The story of Lilleoru began in 1992 when Ingvar Villido started to conduct raja- and buddhi-yoga trainings in Tallinn. The first group was formed of interested people who practiced hatha yoga exercises. Weekly trainings were intensive, 4-5 hours just flew while new knowledge and experience was acquired. This common experience opened people’s hearts and united them.
In 1993, we started to work together on the lands of the former Lilleoru farm, a place where Ingvar wanted to build his own farm. The former farm was now only a heap of stones with some beautiful old trees. Our combined activities changed the plan and now the intention was to establish a training centre available to all. We started to clean up the underbrush and dug ditches to drain the low-lying land. Our first shelter was a simple covering of tin plates. Those early visitors to Lilleoru recall these days with fond memories. The following are milestones of subsequent activities and developments.
1993
We began our combined activities in Lilleoru
The first summer camp by a forest lake in Aegviidu
1994
We started to erect the first building. We earned the money together in construction works
We made the first vegetable beds, tried to grow strawberries
Digging the first larger ditches for draining
The second summer camp in Aegviidu forest
The first winter camp in Käsmu village
1995
The first permanent resident Viivika moved into a house with no floor and windows and bravely started to perform the functions of a landlady
Digging a drilled well
New road was built to the entrance of the house
Lilleoru became the location for our summer camps
The second winter camp in a gym in Kehtna
1996
Lilleoru got electric power
We built a pumping house and a greenhouse
The house was festively opened in autumn
Lilleoru became the location for winter camps
1997
A discussion on the maintenance of Lilleoru, as a result of which we decided to establish a voluntary system of tithes
1998
A side building was completed
The first bees and beehives arrived in Lilleoru
1999
Native Americans from Arizona visited Lilleoru; we erected a tepee and sweatlodges
To manage the activities of Lilleoru better, we founded a managing body named the Assembly of Elders
2000
Ingvar started weekly lectures in Järve, Tallinn
2001
We established a non-profit organisation
We started to grow some herbs
The first major trip to a foreign country – to India
2002
The buildings and land in Lilleoru were transferred to the ownership of the non-profit organisation
We joined the family of Mahavatar Babaji Ashrams
The first recipes of herbal tea blends were created
The first Village Day was organized
2003
Building a biological treatment plant
The first living house for permanent residents was built
