WHERE IS THE PROJECT LOCATED?

San Marcos la Laguna, Lake Atitlan, Sololá, Central Highlands, West Guatemala

WHAT IS IT LIKE THERE ON THE LAKE?

The ancient volcanic Lake of Atitlan in the Guatemalan highlands, is renowned to be one of the most beautiful lakes in the world! It is surrounded by many indigenous villages, in which Maya culture is still prevalent and colourful traditional dress is still worn. The lake is shaped by deep escarpments and on its southern side lay the three impressive volcanoes of San Pedro, Tolimán and Atitlan.

WHAT IS THE EXPEDITION ABOUT?

The expedition is about giving you a deep rewarding experience that will challenge your body, energize your soul, clear your mind and awaken your spirit. By joining us on our first spiritual volunteer expedition here in Guatemala, you will get the opportunity to live and work high-up in the mountains with the indigenous Maya Indians, the Kaqchikels and the Tz´utujils.
 
The essence to the project itself is about getting people out there, into the unknown, off the beaten track, into nature and away from the many blinding distractions of a too comfortable modern day western culture. And by doing so, giving people the opportunity to glimpse ‘themselves,’ and the other deeper side to life that is there right in front of us every moment, if we just learn to open our eyes to it.

We simply offer travellers a destination through which to rediscover their Sacred Essence, in physical form, under optimal conditions.

This is YOUR chance, to truly absorb Guatemala, and to get a good FEEL for the culture and DIFFERENT way of life for yourself. GAINING AND GIVING the most from the experience!

YOGA AND MEDITATION IN THE FOREST

Come live with us in the middle of the beautiful cloud forest of Papa’ Ecological Park Reserve, high-up in the mountains above San Marcos la Laguna, surrounded by an unending beauty and magical silence.

A large part of our project will involve hiking & camping out in the middle of the forest, and living and working in a more secluded location with a group of other similar, like minded travellers from around the world.

You will learn together about how to survive out in the wild, and to live more in harmony with our beautiful Mother Nature. Seeing and experiencing for yourself the magic and benefits of living the ‘simple life,’ in a more natural and high energy environment.

Yoga and meditation practice is an important element of the expedition, as it will help you clear the mind, connect with nature, and connect more with yourself, by simply putting you more in the present moment. We practice together Yoga at sunrise three days a week, two hours a day, and Meditation at sunset, three days a week, 1 hour a day. The other days are left open for your own deep personal practice.

The rest of your days will be spent finding peace with yourself, cooking over an open fire, chopping firewood, collecting water from a natural spring, getting close to nature, sleeping in tree-houses, and feeling what it really means to get back to your roots.

WHAT IS YOGA?

The word yoga means ‘union’ in Sanskrit, the language of ancient India, as this is where yoga originated from. We can think of this union as occurring between the mind, body and spirit altogether!

What is commonly referred to as ‘yoga’ can be more accurately described by the Sanskrit word 'asana,' which refers to the practice of physical postures or poses.

‘Asana’ is only one of the eight ‘limbs’ of yoga, the majority of which are more concerned with mental and spiritual well being than physical activity. In the West however, the words ‘asana’ and ‘yoga’ are often used more interchangeably.

Many people think that yoga is just about stretching. But while stretching is certainly involved, yoga is really about creating ‘balance’ in the body through developing both strength and flexibility. This is done through the performance of poses or postures, each of which has specific physical, mental and emotional benefits.

The poses can be done quickly in succession creating heat in the body through movement, or more slowly to increase stamina and perfect the alignment of the pose. The poses are a constant, but the approach to them varies depending on the tradition in which the teacher has been trained.

Yoga teachers will often refer to ‘your practice,’ which means your individual experience with yoga as it develops over time. The amazing thing about yoga is that your practice is always evolving and changing, so it never gets boring! Although the poses themselves do not change, your relationship to them will.

Anyone can start a yoga practice, it is for men and woman, even if you don't feel like you are very flexible or very strong. These things will develop naturally over time! Another great thing about ‘your practice,’ is that it encourages the non-competitive spirit of yoga. One of the most difficult, but ultimately most liberating things about yoga is letting go of the ‘ego,’ and accepting that no one else is better than anybody else. Everyone is just approaching life in their own way, on any given day, living their lives the best way they know how, using their current experience of it.

WHAT IS MEDITATION?

Some people may consider meditation to be a worship or a prayer. But it is not so. Meditation means ‘awareness,’ and whatever you do with ‘awareness’ is meditation. Watching your breath is meditation; listening to the birds is meditation. As long as these activities are free from any other distraction to the mind, it is effective meditation.

Meditation is not a technique, but a ‘way of life.’ Meditation means 'a stopping of the thought process.’ It describes a state of consciousness, when the mind is free of scattered thoughts, associations and various predictable patterns of response. The observer (the one who is doing the meditation), realizes then how all the activity of the mind suddenly is reduced to a silent and empty ‘nothingness,’ as we move ourselves closer to a connected feeling of ‘oneness’ and a deep, infinite & eternal connection with everyone, everywhere and everything around us!

These days it is commonly understood to mean some form of spiritual practice, where one sits down on the floor with their eyes closed & legs crossed and empties the mind to attain inner peace, relaxation or even an experience of ‘God.’ Some people use the term as "my gardening is my meditation" or for jogging, painting or listening to music. Which is true in itself, but this sometimes can have the effect of creating some confusion or misunderstanding into understanding exactly what meditation is, what its benefits are from a more spiritual perspective and how we can actually apply it into modern day life.

The word meditation, is derived from two Latin words: ‘meditari’ (to think, to dwell upon, to exercise the mind) and ‘mederi’ (to heal). Its Sanskrit word equivalent 'medha,' means ‘wisdom.’

Many years ago meditation was considered something just not meant for modern people, but now it has become very popular with all types of people from all corners of the world. Published scientific and medical evidence has proved its benefits, but it still needs to be much understood.

Traditionally, the classical yoga texts, describe that to attain true states of meditation one must go through several stages. After the necessary preparation of personal and social code, physical position, breath control, and relaxation come the more advanced stages of concentration, contemplation, and then ultimately absorption. But that does not mean that one must perfect any one stage before moving onto the next. The integral yoga approach is simultaneous application of a little of all stages combined together.

Commonly today, people can mean any one of these stages when they refer to the term meditation. Some meditation teachers only teach concentration techniques, some relaxation, and others teach free form contemplative activities like just sitting and awaiting absorption. Some call it meditation without giving credence to yoga for fear of being branded 'eastern'. But yoga is not something eastern or western as it is universal in its approach and application.

With regular practice of a balanced series of techniques, the energy of your body & mind can be liberated and the quality of your consciousness and therefore quality of your life experience here on earth, can be expanded.

SCUBA DIVING LAKE EXPLORATION, CLEAN-UP AND REFORESTATION OF 'TUL'

Join us, as we work together with the local communities, to help tidy-up Lake Atitlan, and for the unique experience of scuba diving in a high altitude lake, as we go around exploring, cleaning-up trash from the depths and reforesting it with 'tul.'

Lake Atitlan has it all: Character, Mystery, Magic and Style. It offers you something different! It gives you the opportunity to dive somewhere unique!  In a high altitude freshwater volcanic lake 1560 metres (5118 feet) up; whilst only still wearing a wet-suit!

Look for ancient Mayan artefacts and pottery hiding from you in the silt. Swim over the branches of submerged underwater trees. Go through eerie rock swim-throughs. Put your hands in hot volcanic mud. Climb underwater rock cliff-faces going down to over 300 metres (984 feet), and chase giant freshwater crabs as they scuttle away from you across the rocks...

...while at the same time feeling satisfied with yourself, for having made your difference in helping to keep Lake Atitlan clean and in spreading a positive environmental message to the local communities.

We scuba dive (weather dependent of course!) TWO mornings every week when we are back in the lakeside village of San Marcos la Laguna.

Lake Atitlan 'Tul' Reforestation Community Project

‘El Tul’ or ‘the Lake Reeds,’ a plant that is found along the shores of Lake Atitlan, are VERY important for the health and cleanliness of the lake. And with Lake Atitlan being recently labelled as one of the most endangered lakes in the world, immediate, careful and effective control and management is as important today as it has EVER been, if the lake is to be saved in the future! The benefits of ‘Tul’ includes:

• Oxygenation of the water.
• Cleaning contaminants from the water (e.g. by absorbing carbon dioxide).
• Giving marine life protection from the wind and the cold.
• Providing marine life with food and protection from predators.
• Acting as a natural barrier or filter that prevents earth sediments and substances from entering directly into the lake itself (i.e. helps to minimize ‘eutrophication:’ which is simply speaking, the nutrient enrichment of the water from the contamination of pesticides and fertilizers that are used in cheap farming practices from around the lake basin area).
• Retains trash and keeps it together (i.e. acts like a filter). By stopping it from all flowing to the north side of the lake with the direction of the prevailing wind.
• Provides a safe habitat for birds, fish, shell fish and insects indigenous to the lake.

That is why Soul Projects in 2010 has helped initiate and teamed up with the local lakeside communities to help them preserve, plant, cultivate and protect the ‘Tul’ of Lake Atitlan.

This will give most of our Soul Volunteers (including non-divers!) an opportunity to potentially take part in the planting and/or cultivation of ‘Tul’ as part of each expedition. You will receive first-hand experience, and a deeper appreciation and insight into the traditional techniques, history and multiple uses of this valuable Mayan plant. As ‘Tul’ has been weaved, used creatively as a natural building material and made into various local products for hundreds of years by the indigenous Maya Indians of Lake Atitlan.

DO I HAVE TO BE A SCUBA DIVER TO JOIN THE EXPEDITION?

Scuba diving is NOT required on the project. That means you don’t have to be a scuba diver to be able to join or get the most out from the expedition!

However, if you do wish to scuba dive with us here on the lake and take part on the Soul Clean-Up Lake Atitlan Project, then you will need to show us that you are a certified PADI Advanced Diver or above, or have an equivalent certification from another organization, before the expedition.

This is because we need to know you have the satisfactory level of experience necessary, to handle yourself on the lake, due to the additional safety considerations that need to be adhered to when diving at higher altitude and the different freshwater diving conditions unique to Lake Atitlan.

Whatever your current scuba diving competence level; whether you have never scuba dived before, are only an open water diver or just need a refresher. Soul Projects will be happy to give you all the necessary training you need to get you confident and certified here on the lake, all the way up to being a PADI Advanced Open Water Diver as part of your expedition. And if you join for the Full 10 Weeks of the expedition, there will also be the opportunity for Soul Projects to train you up to being a fully certified PADI Rescue Diver, as part of your experience with us on the lake; included as an extra gift!

LEARN TO SCUBA DIVE ON THE LAKE

Soul Projects gives you the unique adventure and experience, of learning to scuba dive on the lake as part of the expedition, all the way up to being an internationally certified PADI Advanced Open Water Diver or PADI Rescue Diver.

COURSES THAT WE CAN OFFER YOU:

Courses that we can offer you:

PADI Open Water Diver                                classroom, confined sessions + 4 dives

PADI Advanced Open Water Diver             classroom sessions + 5 dives

Emergency First Response (EFR)             classroom + scenarios

PADI Rescue Diver (Full 10 Week Expedition Only!)          classroom + scenarios
                                   
Learning to scuba dive here on the lake is a much more environmentally responsible and conscious way to learn as well, for two main reasons:

Firstly, you are not damaging thousands of years of life when learning to scuba dive in a freshwater lake. As you are every time you kick a piece of coral with your fins on a coral reef. Which you most certainly will do during the early stages of learning to scuba dive, it’s inevitable! Better being rock and silt than a thousand year old living and breathing animal, wouldn’t you say?

A lot of people do not realize the extent, impact, or immense pressure that our coral reefs are under from scuba divers. The ‘truth’ is that sadly, it is a contributing factor in today’s world, to reef decline and destruction.

Secondly, starting your new soon to become hobby on a freshwater lake, doesn’t spoil you too early! As once you are more confident in your own skills as a scuba diver, and have some experience of some very different underwater conditions. You are then more ready to go off and explore the fragile reefs of this beautiful world, with more confidence, ability and greater vision.....with your eyes truly open!

Our aim will be to prepare and make you ready to take part in our Soul Lake Clean-Up Project on completion of your courses and training. Scuba diving instruction with a ‘deeper’ goal or purpose you could say. Overall, giving you a very adventurous, thoroughly challenging, and rewarding experience!

WHAT ARE THE LAKE CONDITIONS LIKE FOR SCUBA DIVING?

Lake Atitlan is a freshwater lake formed in a volcanic caldera at an altitude of 1560 m (5118 ft). It therefore offers rare diving opportunities in a geothermically active, high-altitude, temperate environment.

In fact, there are few places in the world where you can actually scuba dive at altitude whilst wearing only a wetsuit, since most other high-altitude lakes are glacier-fed.

The lake is roughly 320 m (1050 ft) deep - one of the deepest in the world, and 29 km (18 miles) and 26km (16 miles) wide. Because of altitude diving considerations and reduced visibility at depth, few divers go deeper than 25 m (82 ft).

Visibility averages 10 m (32 ft) in the dry season, but varies widely from 3 to 14 m      (10 - 46 ft) throughout the year depending on recent rainfall, depth and bottom composition. Temperature varies year-round from 23˚C (73˚F) in the wet season to 20˚C (68˚F) in the dry season.

LOCAL SCHOOL ENGLISH & CREATIVE ARTS

Come with us, as we help to teach English, Art, Dance and Music, to different groups of children from various villages around the lake. We volunteer at a school in San Juan la Laguna, and at a school in San Marcos la Laguna every week.

Children are the future generations! They hold within their hands, the key for positive change on all levels. Freedom of expression, using your imagination, and letting a child’s creativity flow, is an essential part of this natural process. A part that very often gets blocked out from many cultures at a very young age, especially in today’s fast moving world.

That’s why Soul Projects is working with the teachers and the schools on the lake. To help defend this right, of every child, to see, feel and experience the benefits of the arts, as a universal tool for personal growth on every level; mentally and spiritually.

At the same time, as tourism increases on the lake and comes to San Marcos la Laguna, it is becoming ever more important for the local people to have a certain level of proficiency of the English language. Especially now, as so many local people’s livelihoods are almost totally dependent upon tourism in some form or another, either through direct income and/or employment opportunities.

Environmental education and conservation issues are an increasingly important issue to the local communities around the lake, as their natural environment is such a core part of their everyday lives.

Therefore, the project also focuses on helping to educate and spread a positive message to the village of San Marcos la Laguna and surrounding lakeside communities.

We teach three separate lessons a week that the Soul Volunteers are responsible for organizing and planning.  If you are passionate about dance, teach a dance routine! If you love music, then sing-a-longs it is! If you love art then splash on the paints!  We have a specialized staff member that is responsible for over-seeing the teaching aspect of our project, but we want YOU to get involved as much as possible! 

Our first lesson is with the mentally and physically handicapped kids of Centro Maya School in San Juan la Laguna, our lessons are approximately 3 hours a week with these children.

Next it is back to the base for an afternoon of games and fun with some of the local children, who range in all age groups.  This lesson is about 1 ½ hours long.

Finally we volunteer at the local pre-primary school with kids that are from ages 4-7.  Here we teach English and have some kind of creative game to re-enforce the lesson; relay races, dances or songs are just some examples.  This lesson is approximately 1 ½ hours long.

MAYAN CULTURAL EXPERIENCE

Soul Projects promotes and encourages interaction with the local communities as much as possible. Giving travellers a chance to be able to experience and gain a real taste into Guatemalan way of life, music, traditions and Maya culture for themselves, seeing what it really has to offer the world.

To be able to truly absorb and get a real feel for a country, you need to go deeper into the culture than just seeing it. You need to FEEL it! You need to be able to get closer to the actual people of that country and their way of life somehow. As these people, ARE the country!

To do that you firstly need to be there for an extended period of time, and then you need to be able to integrate yourself into the community a bit more. You need to learn how to embrace and respect the traditions of that country, their customs, their beliefs, taste the local foods and familiarize yourself with the local languages. We can offer you all of these things here in Guatemala.

The expedition gives you the unique opportunity of combining together taking Mayan Language and Spanish classes, while living & eating in a homestay with a local Guatemalan family. All in all, giving you the perfect mix for a truly Cultural & Awakening Experience!

Our Soul Volunteers stay with a local family three nights a week, once we have returned from the four nights in the forest/on the beach.  During this time you will get the opportunity to become integrated into a local Guatemalan family.  You will get the chance to help them prepare traditional foods, ask questions and learn about their culture, practice your Spanish or Kaqchikel and play games with their children.

YOGA & MEDITATION ON THE BEACH AND BABY GREEN TURTLE LIBERATION SATELLITE PROJECT

Explore & experience another one of Guatemala’s amazingly beautiful and natural landscapes in style, whilst living on its tranquil & deserted Southern shoreline. Come and spend some time with us on the beach, with nothing else surrounding you but nature, waves, driftwood and black volcanic sand.

Practice Yoga at sunrise and Meditation at sunset. Sleep on the beach under the stars, listen to the crashing of the waves, have a surf, cook over on an open beach fire, see Green turtles out in the wild, and have the fantastic opportunity to save & liberate a baby Green Turtle of your own.

The truth is that once upon a time, millions of sea turtles once swam in the earth’s oceans, but today only a small amount remain. In Guatemala, the greatest threat to the Green turtle is from the commercial harvest of their eggs.

This is happening because the local people are poor, and therefore often harvest the eggs to earn extra money for their families. This is also mainly due to poor education in the schools, because the people simply do not understand that if this practice continues, the turtle may become extinct.

Soul Projects supports and promotes the local project of El Tortugario in El Paredon which is also supported by the Guatemalan government through CONAP.

Every person in the village that harvests a turtle nest must now donate 20% of the eggs that they take, to the project. The donated eggs are then reburied in a protected area (the Tortugario), providing a compromise that allows more baby turtles to eventually hatch and make it to the ocean.

In a natural nest, around 40% of the eggs will hatch, but in the Tortugario this rate is increased to 90%. Normally, depending on the temperature of the nest, the incubation time is 60 days. However, in the Tortugario the incubation time is decreased to about 48 days.

CONAP and Soul Projects also help to educate the local people and school children about the importance of protecting the Green turtle. Unfortunately however, CONAP (the government organization that supports the program) doesn’t have sufficient funds to support and maintain the project.

That’s why in turtle nest season Soul Projects goes and buys fresh turtle eggs from the local people (there is no doubt that they will be sold anyway!). We then bury the eggs at the Tortugario.

In fact, what this means is that if you join an expedition between June and January, you potentially will have the unique opportunity to liberate your own baby turtles out into the wild yourself.

When it is not the turtle season we still run the project, but the funds we simply donate to the project, so that later on they can be used to buy more eggs during the turtle nest season.  In El Paredon the Green turtle nests from June till November with a peak in August and September. Until January there are potentially opportunities to liberate baby turtles.

There is also an amazing opportunity to actually see Green turtles living in their mangrove natural habitats all year long! A part of the project is therefore to give you the opportunity to see one of these secret mangrove locations for yourself. In fact El Paredon is one, of only two places in the whole World, where you are guaranteed to actually experience this natural phenomenon throughout the year.

EXPEDITION GENERAL INFORMATION

HOW WOULD I BE LIVING?

The expedition camp is situated up in the central Guatemalan highlands above San Marcos la Laguna, secluded in the middle of an ecological forest reserve. The camp overlooks the beautiful volcanic Lake Atitlan, with its three impressive volcanoes of San Pedro, Tolimán and Atitlan staring right at us.

This means, the camp has no running water or electricity, and the accommodation is very basic. The camp is made up of several permanent, simple, wooden structures which are used for sleeping, cooking and yoga & meditation practice. The food we eat on camp consists of mostly fresh local produce, which we cook ourselves over an open fire.

The expedition will involve a 1-2 hour hike to and from our camp in the middle of the forest every week.

When we are back in the village of San Marcos la Laguna at the end of every 4 nights we will spend in the forest, all of our Soul Volunteers stay with an adopted local indigenous Guatemalan family. This gives you the opportunity to integrate yourself into the Guatemalan community and lifestyle, and build a deeper relationship with the family throughout your stay on the expedition. It also gives you the perfect chance to practice your Spanish or Kaqchikel, and sample the 'real' Guatemalan way of life and typical local foods whilst living here on the lake.

HOW MANY OTHER PEOPLE WILL THERE BE ON THE EXPEDITION?

We like small groups here at Soul Projects. Therefore the MAXIMUM number of people on any expedition here in Guatemala is 10. Which is divided up into seven Soul Volunteers, plus three Soul Staff: an Expedition Leader, a Yoga & Meditation Teacher/English & Creative Arts Teacher, and a Scuba Diving & EFR Instructor.

‘Soul Volunteers’ are what we like to call our expedition team members here at Soul Projects. To us the term simply symbolizes someone who has not only made the step to volunteer to serve and give to others (i.e. from a physical point of view), but also to volunteer for ‘themselves’ and their own spiritual growth (i.e. from a non-physical point of view), and therefore in doing so, for the good of everyone, everything, everywhere!

As only in this way can our planet Earth truly change for the better, moving the world gradually towards ‘Oneness,’ by realizing peace has to first begin at the roots of the consciousness of each and every individual. With YOU and I! As one person grows and becomes free, at the same moment so does the whole world grow and become free!

HOW LONG IS AN EXPEDITION AND CAN I STAY FOR LESS TIME IF I WANT TO?

All our expeditions here in Guatemala are either 4, 7 or 10 weeks long. We run four full 10 week expeditions each year.

We do try to encourage all of our Soul Volunteers to commit to the Full 10 Weeks of the expedition, so that they are simply more able to gain and ultimately give the most from the experience.

However, we do appreciate as well that it is not always possible for all travellers to commit to this length of time. Therefore we have created the following three expedition opportunities for our Soul Volunteers:

• 4 Week New Moon Expedition

• 7 Week Crecent Moon Expedition

• 10 Week Full Moon Expedition

We base each expedition on a one-week cycle of 4 nights on our forest camp, and then 3 nights in San Marcos la Laguna with a local Guatemalan family. We leave San Marcos la Laguna every Saturday morning and return to San Marcos la Laguna every Wednesday afternoon.

WHAT IS THE CLIMATE AND WEATHER LIKE THERE IN SAN MARCOS LA LAGUNA?

Guatemala is not named the land of eternal springtime for no reason. The temperature here in San Marcos la Laguna is always very comfortable throughout the year. Somewhere between 15 and 27 degrees Celsius, or 59 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit.

However, don’t forget that our camp is situated higher up in the mountains above San Marcos la Laguna, so it always tends to get a little bit colder up there especially at nights.

The climate around the lake is semitropical and of a monsoonal character. Generally though, we can separate the San Marcos la Laguna climate into two main parts. The rainy season between May and October, and the dry season between November and April.

By the way, all being in the rainy season means is that it has a greater chance of raining. Twice a week on average is normal during this time. Rainy season peaks in September, and at this time it potentially can rain every day. But very frequently it will only actually rain in the afternoons or throughout the night. Whatever happens though, through our eyes, it only all just adds to the experience!

WILL I HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN SPANISH AND THE MAYAN LANGUAGE WHILST ON THE EXPEDITION?

Yes, there is the chance to study Spanish and the Mayan Language (‘Kaqchikel’) whilst on the expedition. This is organised to help you communicate better with your homestay families, if you do not already have much knowledge of the Spanish language.

Spanish and Mayan Language classes are included in the expedition. This will really help you gain the most from the experience with your host family and increase your confidence.

WILL I RECEIVE ANY OTHER TRAINING WHILST ON THE PROJECT?

Due to the nature of the expedition, and the fact that we will be spending most of our time in a more isolated and more natural forest and mountainous area, we feel that it is important that each of our Soul Volunteers are given a basic introduction to forest survival & expedition first aid at the beginning of the project. This will also act as the perfect teambuilding activity, to get the whole group warmed-up and working together effectively as a team, ready for the challenging few weeks ahead!

The forest survival element of the training that we will give you, will go over and include the following important information and useful techniques: how to prepare & start fires correctly, how to use a machete & axe correctly, how to chop firewood safely & efficiently, useful water collection and purification techniques and how to make a simple & easy, but strong, evacuation stretcher out of only rope!

The first aid training that we will give you is equivalent to the PADI internationally recognized first aid & CPR certification, Emergency First Response Primary & Secondary Care course. However due to the environment that we will be living and working in, the course will have much more of an out in the wilderness focus to it. The opportunity to receive this international first aid & CPR certification or refresh your current skills during the expedition, is given to all of our Soul Volunteers.

We will also give you an introduction into teaching at the beginning of the expedition. This will help prepare you for the teaching element of the expedition and help build your confidence in the classroom, especially if you haven’t had much teaching experience with children before (including with children & adults with disabilities).

WILL I GET THE OPPORTUNITY TO SURF WHILST ON THE PROJECT?

During our two-week ‘Yoga & Meditation on the Beach and Baby Green Turtle Liberation’ Satellite Project, there is the opportunity for all of our Soul Volunteers to surf, or learn to surf if they have never tried it before.

The long stretch of deserted coastline where our beach camp is located has good waves all year round, with a selection of great beach breaks suitable for all experience levels. 

IS THERE ANYTHING SPECIFIC I SHOULD KNOW ABOUT YOUR EXPEDITION?

Our expeditions are somewhere in the middle between being an ‘adventure expedition’ and being a ‘spiritual retreat.’

That means that we try to keep the conditions of the expedition as controlled as is sensibly possible. So you are simply able to gain the most from the experience, and to maximise your opportunity for personal development and spiritual growth.

Therefore, we do respect the basic regulative principles of traditional good yogic meditation practice. Which include:

• No intoxication of yourself whilst on the project (that includes with alcohol, cannabis, caffeine, tobacco or with any other mind altering substances), and…

• No meat or fish eating whilst on the project either, as our expedition is strictly vegetarian.

These guidelines have been put in place, simply to allow our Soul Volunteers to have the rare opportunity to detoxify their bodies completely. So that the true beneficial effects of a good regular yoga and meditation practice, combined with the healthy consumption of mainly fresh & natural foods, can be felt to its maximum potential!

WHAT ELSE WILL YOU TEACH ME ON THE EXPEDITION?

Success in life or living life to your full potential could be defined as being the continued expansion of happiness, and the progressive flow & realization of personal goals and dreams.

Living life to your full potential is simply the magical ability to fulfil your desires instantly with effortless ease. However, it seems that the path to this type of success and the creation of wealth in our own lives has always been considered to be a very complicated process that requires a lot of hard work; often to the loss and disadvantage of many other people as we go along.
 
We need to have a much more widely available and more spiritual approach, to success and to affluence in this modern day world that we live in together; which can be described as the abundant flow of all good things that you feel that you want in your life to you naturally, RIGHT NOW!

There are many aspects to real success and living your life to your full potential, as everybody’s journey is unique to them and everybody wants different things in the first place. It is also important to realize that ‘material wealth,’ is only one component of finding actual wealth and abundance in your life.

Material abundance in all its various expressions, just happens to seem to be one of those things in life that makes the whole journey more enjoyable & bearable. But success in life also includes having good health and fitness, lots of energy, ambition, confidence, enthusiasm, having deeply fulfilling & loving relationships with people, freedom of creative expression, experiencing emotional & psychological stability, and possessing an overwhelming sense of well-being & peace of mind with who you are and what you are doing.

However, it is vital to emphasize at this point, that even with the experience of all of these things. The reality is that you will always remain unfulfilled and have that strange feeling that there is something important missing from your life. Until you learn how to nurture the seeds of ‘divinity’ or ‘deep rooted connection with the universe,’ in YOURSELF first!

Soul Projects takes you on a journey of eight soul insights during the expedition. It is our aim not only to explain to you what they are. But to also show you how to practically integrate these principles into your daily life, to help you be successful in everything you do, and how to use this wisdom to eventually go on to reach your full potential in life.

In fact these insights are based upon the same principles that nature simply uses to create everything in material existence – that is everything you can see, hear, smell, taste or touch that surrounds you in your life at this precise moment! As in reality the steps to overall wealth consciousness, and therefore secrets to success in life and living yours to its full potential, are based upon a true understanding of the workings of nature.

The physical laws of the universe are actually this whole unfolding, continuously ‘flowing’ process of spirituality or consciousness in motion. When you understand these truths and can integrate them into your life more regularly on a daily basis, simply anything that you want can be created by YOU! Because the same truths that nature uses to create a mountain, a tree, a planet, a whole galaxy or your amazing human body for example, can also bring about the manifestation of our deepest desires and childhood dreams.

The Expedition Manual that you will be given at the beginning of the project, called ‘Your Own Personalized Journey to Oneness,’ will illustrate and demonstrate this journey to you clearly. It will also cover other complementary introductory topics along the way that will help enhance your understanding of the insights. These topics will include: The Seven Chakras (‘Energy Centres’) of the body, Mantras (‘Spiritual Chants’) and Yoga & Meditation; as two interrelated and very valuable tools for internal self-realization & growth.

WHAT IS INCLUDED ON THE 4 WEEK NEW MOON EXPEDITION?

• Enough food and liquid to keep you alive for the four weeks (3 meals per day)
• A place to lay your head whilst at our field camps ( Camping in the forest or on the beach 4 nights per week)
• A homestay with a local indigenous Guatemalan family when you are in San Marcos la Laguna (3 nights per week)
• All your transportation whilst on the project with us (4x4 truck, bus, boat etc.)
• Pick-up from Guatemala City on your arrival & transportation to San Marcos la Laguna
• Hotel for 1 night in Guatemala City upon your arrival
• Expedition Manual, including the eight soul insights to living life to your full potential
• Introductions, teaching and guidance of the Seven Chakras (‘Energy Centres’) of the body, Mantras (‘Spiritual Chants’) and Yoga & Meditation
• Spanish and Mayan Language Classes
• Forest Survival & Expedition First Aid Training (International CPR & First Aid Certification Included!)
• Introduction into Teaching (including children & adults with disabilities)
• The opportunity to work on the Soul San Marcos & El Paredon  School Teaching Program

WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED ON THE 4 WEEK NEW MOON EXPEDITION?

• Your flight, and all other transportation costs to get you to Guatemala City
• Any personal medical or travel insurance that you purchase
• The cost of any extra personal items or activities undertaken during the expedition (e.g. washing clothes (approx. £3 per week), surf lessons/surf board hire (approx. £8 per hour private lesson), expedition treats, etc.)
• All expenses including food, accommodation and transport outside of the expedition dates
• An Introduction into the Mayan Civilisation, Mayan Calendar, and 2012 Prophecy
• An Introduction into the Formation & History of the Ancient Lake of Atitlan
• Your involvement on Local Community Projects (e.g. ‘Tul’ Reforestation)
• The opportunity to join our Clean-up Lake Atitlan Scuba Diving Project.
• Yoga & Meditation on the Beach and Baby Green Turtle Liberation Two Week Satellite Project

4 Week New Moon Expedition Dates for 2010

Expedition 6  Wednesday 6th  January – Tuesday 2nd  February

Expedition 7  Wednesday 7th  April – Tuesday 4th May

Expedition 8  Wednesday 7th July – Tuesday 3rd August

Expedition 9  Wednesday 6th October – Tuesday 2nd November 

4 Week New Moon Expedition Dates for 2011

Expedition 10  Wednesday 12th  January – Tuesday 8th February

Expedition 11  Wednesday 13th April – Tuesday 10th May

Expedition 12  Wednesday 13th July – Tuesday 9th August

Expedition 13  Wednesday 12th October – Tuesday 8th November

WHAT IS INCLUDED ON THE 7 WEEK CRESCENT MOON EXPEDITION?

• Enough food and liquid to keep you alive for the seven weeks (3 meals per day)
• A place to lay your head whilst at our field camps ( Camping in the forest or on the beach 4 nights per week)
• A homestay with a local indigenous Guatemalan family when you are in San Marcos la Laguna (3 nights per week)
• All your transportation whilst on the project with us (4x4 truck, bus, boat etc.)
• Pick-up from Guatemala City on your arrival & transportation to San Marcos la Laguna
• Hotel for 1 night in Guatemala City upon your arrival
• Expedition Manual, including the eight soul insights to living life to your full potential
• Introductions, teaching and guidance of the Seven Chakras (‘Energy Centres’) of the body, Mantras (‘Spiritual Chants’) and Yoga & Meditation
• An Introduction into the Mayan Civilisation, Mayan Calendar, and 2012 Prophecy
• Spanish and Mayan Language Classes
• Your involvement on Local Community Projects (e.g. ‘Tul’ Reforestation)
• Forest Survival & Expedition First Aid Training (International CPR & First Aid Certification Included!)
• Introduction into Teaching (including children & adults with disabilities)
• Refresher dive for all scuba divers *
• PADI Open Water Diver & PADI Advanced Open Water Diver Training and all dives on the Soul Clean-up Lake Atitlan Project *
• The use of our scuba diving equipment while you are here *
• Altitude adventure dive training *
• The opportunity to work on the Soul San Marcos & El Paredon  School Teaching Program
• Yoga & Meditation on the Beach and Baby Green Turtle Liberation Two Week Satellite Project

* Please remember, that the Scuba diving element of the expedition is optional.

WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED ON THE 7 WEEK CRESCENT MOON EXPEDITION?

• Your flight, and all other transportation costs to get you to Guatemala City
• Any personal medical or travel insurance that you purchase
• The cost of any extra personal items or activities undertaken during the expedition (e.g. washing clothes (approx. £3 per week), surf lessons/surf board hire (approx. £8 per hour private lesson), expedition treats, etc.)
• All expenses including food, accommodation and transport outside of the expedition dates
• An Introduction into the Formation & History of the Ancient Lake of Atitlan
• PADI Rescue Diver Training

7 Week Crescent Moon Expedition Dates for 2010

Expedition 6  Wednesday 6th  January – Tuesday 23rd February

Expedition 7  Wednesday 7th  April – Tuesday 25th May

Expedition 8  Wednesday 7th July – Tuesday 24th August

Expedition 9  Wednesday 6th October – Tuesday 23rd November

7 Week Crescent Moon Expedition Dates for 2011

Expedition 10  Wednesday 12th  January – Tuesday 1st March

Expedition 11  Wednesday 13th April – Tuesday 31st May

Expedition 12  Wednesday 13th July – Tuesday 30th August

Expedition 13  Wednesday 12th October – Tuesday 29th November

WHAT IS INCLUDED ON THE 10 WEEK FULL MOON EXPEDITION?

• Enough food and liquid to keep you alive for the ten weeks (3 meals per day)
• A place to lay your head whilst at our field camps ( Camping in the forest or on the beach 4 nights per week)
• A homestay with a local indigenous Guatemalan family when you are in San Marcos la Laguna (3 nights per week)
• All your transportation whilst on the project with us (4x4 truck, bus, boat etc.)
• Pick-up from Guatemala City on your arrival & transportation to San Marcos la Laguna
• Hotel for 1 night in Guatemala City upon your arrival
• Expedition Manual, including the eight soul insights to living life to your full potential
• Introductions, teaching and guidance of the Seven Chakras (‘Energy Centres’) of the body, Mantras (‘Spiritual Chants’) and Yoga & Meditation
• An Introduction into the Mayan Civilisation, Mayan Calendar, and 2012 Prophecy
• An Introduction into the Formation & History of the Ancient Lake of Atitlan
• Spanish and Mayan Language Classes
• Your involvement on Local Community Projects (e.g. ‘Tul’ Reforestation)
• Forest Survival & Expedition First Aid Training (International CPR & First Aid Certification Included!)
• Introduction into Teaching (including children & adults with disabilities)
• Refresher dive for all scuba divers *
• PADI Open Water Diver, PADI Advanced Open Water Diver & PADI Rescue Diver Training and all dives on the Soul Clean-up Lake Atitlan Project *
• The use of our scuba diving equipment while you are here *
• Altitude adventure dive training *
• The opportunity to work on the Soul San Marcos & El Paredon  School Teaching Program
• Yoga & Meditation on the Beach and Baby Green Turtle Liberation Two Week Satellite Project

* Please remember, that the Scuba diving element of the expedition is optional.

WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED ON THE 10 WEEK FULL MOON EXPEDITION?

• Your flight, and all other transportation costs to get you to Guatemala City
• Any personal medical or travel insurance that you purchase
• The cost of any extra personal items or activities undertaken during the expedition (e.g. washing clothes (approx. £3 per week), surf lessons/surf board hire (approx. £8 per hour private lesson), expedition treats, etc.)
• All expenses including food, accommodation and transport outside of the expedition dates

10 Week Full Moon Expedition Dates for 2010

Expedition 6  Wednesday 6th  January – Tuesday 16th March

Expedition 7  Wednesday 7th  April – Tuesday 15th June

Expedition 8  Wednesday 7th July – Tuesday 14th September

Expedition 9  Wednesday 6th October – Tuesday 14th December

10 Week Full Moon Expedition Dates for 2011

Expedition 10  Wednesday 12th  January – Tuesday 22nd March

Expedition 11  Wednesday 13th April – Tuesday 21st  June

Expedition 12  Wednesday 13th July – Tuesday 20th September

Expedition 13  Wednesday 12th October – Tuesday 20th December

CAN SOUL PROJECTS GIVE ANY KIND OF FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE?

Soul Projects is committed to supporting individuals interested in enhancing their life and realizing their full human potential through deep adventurous cultural travel experiences, regardless of background or financial status. Therefore we are open to offering an Expedition Scholarship, to certain individuals who require financial help in order to join the expedition. Scholarships are only made possible by the generous support of our Soul Volunteers.

DO YOU HAVE ANY OTHER ADVICE TO HELP ME MAKE MY DONATION?

We highly encourage and suggest that potential Soul Volunteers who are deeply interested and serious about making the step to join us in Guatemala, spend some time fundraising to help gather together funds and sponsors for their expedition. As this is not a ‘tourist vacation,’ and you will be working & living in a challenging natural environment & within a small local village community in a developing country.  Past Soul Volunteers have generated funds for their experience though family, friends and local businesses & organizations.

 

...If you feel a deep connection to our expedition here in Guatemala please CONTACT US for more information and to be sent an Expedition Information Pack for 2010/2011.

Gracias!