My Bali Sojourn
Bali has always enchanted travelers with its natural beauty.
All wellness seekers, travelers, spiritual practitioners, nomads, and yogis seem to end up in Bali - either traveling to visit or living there. What is it about Bali that draws all these different groups? In my experience, it is the way of life - the living, breathing, day to day aspects of the people who are kind and gentle, funny and joking, laughing, smiling with a lightness in their way of being. This is not to ignore the hardships of daily life and merely paint a portrait of a tourist’s view seeing mostly only the best of a place, but the actual feeling you get from living among the Balinese even for a month. The spirit and way of life truly is different there and retains aspects of the sacred that are largely absent in most of the modern world. The Balinese are known for the rituals - and those they keep with utmost devotion.
Back home I was feeling restless and the drive to travel to a place with so much emphasis on wellness, yoga at its core was strong. My research led me to this amazing place known as Bali. This island has so much to offer for every traveler. The question is, how much can we take it in and keep it with us no matter where we are?
I have compiled separate guides to aid you in your planning and visit to Bali:
1. Healthy food and my favorite cafes and places to eat - Organic food that nourishes the entire body and mind; stores to stock up on healthy supplements; cooking classes galore as well.
2. Wellness Activities like Yoga and Meditation - I love all types of yoga, dance, pilates and Gyrotonic. Ubud may be the wellness and spiritual center of the island yet all other towns seem to have plenty of offerings for those of us seeking healthy movement and activities as well. Bali’s nature is so gorgeous and to perform these activities in this natural setting is truly paradise, who wouldn’t want to experience this.
3. Healing Sessions like Meditation and Other Kinds - The offerings are endless, from Reiki and applied kinesiology to spiritual counseling and other types of energy healing; spirituality and ritual is a tangible thing in Bali - you see the offerings made on the street every day, petals in beautiful arrangements that are soothing to the eyes and soul - the island is a true spa-like paradise.
4. My overall favorite top places and experiences in Bali - Such as visits to organic farms and villages; hiking and trekking through gorgeous nature; where to walk - streets to stroll, shop and photograph; creative pursuits to explore such as painting and jewelry making.
This Bali sojourn has been nothing short of a healing journey for me. What experience have you had in Bali? How much of your Bali travels touched your inner self?