Learning

Chant & Learn the Hanuman Chalisa! 13-week online workshop

~ ONLINE ~ Tuesdays Am or Pm ~ March 11th - June 3rd, 2025 (the 2nd and 3rd sessions will be on Mondays 3/17 & 3/24)

“People don’t know that every line of the Hanuman Chalisa is a maha mantra.” ~ Sri Baba Neem Karoli

The Hanuman Chalisa is a 40-verse song in ancient Hindi to Lord Hanuman, the most devoted servant of Ram. The Hanuman Chalisa tells the tale of Hanuman's exploits in the epic story of 'The Ramayana.' Chanting the Chalisa as a daily practice has been known to open hearts and help facilitate a letting go of our 'monkey minds' allowing for more joy and peace.


Join Kavita Kat Macmillan and others and become familiar with this beautiful practice. Each week we will chant the Hanuman Chalisa together and then focus on a section, learning pronunciation, and exploring the meaning and interpretations. Attention will be paid to cadence and rhythm to allow for ease of repetition and there will be time for sharing and questions. It is a pleasure and joy to share this practice with others!

$108 suggested donation ~ or 10.08 weekly / access to playlist of recorded sessions on-going

Tuesdays March 11th - June 3rd : ONLINE (*2nd and 3rd sessions will be on Mondays, 3/17 & 3/24 )

10:00am - 11:00pm OR 5:00pm - 6:00 pm

REGISTER HERE

All times Pacific / Registration link works for AM or PM session
please inquire re: scholarships for this workshop or to sponsor someone!

VISIT THE CALENDAR FOR OTHER UPCOMING WORKSHOPS

soon to be available on-demand

Harmonium & Chanting (Level 1) &
Harmonium Chant Jam (Level 2)

~ ONLINE OR IN-PERSON ~

Step into your sound practice with Harmonium & Voice!

Kavita’s Intro workshop a great place to start for brand new beginners or those who already have an established practice and are curious about expanding connection through deep listening.

For those who have taken the Intro workshop and are looking to learn more finger patterns and gain ease playing the instrument and sharing their practice, The Harmonium Chant Jams allow
participants to learn how to play different chants, refining technique while staying focused on the connection between the voice & the sound current. With active support for each one's strengths we will collectively explore confidence, intonation and presentation skills.


Other topics we cover include: adding instrumentation, working with rhythm, songwriting, & where to place the voice.

*Feel free to contact Kavita if you need tips on finding or purchasing a harmonium* or check out the June 12th blog post!

VISIT THE CALENDAR FOR UPCOMING WORKSHOPS -Bi- Monthly Harmonium Intro & / or Chant Jam Included with Sound Sanctuary membership!

Open Your Voice! Sound Yoga Sessions

Open Your Voice! Sound Yoga Sessions are a step towards awakening the power of the authentic voice.

In these weekly sessions, Kavita Kat Macmillan leads participants in deep listening call & response sound yoga meditations in order to free expression and allow nuance and authentic voice to evolve.

Using long tones, Indian Sargam, & basics of Hindustani Raga voice culture practices, participants will be invited to explore the basics of Sound Yoga, thereby strengthening the voice and the capacity for deep listening. This creates a deep nervous system reset, engages the Right hemisphere of the brain, and helps to build confidence and ease for singing.

This practice is accessible to everyone, No experience is necessary. Get in touch with Kavita if you have questions.

VISIT THE CALENDAR FOR UPCOMING WORKSHOPS

Learn how to:

* Establish a Sacred Sound practice

* Build confidence matching pitch

* Sing with more ease and fullness while becoming familiar with your authentic voice.

“Kavita's teaching is so accessible, fun, sacred, devotional! I am always amazed at the ease with which Kavita can bring the whole group through something that seems difficult/challenging. She slowly, methodically, intentional teaches bite sized pieces so that they sink in and she makes sure everyone is on board before moving on.

I have learned so many ways to bring ease into my own practice. Specifically, she has helped me into finding a place where my voice is comfortable and not strained. This frees my effort to allow my devotion to come through.”

— Nora, 3-time workshop attendee

Study 1:1

Everyone can sing and enjoy musical expression and everyone has a unique voice to share!

voice ~ chanting ~ harmonium

Interested? Inquire within the form below!

Kavita’s teaching style is informed by 20+ years
of training in Indian Classical vocal technique and extensive training dancing Butoh.


Through deep listening and spending time in your home pitch (SA) where the voice is the most comfortable, students are encouraged to get to know their authentic voice - improving intonation and building confidence in the process.

Connecting with the fundamental tone of the harmonium or the tambura, one learns to listen and recognize how to move sound in the body, thereby awakening pitch recognition and opening harmonic awareness.

Private lessons also teach how to best use your instrument - your mouth, tongue, face and throat - always encouraging less tension and more ease while singing to create a fuller, more relaxed tone.  

Students consistently move from discomfort while singing in front of others to being able to play songs and sing, harmonize, or match pitch, confidently sharing their voice and music with others.

Harmonium lessons follow this same tenant, keeping the fingerings simple so that the singer can connect with the fundamental tones and allow for a devotional feeling to move through the body.  With practice, all songs become easier and can be played with more intricacy, all the while keeping the connection between the voice and the sound as the primary focus.

Learn how to…

  • Identify & get familiar with your ‘home pitch’ (SA)

  • Practice sound awareness through deep listening

  • Confidently match pitch & sing in tune

  • Hold a fuller, steadier vocal tone

  • Maintain a steady drone on harmonium

  • Play simple chants using common fingerings

  • Explore creating your own chants

Exchange details

In-person lessons (Portland, OR or Online lessons):

Kavita offers a limited number of private sessions, Reach out with your availability and we will get back to you asap. If no session is immediately open we will let you know and will keep you on the list for the next opening! All sessions paid in advance.
Sessions are 1 hour unless otherwise specified.
Fill out the contact form to get in touch.
or email info@kavitakatmacmillan@gmail.com.

  • "Kavita is passionate about chanting and has a lovely way with students. She is kind and encouraging and a great listener and teacher."

    S.B.

  • "I would highly recommend any workshop or retreat with Kavita! Even if you don’t have much experience singing, you feel like you can sing with Kavita!"

    C.L.F.

  • "Kavita makes playing a musical instrument and using their voice so accessible to people with and without formal music training. "

    T.W.

  • "Kavita shares her wisdom and ways to spend less time struggling with new music, and more time chanting and successfully playing the Harmonium"

    S.W.

NEW self-paced online course!

Introduction to Harmonium
& Chanting: Finding Voice

In this simple to follow self-paced course, you will learn how to make a steady tone on the harmonium, relax into singing along, and most importantly, find where your voice is the most comfortable to begin creating and learning simple chants for Kirtan.

Full course now available on demand
with lifetime access!