Radiantly Alive in Bali
Ubud, Bali
December 1-8, 2024
Slow down, ground, find nourishment through the senses & feel-into safety
Ubud is a captivating place. It’s rich in nature, culture, the arts and offers activities of all sorts. The locals are among some of the kindest people I’ve had the privilege of meeting, they’re grounded in tradition and an embodiment of the spirit of yoga. For a decade, Ubud is where I’ve returned to center, find inspiration, and experience feeling radiantly alive.
This program is an invitation to slow down and foster connection by way of the body, breath, and nature.
Beyond Hatha Yoga and other somatic explorations, we’ll invest in our wellbeing by getting early morning sun, earthing, hydrating well, cultivating gratitude, prioritizing ease and restfulness, and holding a mutually supportive and safe space for one another as we learn to promote nervous system regulation.
And, of course, free time and sightseeing with intent will give you a taste of what Ubud offers in the way of culture, the arts, and unforgettable culinary experiences.
“When we deny ourselves the authentic experience of being alive, we reach for more when what we really want is not to stretch wider, but to go deeper.”
—Brianna Wiest
Coming Home
Coming home to yourself has to do with recognizing you are worthy of love, learning to be the provider of it, and growing your capacity for holding a compassionate space for all the aspects and versions of yourself that did not have their needs met in the past.
Practically speaking, it looks like learning to slow down, ground, and check-in with yourself habitually. With time and practice, you become more attuned to your body and aware of what arises inside—what we call interoception. And, you grow your capacity to contain both joy and suffering with compassion.
The willingness to meet what’s uncomfortable, honor pain, and tend to our wounds with a more open heart and unconditional love is what’s referred to as safety or secure-connection. Cultivating safety gives way to confidence, trust and intimacy in one’s relationship with self and others.
“No monastery can provide sanctuary to the one running away from him [or her] self.”
—Wu Hsin
The Practice
The scope of the practice is holistic but grounded in body-awareness. It’s designed to not only give you a direct experience of feeling safety and experiencing heart-centered connection but, as well, to empower you with tools and insight to continue holding space for yourself long after our time together. Following are the core elements of our practice:
Hatha Yoga
Our daily yoga class starts from a seated position with grounding and orientation practices before we slowly build up.
It’s an invation to slow down and practice tracking sensations. The 90 minute class emphasizes right-breathing, alignment and intentional rest. And, sometimes I weave in a poem and/or a bit of mantra.
Above all, it’s simple, approachable and suited for all levels including absolute beginners.
Somatics
Somatic denotes that which is of or related to the body.
It includes invitations to notice what’s happening in the body, track sensations, practice containment and support your nervous system’s innate capacity for self-regulation.
You can expect these pauses to check-in or feel and invitations to explore to pop-up beyond scheduled sessions; we bring them along on walks, play with them when we’re out and about and, sometimes, even make use of them while we wait for dinner.
Nature-Based Mindfulness
Beyond getting your daily dose of morning light in your eyes, earthing, and stopping to smell the flowers, daily walks, talks, mindfulness activities, and reflection exercises are designed to help you connect with and draw inspiration from the beauty, grace, generosity, and resilience nature embodies.
By making nature one of the focal points of our attention and a partner in our work, you’ll learn to invite more presence and gratitude into your life and regulate your system on a number of levels.
“Only the intelligence of love and compassion can solve all the problems of life.”
—Jiddu Krishnamurti
Sample Schedule
7.30AM | Nature walk
8.30AM | Gratitude and/or self-reflection practice
9.00AM | Hatha Yoga
11.00AM | Breakfast
12.00PM | Free time
2.00PM | Exploration and/or cultural touring
4.00PM | Free time
5.30PM | Somatic work / intentional time in nature
7.00PM | Dinner
“Between stimulus and response there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom.”
—Viktor E. Frankl
The Investment
Packages start at
Single room | $2,200
Double room | $1,750
✓ Refer friends & save $100 each
What’s Included?
Everything but the flights:
7 nights of accommodation with breakfast
Airport pick-up & drop-off
First & last dinners at exceptional restaurants
Temple visit with guide
Sound healing at Pyramids of Chi
Daily walks in nature
Balinese offering-making workshop
Your choice of lunch overlooking the rice fields or a free day with a chauffeured car (TBD as a group)
And plenty more!
A Seamless Experience
I plan and execute my conscious travel experiences with plenty of care and attention to deliver seamless and nourishing experiences. Here’s some key info to help you make your travel plans and get the most out of the program:
Arrive in Bali anytime on Sunday, December 1st.
We’ll begin our program the following morning with an orientation followed by a gentle class.
We conclude on the morning of the 8th after our practices and breakfast.
And, if your circumstances permit, I recommend staying on in Bali to integrate your experience further and explore some of the island’s endless offerings.
Ubud Sari Health Resort
This resort is one of my favourite things about being in Bali. It’s authentically Balinese, the staff are warm, it’s immersed in nature and, somehow, just a 7 minute walk from Ubud Palace—the very center of town. Here’s a true-to-life description of the resort from their website:
The serene Ubud Sari Health Resort is designed with simplicity as its aim is to integrate guests with nature. The architecture is deeply inspired by the power of “tri hita karana” a Balinese philosophy that roughly translates to the "three reasons for prosperity" that create harmony in life. These are: harmony with God, harmony among people and harmony with nature or environment.
Its comfortable, simplistic rooms, bounties of beautiful spaces, fresh breakfasts, and warm service make it the perfect base for an intimate retreat. The resort has two pools, a spa, detox food and treatments, sprawling hills, and a little river running through the property.
Prices quoted above are for the standard garden view rooms and you can request an upgrade for the Zen Villas on the registration form.
Check out the property further on Instagram.
“I go to nature to be soothed and healed, and to have my senses put together.”
— John Burroughs
About Me
I’m a human being in awe of the beauty, grace, and intelligence of the natural world, a student of various wisdom traditions, and a yoga teacher of more than 10 years.
My personal mission is to grow my capacity to hold space for all the parts of myself that want for presence and compassion. As a teacher, my intention is to inspire and empower others who seek the same and I share the very tools and insight that have served me on my path.
My philosophy is to keep things simple and come back to basics. And, I advocate for a sense of belonging to Earth and stewardship of nature.
At present, I’m learning to surf and training to become a certified Somatic Experiencing therapist and Trager practitioner.
“I found the world to be woefully lacking in safe places. So, I became one.”
— J. Warren Welch
FAQ
Is a visa required?
Bali offers a visa on arrival for passport-holders of 75 countries including Egypt, Jordan, USA, Canada, UK, and the EU. A full list of elegible nationalities is available here.
Are flights included?
Flights are not included but I can put you in touch with my travel agent if you require assistance with booking your flights. Complimentary airport pickup will be arranged.
I’ve never done yoga. Is that OK?
Absolutely! My yoga classes are super approachable, as are all the practices I lead. Every retreat begins with a foundational yoga class, I make a point to explain things clearly, and I always offer plenty of support to my students, as well as modifications for those who have injuries and/or health conditions. For more about my Hatha Yoga classes, check out this video.
I don’t live in Egypt. Can I still join?
Yes! My retreats draw humans from a number of countries—come one, come all!
How can I book my spot?
You can book your spot with a non-refundable $500 Deposit. Please register here for the payment instructions.
Do you offer a couples discount?
Yes, I offer a discount for married couples. After registering, please respond to my email or WhatsApp me to enquire about the details.
