Why Ecuador?
Named after the equator, which runs through the country and divides there the planet into the Northern Hemisphere and the Southern Hemisphere. The smallest country in the rugged Andean highlands, Ecuador
is among the most
rewarding travel destinations in South America. With its array of vibrant indigenous cultures, well preserved colonial architecture, otherworldly volcanic landscapes and dense rainforest, it packs its perimeters with more points of interest than many countries twice its size.* It is divided five distinct natural geographic regions, each with its own rich biodiversity: the
Galapagos Islands, Pacific Coast, Amazon Rain Forest, Cloud Forest and Andean Highlands.
http://www.amerikaventure.com/fiches_info/Ecuador.html
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The Andean Energy
Once at home in ancient Lemuria, the Earth’s Kundalini moved to Atlantis, then to the Himalayas. With every relocation it has changed our idea of what spiritual means. And gender. And heart. This time, with much difficulty,
the Serpent of Light has moved to the Andes Mountains.
Drunvalo Melchizedek, world-known author and physisist
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All constellations are visible at some point during a given year. This is due to the
fact that since the Earth rotates on an axis that points north, which would be on the horizon from a person at the equator, all stars and constellations rise and set. Jeff Mangum http://sguisard.astrosurf.com/Pagim/From_pole_to_pole.html
Just like the two hemispheres of the planet join here, You meet healing.
Andean Cleansing in SachaJi
HEALTHY LIFESTYLE RETREAT, SachaJi, 2014
Pre-Colombian cultures believe that when a volcano meets a lake, that is where God is. Gustavo Vallejo, journalist
Ji in hindi; beloved Sacha in kichwa;
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mountain
Creating Connection
Sacha Ji is a pioneer in sustainable architecture in Ecuador Interview by Arq Ana María Durán Calisto, CLAVE magazine
A trained architect, María Teresa is happy to admit that the project started a bit back to front. She laid out the gardens and vegetables and fruit trees before she set about building the actual 11-room hotel. But this, in a way, reflects the holistic approach that encapsulates her project: the culinary aspect of the experience here was as important as the architecture or the comfort. Thus the garden, with its energy-flowing never a secondary consideration in her vision. It was always key.
curves and organic precepts, was Dominic Hamilton, Ñan Magazine
I have always been interested in Inca architecure and the round forms it took in Ecuador. The vegetable and fruit garden also took on those forms as we created five rings, which in numerology refer to the body. Five is also the number in the proportions of a doric column. Interview by Arq Ana María Durán Calisto, CLAVE magazine
I was interested in having contact with the earth
The green roofs cover all the buildings of SachaJi. Their objective is to: visually integrate architecture and mountain, thermically isolate the interior spaces by trapping the heat inside, and reduce the carbon footprint of the project.
Interview by Arq Ana MarĂa DurĂĄn Calisto, CLAVE magazine
Environmental Consciousness
At some point she learned about the group Earthship and the system, that uses used car tires to build foundations that resist earthquakes and isolate constructions thermically. She decided to apply this in SachaJi. She used Youtube to show the workers how to so it. “Over 2000 tires were used. I bought a pick up truck and during the years of construction I would come and go form the site bringing tires I found " Interview by Arq Ana María Durán Calisto, CLAVE magazine
Our project’s objective is to create spaces that respect human beings and nature. Jose Mafla, EL COMERCIO, Un rincón en los Andes para la relajación
Feng Shui fire ………earth..…..water……
Fire area outside our dinning room. Photo by Harvey Stein during PHOTOGRAPHING PEOPLE WORKSHOP, SachaJi, 2012
Mandala made of huayruro seeds from the jungle that protect spaces
Hot Tub and Polar Pool for Hydro-therapy, with Lake view and Ying-Yang mandala
ACROYOGA RETREAT, SachaJi, 2014
I read about Feng Shui, about sacred geometry, about sustainable architecture. It was during that initial design phase that curves began to appear.
The Flower of Life was my starting point. Interview by Arq Ana María Durán Calisto, CLAVE magazine
The curved forms in the architecture follow a feng shui principle that states that energy moves in curved paths. The curved faรงades face the panoramic view that surrounds Sacha Ji, as well as to the setting sun that adds to the warmth in the rooms.
Healing on the equator…
SachaJi is at 2960mt above sea level
Vacations on high altitudes are healthy: • They improve the heart and circulation system. • They improve the blood sugar and metabolism. • They have beneficial neuro-psychological effects: High altitudes relieve subjective pains, improve one's attitude towards life and increase the quality and length of undisturbed sleep. • The number of young, red blood cells increases. Those transport the oxygen in the body better. Source: http://www.cendevaves.it/
Our Healing Therapies Menu offers a variety of treatments that will help you destress, renew and regain balance. From Andean Cleansing, yoga, guided mediations, reiki, equine assisted therapy, ayurveda, lomi-lomi..it all comes together in SachaJi
The gastronomic experience at Sacha Ji is very much part of the whole.
Although the emphasis is very much on vegetarian dishes (a rarity in Ecuador), guests can also enjoy chicken and fish, but no red meat. María Teresa mentions how people rave about her uvilla (goldenberry) juices, and the basil-flavored lemonade. The team have developed “thousands of soups”, many based on the highly-nutritious quinoa and amaranth cereals that are such important ingredients in traditional Andean cooking. Dominic Hamilton, Ñan Magazine
A space for healing & creation
ZEN MEDITATION RETREAT, 2015
ACROYOGA RETREAT, 2014
PHOTOGRPAHY WORKSHOP, 2013
MANDALA WORKSHOP, 2014
SOUND AND MANTRA RETREAT, 2014
Projects
SachaJi is the home to 4 rescued dogs and 1 rescued cat. In the near future we will begin a local pet spaying and neutering campaign
We support a local orphanage where al the children are HIV positive. We offer a volunteer program and other alternatives to support the project. Â Â
"A Place Like No Other! If the rest of the world were to crumble, Sacha Ji would still stand as a haven of peace, a power spot to reconnect you with your soul & your health. Food beyond organic, service more than impeccable.� Kaline Caroline Khalsa Bertrand Los Angeles,California , 2014