About

Aloha! My name is Colleen Buckman, (Kalyani), I am a Singer/Songwriter, Holistic Health Practitioner, Educator, Writer and Producer. I was born and raised in Minneapolis, MN.; the home of Prince and Bob Dylan. Minnesota is also the Land of 10,000 Lakes, a land of freshwater and simple beauty. I am a life long learner. My curiosity and inspiration has taken me all over the world, including to India several times- where I began a lifelong study of Kriya Yoga and Kirtan.

On my first trip to India in January of 2001, I shaved my head bald (mundan) and took planes, trains and rickshaws to the banks of the Ganges River in Allahabad, India. I spent two weeks at the largest gathering of people on the planet, The Maha Kumbha Mela. I studied at the Kriya Yoga Institute. And I immersed myself in a deeply intact ancient culture. From there we made our way up to the foothills of the Himalayas and stayed at The Haidakhan Vishwamahadam, a Babaji Ashram in the remote village of Haidakhan in the province of Uttar Pradesh.

It was there that I was introduced to the teachings of Karma Yoga/Seva (Service to Humanity), Pranayama, and Kirtan. We spent each day arising at 4am and bathing in the Gautama Gange, receiving chandan, sitting in the Dhuni for meditation, going to morning Aarti, doing Karma Yoga, eating Ayurvedic meals and repeating the process for the close of the day.

Over those two weeks, something Magical happened. I was completely immersed in the simplest practices of living and I found the deepest joy in that simplicity. At the time, I had no idea that my life path had been diverted. I could feel the deep desire for real service, devotion, healing and music. But I certainly didn't know that learning a few bhajans on my guitar would have such a profound effect on my songwriting. In just four weeks, the entire trajectory of my life had been reset.

Babaji gave me the name Kalyani, which means Liberation. I continue to be Curious and to be Inspired. I Believe in Humanity.
In Truth, Simplicity and Love. Om Namah Shivaya!

Colleen Buckman (Kalyani) is a Singer/Songwriter, Holistic Health Practitioner, Educator and Writer.
She has over 24 years of experience in the field of holistic health, integrative medicine and education. She helps people take their place in the world through individual sessions, retreats, corporate wellness classes and trainings.

Colleen is a Certified Rebirthing Breathwork Trainer and Practitioner, Certified Sufi Spiritual Healer, Shadiliyaa Sufi Teacher, Certified Massage Therapist, Doula and Healing Touch Practitioner. She has done extensive work as a Hospice Worker and Grief Guide. Colleen has studied at Haidakhan Vishwamahadam and The Kriya Yoga Institute in India. She is currently in a Masters program with the University of Sufism. She is a guest teacher at Naropa in Boulder, CO. and Northwestern Health Sciences University in Bloomington, MN.
She has a B.A. in English and Theatre from the University of Minnesota Duluth.
Colleen has also composed, arranged and co-produced two full solo albums (Fertile Ground and Sometimes in the Sun), and collaborated on a third album (Sitara & Kalyani with Pavan Kumar). She has a passion for bringing community together. Colleen is currently touring, teaching, seeing private clients, and writing.

Philosophy

In my experience, human beings are truly here to love each other and to be in service to one another and to the Divine. We each have our share of challenges, tribulations and gifts. Our potential to overcome personal adversity and suffering is powerful and often brings us closer to the Source of Creation. That said, I recognize that profound grief, pain and struggle are part of the human condition. When we look through the eye of the heart-from the soul's perspective-we can see opportunities to grow as individuals and as communities. We can see that each person has a desire for love, safety, basic needs, community, family and home. A deep passion of mine is to remind all of us of just how sacred we all are, and how each person is an important reflection of creation. This is the heartbeat behind my music and my healing practice. It takes each of us stepping forward into our soul's purpose for a beautiful dream to unfold. The simple life of breathing, working with the elements, healing our hearts and staying connected to the Divine is a fulfilling and an enchanting way to create a good dream for oneself and for humanity.