Body and Mind Week in Sri Lanka, Kandy
Indulge yourself in an exciting week specially designed to relax your body and soothe your mind! The Body and Mind week combines Yoga and Meditation with Ayurvedic treatments and starts you off on a journey towards achieving a fitter, healthier and more positive you. This is a perfect week to relax and tune up your mind and body after tiring weeks at the projects. This week enables you to experience ancient methods of meditation, yoga, and massages in this beautifully set-up spa.
We highly recommend you start your trip with a comprehensive cultural immersion week followed by one of our community projects. It will help you settle in by meeting new people and understanding great aspects about the country you are visiting. Search other activities for week two onward in the ‘Related trips‘ section.
Body and Mind Week in Sri Lanka, Kandy
Are you planning to get away from your busy working schedule or the stressful living conditions for a short period of time so that you can get back to your work and other matters as a stronger and a healthier individual? If your answer is ‘yes’, this program is ideal for you. Body and Mind Week will help you to gain physical and psychological well being despite your busy lifestyle. In fact, this program will help you to understand the basics of Yoga and Meditation and also educate you about the human body. It will help you make those lifestyle and dietary changes that will benefit you tremendously by increasing your vigor, vitality and lifespan.
In addition, you will also enjoy the luxury of Ayurvedic treatments which will deal with any physical aches and pains you may be experiencing at the time. Through this program, our experts will guide you on how to obtain and maintain a healthy body, a sound mind and be at peace with yourself and the world. During the program, you will be taught the Surya Namaskar, commonly known as the Sun Salutation. This contains 12 consecutive postures or Asanas. It is the only asana which is done consecutively and helps increase flexibility. It is essential for students to master this before moving on to the second stage of Yogasana. If you achieve full practical competency in the Surya Namaskar, you will be taught several more Asanas (up to 15 more depending on the ability of the student and the availability of time).
Meditation is the art of focusing your mind, restraining your thoughts and looking deep within yourself. Practicing it can give you a better understanding of your purpose in life and of the Divine. It will also provide you with certain physical and mental health benefits.
CRB/DBS (Criminal Records Bureau) Check
It is required that participants complete a CRB/DBS (Criminal Records Bureau) check in order to take part in this project. We can provide this service for you at an additional cost because some people may already have one that is valid (please get in touch for more details).
Start dates are every week of the year with your activities starting on a Monday. We therefore request you arrive anytime on the Saturday or the Sunday before to receive a free airport pick-up and transfer. Early or late arrivals will incur an additional charge for the transfer and extra night including food, so arriving on the weekend will be your better option.
Your trip will finish on the Saturday morning when you will need to vacate the accommodation.
Max duration (weeks): 1
Aims & Objectives
To teach you the basics of Yoga and Meditation, educate you about the human body, guide you to obtain and maintain a healthy body, a sound mind and to be at peace with yourself and the world.
Schedule
- Early Morning Yoga
- Breakfast
- Meditation
- Head massage
- Meditation – Walking meditation
- Lunch and a relaxed afternoon
- Breakfast
- Meditation
- Foot massage
- Meditation – Walking meditation
- Lunch and a relaxed afternoon
- Early morning Yoga
- Breakfast
- Meditation
- Back massage
- Meditation – Walking meditation
- Lunch and a relaxed afternoon
- Breakfast
- Meditation
- Front Massage
- Meditation – Walking meditation
- Lunch and a relaxed afternoon
- Early morning Yoga
- Breakfast
- Meditation
- Full body massage
- Meditation – Walking meditation
- Lunch and a relaxed afternoon
This schedule can be changed and/or amended depending on weather conditions, local conditions and unforeseen circumstances.
Additional Equipment
There is no specific equipment.
Location
Kandy, the last royal capital of Sri Lanka is a major tourist destination. About 115 km from Colombo at 465 meters above sea level. Famous for the Temple of the Tooth and many other temples the city could be called the cultural capital of the island. This bustling market town is rich in cultural diversity and has plenty to offer to the tourists from songs dances and handicrafts to ancient temples and adventure activities. Kandy was a royal capital and the last stronghold of the Kandyan kings against foreign powers, holding out against them for about 300 years. The two main Buddhist Chapters are based here and formed the last center of independent Buddhist thought during colonial times.
Accommodation & Food
You will be accommodated in one of our centres which are located 2-4 kilometres away from Kandy center. Furthermore, there is a refrigerator which you are welcome to use to store food and beverages.
Available Room Types
|
|
Standard Room |
|
All meals included |
Yes * |
|
Free beverages |
Yes ** |
|
Persons per room |
4-10 |
|
Wifi in public areas |
No |
|
Laundry facilities |
Yes *** |
|
Safety box |
Yes |
|
Lockable rooms |
Yes |
|
Hot shower |
Yes |
|
Private bathroom |
No |
|
Bed linen |
Yes |
|
Towels |
No |
|
Air conditioning |
No |
|
Fan |
Yes |
|
Mosquito protection |
No |
* Three meals per day during weekdays and two per day on weekends
** Water, tea, coffee and milk
*** At an additional fee
Food Arrangements
You will be provided with three meals a day on weekdays and two meals per day on weekends. The meals are a mix of Western and Sri Lankan food, consisting mainly of vegetarian dishes including rice and vegetables. You can also eat out at any of the local restaurants.
Facilities
Our house is located 2 kilometres away from the city center, where you can find anything you might need.
The nearest ATM and supermarket are a 15-minute walk away from our accommodation.
Mandatory Orientation Day
On the Monday of your first week at this location, you will join our orientation day, to familiarise you with the surroundings as well as local culture. Your program will continue as usual from Tuesday onward throughout the rest of the week.
Schedule
Welcome, introduction to Sri Lanka and projects, House rules, Code of Conduct and handling of documents
Sinhalese Language Lesson
Cultural Lesson
Kandy City Tour
Activities & Events
No scheduled activities outside the program.
Sights & Surroundings
The places to visit during your weekends or on your project holidays are the Royal Botanical Gardens, Knuckles mountain range, Udawatta Kele sanctuary, Hortons plains national park and the railway museum.
Transportation
From this location we do not provide free transport to other locations.
Accommodation
Volunteer camp with shared rooms (4-10 people per room); Basic but comfortable with a refrigerator to store beverages.
Food
You will be provided with three meals a day on weekdays and two meals per day on weekends. The meals are a mix of Western and Sri Lankan food.
Airport Transfer
Included on arrival date. Ask us for details if you are arriving early/late. You be supported at the end of your trip in your onward travel.
Training
A full orientation and project induction takes place. You will also receive full training relevant to your volunteer role.
Support
Pre-departure help and advice; Local in-country team; 24 hour emergency support.
Donation
Part of your fee is used to buy decent equipment for the project and community you work with. If you wish to bring further donation, please make sure that this is in the form of equipment and not monetary donations.
- Flights
- Travel Insurance
- Visas
- Vaccinations
- Spending money
- In country travel
- Laundry service
- Extra activities not on itinerary
- Departure transfer
Preferred Duration
There is no preferred duration but we believe that the longer you can stay the more you will experience and benefit.
Pre-requisites
No prior experience or qualifications are required and it is important that you can speak English. All participants require a CRB/DBS check to take part in the project activities.
Ideal for
- Volunteer Holidays and Placements in Asia
- Community Work and Activity Breaks in Sri Lanka
- Volunteer Gap Years and Career Breaks in Indonesia
- Student Summer Holidays in Sri Lanka
- Cultural experience Sri Lanka, meditation Sri Lanka, yoga Sri Lanka, massage Sri Lanka
Suitable for ages 18 to 85
Most participants are between 18 and 25, so please be aware of this. We do welcome older people because of the value and experience they bring to the community. Participants above 65 should have medical clearance to take part in this program. Participants below 18 are required to provide parental consent letters and participants above 65 should have the medical clearance.
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Restoration and Renovation Project in Sri Lanka, Kandy
Medical Project in Sri Lanka, Kandy
Education and Teaching Project in Sri Lanka, Kandy
