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21 Apr 2024
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Hello and sat nam, dear all!
My name is Atma Hari/Janina and in summer 2023 I am opening my 200 year old farm house in North Germany for 100 days to become a home for pregnant women, women in childbed/with babies as well as griefing or dying people (as guests, not as clients; rather like a big family as it used to be).
Why? Because I think that both these very crucial processes don't get the attention they deserve - neither from society nor from the person himself. Also, the way we are dealing with it are highly standardised and institutionalised so that noone really questions what it is that she/he actually would prefer in these situations (not mentioning the difficulty in finding people to support it if it happens to be out of the normal).
I'd like to give pregnant women/new mothers as well as people confronted with loss a place where they can focus on their inner processes while being nourished by a heartwarming and spiritually open minded community.
Are you willing to serve these people during their processes?
What I am looking for -
No special skills are required as you will mostly be in charge of cooking, house keeping or gardening. There will be two shifts: one in the morning from 9am until 1:30pm and one from 2:30pm until 7pm; but we can also be flexible about that. Saturday & Sunday are free.
The 100 days start on Saturday, May 27th and end Sunday, September 3rd. It would be great if you could sign up for 3 or even 6 weeks. Arrival & departure should be on Sundays if possible.
About me -
For nearly 20 years I was quite successful in the business world before I quit this line of work at 45. Now I am 52 and live such a "rich" life practicing and teaching kundalini yoga, serving people and living in nature. I have done several kundalini yoga and doula trainings, my most recent enrolment is to a death doula course. Systemic coaching is another one of my offerings. As sailing is also a love of mine, I Iike to combine all of these things by taking my coachees on a sailing boat and practice yoga there as well! Or even in the desert (Sahara). In the house, there are no kids, no husband living with me.
About my project -
In the near future I will create a community living which combines the two most important processes in our lives in one place: coming to earth and leaving it. I.e. giving birth/being born and dying. It won't exactly be the merging a birth house and a hospice and yet it will be similar: giving space and a supporting community in nature that enables the individuals to embark on their journey consciously and with spiritual support.
For this project I will invite the participation of workawayers/sevadars (from the Kundalini yoga community). This is the reason I am opening my house this summer for 100 days to get a feel for having volunteers before I fully embark on this project by buying a much bigger house.
By coming here in the summer, you will support me in materialising my vision of a place where birth and death may take place in a loving conscious community surrounded by nature - demonstrating the cycles of life itself.
During your stay (“bonus”) -
At the beginning of your stay I’ll share some principles of "communication without force" and some guidelines so that our living here together is an enriching experience for all.
I am a kundalini yogi and I practice sadhana every morning (reciting a prayer, then practice yoga and then chanting mantras); you are more than welcome to do it with me. Also, at night I do a healing meditation which is an open practice for you to join as well since these offerings are all open to the regional community.
Also, in these 100 days other doulas, midwifes, coaches, death doulas etc. will offer workshops, talks, trainings, etc. where you might be interested in participating.
What you can expect -
An average day looks like this; morning yoga practice, lovely breakfast in the garden, start our work with joy and enthusiasm, delicious lunch, then free time (or the other way around): taking a walk, dipping in the nearby lake, have deep conversations among each other or with the guests, drive to the lovely city of Oldenburg or Bremen or to the sea or do whatever. Dinner will be served at around 6:30pm. At 8:00pm there will be the opportunity to sit together (at the fireplace or in the yoga room) to chant one or two mantras and do a meditation. I ask for silence being respected after 10pm. Saturday evening we could have a special event - dancing, watching a movie, open stage, inviting more friends or the like.
What to do in your free time -
On three sides there are only fields and forest - its pure nature. In 10 minutes walk there is a lake for swimming. My only neighbours are a nice young family with horses, pigs, cats, etc.
The medium sized city of Oldenburg is 20 minutes away by bus. As there is a university there are young people and the cute shops and cafes make the downtown city attractive. The nightlife is good too! There are opportunities for dancing and doing art activities.
If you like bigger cities Bremen is not too far. This ancient city is very beautiful.
Also, the north sea (Dangast) is only 45 minutes away by car.
And I am sure, you'll like it so much here at the house and in the garden that you rather stay here ... :-) ...Types of help and learning opportunities
Charity WorkGardeningDIY and building projectsCreating/ Cooking family mealsHelp around the houseCultural exchange and learning opportunities
First of all it's spiritual community. You’ll meet other work away people and the people staying here confronted with the essential processes in life: birth and dying.
Also, my friends and yoga students coming by especially in the summer for the wonderful garden and leisure activities I am offering.
I spent 40 days in an ashram in Portugal beginning of last year and just being together with inspiring international people was amazing!
Second you'll get really insight into Kundalini Yoga; its teachings, the life style, its tradition, etc. There'll be yoga every morning, mantra chanting at night and I am happy to provide for everyone a 1:1 session to read your numbers (birth date) and what clues you could get out from them for your life.
Third: you get to understand what living in Germany, especially in the lovely countryside as a farmer means and how it is changing due to globalisation - and at the same time you'll see small initiatives around the area here which do things differently.
Fourth: At the start of the three weeks there will be a training of "communication without force" (German: GfK) and on how to give feedback. So, this will help us as a group for the three weeks and it will give you the opportunity to learn, try out and reflect on in a "safe" environment.Help
I plan on having 3 work away people at a time staying during 3 weeks (or longer), so there will be the usual "work" as cleaning the house and cooking (best is vegan and gluten-free; vegetarian is a must) in order that all of us feel comfortable.
If the pregnant women/women in childbed or the people confronted with death need anything like being served food or drinks, asking for a foot massage or the like, please feel free to accommodate them (just as you would with your own family members).
Also, there is garden work: The lawn needs to be mawned twice a week and some wild plants need to be removed.
As said, the house is 200 years old: if I could find someone who is willing to paint some of the window frames, that would be great! Also, one of the floors need some redoing.Languages
Languages spoken
German: Fluent
English: Fluent
Spanish: Intermediate
French: Intermediate
Italian: BeginnerThis host offers a language exchange
I would like to practice my Spanish and Italian (although I mix them quite often). I am happy to listen & correct mistakes when I hear them in English and German.Accommodation
I have two caravans (one for a couple or alone; the other one for 2 couples or 2 people) which can be used.
Regarding food: I am planning on a vegan diet, i.e. porridge and fruits in the morning (after yoga), soup/salad/vegetables/beans/rice/etc. for lunch and a light dinner (salad/soup).What else ...
An average day looks like this; morning yoga practice, lovely breakfast in the garden, start our work with joy and enthusiasm, delicious lunch, then free time: taking a walk, drive to the city, have deep conversations or the like. Dinner will be served at around 6pm and afterwords we can sit together (at the fireplace or in the yoga room) to chant one or two mantras and do a meditation. I ask that silence after 10pm is respected. Saturday evening we could have a special event - dancing, watching a movie, open stage, inviting more friends or the like.
On three sides there are only fields and forest - its pure nature. In 10 minutes walk there is a lake for swimming. My only neighbours are a nice family with horses, pigs, cats, etc.
The medium sized city of Oldenburg is 20 minutes away by bus. As there is a university there are young people and the cute shops and cafes make the downtown city attractive. The nightlife is good too! There are opportunities for dancing and doing art activities.
If you like bigger cities Bremen is not too far. This ancient city is very beautiful.
Also, the north sea (Dangast) is only 45 minutes away by car.
And I am sure, you'll like it so much here at the house and in the garden that you rather stay here ... :-) ...A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Space for parking camper vans
My garden is huge - there is space enough.
Can possibly accept pets
As long as they don't poo in my garden or the holder takes care of it responsively they are very welcome!
How many Workawayers can stay?
More than two
Hours expected
Maximum 4-5 hours a day, 5 days a week
Feedback (2)
I also appreciated his way of communication as there was a small conflict situation with another person and the way Leon interfered… read more
It was a joy to have her around: a fine you woman - always open to learn, to engage, to help. And committed to the tasks she's been assigned to. Great! Cooking, gardening, painting doors ... you name it: she'll do it!
Thank you!
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I also appreciated his way of communication as there was a small conflict situation with another person and the way Leon interfered… read more
It was a joy to have her around: a fine you woman - always open to learn, to engage, to help. And committed to the tasks she's been assigned to. Great! Cooking, gardening, painting doors ... you name it: she'll do it!
Thank you!
Her German was excellent!
Workwise she was one of the most reliable workawayers: working… read more