Connecting Community through Chanting and Meditation
w. Judah Gesmundo
This five-session, community-centered semester is devoted to the shared practices of chanting, meditation, and reflection. This series is designed with a simple approach in mind: a comfortable, relaxed setting where we come together to experience the joy of chanting, the stillness of meditation, and the nourishment of community connection.
Guided by Judah Gesmundo, each session offers introductory concepts and embodied practice. Chanting and meditation are approached as accessible, supportive tools that influence physical, emotional, and spiritual wellbeing—helping to quiet the mind, open the heart, and cultivate inner ease.
Each chant will harness the power of sound, rhythm, and repetition to help quiet the mind, open the heart, and foster a connection to an inner sense of joy and ease. Chanting is followed by a guided and silent meditation period, and each session concludes with time for reflection, journaling, and community connection.
what you’ll experience
Explore introductory concepts such as what a mantra is, why we chant, and why we meditate
Learn about the specific Sanskrit chants used in each session
Practice multiple forms of chanting, including mantra repetition and call-and-response kirtan
Experience the calming effects of sound, rhythm, and repetition on the nervous system
Transition from chanting into guided and silent meditation
Close each session with reflection, journaling, and shared community connection
benefits of chanting + meditation
Slow, rhythmic breathing that calms the nervous system and supports emotional regulation
Reduced stress and tension, with increased relaxation and mood elevation
Improved focus, attention, and mindfulness through repetition and sound
Enhanced sleep, immunity, and resilience through activation of the relaxation response
A deeper sense of connection—to self, others, and something greater—fostering joy, fulfillment, and wellbeing
semester dates
April 19
May 17
June 14
July 12
August 9
Each session is at 10a ET.
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Semester investment: $175
Drop-in: $40
Recordings are included with 7-day access so you can stay connected, even on the weeks when life feels full.
If you have any questions about registration, please contact us at contact@ayurvedicwellness.center, and we’re happy to help.
faqs
who can attend?
This series is open to anyone interested in chanting, meditation, and community connection. No prior experience with Sanskrit, chanting, or meditation is required.
how can I attend?
This series is offered in-person and livestream via Zoom. Can’t attend live? A recording will be available in our on-demand library 24 hours after each session.
what should I bring?
Please bring your own yoga mat and, if you have them, a meditation cushion, blanket, or shawl. Comfortable clothing is recommended. A journal or something to write with is encouraged for reflection. Bolsters and blankets are also available at AWC.
Judah Gesmundo
Judah was first exposed to Hatha Yoga when her mother followed Lilias! Yoga and You on PBS. She was a professional modern dancer from 1975-1980, teaching in NYC for Erick Hawkins and at her own school called The Dance Place. Judah was exposed to Yoga teachings and practices in 1979 and completed her Hatha Yoga teachers training in Ganeshpuri, India in 1990.
Judah is a life-long learner and thoroughly enjoys sharing her love of Yoga, movement, and meditation with others.