Karma Yoga
Seva is a universal value of many yoga traditions and is a service done for others and for community. These tools of Kundalini Yoga and meditation are meant to bring us to Shuniya and to a transcendent experience of serving others. There are 22 forms of Yoga, and Karma Yoga is one of these paths. The practice of Karma Yoga as a Kundalini Yogi develops grace and humility so that we can be both radiant and humble.
Meet new friends, connect in mutual support, practice the all camp meditation, and experience the depth of what is the highest form of spiritual practice – Karma Yoga.
How do we allow for a new experience as a community so that everyone (staff, sevadars and paid helpers) have a flowing, meaningful and rejuvenating Solstice? This is a big part of our cultural change that we can find a solution for together. Everyone working together to serve and support one another is the Aquarian Age.
Karma Yoga at Solstice
Karma Yoga is a main part of the Solstice experience, just as much as the practice of Morning Sadhana or daily Kundalini Yoga classes.
Everyone you meet here serves as either Full-time staff, Service Exchange yogis who work 4-6 hours/day, or Karma Yogis who work 2 hours/day. Camp runs on the combined effort of all the people here. This is your camp—the Solstice camp is an opportunity to participate in this collaborative experience.
From chopping vegetables to preparing the grounds to assisting with tent set up for campers, your participation sets the intention and energy of manifesting a joyous and fulfilling Solstice for all through serving the Global Community. The energy of giving elevates our consciousness as we embrace the Aquarian spirit side-by-side with our fellow yogis.
Parents: We know that parents come to Solstice to unwind and have time for you during the event. In order to have a successful youth camp program for all of the children attending, we ask for just a small amount of your time as a parent to assist in the Solstice Youth Camp program. We appreciate you participating in the Solstice Youth Camp Co-Op as your Karma Yoga.
Karma Yoga/Service Exchange Meetings: Every Karma Yoga or Service Area Team will gather daily in the morning for an hour every day of camp. During this time you will practice a daily camp meditation, check-in on a personal level about your solstice experience and hear important information and announcements from your team leader/facilitator. Your Service Area Team is like your small circle of connection during the event. For many people their karma yoga teams are so important as a connecting circle of inclusion and sharing an experience of service together.
We ask all Solstice attendees to participate in at least 2 hours of Karma Yoga each day. We recognize this can feel like a lot of your time but these moments of giving bring so much in return.
Sign up for your Karma Yoga area when you register for the event. Your seva is deeply appreciated by all.
Choose Your Karma Yoga
Karma Yoga is how daily operations happen at our Summer Solstice festival. You sign up for Karma Yoga when you register. Your seva is deeply appreciated by all.
Audio Visual: Aid in monitoring the sound equipment for classes and programs.
Divine Souls Foot Soaking Station: Summer in New Mexico is hard on our feet so we need many hands to refresh the water tubs, give people pumice stones, oils and creams for their feet and help set them up so they can work on reviving their feet.
Electrolyte/Hydration Team: Altitude and a dry climate are conditions that make for very thirsty beings so help quench their thirst and keep them happy, healthy, holy and hydrated.
Family Registration: Here we sign up kids for camp, provide information about the schedule of activities, and make sure parents know where to go and how to find out more information. All of our children’s programs are run as cooperative efforts between parents and our lead guides. The Children’s Registration Team supports this by connecting parents with Karma Yoga opportunities for the Children’s Program.
First Aid: Keep the first aid building tidy and clean so that medical professionals can assist those in need.
Green Team: Manage landfill bin removal as well as recycling and composting efforts.
Kitchen – Bean Sprouting: Maintain quality of bean sprouts and assist kitchen manager with bean sprout process.
Kitchen – Bean and Rice Brigade: Tend the beans and rice to perfect completion. Sort and rinse rice, then follow the recipe to add veggies and spices. Cook carrots and beets.
Kitchen – Breakfast Soup Sevadars: Start to heat up the soups each morning at 5 am.
Kitchen – Clean Up and Dishwashing: Keep the kitchen as clean as possible all the time. Make a schedule to work throughout the day.
Kitchen – Dinner Prep and Soup Starters: Come to the kitchen 1½ hours before dinner is served and transfer the food from pots to buckets and wash enough pots to get the soup started early. Cook the soup until the veggies are soft, then turn the soups off for what is left of a good night’s sleep.
Kitchen – Yogi Tea: Prep and serve Yogi Tea daily.
Kitchen – Greeters and Meal Distribution: Greet visitors to the kitchen and help direct inquiries.
Kitchen – Lunch Team: Make our delicious lunch! Work on the langar and special meals.
Kitchen – Salad Team: Help prepare the dinner salad.
Kitchen – Solstice Youth Camp Food: Help prepare food for our youngest attendees.
Kitchen – Veggie Chopping: Washing and chopping the veggies that fuel our nutritious camp diet.
KYSS: Help to educate people about their Karma Yoga participation during registration, and round up the camp for their Karma Yoga meetings each morning.
Luggage: Help welcome new arrivals to the Summer Solstice camp, unload their luggage, pick a tenting spot, and take their luggage in the shuttle to each camping site.
Meal Serving: Serve breakfast, lunch or dinner daily.
Peace Prayer Day Team (PPD): The Peace Prayer Day team preps the Spiral Healing Walk the altars for the Spiral Healing Walk and gracefully serving water to participants during the walking meditation. There will be many other fun opportunities for seva as well, and Karma Yogis will help other teams out in the camp after Peace Prayer Day.
Programming: Assist with teacher and class venue needs.
Registration: Assist attendees as they arrive and get registered for camp.
Security: Various security duties, including monitoring the safety and policies of the camp.
Solstice Youth Co-op: If you are a parent or guardian, your Karma Yoga will be to serve at Solstice Youth Camp.
Tent Set-Up: Assist people who need help in setting up their tents.
Translation: Assist with translation in Chinese, Spanish, Portuguese or other languages.
Wake-up Call: Rise in the early morning and wake up camp with the “Rise up” song recording. This team will take turns with this early morning walk under the stars. No musical experience necessary, but you must like being an early riser.
Watermelon: Cut and serve watermelon for participants.