8 Week Course. Self-Paced.

Deepen Your Bhajan Sadhana

In this course, you will get video lessons, interviews, satsangs, sound meditations, articles, challenge exercises, accountability, and have access to an online exclusive community. But most importantly, you will have time to practice and be encouraged to play.

  • Highlights

    • Centered on Amma's teachings & enhancing bhajan sadhana
    • Learn the 4 main taals for bhajans in different tempos
    • Learn at your own pace

  • Be Supported

    • Support via email and online communities
    • Practice tips and knowledge for live playing
    • Accountability exercises
    • Assignments monitored for progress

  • Learning Format

    • Bi-weekly lessons structured with theory and practical components
    • Emphasis on devotional aspect of music
    • Practice resources, videos and mp3s
    • Reflections and sound meditations for immersive learning

Course curriculum

  • 1

    Orientation Unit (Week 1)

    • Opening Prayer

    • Welcome to Kaimani Level 1! (with Anu Chechi & Lalitha)

    • Welcome & Getting Started (click download button on far upper right corner)

    • Overview of Course

    • Introduction to Carnatic & Hindustani Concepts of Rhythm

    • Amma, My Inspiration

    • Assignment 1 - What Inspires You?

    • Optional Assignment: Introduce Yourself on the Kaimani Community!
  • 2

    Week 1: Tool of Transcendence

    • History & Ethnomusicology Perspectives

    • Art of Kaimani: An Interview with Vyasa

    • Lesson: Clapping Exercises with Metronome

    • Lesson: Basic Strokes with Lalitha

    • Assignment: Awareness of Rhythm

    • Assignment: Listen! Awareness of Rhythm (Optional Submission)

  • 3

    Week 2: 8 Beat Patterns (Slow, Medium & Fast)

    • Lesson: Slow 8 - Basic Pattern - 60 BPM

    • Lesson: Medium 8 - Basic Patterns - 120 BPM

    • Lesson: Fast 8 Basic Pattern - 120 BPM

    • Practice Resource Video for 8 Beat Patterns (Slow, Medium and Fast)

    • Self Effort & Grace

    • Optional Assignment Week 2 - Time to Play! (Email a video or audio clip)
  • 4

    Week 3: Rāga, Tāla and Laya - Divine textures in music

    • Introduction to Raga Tala & Laya

    • Satsang: Raga, Tala and Laya - with Swamini Suvidyamrita Prana

    • Lesson: Clapping for Slow 6 (35 BPM)

    • Lesson: Slow 6 Basic Pattern (35 BPM)

    • Musical Dynamics: Awareness of Intensity
  • 5

    Week 4: 6 Beat Patterns (Medium & Fast)

    • Awareness of Rhythm

    • Lesson: Medium 6 Clapping & Basic Strokes

    • Lesson: Medium 6 Basic Pattern (60 BPM)

    • Lesson: Fast 6 Basic Pattern (70 BPM)

    • Practice Resource Video for 6 Beat Patterns (Slow, Medium and Fast)

    • Optional Assignment Week 4 - Time to Play! (Email a video or audio clip)
  • 6

    Mid-Way Check-in

    • Please take a moment to check in with us!
  • 7

    Week 5: State of Flow - Art of 7 Beats

    • Sacred 7: The Art of Misra Chapu - Padmabhushan Umayalpuram K. Sivaraman

    • Lesson: Slow 7 Basic Pattern (120 BPM)

    • Wah! Breath & Bhajans: Resource Video

    • Talent & Practice

  • 8

    Week 6: 7 Beat Madhya & Drut Lay (Medium & Fast Tempos)

    • Sri Rama Stuti - A Hindustani Bhajan in 7 Beats

    • Lesson: Medium 7 Basic Pattern (160 BPM)

    • Lesson: Fast 7 Basic Pattern (220 BPM)

    • Practice Resource Video for 7 Beat Patterns (Slow, Medium and Fast)

    • Optional Assignment Week 6 - Time to Play! (Email a video or audio clip)
  • 9

    Week 7: Vibration of Rhythm 5 Beat (Slow, Medium & Fast Tempos)

    • Vibrations of Rhythm

    • With and Without Rhythm - An Exercise in Listening with Swamini Suvidyamrita Prana

    • Lesson: Slow 5 Basic Pattern (120 BPM)

    • Lesson: Medium & Fast 5 Basic Patterns (225 & 270 BPM)

    • Practice Resource Video for 5 Beat Patterns (Slow & Medium)

    • Pop-Quiz! Identify the Patterns from Amma's Live Bhajans!

    • Assignment: Play for Live-streamed Bhajans!
  • 10

    Week 8: Recap & Lifelong Learning

    • Practice Tips for Live Bhajans & Music Sessions

    • Tips for Bhajans

    • Decoding the Taal of a Bhajan

    • Beyond Mechanical Playing - Adding Synocpation & Groove

    • Concluding Remarks & Spreading Your Wings to Fly

    • Essence of Music - Exclusive Clip with Swami Amritaswarupananda Puri

    • Optional Assignment Week 8 - Demonstrate Skills Learned (Email a video or audio clip)

    • Closing Prayers for World Peace
  • 11

    Closing Survey

    • Please Take a Moment to Complete This Survey!

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We are excited to offer Kaimani classes online!

What are people saying?

Kaimani: Level 1 Student

Mira

I want to express my deep gratitude to the teachers. The course exceeded my expectations and it was so well done and lovingly put together. The live sessions were energizing and I always felt support from the teachers. It was as if they’re rooting for our success and were willing to go the extra mile to help me. I found the presentation very nice and well done and easy to learn. I’m so happy to have been part of this.

Kaimani: Level 1 Student

Diya

The whole course was wonderful! Everything about it. The way the instructors taught the class, the history of the instrument, the stories, the tips and tricks and the videos of Anu Chechi playing were great!

Kaimani: Level 1 Student

Shubha

I really loved this course and Anu & Lalitha really made the course special. I would recommend & wish I could take it again! So grateful for the chance to study with such amazing teachers.

Kaimani: Level 1 Student

Christina

Thank you for everything in this course, and for the devotion and desire to connect, to serve, to spread Amma's Teachings and support. The Spirit of it was exactly what I was longing for; completely immersed in the Space of Amma, of Truth; from That space and with the intention towards That space. Jai Ma!
How to Select a Kaimani?

Where do I get them & how do I start?


The joy and transcendence of playing the Kaimani draws many people to take up this divine instrument. In order to select the right pair, it’s important to understand your goals in playing and know a few things about the various types of Kaimani and where to get them.

Learn More

Kaimani Instructors

Kaimani Instructor

Anu C.

Om Amriteshwaryai Namaha! Welcome & pranams to all of you! The Kaimani is such a beautiful instrument and one that is highly regarded by Amma. By learning to play various taals (rhythms), you can experience bhajans in a whole new way. We will not only explore the fundamental rhythms and techniques, but also will immerse in devotional aspects of playing. I hope that you can join us for a very engaging deep dive into the world of Kaimani based on Amma’s teachings. -Anu Chechi

Kaimani Instructor

Lalitha M.

Namah Shivaya Everyone, Welcome! My name is Lalitha and I will be co-teaching the Kaimani class. I’ve had the grace to be able to play with Amma for the last 20 years and I am hoping to share any learnings I have gathered with all of you. I look forward to this wonderful musical journey with you. -Lalitha

Become the pulse of the bhajans!

Through the taals, textures and patterns of the Kaimani. Gain confidence, skill and precision in playing.

I'm Ready!