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Robbie Wood 8/6/26 Robbie Wood 8/6/26

Open the Door of Your Heart with Sacred Chants

Kirtan, or devotional chanting of the names of God, is a practice that opens the heart, uplifts our consciousness, and deepens our connection to the Divine. Join spiritual teacher Swami Nirvanananda as he leads songs of devotion that bring us into a sacred stillness.

Giorgio Kriegsch was born to devout parents, a Catholic mother and a Lutheran father in Trieste, Italy. In 1975 his life was changed after reading Paramahansa Yogananda’s book, Autobiography of a Yogi. He was initiated into Kriya Yoga by Swami Hariharananda—a direct disciple of Yogananda’s guru, Swami Sri Yukteswar. During one of his early trips to India, Giorgio discovered the inspiring work of Father Marian Zelazek, who was helping the children of lepers in Puri, a city in eastern India. He asked Fr. Zelazek how he could help and was asked to seek sponsors to support this work. Giorgio began performing Kirtan (sacred chanting concerts) to raise funds. In 1992, in the holy city of Jagannath Puri in India, Giorgio took the final monastic vows of a sannyas and became Swami Nirvanananda Saraswati, meaning “the bliss of freedom from suffering.” He continues to travel the world, inspiring audiences with devotional music and raising funds to help others.

🔗 Learn more about Swami Nirvanananda at Nirvanananda.org‍ and explore his charitable work at ‍ShantiPuriFriends.org

🎶 Listen to more chants by Swami Nirvanananda on Spotify

Dr. Trujillo’s Comments

It was a joy to have Swami Nirvanananda return to The Yoga Hour to share his sacred chants with us. Kirtan as a form of Bhakti Yoga induces an opening of the heart, joyfulness, and deep devotion for the divine, and that is what I experienced with Swami ji. I also enjoyed sharing Paramahansa Yogananda’s writings from his booklet Cosmic Chants, which inform us that sound is the most powerful force in the universe, and that our feeling of joy which comes from sacred chanting is the proof that God has answered the devotee. Tune in for a joyful and heart-opening experience.

The Yoga Hour Team Comments

Swami Nirvanananda brings depth and heart to every appearance, his presence and voice transport love and beauty directly to the heart. Enjoy the sacred chanting and sing along for full effect.

Robbie Wood 6/6/26 Robbie Wood 6/6/26

Explore the Inner Path: Kriya Yoga for Turbulent Times

Can peace be found amidst chaos? Senior Kriya Yoga teacher Ann Hayes discusses the inner path of Kriya Yoga as a refuge of light, steadiness, and soul guidance. Return to the center where true clarity and strength reside.

Rev. Ann Hayes is an ordained minister, meditation teacher, and spiritual counselor. She offers classes and retreats focusing on spiritual awakening. Ann has been studying in the Kriya Yoga tradition since 1998 and was ordained to teach in 2007 by her guru, Yogacharya Ellen Grace O’Brian. Ann serves on the Center for Spiritual Enlightenment board of directors, is a retired nurse and former executive director and COO of several health-related nonprofit organizations. With her husband Rev. Jeff Collins, she is the co-founder of the CSE affiliate center, Santa Rosa Kriya Yoga Meditation Group which offers weekly online meditation to people locally, nationally, and internationally. The group was established in 2014. Ann also served as an assistant producer of The Yoga Hour from 2016 until earlier this year.

🧘 Meditate with Ann and learn more: https://www.santarosameditation.org/

🔗 Discover the upcoming Kriya Yoga retreat with Yogacharya O’Brian at Center for Spiritual Enlightenment (in-person or online)

Dr. Trujillo’s Comments

“My conversation with Rev. Ann Hayes is an excellent overview of the teachings of Kriya Yoga and how they can be helpful to us in turbulent times. We introduced listeners to the long history of Kriya Yoga as a spiritual path that is experiential, time-tested, and effective in helping us to experience our true nature. Our conversation focused on essential practices of Kriya Yoga as set forth in Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras, such as meditation, self-discipline, self-study, and self-surrender. We also gave an overview of the four F’s of meditation: Foster, Focus, Flow, and Finish. This is an episode that will be helpful to all in understanding more about Kriya Yoga and the peace that it can bring to us in challenging times.”

The Yoga Hour Listener Comments

“I really appreciated this episode for the clarity it brings about Kriya Yoga to seekers of an inner path. The dialogue with Rev. Ann Sarasvati Hayes begins by clarifying that Kriya Yoga is not a religion but a deeper knowing of God or Supreme Consciousness as our center, a guide in life. Kriya = actions. Yoga = Wholeness/Union. Kriya Yoga = Conscious Living. This is a perfect episode to share with those curious about Kriya Yoga and/or contemplating joining a Kriya Yoga retreat. It is also a wonderful reminder for those of us on the path for many years of how these ancient teachings are still relevant today.”