Bhakti Academy LEVEL 1

Bhakti Academy (Level 1)

The Bhakti Academy is a six-month online journey into devotion, lineage, and living practice.

Drawing on sacred ritual, mantra, satsang, and Dru Yoga taught with a mantra-based spiritual focus, each session offers practical ways to deepen your practice and bring the heart of yoga into daily life.

Satsang (Wisdom talks) forms the heart of each gathering, supported by practice and reflection woven through the series.

Facilitated by the Dru teaching team: Astoria Barr, Deb Ryan, and Julie Beynon

Who this workshop series is for:

• Those drawn to devotion as a living, practical path

• Yoga practitioners and teachers interested in lineage and bhakti

• Anyone wishing to deepen their relationship with practice, purpose, and service

No prior experience with ritual or mantra is required.

The Six Sessions

Each session can be attended on its own, while together they form a coherent six-month journey.

Session 1 — Bhakti and 5-Element Puja (Recorded from March 4)

Explore the five elements — earth, water, fire, air, and space — and what each symbolically represents within the bhakti traditions.

You’ll learn how these elements are honoured through puja, what they symbolise and how working consciously with them supports balance and freedom on the spiritual path.

The session includes guidance on offering puja to a form of the divine meaningful to you — from yogic gods and goddesses, to world peace, the Earth, or a faith tradition you already hold.

Session 2 — Navgraha & Surya Namaskar (Recorded April 1)

The Navgraha are understood as expressions of karma that shape the patterns and timing of our lives.

This session explores how planetary movement brings karmic themes into focus, and how awareness allows these patterns to soften and change.

Surya Namaskar is taught with mantra and movement unified to support greater light, clarity, and the softening of karmic patterns.

Session 3 — Dru Parampara & Lineage (7pm AEST/10am BST May 6)

An exploration of the history of the Dru parampara and what it means to step into the current of a living lineage.

This session looks at how wisdom is transmitted and refined over time, and how lineage offers both support and protection on the yogic path.

Learn about the parampara mantra that supports deeper alignment with the Dru lineage.

You’ll also discover what a kul deva or kul devi (lineage or family guardian) is, and how particular guardians work uniquely with each lineage.

Session 4 — Enlightenment in Our Lineage (Recorded June 3)

In the Dru lineage, enlightenment is supported through lived principles rather than abstract ideals.

This session explores the four core pillars — seva (contributing your skills), sadhana (daily spiritual practice), satsang (wisdom sharing), and sangha (finding your tribe) — and how they work together to shape a path to moksha (liberation).

You’ll be guided through Sankalpa Kriya Sadhana, a practice designed to help you create a new future by aligning intention, heart, and action with enlightened purpose.

Session 5 — The Spiritual Teacher or Guru–Disciple Relationship (Recorded July 1)

The role of the spiritual teacher has been understood in many different ways throughout the yogic tradition. In this session, we’ll explore the Guru principle and the different forms of guidance that support us as we mature on the spiritual path.

Drawing on traditional teachings, we’ll introduce the four types of spiritual teachers — śikṣā (instructional guidance), dīkṣā (initiatory teachings), antara (the inner teacher), and the Sat Guru (one who points us towards the highest truth). Together, they support a seeker to stay on the spiritual path, mature in practice, and unfold their full potential.

We’ll explore how to recognise authentic guidance, why having a teacher does not mean giving our power away, and how genuine spiritual guidance can help us gradually let go of ego, limitation and old patterns while strengthening discernment, responsibility and our connection with the inner teacher.

We’ll also reflect on how the teacher–student relationship develops over time, the importance of mutual respect, and how knowledge and śakti are traditionally understood to be shared through teaching, practice and presence.

The session will include teaching, reflection and a special meditation to help you connect more deeply with the guidance that supports your own spiritual journey.

Session 6 — Yogic Gods & Goddesses (7pm AEST / 10am BST August)

An introduction to key yogic gods and goddesses, and how mantra and puja can be used as practical supports in daily life.

We’ll explore devotional practices for improving communication, releasing subconscious blocks, clarifying purpose, supporting health and healing, and cultivating more harmonious relationships.

Discover deity archetypes that help you let go of habits and patterns that no longer serve your growth, and guide your choices toward alignment with a higher consciousness. Optional Q&A sessions

Optional live Q&A sessions (30 minutes) are offered approximately two weeks after each main session.

These provide space for reflection, clarification, and shared enquiry. Attendance is encouraged where possible, but not essential — the main sessions stand complete on their own.

Proposed Q&A dates (7pm AEST/10am BST Wednesdays):

18 March, 15 April, 20 May, 17 June, 15 July, 19 August 2026 (Dates may be adjusted if needed).

Recordings

• All main Bhakti Academy sessions will be recorded and made available to participants.

• Whether Q&A sessions are recorded will depend on group consent and facilitation considerations.

Further connection & continuity

While Level 1 stands complete in itself, there may be opportunities for deeper connection through optional live online or in-person gatherings as the community naturally forms.

These could include streamed yogic celebrations, or in-person events connected to future retreats — such as the 2026 Bali Spirituality & Yoga Retreat — for those who feel called to go deeper. If not within the Level 1 timeframe, such opportunities may unfold as part of Level 2 or future offerings.

Any additional gatherings will be optional and offered only where appropriate. Note: Sessions are hosted live online from the tutors’ homes rather than filmed in a studio, prioritising presence and connection over production polish.

Booking options & pricing

• Single session (includes optional live Q&A): $45

• Full Academy Pass — 6 sessions for the price of 5: $225

You’re welcome to attend individual sessions, or to book the full academy for continuity and a deeper journey across the six months.