How I Helped a Yogi Build A Fully Fledged Earthship With No Budget and 30 Volunteers! Rishikesh Yoga Ashram
This is the story about Yogi Amitram and I, and the incredible achievements of building a 1200 sqft off-grid Earthship at his new Yoga Ashram in Rishikesh. Yogi Amitram was inspired by Earthship Biotecture and got in touch with me in 2014 to ask for my help to assist him with the creation of the first Earthship inspired Yoga Ashram in the world. I get a lot of calls for help, but Yogi Amitram's passion, conviction and his beautiful nature inspired me to help him. He had no money and was planning to fund raise for the build as we went along. He had faith and total belief in what he was doing, and was happy to attend a workshop I was holding in south India at just that time. Yogi Amitram traveled 1000's of Km's to attend, and I was duly impressed that he not only did all the grunt work in his white robes, but also somehow managed to keep them clean! That is a sign of a true Yogi!
Yogi Amitram understands the needs of our time, and what needs to be done to change things for the better in this world. He is a living embodiment of love and compassion, and is an incredible example of someone who can achieve anything with nothing, because he has conviction, faith, courage and the Grace of God. It was an honour and a total pleasure to help Yogi Amitram, especially during the actual 2 week workshop. The conditions that we had to bare were pretty harsh, but despite the very challenging circumstances (minimal power, almost zero water for bathing), this workshop was by far the most enjoyable and the most rewarding!
After many discussion and phone calls we hatched a plan in 2014 and I came up with a design for his Earthship. Yogi Amitram wanted to build something BIG and fully functional. This would be an Earthship with several Kw of solar power, Rainwater harvesting, Interior Food Production using botanical cells, Solar Hot Water, Natural Convection Cooling Systems etc. I committed to going to Rishikesh for two weeks, and organizing and leading the whole build during that time. After two weeks I hoped that we would have done enough of the work that Yogi Amitram could then complete the build in his own time.
I look forward to sharing the story of this build, which was the last workshop that I have held! There are many fun stories, and some amazing photos and movies to share. We had a beautiful, really amazing group of people that included some dedicated photographers and movie makers. I will be sharing these during these posts.
To start you off I am sharing a really beautiful and inspiring 8 minute movie about this build and the people involved. This one is really worth a watch!
Earthship Build in India at Rishikesh Yoga Ashram
I hope you enjoy this upcoming series! It is truly inspirational to see what a small group of dedicated and passionate people can achieve in just TWO weeks!
The photos below are all from this workshop. I'm sure that you can see this was something special and a greaty joy. Self building can be an incredibly uplifting experience!
Stay Tuned For More! ;-)
▶️ DTube
▶️ IPFS
Likely using straw because tire ramming is uber laborious. Good on you, keep up the great work.
lol.. i think you miss the point.. which is why I am here ;-)
We build the main walls in two weeks.. it was great fun. Straw has no thermal mass, so for the rest of your life you will need to chop wood or pay for fuel to heat your house.. The Earthship will heat itself up with its heavy tyre walls.. no bills, no effort for life..
2 weeks of hard work (with a big group is really amazing), traded for a lifetime of comfort!
u can use straw to insulate, but you really need some thermal mass if you want performance!
hope that helps!
It depends on your geographic location... here in the north east usa we have long cold winters... so if your fighting the cold its better to thermally gap the exterior from cold and use thermal mass to hold your created heat in the interior...
Yes for Sure! Thats what i meant ;) would be sure waste of thermal massnotherwise. Great comment!
What an incredible project! It looks like everyone was having a good time :) How amazing what can be accomplished with good energy and motivations! Looking forward to more photos.
thank you.. yes when the group is right and the energy is good, we can really accomplish anything!
Amazing I loved Rishikesh and will go back. Now I want to stay here it looks like and incredible community. I honestly can't wait to see more of this. I have friends in Rishikesh and know regular visitors who I will send there. What is the current status of it. I really can't express my excitement at this projects is just amazing !
Do you have solar yet? Can I suggest you look at The Sun Exchange I invest in some of the projects (I am not part of it) and it just an fantastic concept one that would really benefit this project. Please take a look https://thesunexchange.com/about-us
Amazing, wonderful and Cracking 💯🐒
Your every pic have special mean
Some showing hard labour some are showing fun and yoga..
Thanks for sharing this special post
Earthship looks good but is it durable if there rain.
it is more durable than reinforced concrete against rain, fire, and even earthquakes!
You naughty driver, I caught you again! 😎
Looks amazing. Sitting here, fingers freezing as I type, in a European winter, can't quite believe that an earthship can work with no heating. What a great project. How many people will it hold?
yes, its true.. In England they just completed Earthship Sheppey. They have been there over this winter (-4) with NO heating and were totally fine! (they moved in before the wood burner is done)
https://www.facebook.com/GroundhouseShepey1/
what a life enjoy yourselves.
Great work. Great share. Love the visual documentation of the progress. Power to you.
What about air quality inside the Earthship? Wont the rubber tires release some gas during hot days which would be bad to inhale?
that is a common question. simple answer is no.
Tyres have finished offgassing by the time they are used. Even if they hadnt tyres need sunlight and air to offgass.. Tyre walls are entombed with plaster and cannot breath or even have the right conditions to offgass..
also tyre walls dont get hot, since ALL heat is absorbed by the dirt.. Instead they hold a constant temperature.
If you look at a modern home, FULL of toxins from paint, and plastics, there is no comparison!