The ashram is for those who are motivated to find meaning in their life and who would like to go deeper in their spiritual practice and understanding. It is a place of awakening, transformative experience and sadhana (yoga practice).
You are welcome to come and experience the harmonious and focused ashram energies by joining and participating in a course, or by staying in the ashram for a few days, weeks or even months!
You would join us in the daily activities as well as have some free time to yourself - to do your personal yoga practice etc. If you wish to stay for an extended period, come for a short stay first in order to experience ashram life as it is. Then, if you wish to extend your stay or return for a longer duration, you can talk with us to see if this would be appropriate.
Accommodation and facilities
- Eco-constructed straw bale house 'Prem Kutir', with dormitory style space for 5 people, with kitchenette, fire place, storage, beds for 4 or 5 people
- Yoga hall 'Shakti Nivaas', can serve a place to relax, enjoy and socialise during the day, equipped with cushions, books, music instruments.
If necessary, it can be easily transformed into spacious accommodation for groups up to 10 people. - Tree house cabin with a room for a couple or an individual - for our volunteers
- Plenty of space for your own tents in the summer.
- Arts house/crafts workshop 'Kala Shala'
- Hammocks
- Cool and serene 'forest rooms' to retreat from the heat of the summer sun
- Outdoor 'basetka' - garden pavilion with tables, benches, hammocks
- Outdoor sink area
- Shower cabin
- Dry compost toilet
What to bring
If you wonder what to bring with you, here are some suggestions:
- Comfortable clothes and shoes, according to the season:
(simplicity and modesty is encouraged to maintain focus)
-loose fitting yoga clothes
-something for outside work that you wouldn't mind getting dirty
-and some special dresses for rituals and celebrations, used only for this purpose - Volunteers: please bring your own sleeping bag, bed sheet, pillow case (if it's convenient, otherwise we can provide for some)
- Yoga mat if your practice yoga
- Flashlight
- Eco toiletries
- Natural mosquito repellent in summer (citronella oil)
- Ear plugs
- You may wish to bring a journal for your reflections
- Candles/tea lights, natural incense
- All of your heart!!
Items provided:
Guesthouse - all bedding, extra blankets, gas stove, kitchen utensils, tea, coffee, spices, tealights
Tree house - (volunteers) - mattress, sleeping bag if necessary, mosquito net, some tealights
How to get here
- Plane:
If you arrive by plane, take the Metro from Sofia Airport Terminal 2* to Central Station with one change in Serdika station (1 ticket €0.80/1,60 leva, 45min)
*(there are shuttle buses every half an hour between T1 and T2)
*(if you go by metro, remember to buy extra ticket for big luggage)
- Train:
from Central Station or Sofia Sever (North Station) to Svoge town (€1.20, 2,30 leva 50mins)
There is also station Zhelen, but it is a 30min complicated uphill walk to us, though if you like, call us and we'll give you the instructions.
Svoge to Zhelen options: - taxi (around €3.50, 7 leva, 10min) - usually taxis leave people in the main square
- minibus (marshrutka) from Svoge to Zhelen main square 3 times daily (check timings in Svoge)
- scenic 45 min walk/bike on the main road (hitchhike possible) - see pictures below
- or we can pick you up from Svoge station if you give us enough notice.
- when you arrive in Zhelen's "main square" take the road going down to the left in the beginning of the square (look out for the signs), past the shop/bar and all the way to the graveyard, we are just after it. It's all together about 150 steps/meters from the square.
- if you see a blue old train converted into a restaurant (no longer working), you're going in the wrong direction. go back and take the road going downhill.
- Call us for more information or if you get lost or ask locals for 'grobishte', it means graveyard and we are just after it.
If you see these signs you are going in the right direction... |
- Car:
Set your GPS to Svoge town, (most of the navigation systems guide to Zhelen train station not Zhelen village, which are different) and from there follow these instructions (click pics to enlarge):
arriving in the centre of Svoge, take next road to the right |
one step closer,... your turn is coming up next, to the right |
here take right towards Zhelen .... |
...go through this charming bridge and follow the road all the way until.... |