THE RAGA RETREAT
From New Years Eve
Public Celebration
Kirtan and Dance Event !
(EVENT INCLUDED IN RETREAT PACKAGE OR INDIVIDUAL TICKETS HERE:)
INDIAN CLASSICAL MUSIC, MANTRA, YOGA
& SOUND SADHANA
@ Black Sheep Farm's Compassion Temple
NSW Nimbin
Teacher Info :
Shivam Rath: Multi Instrumentalist and Indian Classically trained musician,
Kathyrin Riding voice activation and Yoga.
Sara Rath sharing Yoga, therapy and conscious living tips and tools.
Mico Sundari : Mantra, Voice, Sanskrit Pronunciation
(More info on teachers Further Below)
POINTS OF INTEREST :
-
Want to learn Indian Ragas or expand your understanding of musical scales and melodies?
-
Want to deepen your skills with voice, sound or instrument whether it be stringed, wind, sanskrit or percussion ?
-
Already know or play Indian Music or Instruments and want to take it a step or quite a few steps further?
-
Love Chanting, Kirtan, Mantra, group singing and being in a conscious crowd of self developing souls through sound and positive vibrations?
-
Hanging out in lush rainforest participating in Yoga, Music and exploring inspirational nature, creeks, waterfall, or unwinding with pool and sauna?
-
This list can go on but I think you get the idea whether this sounds right for you ?
31/12/2022
To
07/12/2023
Celebrating the 1st - 7th
with a clear new years resolution and intention.
Flexible or full immersive programs available.
(minimal 4 nights program)
PROGRAM & INVESTMENT:
Camping / Dormitory
or Private Rooms (limited numbers)
From $1280.00
To only $880.00
(Shared Room Price OR Camping option)
Camping $800.00
For full 7 nights accomodation and food.
(Early Bird Discounts available until the 01/12/2022.)
After 01st of Dec Shared Room Prices will go to
$1080.00
& after the 15th of Dec
$1280.00
Private Rooms (very limited, please confirm before booking.) : $1480
Choice of Deluxe Private Rooms near Pool and Sauna Facilities.
4 - 5 - 6 night options will all remain at the same reduced price by $200.00 from the above options.
Please enquire for further details.
*includes 2 main meals and morning tea / snacks lunch, dinner.
(Note*** Breakfast Is Not Included )
Coffee and Black Tea will not be provided but participants are welcome to bring.
Includes 4 - 7 nights accomodation and all sessions throughout the time including instrument hire, private sessions and access to Pool & Sauna facilities.
* We are only accepting participants for the full course period or a minimal of 4 days to keep the focus and group commitment throughout; the New Years Eve event itself is open to the public however.
*Maximum of 15 -20 participants to keep the retreat intimate and contained so secure your position by booking soon and receiving the early bird discount!
NOTE : Last Retreat Was Completely Booked OUT
More info about the spectacular Black Sheep Farm and Compassion Temple where we are running the retreat including accomodation options, garden to table catering, access to Spring Water, bush walks by creeks, and to private Waterfalls visit:
https://www.blacksheepfarm.com.au
Booking Info
At bottom of the page :
Schedule :
NEW YEARS EVE
A special celebration of music, meditation, Kirtan and Mantra Hop Beats.
With a setting towards a strong Sankalpa (New years Intention) within a heart felt space and joyful drug free atmosphere.
(open to public Guests )
More Info TBA
01/01/2023
8am
Yoga and Meditation with Shivam Rath
Setting the NEW YEARS INTENTION
10am
RAGA RETREAT INTRODUCTION
12:30
LUNCH BREAK
Free Time
Settling and Connecting with the space.
17:00pm
Yoga With Kathryn Riding
18:00pm
~ Dinner ~
19:00pm ~ Evening Program
Havan (Vedic Fire Ceremony) +
Raga Presentation & Welcoming Kirtan Circle.
The Following Information Is For Retreat Participants
~ Overnight accommodation ~
Monday 02/01/23
(Retreat Participants Only)
06:00am
Morning Yoga program, Asana, Pranayma, Meditation and Morning Chants.
With Sara Rath + Mico Sundari
07:30 am
~ Breakfast + clean up (Karma Yoga)
09:00 ~ 10:30am
Raga workshop With Shivam Rath.
11:00 am
~ Morning tea.
12:00 am
Nada Nidra (Yoga Nidra With Live Music ) relaxation meditation.
12:30 pm
~ A hearty vegetarian lunch + Clean Up Karma Yoga
14:00 pm
~ Private Session / Practice Time / Free Time
-
Massage / Or Optional Class :
16:00 pm
Mantra workshop with Mico Sundari
18:00 pm
~ Dinner
19:00 pm
~ Evening Program.
Indian Classical Composition
Bhajan / Kirtan
Tues 03/01/23
06:00 am
~ Morning Yoga program, Asana, Pranayma, Meditation and morning chants
Shivam Rath + Mico Sundari
07:30 am
~ Breakfast + clean up (Karma Yoga)
09:00 ~ 10:30am
Raga / Rhythm workshop With Shivam Rath.
11:00 am
~ Morning tea.
12:00 pm
~ Nada Nidra (Yoga Nidra With Live Music ) relaxation meditation.
12:30 pm
~ A hearty vegetarian lunch + Clean Up Karma Yoga
14:00pm
~ Private Session / Practice Time / Free Time /Massage
-
/ Or Optional Class :
16:00pm
~ Yoga & Sound Activation with Kathyrin Riding
18:00pm ~ Dinner
19:00pm
Raga & Tala
Composition Continued
Wed 04/01/23
06:00am
~ Morning Yoga program, Asana, Pranayma, Meditation and morning chants
Sara Rath & Mico Sundari.
07:30am
~ Breakfast + clean up (Karma Yoga)
09:00 ~ 10:30am
Raga / Rhythm workshop With Shivam Rath.
11:00 ~ Morning tea.
12:00pm
~ Nada Nidra (Yoga Nidra With Live Music ) relaxation meditation.
12:30pm
~ A hearty vegetarian lunch + Clean Up Karma Yoga
14:00 ~ Private Session / Practice Time / Free Time /Massage
-
/ Or Optional Class :
16:00 ~ Mantra Chanting Continued
With Mico Sundari
18:00pm
~ Dinner
19:00pm
~ Evening Program.
Indian Classical Philosophy and Discussion & Practice
Thurs 05/01/23
06:00am
~ Morning Yoga program, Asana, Pranayma, Meditation and morning chants
Shivam Rath & Mico Sundari.
07:30am
~ Breakfast + clean up (Karma Yoga)
09:00 ~ 10:30am
Raga / Rhythm workshop With Shivam Rath.
11:00am
~ Morning tea.
12:00am
~ Nada Nidra (Yoga Nidra With Live Music ) relaxation meditation.
12:30am
~ A hearty vegetarian lunch + Clean Up Karma Yoga
14:00am
~ Private Session / Practice Time / Free Time
+ / Or Optional Class :
16:00 ~ Kathyrin Riding ~ Voice Activation & Yoga
18:00pm
~ Dinner
19:00pm
~ Evening Program.
Fri 06/01/23
06:00am
~ Morning Yoga program, Asana, Pranayma, Meditation and morning chants.
Sara Rath & Mico Sundari.
07:30am
~ Breakfast + clean up (Karma Yoga)
09:00 ~ 10:30am
Raga / Rhythm workshop With Shivam Rath.
11:00am
~ Morning tea.
12:00am
~ Yoga Nidra
12:30pm
~ A hearty vegetarian lunch + Clean Up Karma Yoga
14:00pm
~ Private Session / Practice Time / Free Time / Massage
+ / Or Optional Class : Medicine Yoga with Sara Rath
16:00pm
~ Tala / Rhythm. Raga / Melody Group activity.
Shivam Rath
18:00pm
~ Dinner
19:00pm
~ Evening Program and Closing Ceremony
~Student Presentations and Celebration.
(* Option to stay one more night included with price and leave Saturday morning)
(Retreat Participants Only)
BOOKINGS & CONTACT INFO :
All Black Sheep Farm Accomodation Enquires Please Contact :
0433 173 508
Or E.mail i@jagad.me
Otherwise Please Contact :
the_sunrise-surfer@hotmail.com
Or complete this booking form
About the Teachers and Facilitators
Shivam Rath is a second generation Aussie Indian Musician, following his fathers footsteps in both the world of Yoga and Indian classical music and since seriously taking up the path is sliding up to be Australia’s leading Slide Guitarist. Born into a musical family he has been combining his knowledge and path of meditation into the classically trained field of Music, Mantra and raga. He is also writing and producing his own music and compositions, with many C.Ds bridging, reviving and blending the ancient arts and music into our modern world.
Shivam has studied music directly from some of the worlds top leading instrumentalists including Riley Lee (Shakuhachi) Japanese flute & Indian Slide guitarist Debashish Bhattacharia. He is particular passionate about sharing his experience and knowledge of music and has taught and hosted workshops, retreats in numerous countries and locations around the world as well as multiple tours with some of India's incredibly acclaimed maestros, earning a respect and recognition for establishing himself in this rich and ancient musical tradition.
Kathryn Riding is a teacher of voice, movement and yoga with more than 30 years' experience. She is also an accredited Yoga Australia teacher trainer, a graduate of WAAPA and has taught at some of Australia's finest training institutions including NIDA, WAAPA, QUT and the Northern Rivers Conservatorium. Her training also includes yoga teacher training with Eve Grzbowski and Mardi Kendall at the Sydney Yoga Centre where Kathryn also taught, studying yoga in India, training in voice and movement with Roy Hart Theatre in Paris, completion of advanced teacher training course with internationally recognised yoga teacher Donna Farhi, ongoing training in BMC Body-Mind Centring, Reiki, ongoing vocal studies with Shivam and Mico. Kathryn is passionate about vocal freedom and the therapeutic effects of sound and devotional singing.
Sara Swati Rose Rath ~ Born and raised into a musical, spiritual, yogic family in Byron bay.
After a big healing crisis 12 years ago Sara dove deep reconnecting to her truth and healing medicines, creative spirit and drive to study and work with many Healing modalities integrating and creating a unique fusion (combining, plant medicines, yoga, body work, breath, nutrition & sacred women’s work)
At age 21 an opportunity to travel to Peru and drink medicine in the jungle re directed her course, following big shifts and changing destructive patterns into scared ceremony. This inspired a journey to study yoga in Rishikesh India, (200hr Association of yoga and meditation) followed by regular immersions, retreats and private trainings, all over the world, (8 months of private teacher trainings with renowned yoga teacher trainer Lance Schuler)
6 years working with medicinal plants including CBD oils.
3 years of regular guided water-fasting twice a year while studying nutrition with Susan Schuler.
Body work trainings, level one Zenthai shiatsu, level 1 and 2 Lomi Lomi, level 1 Reike, Level 1 Cranio Sacral Certificates & currently undergoing education and training in a 1 year course specialising in women's sacred sexuality.
~ ? ~ WHAT YOU WILL LEARN ~ ? ~
~ In the retreat participants will learn a systematic and creative manner that outlines the fundamental building blocks which create music and language (e.g Mantra / Sanskrit) and develop the potential and experience to express that individually;
+ also the chance to share at the end of the course a public kirtan / performance / demonstration.
~ Learn the theory and philosophy of what is Indian Classical Music and the esoteric concept of Raga, Tala and its ancient origins that has evolved throughout many generations of great musical maestros.
~ Learn multiple musical components or focus and dive deep on either voice, rhythm, instrument or Sanskrit pronunciation.
~ Instruments available to practice and play include Tabla, Mridunga, Indian Slide Guitar, Sitar, Tanpura and more.
~ Speak the intricate language of Rhythm (Tala) & Melody Raga & then how to combine them freely yourself with your own song or mantra etc.
~ Learn a single Raga, how to invoke the feelings, mood, atmosphere and act as a musical channel between the realm of Ragas & cycles of time.
~ Sing freely and be guided through various melodic phrases of a single Raga with supported individual tutoring and also in a meditative group setting.
~ Understanding the power of sound, natural keys, tonal qualities and natural strengths/weaknesses with our own voice and how we can strengthen them through Sadhana as with the body in Yoga.
~ Exploring the combined yogic lifestyle of Ashram style living with concentrated focus into music, mantra, asana, pranayama and meditation in a stunning natural environment.
~ Natural Benefits includes opening through the voice which opens and connects us back to our heart and allows for more clearer communication and confidence in our every day life.
~ Shivam believes the throat is the bridge between the head and heart and through voice and sound alone, we can create more harmonious pathways between our entire physical, mental & emotional being.
~ Enjoy and immerse within the natural environment of the stunning Black Sheep Farm retreat centre and Compassion Temple, featuring waterfalls, spring fed creeks, swimming pool, sauna, private rooms and luscious garden and landscape views to keep the creative inspiration flowing at all times.
~ Private and optional classes throughout the day with multiple teachers to share and guide specific facilitation.
~ Life long skills and connections plus special discounts towards purchasing any instruments or ongoing lessons following the retreat.
WHY ASHRAM STYLE LIVING?
"Its not about how long you practice but the quality of your practice"....
Thus we want to cultivate greater concentration and awareness to accelerate practice and learning.
The collective and self disciplinary routine of Ashram style living is made to create a simple but strong structure that is conducive to study and accelerated growth cultivating stronger levels of awareness throughout the day. The adjustments to daily routines enhanced by early morning Yoga, meditation and / or music, mantra practice shifts rapidly mental patterns and thus automatically giving rise to new experiences.
Yoga and meditation naturally allows a clear mind and healthy more supple body from early morning giving easier access to assimilation of new knowledge, musical ideas, memorising skills and sitting comfortably for longer periods.
* This is by no means a boot camp but.....
If you are looking for a luxurious retreat with great comfort and ease this retreat is not for you. The personal growth here comes with the challenge of diving beyond our comfort and by no means is learning Yoga, meditation & Indian Classical music ever meant to just be easy; no matter what instrument you choose or what vocal techniques you already know.
However there is also no overall goal or outcome in Yoga or learning Indian Classical Music and the real results are in how much you explore, develop, expand and realise about yourself and your own musical expression; given the extra skills and pointers we have to share :)
How to book the Retreat?
step1: fill your information @ https://www.crystalslide.com/contact
Or send it to the following email address.
E.mail with Subject: Raga Retreat
With
1. Your name
2. The number of participants
3. contact phone number
4. contact email address
5. your arrival time and expected departure date
6. Your instrument if you are bringing something to focus or a request to learn & borrow?
7. Which accommodation choice?
8. Dietary Requirements (Gf / vegen etc)
9. Musical experience.
10. Any questions or requests.
Step2: Payment
** You will get a PayPal link or you can pay directly into the bank account of:
Satya Rath BSB: 082-729
Acc No: 983400020
With a screen shot or confirmational e.mail of proof of payment attached.
There are limited spaces so please pay $400 deposit to secure your spot or the full $880 / 1280 (before the 01/12/2022)
( including all gourmet veg meals and accomodation)
Below Video From Past Retreat
NadaNidra ~ Rhythm & Raga

For More information about Rhythm and Raga scroll down.
For more information about YogaNidra & NadaNidra click here
THE NATURE OF RAGA
Crystal Slide
Raga's are based from nature and times of day/ night. Ragas require the musician to become a medium to invoke the mood and feeling above all else in learning a new scale. A small clip based on Indian Raga Durga.
MUSIC, MEDITATION & MANTRA
Melody, Movement & Rhythm
MEDITATION
Incorporating Music
Music is a field of vibration coursing through the current of this moment; offering as the perfect medium to demonstrate where our consciousness is or isn’t. Based on Yoga and advanced practices discover how Music can create a constant stream to keep the mind engaged with the act or practice of meditation. Experience when the mind is empty how the music will just 'flow' through and keep us in the 'zone'


INSTRUMENT
Sing though your hands
Just about all Indian instrumentalist I have met can replicate their playing through their voice. The intrinsic connection between head and hands is not in the tone or tenor of our vocal range but in the feeling and conscious connection between the movement or language of sound
MANTRA
Voice & Sacred Sounds
Mantra means to release or liberate the mind; it could be as subtle or dynamic as one needs. Sanskrit mantra or Chanting sacred sounds or syllables through the power of will, voice or percussive rhythms is a profound meditative practice ’which allows us to discover the geometrical foundations of space and time.

Presenting the Trinity of Music ~?~

MOVEMENT
The physical body is also a vehicle of sound and communication between music. The trinity in Indian philosophy being Mother Melody (Raga) Father Rhythm (Tala) and the combined creation between them: movement or dance. Through the practice of Yoga and tuning into the physical body on a subtle plane one can experience dance like states through feeling alone; a free flow allowing the body to lead and the mind to rest and let go.

RHYTHM
The language of rhythm is a world of its own; and through the serious practice of Tabla Shivam has learnt how to speak intricate rhythms and syllables which allows him to play almost any percussive instrument with skill and dexterity. The practice his highly meditative balancing both brain hemispheres and is akin to chanting or doing ‘mantra’ meditation.
Another clear example signifying that first music should come from inside; because if you can speak it ~ you can play it!

MELODY
Based upon original and traditional sources including the ancient Raga system and intuitive nature of heart to head connection; Shivam teaches in depth and highly subtle movements between the major scales, tones and semitones which create the rich atmosphere and mood that is Raga. Using Voice and Instrument to demonstrate the dynamics; this too becomes a universal language applicable to any sincere music aspirant.