Surf and Yoga retreat in Bali, DAY 2
22-nov-2024, It’s a good thing I slept well after the Vipassana (meditation) session from last night because the alarm went off at 5.30 am. We start the day with a MySore yoga practice. The MySore practice is the traditional way of learning and teaching Ashtanga yoga. Here every one learns the fixed order of the Asanas (the poses) in their own breathing rhythm and thus in their own speed. This MySore routine is also based on one’s ability, so the more advanced yogi’s do more challenging poses in the sequence, but it will always be in a fixed order. So if one gets lost in the sequence you can’t exactly peek at your neighbor because he or she might be on a different level.
I am not (yet) familiar with the Ashtanga sequence, so I need quite a bit of assistance and adjustments from the teacher but I did enjoy the practice simply because it’s a great way to wake up and start the day strong. Despite the early start, it’s already hot in the room and the ceiling fans are on low rotation only. People are meant to sweat, they are meant to sweat a lot to get rid of all the toxins in the body. And boy did we sweat! I was soaking wet but it was a great 90 minute practice. I have a feeling I burned a lot of calories without overly exerting myself.
After such a work out already early morning, we deserve a nice cup of coffee and relax a bit by the pool. With our feet in the water it’s nice to cool down. I feel like I have already done so much before breakfast and it feels great, I can feel like I can easily tackle the rest of the day.
After a delicious breakfast, we move into another hour of Vipassana (the guided meditation in complete silence and stillness). This morning I found it harder than last night, but like the Indian gentleman from the recording tells us “nothing is permanent and unpleasant feelings will pass”, this helps me to get through it successfully. I have no problem sitting alone with my thoughts, I quite like my thoughts. But in the Vipassana where we should not move even the tiniest muscle, unpleasant physical sensations can easily occur. Thank God, that after one hour we can finally move again. The Vipassana is over and we have just made our mind a little bit stronger to stay focused on the things that really matter in life.
There is a little bit of free time left in the morning and Marina and I go to a nearby café to do some work and writing. However, we are both a bit tired and not inspired to work/write that we just have a drink and nice chitchat instead. Talking about hiking mountains; one of my favorite hobbies! The actual hiking I mean of course, not just the talking about.
For the rest of the afternoon, and with the entire group, we visit several very nice restaurants and café’s for excellent food and great times connecting as a whole. First a quick lunch at the retreat and then a second lunch at The Shelter in Pererenan. A place with exquisite food inspired by Middle Eastern and Mediterranean flavors.
I like how this group is always looking for the best places to eat, and I am happy to follow and try new delicious dishes. After great food we want great coffee. So our next stop is a coffee shop / bakery. But not just any coffee, today we are looking for the best Matcha Latte in town.
It was a beautiful afternoon with many culinary delights but in the evening it was time to burn all those calories again with another yoga practice/workshop. At five pm we gathered at the main yoga Shala to get ready and to get flowing. The first 45 minutes we worked on a good and strong Vinyasa flow, before moving into a more workshop type of practice. In the hour that followed we moved into a practice that involved a lot of handstands and other challenging poses. By the end of the practice I am exhausted but very happy and satisfied. Zee is an excellent teacher that knows how to push the boundaries of her students in a good way so we can all learn and get better. I enjoy her style and energy in the studio. She knows how to motivate people and how to bring out the best in yourself without being too strict or rigid, and… she does it with a smile!
When I am comparing this flow with the MySore from this morning, I am certain that I prefer a flow like this one much more. I enjoy following the class and the teacher instead of doing a self-practice. Moreover, I like the variety and constant change in a flow, including having a bit of fun while practicing certain poses. Doing the same routine over and over again will quickly bore me. Sorry Zee! 🙏
I think we also nailed the balance between lots of exercise and great food. In the evening we go out for another culinary experience at Bar Vera in Pererenan. Bar Vera is a very social and vibrant restaurant with a design of earthy natural tones. The atmosphere is very nice and the food and service is excellent! What I also like a lot about this group is that we all believe in sharing food. We order many different kinds of dishes, so that we can try many different flavors and types of food, accompanied by a warm and loving atmosphere amongst friends makes this a perfect day.
What else could a person wish for right? 😊 Now we better go to sleep early because the next day we have another early start with a MySore practice at six am. Good Night!
~ THE END ~
One thought on “Surf and Yoga retreat in Bali, DAY 2”
Weer een mooi verslagje Nick. Je bent goed bezig, ben trots op je 😘