spiritual heart with everyday life experience. Together we will explore many different heartfelt practices. You will learn to share traditional as well as contemporary mantras and kirtans. You will receive personal instruction on how to play Indian Bhakti Yoga instruments, such as harmonium, sitar, tamboura, shruti box, drums, and kartals. Instruments will be provided or you can bring your own, if you enjoy playing the guitar, bring it and learn to play mantras/kirtans.
Learn how Bhakti developed in the yogic tradition, participate in study groups to discuss and apply the wisdom from ancient Yogic texts, such as the Bhagavad Gita, Narada's Bhakti Sutras, and the Vijnana Bhairava Tantra. Learn and share mythological stories about Gods and Goddesses, and find out about the origin and stories behind many of the mantras and asanas. Become familiar with the Bhakti Yogis of India, such as Ananda Mayi Ma, Sri Caitanya and the wandering mystic Mirabai.
Heal and unravel your heart's radiant nature. Bhakti is a world of overflowing love, Yoga's sweetest path to enlightenment. Through Ishvarapranidhana - love and reverence for the essence of life - we look forward to support you in your individual expression of Bhakti Yoga.
Topics Explored in the Bhakti Yoga Training:
What is Bhakti Yoga
Sanskrit Mantra and Kirtan
Sargam - Indian Musical Notation - discover your SA (voice foundation note)
Instrument Classes - harmonium, shruti box, tamboura, dotar, sitar, dilruba, kartals, drums
Ancient Yogic Texts and Stories
The History and Development of Bhakti Yoga
The Relationship of Guru (teacher) and Shishya (student)
Mudra, Mudra Meditation Kriya, Nyasa (blessing of the physical body)
Puja (ceremony) and Arati (offering light with a traditional Indian oil lamp)
Sacred food - learn a chant to bless your food and learn to prepare prasadam - blessed food.
Getting Here
Accommodation
Glamping Cabana with Private Bath
For further comfort, our new cabanas have private bathrooms! With cushy full/queen size bed, down comforter, towels and plenty of space to store your clothes, these cabanas are simply divine - nestled into the desert, yet sheltered from the elements.
Glamping Cabana - Single Occupancy
Our new concrete glamping cabanas are pure luxury! With comfy full size bed, down comforter, towels and plenty of space to store your clothes, these cabins are your perfect home away from home - nestled into the desert, yet sheltered from the elements.
Luxury Canvas Cabin - Single Occupancy
For more luxury during your stay while still being connected to nature. With polished concrete floor, comfy full size bed, down comforter, towels and plenty of space to store your clothes, these cabins are your perfect home away from home - nestled into the desert, yet still close to the beach.
Deluxe Furnished Tent
Many yogis that attend our YTT choose to stay in our furnished tents. These are big tents, each with a twin size bed, a small set of drawers and a lamp. Bed linens are provided, but not towels. Comfortable and still close to nature. We like to call it comfort camping. For couples we can offer a larger tent with a larger bed. We have 7 bathrooms and 7 showers on our campus.
Yandara Private Cabana
The original hexagonal Yandara cabana has a full size bed and private bathroom.
Bring your own tent
Bring your own tent.
Venue & Amenities
A/C in Rooms
Free Wifi
Spa
Sauna
Pool
Towels
Free Parking
Kitchen
Tour Assistance
Hot Tub
Coffee/Tea
Cafe
Restaurant
Fitness Center
Yoga Studio
Housekeeping
Bicycles For Rent
The natural setting of our yoga teacher training in Mexico is as much a part of your experience as the yoga instruction itself. This secluded Baja, Mexico location offers stunning beachfront vistas featuring open-air studios to keep you in touch with your surroundings and all the beauty that nature has to share with us.
Meals
Menu Types
Vegan
Vegetarian
Pescetarian
Ayurvedic
Includes Meat
Organic
Gluten Free
Dairy Free
Nut Free
Drawing upon Mexican heritage, your dining experience will also feature an internationally influenced menu. A menu choice is rarely ever repeated, and focuses on fresh, local organic ingredients.
What's Included
- Tuition,
- Meals
- Accommodation.
What's Not Included
- Flights
- Airport transportation
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