Institute of Devotional ArtsReviews of devotionalarts.org

The facilitation is pure mastery! I found it to be emotionally resonance, playful, and deeply insightful. I'm so intrigued about the philosophy behind their practice because it seems extremely well rounded and coherent. Would recommend this to anyone or groups to learn to get in touch with their intuition, body, emotions, worldviews. Very powerful containers!

I had a pleaasure to attend Dr Swan’s loving-kindness workshop and found it beautifully designed, though provoking, and strangely energetic and calm at the same time. In less than 90 minutes, he guided us through a rich variety of elements, which included meditation, sharing memories of someone close, touch, mindful walking, loads of reflections and a memorable matryoshka exercise. The different types of love, often a confusing topic, were made clear and tangible. His voice is calm and convincing at the same time, which is ideal for guided practice. His background shows in how he teaches yet in a very gentle form. He studied philosophy at Oxford, theology in Chicago, and psychotherapy and theatre in Paris and Montreal. His Cambridge PhD focused on self-transformation. You can sense each discipline: the philosopher’s clarity in how he frames love, the therapist’s care in the sharing exercises, the theatre training in his voice. For someone whose work spans Harvard, the World Economic Forum and the UN, he is remarkably accessible: deep knowledge, delivered simply.

I got to participate in the Georgian Singing Journey that Swan co-led with Nino earlier this year. It was a beautiful immersion into Georgian culture, nature, and the deeply moving tradition of polyphonic singing, which I’ve fallen in love with and hope to continue practicing. Swan created a welcoming space for singers of all experience levels to learn, experiment, and create something beautiful together. I especially appreciated the daily vocal warm-ups, meditations, embodied practices, and playful improvisational singing circles that helped cultivate presence, connection, and creative exploration. I left the journey feeling nourished, inspired, and full of beautiful memories.

I had the pleasure of taking a circle singing and vocal improvisation workshop from Dr. Swan, and the only sadness was that it had to end! I learned so much in just that hour, and would happily have signed up for a full multi-week course and gone on tour with a Dr. Swan led circle singing traveling improv circus (idea?). Dr. Swan is clear, knowledgeable, and hits a great balance of authoritative and supportive, which can be hard to find. The workshop held just the right amount of education, grounding and whimsy, could not recommend more to those that are looking to expand and challenge their relationship with creating music and vocal expression.

Once again, a deeply moving and meaningful session facilitated by Dr. Swan. Last year, I attended my first session by Dr. Swan and it continues to blow my mind every day. Dr. Swan creates a welcoming space for reflection on the various types of love, emotional expression, and connection. This session I was particularly touched by the reflections of the men in my group afterward. One older gentleman in my group shared that he called his sister following the session to tell her how much she meant to him—for the first time in his life. That moment spoke volumes about the impact of the experience. I’m grateful to have been part of it. Looking forward to the next!

I was at this year's (2026) Transform Trauma Conference in Oxford. As well as leading several sessions during the week Dr Swan Dao and his team from the IDA curated the first morning of the conference. What I experienced was the most humanising, gentle, relational, thoughtful orientation process. It was remarkable for a conference of several thousands dispersed across more than 10 venues in the city centre, to go through an arrival process that left one feeling connected and known to others, grounded and open to learning. Usually at a conference of that size one passes through the week as a disconnected being in a sea of strangers.... not so this time, thanks to Swan and his team.

I have joined the Expressive Therapy Training in Spain, facilitated by Swan and Jessica. I was encouraged to explore my expression beyond the familiar, supported in meeting my fears, and received, directly and indirectly, invaluable teachings on the depths of the human psyche through creative practices. The safe space invited play, bravery, and authenticity, while also providing time for self-reflection and connection with fellow participants. I left the training moving differently through the world - standing taller, in a more intimate relationship with my inner life, and with a greater sense of wonder for the external life and arts as a doorway to engage with deeper layers of existence. IDA's offerings continue to intrigue me with their immersive programs, transformative containers, and incredible facilitators, (re)bridging the work with the psyche and creative practices.

Dr Swan Dao,together with his colleague Nino Nineshvelli, led us on a pilgrimage in the Caucasus mountains of Georgia.A unique experience. My husband and I joined a small group of pilgrims travelling to three locations where we learnt to use our voices taking part in polyphonic singing in the Georgian language(phonetically).We stayed with local musicians and singers who were welcoming,kind and patient in helping us attempt their traditional songs.It was simply beautiful:the people in our group, the Georgians who hosted us,the places we visited and the fun we had doing vocal exercises,hiking up a mountain to a mediaeval chapel and enjoying local food in the villages where we stayed .We loved the people, their stories,their songs and the places they lived.Memories of this trip will remain in our hearts for years to come. Jacinta and Nigel, Kent,UK