I am setting up this GoFundme for a family that pours their heart into their work and welcomes every visitor in as their family. Over the last six years, I have worked with the Ram family in India with yoga and cultural retreats. It is a way for people to experience the culture that many of us teachers and eastern knowledge practitioners benefit from daily. As well we can give back and support a local family working to create and build their business and support their growing family in India.
Chappe Ram is from a Farming Family. His Father and Grandfather grew apples in Vashistha without crop from their first 15 years of work.
At age 20, Chappe started work in local tourism, specializing in Indian Himalayan High Altitude treks as a guide. In 2011 he held his first yoga Retreat in the Himalayas, incorporating asana, meditation, trekking, and camping. In 2016 he opened a small travel agency, trained in Himalayan Kundalini, and was joined by his yogi son Ganesha.
His goal now is to create a yoga center with a guest house for people to stay in for retreats and training. Using part of the apple orchard that has access to the main road leading out from the village, a yoga center here would have more availability for local travelers to stay and could more easily house yoga events for international visitors to experience this mountain village culture. Here, visitors can partake in the beautiful local trekking, hiking, festivals, food, family, yoga, and meditation seated in the glory of this sacred Himalayan village of Vashisht, near Manali where 3 Vashisht temples sit, Rishi Vashisht meditated long ago, and blessed the area with natural flowing hot springs.
This fundraiser is raising money to support Chappe and his family in their next endeavor. We are hoping to raise 15,000 USD to create the guesthouse and yoga shala. I have been to the build site. When I was there last they did puja for blessing in this space and now we are apple to offer our blessing from afar.
Anything you can donate is so greatly appreciated. You can follow @openlotus_yoga and @yogi___ganesh to meet the family, stay connected, and hopefully plan your trip to a beautiful new yoga space.
Email info@giannaypga.com if you have concerns or questions.