LOTHLORIEN Personal Growth and Health Centre Based in the Chapada Diamantina, Bahia, Brasil

WHO ARE WE?

Lothlorien is a centre based around principles of naturism, holistic health, spirituality and personal growth, based in the Vale do Capćo, in the Chapada Diamantina region of Bahia, Brasil.

Our community is located very close to a number of famous natural attractions, including the Cachoeira da Fumaça, a large waterfall that takes its name from the fact that spray clouds drift upwards as if they were smoke.

Our day-to-day lives involve practising natural medicine, organic agriculture, sustainable ecological practices, meditation, and an ovo-lacto-vegetarian diet.

Our goal is to model alternative ways of life that are based on a holistic perspective. We seek to be an integral part of the wider community in the Vale do Capão, and engage in a number of social development activities. We welcome short term visitors and also people wishing to spend time learning about our practices and beliefs. In addition, we run a range of therapeutic and educational events. We were founded in 1984, and base-our principles on the Scottish Findhorn Foundation.

WHAT DO WE STAND FOR?

We come from a naturalist philosophical base, and believe this approach together with a sound spiritual framework provides a way to improve the conditions of life for people on this planet.

Within the naturalist philosophy we believe in:

	Shifting our views on what constitutes health and sickness
	Encouraging greater contact with the natural environment
	Changing our views on healthy eating practices
	Understanding that we are not just a physical being, and that a healthy life involves balancing the body, the mind, the emotions and our spirit

Within our spirituality, we seek to:

	Develop our ability to love unconditionally
	Experience our lives within a group that embraces the tools necessary for personal development

We also donate our time and resources to a range of services for the local community, including:

	Maintaining a public library
	Providing complementary therapies (Reiki, Cromotherapy, Massage and others) to local people, in collaboration with the local Public Health Care
	Running a Preparation for Birth Group for pregnant women of all ages, who live in the Vale do Capćo
	Providing bach flowers, either free or at cost
	Participating in the Caeté-Açu Association of Parents, Educators and Agriculturalists

WHERE ARE WE?

Lothlorien is based in the stunningly beautiful Vale do Capão, itself a part of the Chapada Diamantina Park. The Park is 470 kilometres east of Salvador, in the heart of the state of Bahia.

At an altitude of 1000 metres, the Valley is covered in tropical rainforest, and encircled by mountains which were mined for diamonds for a long time. More recently, they are prized for their veins of crystals.

The Park offers visitors a wide range of activities. Highlights include a series of rivers, caves and waterfalls, interspersed along an extensive series of mountain walks and longer trips. The region is also becoming known for adventure sports such as rappelling and caving. Lothlorien is the ideal base for exploring the region.

The easiest way to get to Lothlorien is by bus. The Real Expresso bus company runs from Salvador to the nearby city of Palmeiras most days. The journey takes about 7 hours. From there, there are a number of local drivers available to bring you to the Vale do Capão - they all know where to find us.