Yoga Retreats in Ecuador - Baños

We offer yoga retreats at our paradisiacal ecovillage near Rio Negro, Baños, Ecuador , Wednesdays and Saturdays.

The day goes as follows:

11:00am-12:30pm: Yoga class 12:30-1:30: Free time to explore our land and its abundence of rivers, waterfalls, plant, insect, and animal life. You also may elect to receive a healing massage, reiki, or other holistic therapies. 1:30-2:00: Vegetarian lunch 2:00-3:30: More free time for swimming, exploring, massage or healing therapies. 3:30-5:00: Yoga class  

Price: $20 Included in this price are two yoga classes with certified yoga instructor, Rachel Durling, a nutritious vegetarian lunch, and access to our property with many spots for swimming and hiking. Participants in the yoga retreats also recieve a $5 discount on any massage or therapy with our healer, Druva. If you wish to spend the night we also have a hostel and vegetarian restaurant.  

What to bring:

 -Comfortable clothing with long pants and sleeves because there are some mosquitos here.
-Your personal yoga mat if you wish. (we have mats here as well)
-Swimsuit and towel  

Location: 

Vrindavan Jardines Ecologicos. Vrindavan is an ecological/spiritual community located in a beautiful high jungle between Baños and Puyo, Ecuador. Here you with find 60 hectares of lush plant and animal life, as well and clean flowing water in the various rivers and waterfalls. We are also walking distance from Sangay National Park.  

How to arrive:

To arrive here from Baños take a bus towards Puyo and get off in Rio Negro (30mins). From there you may hire a taxi in town to take you to Vrindavan, that is 4km up a road that goes off to the right of town. If you wish to walk, you with see a faded sign for Vrindavan on the left just before the road starts. There will be other signs as well for various Pesca Deportivas that are along the same route. Follow that road about 4km until you arrive to Vrindavan.

Read More

Volunteering at Finca Vrindavan Eco Yoga Farm in Ecuador

Thank your for your interest in our volunteer program at Vrindavan! We are looking forward to sharing our way of life with you and learning from each other. In Vrindavan we practice a holistic lifestyle focusing on spiritual development through yoga, vedic philosophy, vegetarian cooking, mantra meditations, sustainable living practices and connection with nature.

Vrindavan is nestled in the high jungle over a wide acreage of primary forest, cultivated land, rivers, and waterfalls. The weather changes every day but for the most part it is neither hot nor cold, with frequent rains giving life to a variety of native flora and fauna.

We hope that the beautiful surrounding environment and people you meet here will inspire you to make the most out of your stay.

Please Visit our Photo Gallery here : https://picasaweb.google.com/105324161541914807609/VolunteersFincaVrindavanEcoYogaFarm#

An additional note to volunteers who have not previously traveled in Ecuador: Some travelers from Europe and North America become ill when traveling in Ecuador. So we encourage volunteers to bring pro bio-tics to help their digestive system adjust to the food and water in Ecuador and your own anti-bacterial hand soap. 

Please remember that Ecuador is a Spanish speaking country and most Ecuatorians do not speak English. This includes most of the residents at Vrindavan. Usually there will be other volunteers there who speak English but it is strongly advised that you have basic knowledge of Spanish in order to communicate with the residents. You will find your stay much more enjoyable if you have this ability.

One last thing: If you are not familiar with Vaishnavism, please read a little information about it before coming. We never force anyone to adapt our philosophy or way of life, we just ask you to please respect our choices. Every night in the temple we have a musical ceremony followed by a reading and discussion from a Vedic text. We invite you to join us and learn about Vaisnava culture. This does not mean we expect you to adopt these principles or convert your beliefs; we simply want to share with you our way of thinking.

Here you have an interesting video from the founder of this Eco-Village and many more eco-villages in South America. : http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=5294870220048947618#

Everybody at Vrindavan is a volunteer! We have no hired help so we need assistance in all areas including daily tasks such as cleaning, cooking, and maintaining the land and facilities. In addition we are working on cultivating the land and hope to develop new projects soon to make our village more sustainable; such as a hydro-electric system for light and a biodigestor to make gas. We are also open to different skills and creative ideas you wish to share with us, as well as other things you may want to offer like language classes, art workshops, etc.  

Prices : $12/day for stays up to 30 days. $10/day for stays longer than 30 days. Included in this price you receive: - daily 7am yoga class - 3 vegetarian meals a day (no eggs) - single or double room with blankets and beds - twice daily temple services (6am, 6pm) where we sing in Sanskrit and discuss vedic philosophy - temascal (sweat lodge) which occurs about twice a month - free time to explore the beautiful forest landscape, swim in the river and shower in the waterfall!

Volunteers are required to work 4-5 hours a day and with the rest of their time they may attend the morning yoga class or philosphy class, or enjoy bathing in the river and exploring the land. All extra activities are completely optional.

We also offer massage and healing therapies at an additional cost. Please do not bring any drugs, alcohol, or cigarettes to Vrindavan. This is a wonderful place to cleanse the body, mind, and spirit and we support each other in overcoming personal challenges and developing a healthy lifestyle.

We recommend that you bring:

- raincoat or poncho - flashlight or candles (we have electricity 24hrs but it is useful for power outages and walking on trails) - rubber boots - natural mosquito repellent - bathing suit and towel

- clothing for both warm and cold weather - watch with an alarm - a desire to practice your Spanish!

Adress: Baños, Rio negro, Estancias (4km)  
Directions: Take the bus from Baños towards Puyo and get off in the town of Rio Negro (approx. 40 minutes bus ride, 0,75 cents) ask the local taxi drivers to take you the 4 km to Finca Vrindavan (2 dollars for a shared taxi). for futher information: www.fincavrindavan.com 033-031-038 fincavrindavan@yahoo.com 


 Eco Village Network Finca Vrindavan is part of a network of organic farms and Eco Villages across the Americas and Europe.

All Eco Villages aim to make friends who will carry our message of caring for our beloved land and simple living to other parts of the world. Principled Vaisnavas (a sanscrit word meaning: person with a good heart) can not only help in the development of our Eco Villages, but by living with others who share the same ideals will also learn how to be the best that they can be and live harmoniously. Through this network, we care for others through an awareness of nature and universal love. (Please visit Our Eco Village Network) http://ecoyogavillages.org/

Read More

India tour "Roots of Yoga"

13th of October 2010 - 25th of October 2010 Our thirteen day tour to India will take us to some of the the most mystical places on earth. Come into contact with ancient, millenia old culture! Take a deep dive into a fascinating world, an enchanting new experience!

TOUR PLAN

Delhi

Day 1:

Arrival and check in, In the afternoon we will walk through the breathtaking Swami- narayan Akshardham, a monumental temple made of white marble and red sandstone, following the ancient tradition of the northindian art of carving.

Day 2:

In the morning we will go to the Gate of India, the grave of Mahatma Gandhi and the photo exhibition about his life. Then we visit the famous Lotus Temple, an interreligious meeting place which was build by the followers of the Bahai religion. In the late afternoon we will go to Rishikesh and check into our hotel.

Rishikesh & Haridwar

Day 3:

After a relaxing sleep at the feet of the Himalaya we will climb up the hills through the djungle to the fantastic waterfalls where we will have the opportunity to take a bath in the fresh and crystal clear thunderous water from the mountains.

Day 4:

In the morning we will visit the famous Swarg Niwas temple which is a goal and starting point for many pilgrims who travel to the many holy places in the Himalayas. In the afternoon we will walk through through the Parmarth Niketan Ashram w hich is situated outside the busy town of Rishikesh on the banks of the Ganges. It is one of the biggest and most well known ashrams. Every year the international yoga festival is celebrated there. Around six in the evening we will take part in the Ganga Puja, a very atmospheric ritual to worship Mother Ganges.

Day 5:

In the next morning we check out from our hotel in Rishikesh and go to Harid war. After the lunch we will take a relaxed break bargaining and small talk in those many small colourful shops at the main street. In the evening we will attend the huge Ganga Puja ceremony at the Har Ki Pauri Ghat where daily tens of thousands take part in the worship.

Day 6:

After the check out from the hotel in Haridwar we will visit visit both temples of the goddesses Mansa Devi and Chandi Devi. In the afternoon we will travel by train from Haridwa r to Jaipur.

Jaipur & Agra

Day 7:

In the morning we will arrive in Jaipur, check in After the lunch we will visit the Hawa Mahal (Palace of the Winds) and the Jantar Mantar observatory in Jaipurs picturesque Old Town. In the evening we will take a stroll through the famous Choki Dhani Ethno Park which presents the Rajasthans folklore.

Day 8:

Early in the morning we will set out for Galtaji situated at one of the hills around Jaipur. There we visit the sun temple, the monkey temple and a beautiful yog a monastery. In the afternoon, after the visit to the Birla Mandir we go shopping in the Jaipurs central markets and in the evening we will visit the famous Govindaji temple.

Day 9:

In the morning we will visit the Amber Fort which is situated outsi de of Jaipur. Within its walls there is the old capital of the erstwhile hindu empire Rajasthan called Amber. On the way back we take a stop at a huge Ganesh Tempel at the hills. In spring-time the people of Jaipur celebrate the "Elephant Festival" which we will have the opportunity to attend in 2009.

Day 10:

In the next morning we will enjoy travelling by car through Rajasthans steppe to the famous city of Agra. There we will visit world wonder no. one, the Taj Mahal. Afterwards we continue our journey to Vrindavan and arrive in our Vrinda Kunja Ashram.

Vrindavan

Day 11:

Early in the morning we will set out on a mys tical morning walk through Vrindavan to the holy river Yamuna. After the breakfast we will visit some fascinating ancient temples around our Vrinda Kunja Ashram. After the lunch we will have some time for a relaxing meditation. Later we visit the beautiful Radha Madan Mohan temple and take part in the atmospheric Yamuna Puja ceremony.

Day 12:

After the morning yoga we will attend an auspicious fire ceremony (Agni Hotra), a vedic ritual for the different steps in life which is thousands of years old. After lunch we will say good bye to Vrindavan and travel back to Delhi.

Day 13:		Return flight For those who like we offer the opportunity to stay in an ayurvedic spa for three days of fantastíc wellness treatment. Besides this th e spa offers yoga, meditation, massages, shirodhara and an excellent health consultation.
		Tour Gallery Delhi The first two and the last day of our india tour we will spend in India's capital Delhi. Delhi is one of the oldest cities in the world, mentioned in the Mahabharata, a famous indian epic dated back 5000 years. Indraprastha (Delhis ancient name) was founded by the Pandavas, the sons of king Pandu. Rishikesh & Haridwar Rishikesh, the "capital" of Hatha Yoga, derives its name from Visnu in the form as "Lord of the senses". It is a well-known pilgrimage site closely connected to the Ramayana. It is said that meditation done here leads to liberation from the cycle of birth and death. Situated in the foothills of the Himalayas and surrounded by undisturbed nature Rishikesh is the home to prominent centres of hindu thought and great yoga institutes. Haridwar, the "Gateway to Heaven", serves as entrance to the pilgrimage routes in the Himalayas for millions of hindus every year. Jaipur & Agra Our tour continues to Agra and Jaipur. Both cities are "a must" on a visit to India. Agra offers many interesting places to visit such as the famous Taj Mahal and the Fort of king Akbar. Jaipur, the pink city, is the capital of the federal state of Rajasthan. It's name refers to the colour of the houses in the historic quarter of Jaipur, Rajasthans traditional colour of hospitality. Vrindavan Vrindavan, the town of 5000 temples, is one of the Hindu's holiest places and fortunately unknown to big tourism yet. It is the place where the famous pastimes of Radha and Krishna take place. They represent the primordial form of the male and the female aspect of God in hinduism. We will travel back into time many thousand years and meet a unique community of sadhus, holy people who emanate a special spiritual energy.

Read More