2 Month (or longer) student/volunteer program
We opened this program in order for spiritual aspirants to enjoy an extended stay and have a deeper experience in Ashatya after many years of requests for such a program from guests. Because we are a small community and have an orphanage, it is important for us to ensure that both we and the guests that enter our extended programs have a mutually positive experience.
We are selective with admissions into our student volunteer 2 month programs (or longer) and only admit those with whom we feel are attuned to the level of the specific program. This program essentially is our gift to spiritual aspirants that desire to wholeheartedly volunteer and dive into the Ashatya lifestyle fully for 2 months (or longer) after having visited us for a personal retreat. Having a longer stay helps students to live a deeper experience and learn lessons that they can better assimilate into their lives. For the right person, this experience can be deeply life changing physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually.
Cost
This program only requires student volunteers to cover their own personal expenses such as food and basic necessities. Groceries can be bought through the biweekly food delivery service we provide so that meals can be prepared independently, or our kitchen offers 3 vegan meals a day for $1200 Mexican pesos a week. Contact us for a sample menu if you would like. It is very important that you have travelers and medical insurance or enough funds to cover any issue that may arise.
Accomodation
Students live in a volunteer house and receive essential services such as gas, electricity, water, and internet.
Service Work
Student volunteers practice 6 hours of service a day 6 days a week but are free to participate more hours if they request.
Possible areas of service may include: gardening, landscaping, food preparation, translating, helping sort in kind donations, tutoring, assistant teaching, graphic design, general home maintenance, painting, cleaning, sewing, carpentry, class planning assistance, video editing, fundraising, online research, library book organization etc. Volunteers may or may not be involved with our children, depending on many factors. We request that volunteers are flexible, serviceable and help in the ways most needed.
Spiritual Practices
Yoga, pranayama, meditation and service are the main scheduled activities in the student volunteer program. There is also free time to rest, be in nature, swim, read, study, cook, write, reflect or do extra spiritual practices independently.
Private Classes
Private classes of yoga, meditation, nutrition, chakra life lessons or chakra assessment are available for $800 Mexican pesos for a 90-minute session.
Admission Requirements
Student volunteer guests are required to attend a personal retreat with us before participating in the program so that we can get to know each other better before the commitment to a 2-month program, however if a retreat guest would like to extend their stay after their 2 weeks with us and stay on as a student volunteer they are welcome to unless we feel the program is unsuitable for them.
We request that guests applying for this program begin their admission process at least six weeks prior to their intended visit, depending on their current diet and lifestyle, so we can guide them through reading material and in the possible dietary or lifestyle changes necessary to make prior to their visit. This would include guests applying for our 2-week retreat program who may extend their stay with us and become student volunteers of our 2-month program.
During their stay, we ask student volunteers to not consume meat, refined sugar, caffeine, coffee, alcohol, smoke cigarettes or take any recreational drugs. Therefore, it is fundamental that they are well transitioned in advance and have adapted emotionally and physically before their arrival in order not to detox and go through withdrawal symptoms during their stay.
We require that our student volunteers to obtain a health certificate or physical examination, dated no more than three months prior to application, from their local physician before attending our extended programs.
Application process for the 2 Month (or longer) student/volunteer program
2-month student volunteer application process
To participate in this program, it is a prerequisite to have completed the 2-week program.
- Please click on the link to complete the Personal Retreat Program Questionnaire.
- Scan and send us your medical certificate or physical examination via email to
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . The certificate should be dated no more than two months before the application and conducted by your local physician. - We will inform you via email if you have been admitted to our 2-Month Student Volunteer Program.
- Before your arrival for the program, we will stay in touch with you through WhatsApp or email to guide and prepare you so that you can make the most of your time with us.
Guest guidelines for the 2 Month (or longer) student/volunteer program
The Ashatya Volunteer Program is ideal for people who enjoy service, learning and quiet time, who are eager to be a part of a growing project for the betterment of themselves and the world!
Volunteers must be forthright, independent people who have the confidence to ask for what they need and the skills to take care of themselves in a foreign country.
The key to having the best experience in Ashatya (and anywhere else) is to rid yourself of expectations. Flow with change, be flexible and open so that the universe can guide you and give you exactly what you need to learn and grow. Consciously work yourself to let go of expectations before your visit, so you can receive the utmost from your time with us. Also be very clear on the guidelines and be sure this is the experience you want at this point in your life.
Student Volunteer Guidelines
- Our programs are ongoing and can be scheduled for any dates.
- In order to receive the utmost from our programs, student volunteers do not leave the Ashatya premises during their stay with us. Please do all desired traveling or sightseeing before your arrival.
- All student volunteers pay for their personal expenses including food, drinking water etc. Bring a bank card that is accessible in Mexico or Travelers Checks (and a passport). It is difficult to give an exact needed monetary amount as it is so personal. Depending on one’s diet, food and water etc. can cost anywhere from $45 – 80 USD a week.
- Please book your flight so that you arrive to Mexico City no later than 2 P.M., or plan to stay the night in Mexico City and come to Ashatya the next morning. Ashatya only receives guests after 5 A.M. and before 5 P.M. If you arrive in Ashatya before 8 A.M., our gatekeeper / security guard will welcome you and walk you to your bungalow.
- Please arrive the day you have agreed to arrive or advise us via email or WhatsApp with advance notice (at least 1 day prior) if there are any changes.
- Please bring comfortable clothes for Yoga and a Yoga mat. Also pack comfortable walking shoes, house shoes, a bathing suit, a warm sweater, a sun hat, lightweight long pants, shorts and a raincoat with boots and an umbrella (if visiting between the months of June and October.)
- For student volunteers who might work in the garden we also recommend bringing boots, jeans or long working pants and work gloves.
- Other useful items: sun block, insect repellent, moisturizing cream or natural oils (Tepoztlán is dry between October and June), a scrub brush (everyone hand washes their own clothes), watch, travel alarm clock, a flashlight and notebooks.
- We recommend that guests read Cosmic Reawakening by Thyera Arian before visiting to better understand the basis of the Ashatya teachings.
- We strongly suggest that all student volunteers eliminate all flesh foods, sugar, alcohol, cigarettes and drugs at least three months prior to their visit. This precautionary preparation will decrease the possibility of undergoing major detoxification during a visit. We strictly prohibit radical dietary changes and fasting or juice fasting while staying in Ashatya. We believe in transition and moderation as the basis of health.
- The use of alcohol, drugs, cigarettes and / or being in a state of intoxication are prohibited while staying in Ashatya.
Essay Questions
Please handwrite a 1 to 3 page essay on unlined paper answering the following questions, scan and email it to
- What is it that attracted you to our 3-month program?
- Why do you believe Ashatya is the ideal place for you to learn and volunteer at this time of your life?
- What are you most looking forward to, or hoping to gain from your experience with us?
- What would you like to contribute during your stay?
- Why do you believe you are a good candidate for this program?
- How can you assure us you will be a capable, independent, willing, flexible and positive student volunteer?
- Are there any possible problems you foresee yourself having with the guidelines or general lifestyle corresponding to a Ashatya student volunteer?
- Is there anything else you would like us to know when considering you as a student volunteer candidate?