Unity in Paradise: Culture, Empowerment & Health in Bali with Kyle Adam

Welcome to Bali, Indonesia – the Land of a Thousand Temples. Known for its spiritual atmosphere, surfside beaches, and lush jungles, Bali is the most popular island in the archipelago, welcoming all who seek its beauty. You’ll be spending your time in the lush greenery of Tegalalang, known for its iconic rice paddies. This cultural epicenter is surrounded by emerald terraces, breathtaking temples, and a dense rainforest filled with majestic creatures.

Upon arrival, you’ll clear customs and meet your driver who will whisk you away to your jungle paradise. Your resort is perched on rice terraces overlooking the emerald landscape, a tranquil setting to be sure. Check into your room, drop your bags, and let this wellness retreat commence!

When the sun sets, we’ll come together for a welcome dinner, where you’ll meet your host, Kyle, and get to know the group. Get ready for a week of movement, culture, community, and fun!

Rise and shine to a stellar day in the beautiful landscape that is Bali. We’ll come together each morning for a movement session geared towards waking up the mind and body in the gorgeous open-air Shala. From here, we’ll indulge in a delightful family breakfast featuring an array of freshly prepared dishes, created using homegrown and locally sourced ingredients such as mountain vegetables, herbs, rice, and bread. Use this time to connect with your group and fuel up for a great day ahead.

Today’s activities include Melukat, a purification ceremony and spiritual exploration. The Melukat ceremony aims to cleanse the body—both physically and spiritually—of negative elements from our current and past lives by using holy water for purification. During the ceremony, a Mangku (Balinese Healer) will initiate your session by examining your name and chakras. This assessment will identify any existing imbalances and past life (Karma) issues that require cleansing. The ritual begins with a prayer seeking permission from the Gods to conduct the ceremony. Purification follows, focusing on releasing past negative actions and traumas through a series of distinct rituals, each with its own meaning and purpose. Participants are required to wear a traditional ceremonial sarong for this ceremony. Be prepared to fully immerse yourself in the cold water. Towels will be provided, and it’s recommended to bring a separate change of warm clothing.

After this special experience, we’ll return to the resort for lunch and have free time to explore the on-site amenities. We’ll close out the day with our evening practice and enjoy a family dinner where we can reflect on all that we’ve experienced thus far.

Occasionally, we must embark on the road less traveled to discover the most extraordinary journey of our lives. Bali offers countless paths that will guide you to unspoiled destinations. By pushing yourself beyond the usual tourist spots, you can uncover the island’s hidden gems…

After morning movement and breakfast, we’ll head to one such gem – the Tukad Cepung Waterfall. This pristine site remains one of Bali's best-kept secrets. As sunlight illuminates the cascading water, it creates a stunning rainbow that appears to be projected directly towards you. Nestled between rocks, the waterfall offers a truly unique experience in Bali. The area's cooler temperature and serene atmosphere provide a sense of peace and tranquility. As a rising star among Bali's waterfalls, Tukad Cepung attracts visitors seeking the perfect Instagram-worthy photo. The waterfall's beauty is framed by rock formations, and if fortune favors you, the sun's rays will put on a dazzling display.

We’ll return from our odyssey revitalized, leaving us the rest of the day to enjoy the property with its full-service spa, pool, and delicious fare. The only things left on the schedule are our evening practice and family dinner, two perfect ways to close out an epic day in Bali.

Another day in Bali greets us with sunshine and fresh air. We’ll offer gratitude for this experience in our morning movement session, then gear up for an exciting day ahead at breakfast.

Today, our guide will take us on a nature trek that will lead us towards the Bencingah Temple and Lake Buyan. Our journey will take us through a lush, protected rainforest teeming with vibrant plant life with the sounds of birdsong and small animals all around. As we continue through the rainforest, we'll visit the Ulun Danu Temple and Telaga Aye Temple, nestled within the heart of the emerald landscape.

From here, we'll explore Tamblingan Lake aboard a traditional canoe on a 25-minute ride, making our way to the lake's edge. We’ll proceed to Pemulungan Agung Temple, where our trekking guide will share the temple's rich history. Once we arrive at the trek’s endpoint, our driver will be waiting to take us to a local restaurant for a well-deserved lunch. After enjoying our meal, we’ll return to the resort to relax and reflect on our day's adventure with free time, our evening practice, and family dinner.

Embark on a fantastic day trip filled with picturesque mountain and countryside landscapes, captivating dance performances, artisan villages, and beautiful temples. Your morning departure will lead you to Batubulan village, where you'll be treated to the mesmerizing Barong & Kris dance performance. This traditional show will teach you about Balinese history and culture – from the clothing to the music.

Following the show, we’ll journey to Celuk to witness the intricate process of silver and gold craftsmanship and admire the stunning jewelry collection. If jewelry is your thing, this is the place to grab a few souvenirs. Next up, we’ll explore Mas village, renowned for its exquisite wood carvings and skilled artisans hard at work. Continue your ascent to Penelokan village, where you'll be rewarded with a breathtaking view of Mount and Lake Batur. From there, we’ll descend towards Ubud and enjoy lunch at a local restaurant.

After lunch, we’ll close out our exploration in the heart of the Balinese artists' colony, where you'll discover a diverse array of crafts and paintings, showcasing the rich artistic heritage of the region. This is another great spot for souvenir shopping and a great way to support local artists. From here, we’ll return to the resort for our nightly rituals.

It’s our last full day in Bali, and we want to ensure you get the most out of this experience. After morning movement and breakfast, we’re off on one final adventure to dig deeper into Balinese culture and heritage. We’ll start the journey in our current location of Tegalalang, home to one of Bali's most renowned rice terraces. This stunning landscape features a series of intricately arranged paddy fields, utilizing the traditional Balinese irrigation system known as 'subak.' This system is believed to have been introduced by a sage named Rsi Markandeya in the 8th century.

Following our visit, we'll head to the Monkey Forest in Ubud. Observing the playful Bali monkeys is a must on your Indonesia adventure, and the Ubud Monkey Forest Sanctuary is the ideal place for this experience. Home to nearly 600 monkeys, the sanctuary is a 12-hectare (30 acre) jungle encompassing a 14th-century Hindu temple situated in the heart of Ubud.

Afterward, we'll explore a nearby Painting Museum in Ubud. The Puri Lukisan Ratna Wartha Museum is Bali's oldest art museum, specializing in modern traditional Balinese paintings and wood carvings. We'll enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before concluding our tour and returning to the resort, enriched by the day's cultural experiences. With one final night of movement and food, you’ll leave here tomorrow with a full heart and happy soul.

The final day is upon us, signaling the time to bid farewell. We'll begin our day by savoring a delightful breakfast, followed by packing our belongings and boarding our group transfer to the airport. We trust that your Bali journey has been unforgettable and that you'll carry the happiness and inner tranquility you've discovered here back home with you. Wishing you safe travels and good health!