My first time WWOOFING experience at the Krishna Village

An experience of a lifetime, fully immersed in nature, experiencing new things, creating cherishing friendships and a self growth journey I will never forget!

Me and my new found friends wearing Indian Saris at our first Sunday Feast

Krishna Village Eco Yoga Community nestled in the beautiful surroundings of Mount Warning in Eungella New South Wales, only a short drive to Byron Bay and the Gold Coast

My first wwoofing experience was everything I expected and much, much more!

First of all, what is WWOOFING?

Wwoofing means Worldwide Oppurtunities Working on an Organic Farm. So basically there are farms all around the world you can stay at and work for in exchange for food and accommodation. All are different, with different jobs and expectations. At Krishna Village I believe you are truly striking gold and I am so grateful I had the opportunity to contribute, serve and volunteer at an amazing community.

Being 18 and just graduated high school, I felt a calling to do more, feel more, serve more.

There is no better time than now. So i packed up my clothes and a tent and drove to a magical place to grow myself, be open to trying new things, to serve, meet new people and to have fun!

A lookout on the walk up to the temple

The moment I drove over the bridge I felt the magic awaken.

The bridge as you drive into Krishna Village

A Day in the Life as a WWOOFER at the Village

6:00 am wake up for a 6:15 am morning meeting, or a 4:45am wake up for a sunrise vinyasa yoga flow if you're dedicated to your personal practice. Most days I attended the morning flow as I just loved how energized, centered and grounded it made me feel for the amazing day ahead. Turning up is the hardest part, but once you're there, you are flowing, vibing and ready to glow/flow/go! At the morning meeting we would gather in a circle, connect to each other and the universe with a synchronized OM, then the head volunteer manager would give us an insight to the day's schedule and always left us with some food for thought and inspired us for what the new day had to offer. We would separate into different teams with all various important roles that keep this village uniquely, beautifully running.

I worked my way through various seva work at the village. I weeded a display hill, one day I cleaned,washed and broomed a shrine, I planted Eucalyptus trees and tomatoes amongst the bananas trees, I chopped fruit and vegetables for the cooks and helped serve the food to the community. It just shows how much you can achieve and learn in just two weeks when you provide seva with passion!

My beautiful friend that I named Saski

Welcoming flower necklaces on our first day

By 8:15am our tummies were grumbling and ready for the first nourishing meal of the day.

Fresh fruit salad, warming chai tea, date sweetened porridge, kitchari (an Indian flavored rice and vegetables) and home-made warm bread were just some of the delicious selections of food on offer to nourish for the day. Breakfast was served daily at the temple. The walk up to the temple is surrounded with beautiful mountains and clouds that almost feel unreal.

After we fueled our bellies, it was time for our final work shift At 9:15am. The second seva work shift would be the bulk of your work and you would finish at 12:15. Team work definitely makes the dream work! Personally I loved 'working'. Everyday was a new opportunity to learn a new skill, gain confidence and learn from other peoples' knowledge and shared stories.

Working in the gardens

Planting trees and tomato plants

After our shift finished for the day, the first thing on my agenda was SHOWER TIME!

Once your work is finished, the rest of the day is yours to explore, relax and do whatever you want. Once I freshened up I would go to the daily yogic living class around 1pm to develop my self growth and learn something new.

“There is divine beauty in learning.... To learn means to accept the postulate that life did not begin at my birth. Others have been here before me, and I walk in their footsteps.” ―Elie Wiesel Never stop learning!

Everyday the class was something different, from cultivating your own sadhana, learning how to become an eco warrior, following your dharma, to improvisation dancing! I took and learned something from each class that helped me better myself, and teach others to become the best version of them self and live their most fulfilled life too.

Chilling out in the hammock

2pm straight after the yogic living was a fresh and fulfilling, all vegan meal at the Krishna Village dining hall. This was personally one of my favorite meals of the day, with a selection of beautifully dressed salads, fresh juices, roasted veggies and specialty main dishes. The menu changed almost everyday so the options were endless and there was no chances of getting bored of the same food.

My home for two weeks

After lunch was free time to do whatever you please. I usually decided to take a bike ride to swim in massage rocks ( a natural rock waterfall just 10 mins down the road. I feel so grateful at the Krishna Village to be surrounded by such beautiful and rejuvenating nature that truly connect you to mother earth. Sometimes in my spare time I would read a book in the hammocks, find pretty scenery to take yoga pose pictures , spend time with friends or simply just chill out.

4:15pm was the second daily yoga flow of the day which I mostly always turned up to if I didn't get caught out adventuring elsewhere. I loved how each yoga class was taught by someone new so you never knew what to expect. Some were more challenging than others and some were more restorative. Regardless, I loved learning different insights and perspectives from the teachers. My personal yoga practice was definitely deepened at the Krishna Village. It is so great to look back now and see how far I've come in such little time.

At 6pm just after you finish your 90 minute afternoon yoga flow it was time to cover up and make the walk up the hill to the temple for Dinner time! I loved the walk up to the temple as the sun went down. The air was so fresh and I just adored how the cows would come up to hills at about the same time to have their dinner too. One of my most cherished moments was being able to pat the cows and feed them. They are just so friendly and at peace, I do not know how someone would ever want to eat these beautiful beings! Dinner was super satisfying, authentic Indian curries, rice, sometimes pasta meals and dessert!

When eating at the temple you sit on rolled out mats on the floor and only eat with forks and spoons and huge, bento style plates (I definitely need to invest in these!). I loved experiencing this different way of living and it made me realise all these luxuries modern society have implemented that are not really necessary. Being at the Krishna Village really awakened a sense of connectedness to myself and the universe and life. It is hard to explain in words as it is an immense FEELING.

Sunset and ponds at the Temple where you have breakfast and dinner

7pm After dinner most nights there was a special class which included yoga nidra meditation or a guided breath work meditation. Both were extremely moving for me. A yoga nidra meditation has so many positive benefits and is equivalent to 4 hours of sleep! The breath work meditation focused on clearing/balancing the chakras. I thoroughly enjoyed these meditations and hope to incorporate them into my self practice.

8pm The final activity of the day would finish and by then I could feel my energy start to fade from the numerous experiences of the day. Usually at this time I would shower, chat to friends, listen to people play music in the wifi/book room, check on my social media, play board games, star gaze and then finally get ready for bed.

Chillout/ wifi/ music room with many books on offer

9pm Sleep time! Rest up for another full day of adventures tomorrow

Obviously your days don't have to be as "full on" as mine were as the classes are optional for you to take at your own leisure. But just remember they are there for you to take,enjoy and hopefully learn something from.

The Village also had special days and events throughout the month including Friday pizza night, Sunday feast every Sunday, special visits from Swamis and much more.

For me WWOOFING at the Krishna Village was an experience I will never forget. I gave and contributed to something bigger than myself when I was their, and left better than when I came their. I truly grew my appreciation, my spiritual being, my knowledge and my self love and my love for others and this planet and all its beings. If you're looking to grow, explore, develop your inner yogi, serve, meet new friends, connect to nature and have some rest and fun, this is the place for you!

The beautiful lake and surrounding mountains

I hope you enjoyed reading about my personal experience at the Krishna Village.

My next wwoofing experience will be in Oahu, Hawaii in July for a month. Cant wait to share my experience, adventures and all that I learn!

Love and Light x

Lana

To see more pictures of my adventures and travels, don't forget to check out my Instagram @lana__imogene