The Sound of Devotion

Unity in Diversity... Through Sound

In order to promote a greater understanding of the power of sound we would like to invite anyone with an interest in, or knowledge of sound, to our gatherings where we can come together to share devotional chants, songs and sound practices from any background, tradition or faith.

All are welcome! No singing experience is necessary

If you wish to offer a song or sound practice please do let me know

Click here to listen to a sample of our gathering on the 12th April
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The Sound of Devotion is a project which brings together people from different faiths, traditions and religions, to explore the power of devotional sound and celebrate the unity in the diversity of different spiritual traditions. We aim to:

• Bring together people who wish to explore the power of sound irrespective of their different belief systems.
• Share and promote a greater understanding of different spiritual traditions and their unique sounds.
• To explore the idea that we all share a common connection through sound.

The Sound of Devotion was set up byNarayani (Frankie Jennings) in 2007, following an event she organised for the yoga communities entitled The Power of Sound as part of the Sing London Festival.

Narayani is a yoga teacher who for many years has been fascinated by different spiritual traditions. She feels that to bring together different faiths through the power of sound would lead to a greater understanding of the diverse society that we live in, allowing us to celebrate our different faiths and traditions. Frankie has been singing devotional music for several years as part of her own yoga practice, as well as leading groups. She is currently training with Chloe Goodchild and the Naked Voice as a voice work facilitator.

The Sound of Devotion currently organizes and facilitates events which draw people together from all faiths, traditions and spiritual backgrounds (including no denomination), who wish to meet and share their devotional chants, songs, poems and sound practices in a supportive and open environment. They are currently run in North and South London and Newhaven. This summer there will also be events in Exeter, Bristol, Plymouth and near Glastonbury.

The events are currently attracting people from many different traditions, but all with a connection to a more generic devotional sound background. We would like to reach out beyond those who are already familiar and comfortable with sharing devotional sound practices in this way and to make connections with people who have not had this opportunity before and who would like to explore the sounds of different traditions.

The events usually attract between 20-50 people. They are open to everyone who would like to come. Although flexible, the usual form is that each sound practice is introduced and then the group sings together. Occasionally the song/poem will be sung/spoken alone by the person offering. Anybody can volunteer to lead the group, so we have some songs lead by professional musicians and some led by people with less experience, but who wish to share their own devotional sound. People are welcome to bring along their instruments and we usually have a number of harmoniums, guitars, drums and percussion. There have been offerings from Sufi, Native American, Christian, Hindu (Yoga) and African traditions, in addition to some which have been non-denominational.

More about Narayani

Narayani (Frankie) is both a yoga teacher and a devotional singer. She is currently training with Chloe Goodchild and the Naked Voice as a voicework facilator.

Her yoga classes involve working with the breath, asana, relaxation and meditation and are based on the Sivananda Tradition, where she has completed both the Teacher Training and Advanced Teacher Training Courses. She is also influenced by a number of styles of yoga that she explores as part of her own practice particularly the teachings of Vanda Scaravelli. She has a degree in Health Sciences: Complementary Therapies which lends great experience to her classes and workshops.

Her personal journey with yoga and sound, and the discovery of her powerful voice, had such a profound and transformative impact on her life that she passionately shares this with students and friends through the Sound of Devotion gatherings, chanting sessions and sound and movement workshops, as well as teaching group, corporate and one to one yoga classes in and around London.