Volunteering with Yoga and Ayurveda in North Germany

United Kingdom

4

The 6 hours work a day was strangely draining and I'm used to 12+. If you are coming for yoga/ the Center I wouldn't recommend. I learnt about some the Center from Dr Paul but due to our meal times and eating leftovers for lunch it's impossible to follow an Ayurvedic diet. My first room was amazing and everything was so clean. It is in a very remote area, this can be nice to be out of big cities. Andreas H, Sarah, Dr Paul and Lea (yoga teacher) were all very lovely and spent time with us volunteers. These people and the volunteers are what made it so great, there was a great sense of community.

almost 2 years ago

Olaf replied

It is very important that volunteers do not have false expectations prior to arrival. For this reason, I would like to underline and repeat Mia's statement on the subject of food. In fact, there is not Ayurveda food for the employees every day. There's free breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and soft drinks. And it's true that at lunchtime there might be "just" a salad or a soup. For the afternoon there is also fruit, cake and biscuits. The catering is good, but please do not expect us to cook special Ayurveda diets for you or to prepare a la carte meals. A host is not Hotel Mama and we are with Workaway and not Holidayaway. This is sometimes forgotten by the volunteers :-)

Spain

4

If you are looking for a peaceful nature place and improve your German come her! They offer you an amazing share room, bonfires, yoga classes, an art room where you can paint, play instruments... space for you and very good food with the quantity you want. However, they don't know what is permaculture and don't offer holistic therapies. The shifts are ok, tired, but good. I learn and enjoy in the kitchen and, in my case, I loved work in the garden. Arrived there is a little bit complicated, you are in the deep Germany but the people around are very eco and alternative. Thank u the Center!

about 2 years ago

Olaf replied

Even though we offer over 80 different therapies from the fields of wellness, traditional Chinese medicine and Ayurveda, you are right, we do not offer any training for our interns who are only there for four weeks. And although our large garden and the herb spiral were laid out by a landscape planner according to the guidelines of permaculture and we also have a small vegetable garden, you are also right that we do not offer any extra training on this subject, apart from showing you how to weed, Cultivate soil and explain when the harvest time for potatoes is ;-) Of course we also offer training courses, e.g. in the field of Ayurveda, but not as part of a four-week internship. However, every intern receives all the tasks and general conditions before they arrive and before we even arrange a fixed appointment. As part of this communication, a lot of questions can be asked, e.g. about things that are important to you. Unfortunately you didn't do that. In order not to cause any further confusion, I have now deleted these icons. I don't want to create expectations that we can't and don't want to meet. Not that one of the interns will complain that our yoga classes are held in German or that the sauna area can only be used at selected times ;-)

Greetings from Germany
Olaf

United Kingdom

4

I grew to feel very much at home in this little community. The managing of tasks was just fine, you just need to voice your needs very clearly. I worked in service which improved my German a lot and the weekly German classes were excellent. I feel compelled to mention that at times I felt uncomfortable by some inappropriate behaviour of a couple men there. I spoke to a manager and this was dealt with, so this shouldn't be a problem in the future. The room with the girls was great but remember to clean it! You can really enjoy your time off and the location is simply beautiful! Thank you all!:)

about 2 years ago

Germany

4

The Center gave me a realistic understanding of what it's like working in a hotel and the opportunity to meet some lovely people :) There were some things I had to adjust to: I applied to work in the garden, but I was assigned to housekeeping for 2 weeks. I worked alone and the physical aspect of the job was quite demanding. I only worked in the garden towards the end of my stay, cleaning gutters, the pond, and raking leaves. No matter what job you apply for, you will be working in all sectors (unless you are a man, in which case you will not be assigned to work in housekeeping).

about 2 years ago

Vanuatu

4

I really enjoyed my stay at the Center. The staff is friendly and so are the other volunteers I met through my six weeks stay. I only did garden and renovation tasks but I did not want to change as my working schedule was convenient for me. Overall I think for those who want to take a break from life and have some alone time where they can breathe without worrying too much about the future the Center is a great place to rest between two traveling destinations.

over 2 years ago

Brazil

4

I had a good time in the Center, the place is amazing, the room, the food, german lessons, all very good. My colleagues are also amazing and we had good moments together. On the other hand, there was a misunderstanding about the task. On the platform I applied to the kitchen, but they put me on housekeeping. Then I said that I would leave if I had to do one more week of this task and they said that I could choose between housekeeping or go away and that's what I did. The boss said that he had sent me a message before about different tasks but I understood that that was a standard message.

over 2 years ago

Olaf replied

Unfortunately, you didn't explain this misunderstanding correctly. To explain briefly, every intern is allowed to get to know and carry out different tasks with us. The goal is to get a good overview of the work in a hotel. For this reason there is a job rotation every two weeks, so that no intern has to feel disadvantaged and has the opportunity to try out and get to know different things. I explained everything to you in writing before you arrived. The problem was this: You just didn't want to help with the housekeeping. And you gave us the choice, either you can work in the kitchen again or you leave us before the agreed time. Since we want to treat all interns equally and we don't want to be blackmailed, we didn't respond to your request. To be honest, your behavior also reminded me a bit of my daughter, but she is 12 years old and not 30 years old and she is in the middle of the defiance phase ;-) Completely independent of this incident, we were happy to have you with us and them We will never forget the New Year's party together :-) Sunny Greetings from Germany, Olaf

Chile

5

I had a really good time at the Center. Found a beautiful group of volunteers from different countries which made me live a very special experience. Its a good place to be in contact with nature, out of the noise and hurry of the cities. Gives the chance of spending time with the creative side of yourself. The tasks are clear and working hours very respected, I think it's important to make a rotative timetable between all the volunteers, because some of the tasks are more demanding than others. The team is mostly welcoming, the volunteers room is very comfortable!

over 2 years ago

Australia

5

I was at the Center for 6 weeks and it was truly a life changing experience thanks to the other volunteers and staff. I met some life long friends here. The breakfast was amazing, dinner was great, lunch was leftovers from whatever we had which was good. Definitely good to know a little bit of German as there was a communication issue with some of the staff who didn't speak English but we made it work. The room was perfect and beds super comfy. I truely believe it was the other volunteers who made this experience so unique. It's quite literally in the middle of no where, which is refreshing.

over 2 years ago

Israel

5

The one and only the Center! I'm very thankful for my experience there. I met some amazing people from around the world. The stuff was very nice and the jobs were quite fair. The place is very relaxed, the rooms have nice woody vibes, the food is good (but a bit repetative), there's yoga 3 times a day (thanks to the amazing Marina!), german lesson once a week, sauna at the evenings and bikes you can use to the near villages. All in all, to those who seek for some relaxation from the city life I highly recommend this volunteering. Enjoy your life😌

almost 3 years ago

India

5

I really had amazing experience at the Center .i met some of the coolest people and it was really one of kind to live like family for month and have nice conversation, have food together and play some games.There were lot of things to do. We could use sauna, lake. They had common room where people meet. The food was good. Lunch is okay but breakfast and dinner are good . You also could do yoga, use bike and go to nearest town through forest or go for run. The good thing you find here should overshadow the some smallest thing!sometime work could be little difficult.the night sky is so amazing.

almost 3 years ago

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