14 Day Spiritual Yoga Retreat and Permaculture Food Forest in Rural Belarus

Facilities

During this retreat, you will enjoy two daily yoga classes along with wonderful morning self-meditation practices. You will also experience seminars and workshops through the week. You will have the opportunity to experience volunteering on our permaculture foodforest farm, humanitarian work, and a day dedicated to silence. All these activities will be complemented with daily organic meals and plenty of time to explore the surroundings or relax during your free day on Sunday.

Shanti principles

Yoga

Yogic philosophy and practice create the environment here at Shanti Projects. The practice of asanas, pranayama, meditation, nonviolence, honesty, acceptance, selfless service, and many other aspects of yoga create a very healthy, bright, and positive atmosphere for everyone here.

Ecology

Shanti project eliminates the usage of chemical elements in construction, farming, and other spheres of your life. They will use only natural compost in the garden so the vegetables and fruits grown are absolutely organic and eco-friendly. Please do not leave any garbage behind you. Everything is recycled by Shanti Dom or by special organizations.

Environment

We take care of the surrounding flora and fauna, cleans the nearest forests and rivers, constructs bridges, builds houses for the birds and ants, etc. One of the next projects is the renovation of a marshland that is attached to the farm.

Vegetarianism

You will eat only vegan food. Some vegetables and fruits are grown in the garden and the rest is got from local organic farms. The retreat will practice this diet for many reasons but especially because Shanti Dom does not believe in violence. Since you will not eat any type of meat, there is always other protein (beans, nuts, dairy, etc.) in your daily ration.

Volunteering

We are always happy to welcome volunteers ready to help you to create this small and bright island of harmony and happiness. They do not use any paid work in the project (except for a few things they cannot physically make without professionals), so any type of help is both needed and highly appreciated. Profit made by the project goes towards its further development. The progress is attained thanks to the enthusiasts from all over the world.

Local co-operation

There are several small villages around you and each of them has many elderly people who live alone and are happy to receive any help from you. You will look after their animals, work in their gardens, and help clean their houses. They thank you with fresh cow milk, honey, and precious gratitude.

Types of work

Construction and different building projects

Farming

Eco-farming includes planting foodforest, picking vegetables and fruits, compost making, and everything needed for the organic farm.

Landscaping

You will be making flowerbeds, garden paths, etc, taking care of the environment, cleaning forests and marshland, and collecting garbage from outside.

Humanitarian works

You will be helping lonely old villagers to take care of their gardens, animals, and homes. You will conduct educational projects for the villagers. You will teach them English, give lectures on eco-farming, building, etc.

Sample daily schedule

• 05:30 Wake-up call
• 06:00 Asana/pranayama/meditation
• 08:00 Breakfast
• 09:00 Volunteering (Monday - Saturday)
• 11:00 Philosophy class
• 13:00 Lunch
• 14:00 Free time
• 16:00 Asana/pranayama/meditation
• 19:00 Dinner
• 20:00 Bonfire/movie/satsang
• 22:00 Lights off
• Sunday - Day off
• 19:00 Dinner
• 23:00 Time to rest

This retreat will be held at Shanti Valley 6 km away from Shanti Dom in Minsk Region, Belarus. Belarus is located in Eastern Europe.

Distances

• Invents, 10 kilometres
• Minsk, 45 kilometres

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You will be served vegan breakfast, lunch, and dinner, as well as drinks. Food is only vegan. You will eat together three times a day, herbal tea is available any time. All meals will be cooked by volunteers using different vegetables and fruits from the organic garden, as well as some extra products they get from the nearest organic farms or in town. The menu is well-balanced and based on the yogic sattvic system.

During your free time, you may enjoy walks to discover the wonderful surroundings.

• 2 daily yoga classes
• 1 daily meditation practice
• Seminars and workshops during the week
• 1 silence day
• Daily volunteering and humanitarian work
• Daily vegan breakfast, lunch, and dinner plus a tea break
• 13 nights' accommodation

• Air tickets
• Visa (you can get a free 30 days visa if enter Belarus by air)

Recommended Airports

• A reservation requires a deposit of 14% of the total price.
• The deposit is non-refundable, if the booking is cancelled.
• The rest of the payment should be paid on arrival.