Programs
Join us in 2013 on the construction of a roundwood timber framed, straw bale and cob, living space. This structure will be built to code near the Ananda Village, a cooperative spiritual community dedicated to the teachings of Paramhansa Yogananda, and founded by his direct disciple, Swami Kriyananda. Located 40 minutes from Nevada City, CA in the Sierra foothills.
2012 Living With Spirit Camp, great day working on the foundation of the Balecob Shop.
Natural Building with Spirit Workshops 2013
Join us this summer, and learn how you can build your own natural building, practice yoga, meditation, and feed your spirit. Workshop participants will get hands on experience with rock-bag foundations, making cob, building a cob bond beam, building bale cob walls, timber framing, installing an earthen roof, and working with earth plasters. We will learn through discussion about rubble trench foundations, concrete tie beams, earthen floors, and give a quick overview on electrical, plumbing, solar water heating, and grey water harvesting. You will also learn how to use some essential permaculture design principles to create your own food garden. Our workshop participants will gain an in depth understanding of the natural building process, and experience the benefits of daily yoga and meditation.
The workshop participants will be working on the cottage pictured above in small segments, in a way that allows them to experience all aspects of the building process. Since our workshops are condensed into 6 days, our schedule will be very full.
- Sunday- Arrive after lunch, get tents set up, join us for a meditation class, and participate in the afternoon yoga and meditation. After dinner, we will have our orientation.
- Monday – Foundations
- Tuesday – Cob wall systems
- Wednesday – Timber framing
- Thursday – Roof systems
- Friday – Permaculture and earth plaster
- Saturday- After breakfast we will have our final question and answer.
Each day will begin with yoga and meditation, followed by an informative discussion of the day’s topic, and will end with an evening question and answer session. We will end our week with a pizza party in downtown Ananda Village, at Masters Market.
As part of the workshop, you will enjoy camping at the Expanding Light, the yoga and meditation retreat at Ananda Village, a drug and substance free environment.
By signing up for our workshop, you will be named on our website as part of the 2013 Natural Building Team and receive an electronic copy of The Natural Living Journal, covering in detail every step of the natural building process. Your support will help make this year’s building a reality.
2013 Building with Spirit Workshops
June 2nd-8th -A 6 day intensive natural building experience .
- $565 This includes a campsite, 3 vegetarian meals per day, and all the added benefits mentioned above.
Aug. 11th-17th- A 6 day intensive natural building experience.
- $565 This includes a campsite, 3 vegetarian meals per day, and all the added benefits mentioned above.
Sep 22nd- Sep 28th- A 6 day intensive natural building experience .
- $565 This includes a campsite, 3 vegetarian meals per day, and all the added benefits mentioned above.
Please phone 1-800-346-5350 to reserve your space.
2011 Foundation work party for the Balecob classroom
Natural Building with Spirit Apprentices 2013 ONLY 2 SPOTS REMAIN
Available from May through End of October
The Apprenticeship program is an in-depth, intensive study of natural building and natural living, in combination with raja yoga classes, daily meditation, yoga, and support for inner growth.
Apprentices will get to:
- Participate in the day to day activities that are integral to the natural building and the permaculture gardens
- Apprentices will work 40 hours a week
- 4 hours of the work week will be devoted to learning and working in the permaculture garden.
- 12 hours per week will be a work-study program at the Expanding Light, Ananda’s Yoga and Meditation retreat.
- In exchange for your service at the Expanding Light, you will have the opportunity to participate in “The art & Science of Raja Yoga” class, meditation classes, daily sadhanas, three amazing vegetarian meals per day, and a full camping site.
- 24 hours per week will be devoted to Natural Building.
- There are work parties and workshops that happen during some weekends, which the apprentices will have the option to participate in. But in most cases you will have the weekends off.
- Sign up for a minimum of 3 months, or as long as 6 months
The main focus of the apprenticeship program will be:
- To teach each apprentice all aspects of natural building, from design to natural finishes
- Hands on experience with natural building, sustainable living, and permaculture gardening
- To support the spirit within all the apprentices, and help them build a solid foundation for inner growth. The apprenticeship program is not just about natural building and natural living, its about awakening their inner potential so they can have the confidence to fulfill their dreams.
All aspects of natural building will be covered no matter how long the apprentice stays, or when they come, but actual hands on experience will be determined by the length and timing of the apprentice’s stay.
The cost is $400 per month, which includes accommodations and food. There is also a one time payment of $400 to cover educational expenses, which will be required up front.
We are only accepting 6 apprentices at one time.
Apprentice Meditating on the roof as we lay straw down for the earthen roof
Natural Building with Spirit Karma Yoga Program 2013
Available May through October
- The Karma yoga program is for individuals who can’t commit for the extended time frame of the apprenticeship program
- They can sign up for a minimum of 1 month, or as long as 3 months.
- They will join in the ongoing day to day activities of the natural building projects, lectures, and permaculture gardening
- Karma Yogis will work 40 hours a week.
- 4 hours of the work week will be devoted to learning and working in the permaculture garden.
- 12 hours a week will be a work-study program at the Expanding Light, Ananda’s Yoga and Meditation retreat.
- In exchange for your service at the Expanding Light, you will have the opportunity to participate in “The art & Science of Raja Yoga” class, meditation class, daily sadhanas, three amazing vegetarian meals a day, and a full camping site.
- 24 hours a week will be devoted to Natural Building.
- There are work parties and workshops that happen during some weekends, which the apprentices will have the option to participate in. In most cases Karma Yogis will have weekends off.
- Topics and lectures on natural building along with hands on experience will be determined by the length and timing of the karma yogi’s stay.
- The apprentices will serve as teachers and help fill karma yogis in on subjects already covered before their arrival.
The cost for the natural living karma yoga program will be $400 per month. This cost includes food, and a camping site. There is a one time fee of $400 to cover educational expenses. This fee will be required up front.
This program is only available during the camping season, May through October.
IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN SIGNING UP FOR A WORKSHOP, THE APPRENTICE PROGRAM, THE KARMA YOGA PROGRAM OR WOULD LIKE INFO ON UPCOMING WORK PARTIES CONTACT US AT:
info@naturallivingschool.com
or call
530-268-5255
SEE ALSO LIVING WITH SPIRIT SUMMER PROGRAM
and
Hi!
I am interested in participating in your Yoga Meditation and Cobb Building workshop. I live in So. California
and will have time in late September to come for a week if that is possible?