Heart centered Retreat - Bali - February, 2023

I visited Bali before when I used to live in Tokyo. First time when I went there I just fell in love with Bali ❤️ Especially, Ubud. The yoga vibes, the energy there cannot be described by words. It's a special place, in my heart.

After spending one week in KL, I flew to Bali for one week hear centered retreat in Ubud. My second retreat with Nadine, and this time the retreat was led together with Deborah Small. I love Debbie. She is such a lovely soul, I can talk with her for ages about bikram yoga, life, everything. We were a small group of passionate yogis from all over the world with different - Canada, Poland, Germany, Russia, USA, Kenya, South Africa. I like how yoga connects us, gathers people from all over the world to come together, practice together, eat together, have fun together. Such a beautiful experience 🌺🧘🏼‍♀️☀️

We practiced bikram yoga in the mornings at Ubud Yoga Centre and then had different activities in the afternoon;

- water purifying ceremony (melukat) - melukat comes from the word sulukat. “Su” means good and “lukat” means purification. Melukat translates to purifying oneself for goodness and happiness. Dressed in traditional costume, making offerings, and praying to the gods, then entering the sacred springs and feeling the spiritual energy cleanse away negativity. My personal experience was very strong - a magnificent water energy when in the spring waters. hard to breathe, letting go of all that doesn't serve me.

- fire puja ceremony - a Balinese sacred healing fire ceremony. A process of purifying unwanted beliefs, habits or thought patterns to be transformed into more positive energy. Writing down all of the things/emotions/feelings you want to get rid of on a piece of paper and burning them into the fire. It was another very strong and emotional experience for me.

- canang sari - this is one of the daily offerings made by Balinese Hindus to thank the Sang Hyang Widhi Wasa in praise and prayer. Canang sari will be seen in the Balinese temples (pura), on small shrines in houses, and on the ground or as a part of a larger offering. We were invited to the home of a Balinese woman and she showed us how to make it. It has been such an honor. And lots of fun :) And they have their own temple in the house, wow!!

- ecstatic dance - this one was a very interesting one....if you have never done it, do it!!

- pyramids of chi - a sound healing session, it was hard for me to relax, as I was too much focused on the person next to me who was snoring....so I wanna do it again!

- spa time - Bali is the best place for massages!

- cooking class - it was such a fun the whole class and the food delicious but then I got food sick so don't ask me for more details on that one!

Ubud Yoga Centre is one of my fav studios for practicing - big windows with an amazing view to the palm trees, it just feels so relaxing to practice there. I cannot not share some of my personal bikram yoga practice moments there - camel pose: for the first time since I started practicing, my body just followed the words, no mind, being completely present, body following dialogue, felt amazing and super easy!! And one more: flying bow pose on the floor with the help of the lovely Nadine :)

Paradise, one word to describe the whole experience!! Hope to be back soon 🙏🏻

And this kind of retreat is happening next year too so you'd better book your spot, you will not regret it!!