Ubud is the cultural heartland in Bali. It is rich with temples, museums, art galleries, craft studios, Balinese performing arts, brilliant shopping, daily traditional rituals and ceremonies, a lush environment of terraced rice-paddy fields and an abundance of flowing rivers and streams. Since Bali is small, and Ubud’s location is ideal, all areas of Bali are reachable within a few hours from this highly desirable home base.  We will sojourn for 7 nights at a remarkably peaceful retreat resort, Kumara Sakti, with lush gardens, gorgeous views of rice fields, 2 swimming pools, a dining room and outdoor yoga pavilion that overlook a gorge and a river, and a high quality Ayurvedic Spa (one 75-minute massage is included!).  Our time here will be filled with many deep Anusara Yoga classes, interwoven with many adventures including: a trip to Tirta Empul where we will experience a traditional water purification ceremony, a guided walk/tour thru the rice paddy fields of the village of Sakti, yoga at sunrise with a view of Gunung Batur (volcano), a day trip to the island of Nusa Lembongan for snorkeling and beach time.  And there will still be lots of free time to do whatever you most prefer.

Munduk

This classic village in North Bali is one of the island’s most appealing mountain sanctuaries. It offers a cornucopia of lush hillsides made up of rice-paddy fields, cocoa, vanilla, coffee and banana plantations, impressive gardens, fruit trees, forests and jungle lands, and dozens of waterfalls, sacred temples, dazzling lakes, streams and rivers.  It also boasts many cultural offerings, such as the extravagant arts, crafts and performing arts that accompany a traditional village. Our accommodations will be at the eco-friendly Puri Lumbung Cottages that are designed out of former “lumbungs,” rice granaries, previously used to store rice under the protection of Devi Sri.  While the spirit of Devi Sri remains, the lumbungs have been turned into the most charming cottages set in a traditional Balinese style village.  On our short trip to the cool northern mountain air, we will have an adventurous tour embracing stops at: the Pura Ulun Danu on Bratan Lake, the second largest temple in Bali that appears to be floating on a lake; a traditional Indonesian vegetable, fruit, flower and spice market; the Banjar hot springs; the Brahmavihara Arama Buddhist Monastery; and/or the Gitgit waterfall. The day will end with a Guru Purnima yoga celebration and will be followed by a day of epic yoga and guided treks to other spectacular sites.

Desa Seni

Our last three nights will be spent at Desa Seni, an eco-friendly village museum showcasing a unique collection of antique wood homes that have been imported from the many islands of Indonesia. Each house has its own individual history and has been completely restored and refurbished, offering all the modern comforts.  At this luxury boutique resort, we will live amidst original artifacts and antiques reflecting true Indonesian culture. We will rejoice in the remarkable characteristics of Desa Seni which several publications have been raving about, including: Time Magazine, Condé Nast Traveler, The Condé Nast 2007 Hot List, The Jakarta Post, DestinAsian, The Lonely Planet, The Rough Guide, and more. We’ll find out why Tablet Hotels lists Desa Seni on 5 of their Top 10 lists, including: Best Beach Hotels (#1), Best Hotels in Asia (#4), Best Escape Hotels (#4), Best Value Hotels (#5), and Best Hotels Service (#10). On the way to Desa Seni we will choose which divinely stunning sights to be captivated by: Lake Tamblingan; Lake Buyan; The Botanical Gardens; Tanah Lot Temple, a hindu temple near Canggu; Mengwi’s famous water temple, Taman Ayun; and/or peek at the view of Gunung Batukaru from Pura Luhur Batukaru.   While at Desa Seni, we will practice Anusara Yoga in the expansive open-air yoga studio overlooking the on-site gardens, dine on freshly picked organic produce from that garden prepared by the innovative, on-site chef, and  possibly receive a spa treatment, soak or swim in the large salt-water lap pool, chill by the beach, surf the famous breaks at Canggu, wander through rice fields, go temple touring, horse back ridi ng, golfing or one of the other many things to see and do.

Yoga and Laura Christensen

“Bali remains the only Hindu society in Southeast Asia, and religious observance permeates every aspect of modern life," says The Rough Guide to Bali & Lombok.  This makes Bali an ideal location for a yoga retreat.  We will literally be transformed into an expanded version of ourselves after practicing the great teachings of yoga, meditation and pranayama in this sacred land with an intimate and supportive community who we are sure to call family by the time we return home.  Each venue offers a unique and magnificent outdoor yoga pavilion. Certified Anusara® Yoga Teacher and Anusara Yoga Certification Committee member, Laura Christensen will guide the way to nourishing our souls, replenishing our bodies and minds and uplifting our hearts.  Laura has been practicing and studying various forms of yoga for over 19 years. She apprenticed with John Friend, founder of Anusara Yoga in 2005-2006 full-time and has studied with him directly for over 10 years and 2,500 hours. She continues to be an extremely dedicated student and teacher. With large doses of articulated radiance, Laura inspires students to recognize and unveil the wellspring of unique potency inside and merge it with the ever-flowing gift of Grace. Through her clear and skilled instruction, and sweet, supportive spirit, students discover new depths within their hearts and new heights in their asana practices.

Investment
If paid in full by May 1, 2010:
$2590 Double occupancy
$3340 Single occupancy (Limited availability)
$1790 Ubud only (July 18-25), Double Occupancy
After May 1, 2010, please add $300.

All rooms have private baths.

Bring a friend, and you each receive $100 off. (Full 13-day retreat only.)

There is a 50% non-refundable deposit to hold your space.  The balance is due in full by May 1, 2010.  You do not need to find your own roommate.  You will be assigned one of the same sex if you do not request someone specific.

Included

+ 12 nights accommodations (7 in Ubud, 2 in Munduk and 3 at Desa Seni).

+ All mixed level Anusara Yoga classes with Laura Christensen and the optional advanced practices.

+ Breakfast each morning.

+ 7 Dinners (3 at Kumara, 2 at Puri Lumbung & 2 at Desa Seni).

+ 2 Lunches (at Nusa Lembongan and in Sakti at Sari Organic).

+ 75 Minute Massage at Kumara Sakti Spa.

+ Trip to Tirta Empul and Water Purification Ceremony.

+ Guided walk/tour thru rice paddy fields in the village of Sakti and lunch at Sari Organic.

+ Sunrise Yoga at Gunung Batur.

+ Required 21% tax & service charges at Kumara Sakti, Puri Lumbung and Desa Seni.

+ Ground transportation from Ubud to Munduk with touring on the way. (Stops at the Pura Ulun Danu on Bratan Lake; a traditional Indonesian vegetable, fruit, flower and spice market; the Banjar hot springs; the Brahmavihara Arama Buddhist Monastery; and/or the Gitgit waterfall.)

+ Guided trek in Munduk area visiting several stunning sites.

+ Ground transportation from Munduk to Desa Seni with touring on the way. (Stops at Lake Tamblingan; Lake Buyan; The Botanical Gardens; Tanah Lot Temple; Taman Ayun; and/or a peek at the view of Gunung Batukaru from Pura Luhur Batukaru.)

+ Airport Transfer from Desa Seni to the (Denpasar) Ngurah Rai Airport (DPS).

Not Included

+ Airfare.

+ Bali entry visa ($25).

+ Bali departure airport tax (Rp 150,000 or ~ US$15).

+ Travel insurance.  It is highly recommended that you purchase this! See recommendations below.

+ Airport Transportation to/from Kumara/Ubud. (Transport from Desa Seni to the airport IS included).

+ Additional optional activities, excursions, day trips, and/or spa treatments not listed above.

+ Alcoholic drinks or additional beverages.

+ Gratuities. (The required 5% service charge is covered. However extra gratuities for the staff are appreciated.)

+ Admission fees/donations to temples and tour sites not listed above. (Admission fees/donations to sites on tour to and from Munduk not included. Usually less than $1.)

Important Information

+  It is highly recommended that you purchase travel insurance.  Recommendations are: www.worldnomads.com, www.travelex.com or www.statravel.com. There are several others to choose from.

+ The yoga classes will be mixed level and there will be a few optional advanced practices for those who are interested in really rocking it! 

+ This will be an intimate retreat and is limited to only 20 or fewer participants. Please reserve your space early to ensure your spot.

+ Fly into and out of the (Denpasar) Ngurah Rai International (DPS) airport.

+ An outline of the schedule is available by request. Please email flowwithheart@yahoo.com.

+ A travel information document with more information will be available by request soon.  Please email flowwithheart@yahoo.com.

+ There is an option to arrive one or two days early at Kumara Sakti.  There is very limited availability for this and you must reserve early.  Please contact Laura.

+ In the case of occurrences beyond our control, venues and schedule may be subject to change.

Contact & Registration

For more information or to reserve your space, please email flowwithheart@yahoo.com or call 415-310-9784.

Above photo by Jessy CE. www.flickr.com/photos/tropicaliving/