Karma Yoga Stay
Enjoy a week of Karma Yoga
A Karma Yoga stay is the perfect combination of farm work with an otherwise relaxed yoga holiday. As a karma yogi you are a part of the Krishna Village community, working 5hrs/day on 3 days/week supporting our team and otherwise enjoying yoga classes, meditation, getting a massage or exploring the Tweed Valley.
The purpose of Karma Yoga
Karma yoga means to connect to the higher self and the divine through loving service and discipline of action. By volunteering a few hours per day (mostly working in the gardens, cleaning or chopping veggies in the kitchen), you experience a practical, down-to-earth method for spiritual growth: providing service in a mood of love and kindness.
One of the fundamental principles of karma yoga is that in life what you do doesn’t matter as much as your attitude while doing it, even when performing the most menial of tasks. So when you serve with joy and an open heart you will experience the beauty of reciprocity: the wonderful energetic flow of giving and receiving.
Your Karma Yoga Experience at Krishna Village
As a Karma Yogi, your arrival day is Monday, when we run a compulsory Welcome Tour at 11am NSW time to introduce you to our program, our vision and the 'bhakti' way of life.
Karma Yogis have a minimum stay of one week. You work on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday during our usual work hours: 6.15am – 8.15am and 9:15am – 12:15pm. In return for 15hrs of work/week you pay a reduced rate for your accommodation (budget rooms or camping only) and get free food and access to yoga and all other regular classes that happen outside of your work hours.
All volunteers must be at least 18 year old.
Kids are most welcome, but need to be supervised by their parents at all times. So you can only join us for a karma yoga stay if there are at least two parents, one of whom can book a retreat stay and watch the kids, while the other one works.
Example Schedule
(Karma Yoga work days are Tue/Wed/Thu)
5:00am - Gentle yoga class (optional)
6:15am - Start Karma Yoga Shift 1
8:15am - Breakfast break
9:15am - Start Karma Yoga Shift 2
12:30pm - Lunch
1:30pm - Kirtan & Yogic Living class (optional)
4:15pm - Energetic afternoon yoga class (optional)
6:15pm - Dinner
7:15pm - Evening class (optional, 2-3 days/week)
8:30pm - Curfew/Quiet time
Cost and Payment
We only have a limited amount of karma yoga spots available, so it’s always best to book well in advance. The rates for our karma yoga stay incl. yoga classes and 3 meals/day are:
Camping: $250/week (tent or van)
In a budget room: $395/week (single) or $388/week (double room, per person)
Before you book, please note:
(1) Karma Yoga stays are not available between Christmas and New Years (21 Dec 2023 - 14 Jan 2024), and during the Easter school holidays.
(2) To see if this experience is for you, please read our FAQ for retreat guests and our Code of Conduct. If you are dealing with any physical or mental health issues, please also check our Are you ready page to make sure this is a suitable experience for you.
Delicious Vegetarian Food
At Krishna Village, we offer 3x delicious vegetarian meals per day. From vegan kitchari, porridge, and fresh fruits for breakfast, to vegetable curry with rice or flatbreads, and heartier dishes for lunch & dinner... If you're looking to incorporate more plant-based options into your diet, you'll be sure to enjoy our meals.
If you have any specific dietary needs, you are welcome to use the Krishna Village kitchen to prepare your meals.
The Krishna Farm
The Krishna Farm, "New Govardhana" serves as an ashram to a community of yogis who aspire to live according to their deepest vows and commitments on their path of service, spiritual contentment and happiness (Bhakti Yoga). Their service and dedication make this location a beautiful place of growth, healing and spiritual awakening. The temple is the beating heart of the community at New Govardhana and we encourage all who visit the property to come along and experience the lifestyle and philosophy reflected by the practice of Krishna consciousness.
What's included
Things you can add
Things to do in your free time
Enjoy yoga and yogic living classes
Treat yourself to a massage, life coaching or reiki session
Visit our sacred cows
Swim in the river
Meditate near the 'Manasi Ganga' lake
Explore the vibrant cafe and art scene in Murwillumbah
Visit the Tweed Regional Gallery and the Margaret Olley Art Centre
Try out the Northern Rivers Rail Trail
Head to the beach (30-minute drive to Cabarita)
Visit Springbrook National Park (30-minute drive)
I went on a one week retreat expecting to do some yoga and relax. What I got was a profound spiritual awakening , on a piece of property that could be the garden of Eden. The retreat sits just at the bottom of the majestic mountain which houses the temple. With fruit and nut trees scattered all of the property one can never go hungry. We were fed 3 vegetarian meals a day that were lovingly prepared and delicious even for the most avid meat lover. The rooms were clean and fresh. Simple and rustic making me wonder what more could one need to live in bliss. What is really special about this place is how you are welcomed and embraced into a family of strangers who work together to create the absolute haven. The yoga and meditation were on another level that words could not describe. I will be back many times to this garden of eden as amongst strangers. I have never felt more at home.
I came for a one week yoga retreat to get away from city life. All the staff were really friendly and had a great warmth to them. The yoga teachers were the most advanced I’d met and had a wealth of experience in all kinds of different yogic styles. I learnt a great deal even from just a few classes. I really enjoyed the location (Yoga village) being on the cusp of rain forest and the sounds of the beautiful birds in the morning. The surrounding farmlands and friendly cows also added so much to the experience. The food was also amazing and I came out of it feeling as light as a feather.
“The spirit of the land here is tangible; a calmness, peace, and feeling of ultimate goodness pervades the atmosphere, and seeps onto your bones.This is a place where the radiant, abundant nature of life is beautifully expressed, in all it’s beauty and simplicity.The perfect place to leave the world behind and come home to yourself.You can heal yourself.