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Seva · Service · Community

Volunteer & Seva — Learn Yoga by Living It

Seva means selfless service. At Mindful Shapes Yoga, our Volunteer Program gives sincere seekers the rare opportunity to support a running yoga ashram from the inside — assisting classes, supporting events, contributing to community outreach — while deepening their own practice and understanding of yoga as a way of life.

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Free No cost to participate
Seva Roles Classes, events, outreach
1–3 Months Recommended minimum stay
Certificate Issued on completion
What is seva

Service as Practice — The Ancient Path of Karma Yoga

In the yogic tradition, seva — selfless service — is considered as important as asana and pranayama. When you help without expectation of reward, you purify the mind, dissolve the ego, and experience yoga in its deepest sense: union with something larger than yourself.

At Mindful Shapes Yoga, our Volunteer Program is not a free stay in exchange for chores. It is a structured immersion in ashram service culture, where you contribute meaningfully to the work of the ashram while learning the discipline, humility, and attentiveness that no classroom curriculum can teach.

Volunteers attend all regular classes for free during their program, sit in on teacher training theory sessions where permitted, and receive direct mentorship from Amogh Shinde and senior instructors. Many of our best teachers began as volunteers.

Volunteer Role Options

Class Support Assistant Practice Support Arrive early, prepare the shala, assist with prop distribution, support new students during class under instructor supervision, and close the space after sessions.
Events & Camps Event Coordination Support Set up and manage yoga camp logistics, registration support, equipment transport, crowd flow management, and post-event cleanup for community programs.
Administration Ashram Administration Help Assist with enrollment communication, student onboarding, social media support, photography for classes, and content support under supervision.
Outreach Community Outreach Seva Join our team for community yoga camps, school visits, hospital wellness programs, and public Yoga Day events as a certified assistant volunteer.
Campus Care Ashram Maintenance Maintain the cleanliness, order, and sacredness of practice spaces. Light gardening, space organisation, and general ashram upkeep contribute to the collective practice.
Teaching Support TTC Study Support For volunteers with prior training — assist TTC batches in supervised capacity, help teacher trainees with practice sessions, and support curriculum delivery.
Community savasana — volunteer participating in group yoga session Guided meditation session supported by seva volunteer

What Volunteers Receive

Free Class Access Attend all regular yoga and pranayama classes for the duration of your volunteer program at no cost.
Ashram Meals (on-campus volunteers) For volunteers staying on campus — sattvik vegetarian meals are provided during your service hours.
Theory Session Access Sit in on permitted TTC theory classes — yoga philosophy, anatomy basics, and teaching methodology.
Mentorship from Amogh Shinde Regular group check-ins and occasional one-on-one guidance from the founder himself.
Volunteer Certificate Formal certificate of completion for volunteers who complete their minimum commitment.
Pathway to TTC Completed volunteers receive a 10–15% scholarship on Teacher Training enrollment — the seva pathway to certification.

How to Apply — Step by Step

1
Submit Your Expression of Interest Contact us via the contact page or WhatsApp with a brief introduction — who you are, your connection to yoga, and which volunteer role interests you most.
2
Introductory Conversation A brief phone or in-person conversation with our team to understand your intentions, availability, and any questions you have about the program.
3
Orientation Day A half-day visit to the ashram where you meet the team, observe a class, understand the culture and expectations, and confirm your role.
4
Begin Your Seva Start your volunteer commitment on an agreed date. Minimum 1 month, ideally 3 months. A clear schedule is agreed in advance.
5
Completion & Certificate On completion of your commitment, you receive your volunteer certificate and are welcomed as a lifetime member of the Mindful Shapes Yoga community.
Is this right for you

The Volunteer Program is Ideal If You Are...

  • A yoga practitioner looking to deepen your understanding from the inside
  • Someone considering teacher training but wanting to experience the ashram environment first
  • A student, fresh graduate, or professional on a gap period seeking meaningful engagement
  • Someone drawn to yoga philosophy and ashram life beyond just exercise
  • A person willing to work with humility, patience, and a genuine spirit of service
  • Someone in Pune or willing to relocate temporarily to Pune for the duration
Common questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the volunteer program truly free?

Yes. There is no fee to participate in the Mindful Shapes Yoga Volunteer Program. In return for your genuine service and committed presence, you receive free class access, meals on campus during service hours, mentorship, and a certificate. The only cost is your time and intention.

Do I need yoga experience to volunteer?

Some prior experience with yoga is helpful but not mandatory for all roles. Roles like campus care, event support, and administration do not require any yoga background. Roles involving class support or TTC assistance require a minimum of 6 months of regular yoga practice. We assess this during the orientation conversation.

How many hours per day is the volunteer commitment?

Typically 4–6 hours of seva per day, 5 days a week. The rest of your time is your own — for classes, self-practice, study, or rest. The schedule is agreed in advance and respected. We do not ask volunteers to be available at all hours. A balanced structure is important to us.

Can I do the volunteer program remotely or online?

Most volunteer roles require physical presence at the ashram in Pedhambee, Chiplun, Maharashtra. However, some administration and content support roles can be done remotely for candidates outside Chiplun. Please mention your location when you WhatsApp us and we will assess what is possible.

Does volunteering count toward Teacher Training certification?

Volunteering itself is not a replacement for TTC. However, volunteers gain deep practical exposure that significantly accelerates their progress through TTC if they choose to enroll later. Completed volunteers also receive a 10–15% scholarship on TTC fees as an appreciation for their service.

What is the minimum commitment period?

We ask for a minimum of 4 weeks (1 month). This is the minimum needed for meaningful immersion. 3 months is the recommended duration for those wanting a genuine transformative experience and the full certificate. We can discuss flexible arrangements for candidates with constraints.

Seva In Action

From feeding and caring for street animals to community outreach drives — a look at what our volunteers give their time to. Swipe or use the arrows to see more.

Answer the call

Serve with sincerity. Grow beyond what you expect.

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Reach out to begin your seva journey at Mindful Shapes Yoga.

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