For a yoga relaxation trip, where else can be better than Bali, the Indonesian island, one of the most wonderful places in the lap of Mother Nature? We chose to stay in Hotel Melia at Nasa Dua, Bali. Beside the green sea, it is a luxurious resort with pleasant greenery and inviting facilities. Nature welcomed us, a group of 23 yoga practitioners, led by Deva.
The first morning practice session began with neti pot nasal irrigation, which was already a new experience for many of the students. Relax and breathe through the mouth is the key, and this cleansing process turned out to be very enjoyable especially for those who had never tried it. Of course, the nasal cleansing helped prepare the students for effective breathing for their asana practice.
Subsequent practice sessions focusing on core, back bending, hip opening, balancing and inversions respectively involved quite a bit of partner work among the students. One of the highlights was that the students paired up and stood facing each other. Holding each other by their forearms, each student took turns to push their partner off balance. Instead of quickly pushing back, the one who was pushed simply started thinking about which parts of the body were moved and then slowly adjusted those parts back to the original positions to regain balance.
The idea behind this exercise is that we may be surrounded by many people who are actually not kind to us and may even create irritation in our body and mind. Instead of quickly fighting back or trying to make these people change, we stay calm and see what we can adjust ourselves to live in peace with or even love these people.
Apart from yoga practice, the group also visited some of Bali's stunning scenic spots such as the breathtaking Uluwatu Cliffs. Many students also had fun posing for pictures in yoga postures in front of the spectacular sunset at the Tanah Lot Temple.
After the six-days trip, the students flew back home with better knowledge in yoga, stronger friendships among themselves as well as great memories.
The first morning practice session began with neti pot nasal irrigation, which was already a new experience for many of the students. Relax and breathe through the mouth is the key, and this cleansing process turned out to be very enjoyable especially for those who had never tried it. Of course, the nasal cleansing helped prepare the students for effective breathing for their asana practice.
Subsequent practice sessions focusing on core, back bending, hip opening, balancing and inversions respectively involved quite a bit of partner work among the students. One of the highlights was that the students paired up and stood facing each other. Holding each other by their forearms, each student took turns to push their partner off balance. Instead of quickly pushing back, the one who was pushed simply started thinking about which parts of the body were moved and then slowly adjusted those parts back to the original positions to regain balance.
The idea behind this exercise is that we may be surrounded by many people who are actually not kind to us and may even create irritation in our body and mind. Instead of quickly fighting back or trying to make these people change, we stay calm and see what we can adjust ourselves to live in peace with or even love these people.
Apart from yoga practice, the group also visited some of Bali's stunning scenic spots such as the breathtaking Uluwatu Cliffs. Many students also had fun posing for pictures in yoga postures in front of the spectacular sunset at the Tanah Lot Temple.
After the six-days trip, the students flew back home with better knowledge in yoga, stronger friendships among themselves as well as great memories.
Louis Won
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