HariPyari’s Journey into the Garden of Yoga and Bhakti
(Naomi Francis) began her journey of chanting through attending various Kirtans in London and on her travels. She then spent New Year 2009 with the divinely wondrous Jai Uttal on his Kirtan Camp and then went on to do a Yoga Teacher Training in Mexico at the Yandara Yoga Institute, where an incredible resident kirtan band (Jaya) made chanting a key element. Since then HariPyari has been running regular and one-off chanting circles (alone and with other devotional musicians) in the UK, and released a kirtan CD: I Am in February 2012.
Shakti dance haripyari and nimritaHariPyari also leads Shakti Dance; the yoga of Dance, having trained with Sara Avtar in 2011. This practice has been transformational in her yogic path, inspiring her to delve deeper towards union and supporting her chanting practice. Her yoga and dance practice has also been enriched through training in Yoga Trance Dance with Shiva Rea, and Womb Yoga with Uma Dinsmore-Tuli.
She is also currently studying the Teacher of Mantra programme as taught by Namadeva; Thomas Ashley-Farrand: an amazing course that looks at the therapeutic and practical application of mantra in everyday life; studying the ancient sacred language Sanskrit; and in April 2013 completed the Yoga Nidra teacher training with Uma Dinsmore-Tuli: immersing in the sublime practice “yogic sleep”.
HariPyari has been influenced by many teachers and traditions, and she is highly grateful for the people who have inspired and supported her. Many thanks to the GOMA Family & Tabla Tom, Uma Dinsmore-Tuli, Mercy Ananda & Jaya, Jai Uttal, Jo Manuel, Yogi Ashokananda, Sara Avtar, Shiva Rea, Namadeva & Satyabhama, Venus CuMara, Raja Ram & Shpongle, Bob Marley and Mum.
Also the saints: Babaji, Neem Karoli Baba, Anandamayi Ma, Mooji and Amma, and to that universal light of love there are no words to express the gratitude for feeling glimmers of their grace.
Saba Santana Ki Jay! Sanatan Dharma Ki Jay!
HariPyari has fallen in love with the path of Bhakti Yoga (of which chanting is a key element), and organised the UK’s first ever Bhakti Music Festival (in August 2011), which brought devotional musical practices from various traditions together as one , in the spirit of universal love and devotion.
HariPyari feels incredibly blessed to have found this divine practice and be able to share it with others.
