Vidya Institute Is Delighted To Present
The Spring Navaratri Festival
In Celebration of The 9 Nights of The Goddess
With Gitte Bechsgaard RP Ph.D. CIYT & Gloria Goldberg CIYT & Sheila Haswell CIYT
Live Online Workshops Hosted on March 15th, 21st, & 22nd, 2026
“ I come from Infinite Power.
To those who meditate on me.
I am found by those who seek sincerely.
Gaze on me in your meditation.
Still your thoughts and listen to me.”
The Navaratri festival is a celebration in honor of the Feminine Divine.
As a principle, spiritual femininity is often simply referred to as “Devi” in the Indian tradition.
Devi is called “The Shining One”.
Known as “The Mother of The Universe”
This Divine mother Devi is the spouse of the Divine male, invoked as Shiva.
Also, simply the Maha Deva.
Navaratri most typically celebrates the victory of light over darkness.
It is archetypally symbolized by Durga’s victory over the demon Mahisha, in the Indian tradition. A primary form of Devi, the Goddess Durga is said to watch benevolently over our health, sva-dharma, and the spiritual sides of our life-paths.
She is often simply referred to as “Devi” – The Shining One.
As the Goddess, she is said to abide within us as the Kundalini Shakti:
The illuminating energy of awareness.
This Inner Tradition of the Goddess is considered deeply sacred and highly esoteric.
It is a practice of Spiritual Awakening and a path to connect with the Divine, called Sadhana.
Intensely practical, our daily Sadhana of Asana, pranayama & mantra is meant to integrate the high metaphysical ideals with down-to-earth principles, helping us to live a sanctified and spiritual life.
The esoteric forces of Durga Devi are traditionally invoked with mantras synchronized with breath.
And also with hymns, like those found within the Devi Mahatmya or Chandi Path.
By focusing on her many forms and attributes, and through the chanting of selected mantras, we call the Goddess and her many blessings into our lives.
These Devi Mantras of the Chandi Path hold many dimensions and hidden gems. Yet all are essential in order to understand their unique meanings, practical applications, and underlying blessings.
During this year’s Navaratri workshop series, you’ll participate in a unique selection of mantra-sadhanas, archetypal stories, and Esoteric teachings on the 9 forms of Durga Devi & the Kundalini shakti from the Tantric text of Devi Mahatmya, also known as the Chandi Path.
In our weekend sessions together, you will also immerse yourself in a guided Iyengar Yoga Women’s sadhana to bring the aspect of Shoshana (integration & absorption) into practice.
The lecture components of each day’s classes will place a particular focus on the exploration of the Nine forms of Durga Devi.
Each of these nine forms teaches us about the representation of the Goddess as Shakti or Kundalini:
The electrifying energy within your subtle body.
Many Tantric stories illustrate how the Kundalini operates through symbolic and archetypal forms.
“ The yogin who stirs the Kundalini Shakti comes to enjoy paranormal abilities. What more needs to be said?”
– Hatha Yoga Pradeepeka
Within esoteric tradition, the Kundalini shakti is the power of awakening.
A twinkling light from within.
It’s in her revelatory light where we discover our own true nature.
In essence, the Goddess’s true identity is revealed only once we discover who we really are.
Guided by seasoned teachers Gitte Bechsgaard Ph.D. CIYT, Gloria Goldberg CIYT, and Sheila Haswell CIYT, this March’s Three-Day Navaratri workshop is divided into various classes of both philosophy & scripture lectures, as well as guided mantra, pranayama, and Asana sadhanas.
The first session on the 15th of March will include preparation for one’s home Navaratri Mantra Sadhana & Guided contemplative practice for the complete Spring festival.
Explored through the lens of the sacred yogic texts as well as the teachings of Sri Krishan Mantriji & BKS Iyengar, spiritual seekers & dedicated yoga sadhakas alike will find these teachings to be a source of inspiration and a practical aid on their inner journey.