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Aloha!
We're very happy to say that we’re underway in growing GaiaYoga Gardens — a cultural experiment, permaculture homestead, and intentional community on the Big Island of Hawaii. We're creating GaiaYoga Gardens as a sanctuary for developing holistic & sustainable life-patterns, including: living in harmony with the Earth; connecting with Spirit; engaging personal growth and healing; and participating in deep and authentic relationships within cooperative community.
GaiaYoga Gardens is located on the east side of the Big Island of Hawaii (in Kapoho, near the town of Pahoa). We're on 18 acres of forested land, nestled in a rural, alternative-lifestyle area where many people are living off-grid and doing their best to live outside “the system.” There are a number of communities, organic farms, and cooperative homesteads in this area (many of which we have ongoing relationships with).
"The Landing" from above: the first structure at GYG
Here's what we're aspiring to at GaiaYoga Gardens:
As a learning center, we see GaiaYoga Gardens as a place where adults and children can learn about holistic and sustainable living — through classes, workshops, retreats, eco-rentals, and especially through experiencing our lifestyle first-hand in GaiaYoga 101. We currently offer instruction in sustainable homesteading (permaculture, off-grid technology, bio-fuels, etc.), Nonviolent Communication, Sun-Do (Taoist breathing practice), natural diet (including maximizing raw-foods in one's diet), holistic spirituality, and cooperative living. Of course, we expect our strenghts to expand as others join us with their particular talents and skills.
An extremely-rare, if not unique, "triple-crowned" coconut palm (3 trunks emerging from 1 nut).
We've planted a 40 foot diameter circle of ti plants around this special tree, creating a shrine that is dedicated to community, leadership, husbanding, and peace.
As a residential community, we envision GaiaYoga Gardens as having a day-to-day life-rhythm that’s rooted in the integration of Spirit, self, community, and Earth. Some of the highlights are:
 Living simply, sustainably, and connected-to-nature. This includes living in harmony with the natural cycles of the earth; enjoying the quiet of our surroundings; living off-grid using solar and wind power, water-catchment, and composting toilets; living in low-impact eco-dwellings; growing, foraging, or trading for as much of our food as possible; and running vehicles on bio-fuels.
- Living a lifestyle that cultivates a healthy self through eating an organic, natural diet of either raw foods or foods based on indigenous diets (i.e. the Weston Price diet); having a positive, life-affirming orientation toward sexuality and being clothing-optional; actively engaging personal growth (including “shadow” work); maintaining a balance between autonomy and cooperation; and being active in one's work and/or service life.
- Establishing a land-sharing community that's intimate, caring, and feels like family. This includes using Nonviolent Communication; supporting each other in our individual and collective growth; cooperating relative to resources and land development; operating community businesses; and having fun together!
 Friends with NVC's Girrafe and Jackal puppets
 Integrating spirituality into our communal life through shared activities such as prayer offerings, hatha yoga, Earth-based Spirit-rituals (e.g. solstice & equinox rituals, land-blessings, full moon gatherings, etc.), shamanic-journeying, healing work, rites of passage, spiritual study, etc.
Christoper Dogget leading a Peruvian-style Ritual
Though GaiaYoga Gardens is still in the early stages, we have great faith in what we're creating and the wisdom behind it. If you're inspired by this and would like to explore this way of life with us, we'd like to hear from you.
One last thing we've observed — when people come to GaiaYoga Gardens they're often both amazed at how much we've accomplished and simultaneously disappointed that it isn't the utopia of their dreams. We want to be clear that we're a work in process, not a finished product. We're devoted to manifesting our vision, and we're also human beings with humble limitations. We imagine that those coming here are similar to us. We ask that people keep this in perspective in considering joining us.
"Power Sharing," where our solar electric, solar hot water, & laundry live.
For folks wanting to experience the process of creating a sustainable homestead, developing a holistic lifestyle, and doing personal growth and healing within that context, we're currently offering several ways of Visiting Us (including coming over for Landance-and-Lunch, participating in GaiaYoga 101, taking a Retreat at GaiaYoga Gardens, or staying at one of our Eco-rentals). For those interested in becoming a resident of GaiaYoga Gardens, we have a comprehensive Community Vision Statement, which describes what we intend to create in detail. We'll be glad to send you a copy, upon request.
Please e-mail us if you're interested in any of these options, and we'll send you more information.
Crew that created "phase 1" of Au'Au Heiau (Bathing Temple)
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