1) START WITH VEDIC MANTRAS

Vedic mantras are the quintessential mantras. However, pronunciation is quite essential in this stream of sacred sound. Therefore, all mantra and sound healing students should develop a proper knowledge of Vedic mantras, which, unfortunately, is not a strong point among many mantra practitioners.

The Vedic stream from the Yoga of Sound Immersion introduces several easy-to-learn mantras that help tap the spirit of Vedic chanting. Students also learn an authentic Vedic mantra practice that can be used for daily morning practice to tap the benefits of Vedic sound.

In addition to the core tutorials on Vedic mantras, there are bonus tutorials on the advantages of Vedic mantras that also introduce important aspects of Vedic chanting, such as pronunciation. So those students who wish to get started on pronunciation can get a feel for it here without feeling too pushed or challenged.

2) TANTRIC SOUND HEALING

In the Tantric stream of sound, students learn about Tantric sound healing at the foundational level. The core of Tantric sound healing is through bīja mantras (seed syllables). Students learn how bijas mantras are constructed. They will also learn the core bijas for the chakras and how to pronounce these syllables correctly.

Since Tantra involves mudras, students will learn mudras for each chakra. And they will also learn devata mantras (deity mantras) for each chakra. In this context, they will discover a way to construct Tantric mantras as the body of a deity in a way that simulates the human body.

A module on getting started with Tantric sound and sound healing shows how mudras combine with mantras in Tantra. The module features a mudra and mantra to remove fear.

Tantric sounds offer a powerful way to release repressed and reactive energies while at the same time offering powerful ways to infuse energy. We can, for instance, infuse energy into our chakras.

Finally, students also learn about primary sounds and their energy movement, which is helpful for therapists and Tantric practitioners new to sound yoga methods.

3) EXPANDED BHAKTI STREAM

Bhakti is devotion. Everybody associated the word "bhakti" with kirtan, a call-and-response song of mantras. However, there is a lot more to Bhakti in addition to kirtan that you can learn in this course.

In this stream, you learn six elements of devotion. The first is knowing the difference between Japa mantras and Archana mantras. This difference is quite significant since we are studying the Yoga of Sound from the Tantric perspective. Students will learn practices with each of these types of mantras for Bhakti.

Students will also learn the difference between kirtana and bhajana, how these two forms of musical vocal expression aid in the expression of Bhakti. An example from each of these forms will be taught.

Finally, students are introduced to Raga vidya and Rasa vidya. Ragas are musical scales. Rasa is feeling or sentiment. This is quite involved, so we will use just a few ragas to get started on this knowledge. Vidya means knowledge.

In this context, students will learn the difference between mantras and ślokas. ślokas are verses in praise. They are a quintessential form of Bhakti. And they are often expressed in ragas (musical modes).

The essence of Bhakti is beauty, which can be expressed through qualities of the voice, such as softness. Bhakti< however, can also be expressed through vocal music. For those who are musical, Bhakti can be developed through vocal music expression. On the other hand, those who are non-musical can cultivate their sense of Bhakti through speaking mantras.  

4) SOPHISTICATED NADA YOGA

Nada Yoga literally means "sound yoga." We will begin with early forms of Nada Yoga that developed about 2000 years ago. Four practices are essential to learning for the authentic sense of Nada.

Shravana and Nadi Sodhana: Shravana is listening. And it involves learning to listen without thinking. Nadi Sodhana is a practice to purify the nadis, the psychic sound channels of the subtle body.

Shanmukhi and Brahamari: This practice, Shanmukhi, is a mudra practice associated with Nada Yoga's origins. Brahmari is a sounding practice related to the roots of Nada Yoga.

Those students who wish to advance in Nada Yoga will be able to learn two more components: Swara Vidya and Tala Vidya. Swara is the musical note (the Do, re, mi). Students learn how these mantric syllables can affect the kundalini shakti, central to Tantra.

Tala is rhythm. In the ancient Carnatic music of South India, the hands and fingers are used to keep time. By including this element, the whole body is brought into the music-making process, a Tantric practice.

Integrating The Four Sound Streams

Those who wish to gain a sense of advanced Nada Yoga practice will be able to view sample tutorials on how to combine all four streams of sacred sound, which is Nada Yoga Tantra.

Students begin this month by learning the relationship between the mantric syllables of the octave and the flow of Shakti. Then, various exercises teach how to enhance the kundalini experience flow in the chakras.

Students also discover how to combine the musical experience of note ascent and descent with mantra chanting, Nada Yoga Tantra: a compelling combination.

The essence of Nada is flow, which is what the word means, apart from sound, tone, river, and channel. In Nada Yoga Tantra, the classic yoga experience comes alive with Tantra.

Nada Yoga, Kundalini & Music

Students interested in using sacred sound, particularly vocal manipulation, in assisting the Kundalini and Tantric practices will find this module fascinating.

This advanced module requires understanding the main tracks (Nada, Shabda, Shakti, and Bhava), i.e., the four streams of sacred sound (Vedic, Tantric, Bhakti, and Nada).

Since our core student body has studied much of what we've covered in the four streams of sacred sound, this new module offers advanced Nada Yoga and Kundalini.

It is also because our school year (June 2022 to May 2023) focussed on Kundalini, and Nada Yoga that historically intersects with Tantra in the middle ages.

Kundalini—Nada Yoga Group Intensive

Experience the power of our Tantric kula coming together for interactive training and perspective development.

This intensive features a "Basic Raga Training" e-book that Russill uses to train his students privately.

A powerful set of tutorials prepares you for the live, interactive sessions that are archived for your leisurely replay and methodical study.

During the live training, you can witness Russill's innovate ear training and vocal training techniques first hand.

Bonus Workshops 

Learn how The Yoga of Sound is presented to the public integrating the sound streams thematically.

Workshop 1: HEALING POWER OF MANTRA focuses on the different sound streams for healing.

Workshop 2: THE AUTHENTICITY OF YOGA shows how mantric sounds add to one's yogic authenticity.

Workshop 3: MANTRAS AND MODERN LIFE shows how to integrate ancient mantras into contemporary living.

Workshop 4: THE POWER OF MANTRA explores the scope of sacred for spiritual awakening.

Bonus: Spiritual Voice Coaching

In March 2021, students were into a process of discovering their healing voice. Our goal was to examine the role that mantra can play in developing the voice.

This module presents the videos and lessons leading up to the live training session, which is featured at the end with commentary.

You also learn how the three streams of mantra (Vedic, Tantric, Bhakti) can be used to develop aspects of the voice within the context of spiritual coaching.

Bonus: Guitar and Vocal Lessons

This setion is designed especially for kirtan singers and musicians, and mantra chanters who play intruments. It is also for those who wish to develop their vocal music capability.

We offer a set of lessons explaining the basics of South Indian ragas and their corresponding western scales.

Guitar players can learn these scales on their instruments and learn how to combine their vocal expression with fretboard support.

 This section features over fifty video lessons that offer a close up view of the instrument and vocal technique with high quality audio.

Bonus: Everyday Sacred Sound

This section shares the vulnerability of Russill's everyday spiritual practice when he was having a hard time coping with traumatic memories.

Each episode reveals the quality of the voice prior to the process, the practice of sacred sound utilized, and the change in consciousness that resulted.

The power of sacred sound for use in therapeutic applications can also be adminstered to oneself. This discovery helps in how we use sound to affect others.

Bonus: Mastery of Mantra Intro

For those who wish to glimpse what is offered in our Mastery of Mantra training, a separate program, we offer a general introduction to this spiritual process.

This bonus section also features six full-length webinars introducing various aspects of the Mastery of Mantra.

Finally, we present a number of ancient texts that students in our Yogic Mystery School study in various programs that require the foundation of the Mastery of Mantra.