Kirtan Leader Institute - Mike Cohen

06/24/2025

Thinking about getting a harmonium but feeling totally overwhelmed? You're not alone.

The truth is, choosing the right harmonium depends on a few key things—your musical path, the sound you resonate with, and even your relationship with gravity (yes, really).

Some questions to consider:
👉 Are you drawn to Indian Classical or Western Kirtan?
👉 Do you know the difference between Calcutta and Delhi construction?
👉 Will your harmonium travel with you or live in one sacred spot?

These aren’t just technical details—they shape your entire chant experience.

✨ Want help figuring it out? I’ve got a simple guide that breaks it all down—and I’d be happy to share it with you.

💬 Message me and I’ll send you the inside scoop!

Let’s get you on the path to a harmonium that truly supports your practice.

06/22/2025

🎹 The “Buy Once, Chant Happy” Approach 🎶

So many spiritual seekers try to save money on their first harmonium—only to find they’ve purchased an instrument that creates more obstacles than opportunities.

Then comes the tough decision:
➡️ Struggle with a frustrating instrument (hello, extreme patience practice)
or
➡️ Invest in a second, better harmonium

I want to help you avoid that kind of musical suffering.
Unlike cars, harmoniums don’t come with lemon laws—yet the market is flooded with more lemons than a California citrus farm! 🍋

If you're looking for a harmonium that supports your chant practice from the very first note, I'm here to help.
📩 Message me or email [email protected] with questions or to schedule a try-before-you-buy visit in Boulder.

Let’s find your perfect match—the first time.

06/20/2025

If you're exploring Western Kirtan or looking for an instrument to elevate your devotional practice, you might be considering both the sruti box and the harmonium.

While both produce drone sounds, the comparison is similar to deciding between a basic skateboard and a luxury car – one merely gets you from point A to B in your neighborhood, while the other transforms the entire journey, taking you cross country, or beyond!

Want more info? DM me here!

06/18/2025

Here’s the heart-opening truth:
98% of harmoniums on the market are about as suited for Western Kirtan as flip-flops are for mountain climbing.

Learning on a low-quality harmonium is like riding a bike with a flat tire. Technically possible—but needlessly frustrating and spiritually draining. Instead of connecting with the Divine through sound, you end up battling your instrument.

I’ve seen it too many times. Students arrive at workshops, bright-eyed and eager, only to discover they’ve brought what I can only describe as the harmonium equivalent of a temperamental cat:

🐝 Reeds that buzz like a meditation hall full of snorers
🎹 Keys that stick like they’re coated in spiritual superglue
🌀 Sustain shorter than a toddler’s attention span
😵 Tuning that sends fellow musicians running
🧘‍♂️ Construction that turns playing into a full-body yoga pose

💔 It breaks my heart. There's nothing more disheartening than watching someone's love for chanting dim because their instrument is actively working against their devotion.

Your chant practice deserves better. You deserve a harmonium that supports your voice, your energy, and your connection to the sacred.

If you're ready to find one, I’m here to help. DM me here and I'll send you my article on "How to buy a harmonium and not a headache!" Or email me at 📩 [email protected]

06/16/2025

🎶 Looking for a harmonium that truly sings?

For years, I’ve been helping chant lovers find the perfect instrument—and I’ve learned that Sound and Sustain make all the difference between a frustrating experience and a joyful, inspiring practice.

My Great Harmonium Adventure:
I’ve been in love with Bhava harmoniums since 2015. But in 2019, curiosity got the best of me. Like sampling other ice cream flavors when you know chocolate is your favorite, I tried four other brands in what I now call my Harmonium Taste Test of 2019.

Spoiler alert: chocolate still wins 🍫😉
👉 [Go to http://bit.ly/442jgmF to read the full Taste Test results]

Do you live in Colorado? Why not visit us in Boulder!
🌟 Try Before You Buy – Every harmonium feels and sounds different. Come play a few and find the one that fits you.
🌟 Colorado Care – Our dry climate is tough on Indian-made instruments. That’s why we include a FREE hygrometer and our Harmonium 101 course with every purchase.
🌟 Expert Setup – I personally test every harmonium before it reaches you. No surprises—just beautiful music from day one.

🎹 Ready to meet your musical soulmate?

Message me here with your email, OR email me at [email protected] to learn more or schedule your visit.

With possible tariff changes on the horizon, this is the perfect time to invest in a high-quality harmonium at today’s prices.

Let’s make your chant practice a joy—not a struggle. 💛

Harmoniously yours,
Mike Cohen + Kirtan Leader Institute

03/04/2025

Need more Shiva in your life? Ready to let some things go? Check out this amazing 5 hour Spotify playlist of your favorite Kirtan artists and their chants to Shiva!

PLAYLIST HERE: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1Hrdx7G5t8wPiIvnkQrtab?si=5c01e01f5aa04197

11/28/2024

Dear Friends and Fellow Kirtan Lovers,

As we gather in the spirit of Thanksgiving, our hearts are brimming with gratitude for each of you who have joined us on this beautiful journey of music, mantra, and community. Your voices, your presence, and your open hearts make every gathering a celebration of love and connection.

We are so thankful for the sacred space we create together, where ancient chants and modern grooves weave into a tapestry of joy, healing, and inspiration. You remind us that kirtan is more than music—it’s a shared experience that uplifts the soul and brings us closer to one another.

Looking ahead, we are filled with excitement for the moments yet to come: the chants we will sing, the grooves we will dance to, and the deeper connections we will nurture. Together, we are creating something truly magical, and we couldn’t do it without you.

Wishing you and your loved ones a Thanksgiving filled with warmth, abundance, and love. May your days be blessed with harmony and your hearts with peace.

With love and gratitude,
Mike Cohen & the Shakti Groove

11/22/2024

Feeling drained? Disconnected? Struggling to stay centered? Here’s the truth: as Rising Appalachia reminds us, we are resilient.  

Through ecstatic chant, we can reconnect—with ourselves, with each other, and with the Divine—creating a profound sense of calm, clarity, and renewed strength. It’s a path back to center, a way to awaken the resilience within.

We’re thrilled to once again bring our Kirtan to the iconic e-Town Hall on Spruce Street in Downtown Boulder. Join Mike Cohen & The Shakti Groove on December 3rd for an unforgettable evening in this stunning venue, renowned for its world-class acoustics and intimate vibe.  

Don’t miss this chance to breathe life back into your spirit. Come chant, connect, and emerge feeling energized, alive, and powerfully resilient.  

Ticket link in bio.

10/22/2024

Energy is building for tonight's FULL SPECTRUM Kirtan at the majestic eTown Hall.

Join us for community, healing and connection with the Divine, in a sacred space, with a world class sound system! Doors at 6, chanting at 7pm. Kids 12 and under are free.

Details at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/monthly-rocky-mountain-kirtan-with-mike-cohen-the-shakti-groove-tickets-1007025920637

Dawnia Dresser, Nicole Matarazzo, Martha Hartney, Michele Heaphy, Bill McCrossen, James Hoskins, James Hoskins Music, Nancy Bloch Linsley, Ben Luber, Taylor Denn, Aaron Gabriel Neyer, Allie Disch, Erik D Hansen, Wendy Golden, Michael Pottern

We're excited to welcome Mike Cohen & The Shakti Groove, Colorado’s premiere Ecstatic Chant band, to eTown Hall for a new monthly series.

09/05/2024

Join us at TONIGHT (Thursday, September 5th) for a FREE KLI Community Call at 6pm Mountain Time (5pm PT, 7pm CT & 8pm ET). We will discuss the history of Kirtan and its journey to the West, and learn a simple chant to the Divine Lovers (Radhe Govinda) you can chant at home & share with others.

Listen to this beautiful chant on Spotify at https://open.spotify.com/track/0EpVM7Yd1t2IiD9On61mlM?si=d83c63120b104039 or watch it on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A859CeMM31U

Register for this FREE class at https://www.kirtanleader.com/free-class-sept-2024. If you can't join us live, be sure to register so we can send you a recording of the session.

WHAT: KLI Community call - Kirtan History & Radhe Govinda chant

WHEN: Thursday, September 5 at 6pm MT (5pm PT, 7pm CT & 8pm ET.)

WHERE: Via Zoom. Be sure to register for the link or to receive a recording of the call.

COST: Free

09/03/2024

Energy is building for tonight's Ecstatic Chant event at e-Town Hall in Boulder. We eagerly anticipate our debut at this incredible venue, and look forward to journeying into the Heart of the Divine together. Your voice, your presence, and your energy are what will make this night truly magical.

If you don't have your tickets yet, you can get them online (now) and from 6-7pm at the door.

WHAT: Rocky Mountain Ecstatic Chant ™ with Mike Cohen & The Shakti Groove

WHEN: Tonight, Tuesday, September 3, 2024. Doors open at 6pm, our sacred journey begins at 7pm

WHERE: The beautiful e-Town Hall, 1535 Spruce St, Boulder, CO 80302

OFFERING: $25 (Children 12 and under are welcome to join for free). Tickets available at the door.
Whether you choose to sit in the pews, on chairs, or bring your own cushion or backjack to sit on the floor, know that you are welcome. This is your space to be, to breathe, to sing, to dance.