Spend two weeks exploring the culture of Peru, working on a hands-on development project, visiting Incan ruins and Andean vistas with ProWorld in partnership with Yoga.com. Karma Yoga is selfless service to humanity without any attachments to the outcome. It is the Yoga of action, which purifies the heart. Karma yoga is exemplified in the tradition of feeding the hungry, nursing the aged, clothing the poor and sheltering all in need. ProWorld's mission is to promote social and economic development, empower local communities, and cultivate educated compassionate global citizens.
This trip will combine volunteering, yoga, and exploration to be a life-changing experience. The schedule includes daily guide yoga and meditation sessions, hands-on volunteer work, all meals, lodging, and local travel, and a chance to immerse yourself in Peruvian culture, traditions, and landscapes.
Peru stands out in the Americas for its geographic and cultural diversity. Its coastal desert is punctuated by fertile valleys once inhabited by pre-Incan civilizations and leads eastward to the foothills of the Andes. Rising up from the coast and running from its northern border to Lake Titicaca in the south, the Peruvian Andes are home to millions of highland Indians who preserve much of their traditional way of life and still speak their ancient tongue of Quechua. Frequently referred to as the "Land of the Incas," Peru is famous for its numerous architectural wonders.
Over half of Peru's 25 million people live in poverty, making it one of the poorest countries in South America. Peru faces many troubling social and economic challenges, with the most serious being high unemployment, high inflation, and a soaring national debt. These conditions lead to poverty for many Peruvians, and make it difficult for the country to provide its citizens with basic health care, education, sanitation, and other social services.
Our program will be based in Urubamba, Peru. The town of Urubamba, about an hour from Cuzco, is situated next to the voluminous Rio Urubamba in the heart of the sacred valley. This peaceful and intriguing town is surrounded by both historic ruins and snowcapped Andean peaks. Nearly 18,000 people call Urubamba home and it serves as a central point and major market for the surrounding communities. While there are several indigent communities that are a short distance away from the town of Urubamba, Urubamba itself offers several comfortable amenities such as hot water, electricity, restaurants, bars, and cafes.