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The Magic of Prashanti

Prashanti, the first place I stayed at in Ubud, is situated down a winding path in between rice fields, which you can only get to by foot or on a scooter. When I arrived in Bali it was 3am in the morning, which turned the short nighttime scooter ride into one of the most magical experiences.

There were so many stars. The moon had the perfect shape, a half moon sickle, just the way you imagine the moon to look like if you were to draw it. I’m fascinated by the moon, its different phases and its influence on our lives, so this added to my excitement and made the arrival even more special for me. Even though everything was dark, the short ride through the green surroundings, palm trees and rice paddies, with the starry sky and perfect moon shape was absolutely magical. There’s no better way to describe it, no better way to describe the overwhelmingly beautiful experience I had when I first arrived in Ubud. From the first few minutes I could tell I loved it. When we made our way past the bungalows, up the wooden stairs to my new home for the next two nights, everything felt so special. Everything was quiet, except for the sounds of the night, the crickets chirping, the water streaming in the background, and a slight wind rustling through the trees and rice paddies.

The bungalow itself was beautiful, so natural. Lots of wood, perfectly dimmed light, creating a cosy atmosphere. There was a balcony, two wooden chairs and a unique wooden table overlooking the rice fields. I stepped out onto the terrace and was just blown away (once again).

I looked around the room, the bathroom, the perfect little kitchen nook with filtered water, a kettle, and a little box of tea. So cute, homely and welcoming.

I wish I could have taken pictures straight away with the bed made perfectly, the towels folded the traditional Balinese way, so quaint and artistic. I wanted to capture Prashanti as I first found it - untouched, peaceful. That is the right word, the feeling I got in those first few moments - peaceful.

Instead of photographing everything, I sat down on one of the two couches under the slanted wooden ceiling, writing down what I was experiencing. I also found a pile of old books in the bedside table cabinet. The first one I picked up was a used copy of Elizabeth Gilbert’s Eat Pray Love. How fitting, seeing Ubud is where they filmed part of the movie.

So I sat there in total bliss, absolutely grateful for being able to stay at Prashanti, wishing I could capture that particular moment and share it straight away. It was beautiful, without being cheesy.

I went to bed at 4.30am, and woke up again around 6.30am to the sounds of birds, crickets and the rooster. My first breakfast at Prashanti was amazing, absolutely perfect, just like everything else. I wanted to live there - sitting outside on the verandah, overlooking the green tropical trees, the water streaming in the background and the birds singing. It was too good.

Made, one of Prashanti's team members, brought me green tea, fresh juice (dragonfruit, watermelon, pineapple and papaya), and pumpkin with rice and coconut. It had the perfect taste, a mix of sweet, slightly salty, creamy and just a hint of caramel from the palm sugar syrup. I ate it all in three minutes, while savouring every bite and sip of it. I was in heaven.

On my second morning I woke up to the sound of the rooster once more. It was exactly 6.30am again. I looked up. I saw the sun rise above the trees. Breathtaking. I got out of bed, picked up my camera, went outside. Scenes like this don’t last long. Maybe a minute or two if you’re lucky. Even as I was taking pictures, the sky changed, it wasn’t the same picture that I had seen just a minute ago. Yet it was magical. Early mornings have the best light. I went back inside, ready to go back to sleep. I looked at the bed, it was covered in golden light, appearing so cosy and welcoming.

In the afternoon I met Maya, the owner. Originally from France, she came to Ubud seven years ago and built Prashanti up from the ground. Maya left France in 1989, has called the Caribbean home, as well as the Canary Islands and Sri Lanka, before moving to Bali. She’s got a background in tourism, and used to run a yoga therapy and massage centre. Opening Prashanti as a yoga retreat and eco hotel just came natural after that, once she accepted what her gut had been telling her all along and letting go of any resistance she initially had. Her current plan is to add a massage centre to Prashanti, to complete the experience.

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How To Host Your Own Yoga Retreat In 3 Steps

You’ve taken the plunge, become a yoga teacher, and now find yourself dreaming of hosting your own yoga retreat but don’t know where to start. You’ve come to the right place.

Side story: I’ve heard teachers belittle themselves saying, “I’m not good enough to host a retreat” and this is so far from the truth. Speaking of truth, everyone has theirs, and that is what you have to share. That is why you are “good enough” to host your own retreat. Full disclosure, a huge reason why I had the confidence to host my first retreat is because someone believed in me! I had a resort owner approach me and ask to host a retreat at their place in the Greek Islands. Because this person showed confidence in me, I found confidence in myself. All of the sudden, I realized, “Yeah, I can do this!” The funny thing is, in the end this person cancelled on me, but the beautiful thing is, by that time the momentum was there and I was full speed ahead towards hosting my first yoga retreat.

Step 1

Find the motivation, confidence, whatever you need to DO IT!

After I launched registration for my first retreat, I was really disappointed with the amount of sign ups. Most of the people who had signed up were friends and people I knew, so I told myself I would just cancel. I was scared. But, there was one person that I knew, but hadn’t seen in years, and had already gleefully told me she was able to get off work for the dates. That one person is who held me to my truth — kept me moving forward, and motivated me to push my fear out of the way and just DO IT.

The beautiful thing is this woman had no idea that she was the sole purpose I was hanging on. She had no idea she was my motivation to keep moving forward. Before the retreat, she came to one of my yoga classes and after not seeing each other for years, we sat down to catch up after class. This would be a moment I would never forget. She confided in me she was diagnosed with lupus, and according to her doctors, she should had been dead by now. She shared with me that over the years, seeing my yoga journey unfold was an inspiration to her and the path she would take on her journey towards health. She told me when I announced this yoga retreat, it became everything to her, and accompanying the alternative medicines she was choosing to heal herself with, she knew yoga would save her life. I couldn’t believe it. I was unknowingly an inspiration to her, and she was unknowingly an inspiration to me. That’s when I knew how important it was to follow my truth.

Know that there could be someone out there, ready for you to change their life with your truth.

Step 2

Plan!

Plan the location.

Get creative! The opportunities are boundless. It could be as casual as a “bring your own tent” camping style retreat at a state park, or as lavish as renting out an upscale yoga retreat center in Italy.

For my first yoga retreat, remember how I mentioned I was cancelled on? Well, I immediately pivoted and realized I could simply host the retreat on my families retired orange grove property in Florida. A small cabin, a few bunkbeds, and some tents - we made it work!

A great option for your retreat is a DIY “do it yourself” yoga retreat center. These centers will usually have accommodation, onsite chefs, and a yoga space so all you need to do is bring you and your people! A fantastic center that I hope to host a retreat at one day is Prashanti Yoga Retreat in Ubud, Bali, Indonesia. They have 7 gorgeous rooms and a large yoga shala right on site! With jungle views to wake up to and the sound of a river to fall asleep to, it’s a serene option that is still walking distance from the main part of Ubud. It neighbors the famous Campuhan Ridge Walk, so the views truly are spectacular.

As I mentioned previously, the options truly are endless. Get creative! With the yoga retreat market growing, there is going to be more of a demand for unique opportunities, so, use your imagination. For example, I am hosting a yoga sailing retreat in February 2019. I love the water and I love sharing yoga, so this an absolute dream come true for me! Instead of renting a location to host this retreat, I’ve rented a boat so now we will have the opportunity to sail, island hop, and still have a relaxing and rejuvenating yoga retreat. Find out more about the yoga sailing retreat here.

Plan the promotion.

For me, this was the scariest part. But, just as you have to muster up the courage and confidence to want to host your own retreat, you have to have the courage and confidence to indulge in a little shameless self-promotion. Come on, it’s 2018…everyone’s doing it ;) Begin to share your upcoming retreat! Word of mouth, social media, printed flyers, whatever you feel is best for you and the demographic you’re trying to speak to. Ask friends to help share, or partner with local teachers or coffee shops to spread the word. Network!

Plan the communication.

Make sure your students know what to expect. Managing expectations is extremely important. I suggest that as people sign up, require some sort of questionnaire to get to know your attendees more. Maybe even require a Skype / phone call interview. This will also help if your accommodation options require people to share rooms — you will get to know them and be able to match people up in an intentional way.

Also, you’ll want to help cultivate excitement leading up to your event. A great way to do this is creating some sort of group — an email thread, facebook event, Whatsapp group chat, whatever is best for you and your students. Send out periodic emails, videos, or posts to get everyone on the same page and excited!

Remember, you are a leader.

Plan the meals.

The prep for food will depend on your location. Besides accommodation, this is the most important part of your planning! You want people to be comfortable and happy, and obviously food and shelter are the basics. To make sure this need is met, hosting your retreat at a center with a kitchen and chef already provided is a great option. But, if you’re going to host your retreat in a unique location, you’ll have to get creative! For my first retreat at The Grove, I had my vegan chef friend Lokesh of The Twisted Indian come out to help! He planned the menu, I did the shopping, and the rest is tasty history.

Plan the lessons.

This will vary widely for every teacher but goes without saying. A simple way to guide your lesson planning is to ask yourself, what do you want your students to walk away from your retreat with? Give them that.

Step 3

Retreat!

Have fun! Relax! Don’t stress about the little things! Remember, you are a leader — and your attendees will be looking to you throughout the retreat. This can seem like a lot of pressure, and it is. I was broken to tears at one point during my first retreat, I’m not going to lie. But I learned, A LOT. And how did I learn? I DID IT.

And to sign off, I’ll drop some Yoda yoga knowledge on you,

“You want to know the difference between a master and a beginner? The master has failed more times than the beginner has ever tried.” — Yoda.

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Nearby attractions whilst staying at Prashanti

Prashanti is just a 10 min walk to Ubud’s busy centre, but there are plenty of great less well known attractions even closer.

Cooking class at Prashanti; we offer the chance to learn how to prepare and make several authentic Balinese dishes, complete with recipe that you can take home and continue to make.

Ubud Yoga House; just a 2 minute walk away, Ubud Yoga House offers a selection of classes at sunrise and sunset to suit both experienced yogis and beginners. http://ubudyogahouse.com/

Cantika Spa; located next door to Prashanti is Cantika Alami where you can get a traditional Balinese massage or a hair treatment using their homemade natural products. They also sell their products. They are two other Cantika spas in Ubud as well, one of which offers a class on how they make their products. http://www.cantikazestbali.com/

Walk along the rice fields; as you turn left out of Prashanti, you can walk for hours along a little path, surrounded by rice fields and Balinese people going about their daily life.

Sari Organik; about 10 minutes into the above mentioned walk is the famous Sari Organik Restaurant, known for its beautiful views. They have a varied menu, including many vegetarian options, smoothies, juices and even craft beer. http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g297701-d1422324-Reviews-Sari_Organik-Ubud_Bali.html

Eat next door at Molecha Organic and chat with the owners; simple, good value homemade food just a 2 minute stroll along the path. They grow most of what’s on their menu in their garden, and also make amazing coconut oil. Great place to watch the fireflies whilst having dinner. http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g297695-d10751100-Reviews-Molecha_Organic-Gianyar_Bali.html

Little Talks cafe & library; relax whilst overlooking the river and read a book or catch up on work with their conveniently spaced power points. Although next to the main road, it’s a quiet escape from the hustle and bustle of the centre. http://littletalksubud.com/

Use our yoga shala to practise yoga, art, dance and meditation; our yoga shala here at Prashanti is always available for your own private practise - please don’t hesitate to make use of it!

Book Your Stay At Prashanti Yoga Retreat & Eco Hotel

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Ubud: An Artist's Paradise

Ubud is well known to be the cultural epicentre of Bali, and with so many art workshops and classes, it’s easy to see why.

Perfect for the beginner or the experienced, there is something for everyone. Here's a few of the top rated classes in Ubud that we recommend you look into to see if any pique your interest.

Chez Monique Silver Smith Class; for anyone interested in making jewellery, Wayan and his team will help you make professional looking rings, earrings, pendants etc that you can take home and show off to your friends. http://chezmoniquejewelry.com/

Ubud Botany Interactive; meet Dewi and let her teach you how to make 100% organic and natural body scrubs, tiger balm, shampoos and sunscreen. http://www.ubudbotany.com/

Five Art Studio; local artists walk you through the process of many different arts here. Classes range from traditional keliki painting, batik, balinese dance, and wood/stone carving. http://fiveartubud.com/

Bali Nature Herbal Walks; picturesque, informative walks near Ubud centre with optional classes afterwards offering a great insight into traditional Balinese herbal medicine. http://www.baliherbalwalk.com/

Gaya Ceramics Art Centre; for a more in-depth workshop, Gaya offers 1-2 week long workshops with well known artists and teachers.

As a guest, you are also more than welcome to use our private space. At Prashanti, our yoga shala is the perfect space for private practise, whether it be painting, yoga or dance.

Book Your Stay at Prashanti Yoga Retreat Ubud

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A few days in Ubud, Bali

Many visitors to Bali visit the most well known spots and miss the true spirit of Bali. While Bali has become quite westernised in some areas to adapt to tourists desires, there are many experiences that you can try to have an authentic Balinese holiday.

As you may know, Ubud is a cultural centre of Bali and well known for yoga, healthy eating and its setting in the jungle. Read on for our recommendations for your stay in the Ubud area.

1. Hire a scooter

This may be scary for some, and it is recommended that you have an international drivers license for this to ensure you are covered by your travel insurance. But traveling by scooter will allow you the freedom to go where you please, when you please, and the feeling of whizzing around the back roads and jungle pathways is unlike any other. On a hot day, it is a welcome way to cool down. It also has the added benefit of being a lot cheaper than taxis and private drivers for all of your trips.

2. Visit Tirta Empul for a blessing.

Tirta Empul is a short drive from Ubud and is a beautiful water temple where you can receive a blessing. We recommend you do some research in advance on the healing properties of the temple, and also speak to locals to ensure you do not visit on a Balinese ceremonial day - or the queue may last for hours! Take your own sarong, and dry clothes to change into after.

3. Go for a stroll through the rice fields to Sari Organik.

This winding path passes rice fields, many local wildlife, warungs, local stores and more. Visit in the late afternoon and allow a few hours to stop, take photos and take a break for a bite to eat or a coconut while you watch the sunset. If you are lucky enough to stay at Prashanti Ubud - you are already halfway there!

4. Hike the Campuhan Ridge Walk.

This pleasant walk takes approximately two hours return and is a favourite among longer term visitors to Ubud. At the end of the walk before you turn around to come back, you’ll find a café where you can cool down and have a drink. We recommend you do the walk in the early morning or late afternoon, as it is mostly in the sun. It is easy-moderate difficulty, so ensure you wear your walking shoes!

5. Take a yoga class.

Ubud is home to many yoga studios, from the impressive Yoga Barn with large classes and many offerings, to smaller studios such as the Yoga House just a few minutes walk from Prashanti. Depending on what you prefer, there will be a perfect yoga studio for you. Taking some yoga classes while in Ubud and Bali will help you to relax and enjoy your time. Even if you are a beginner - what better place to start!

6. Enjoy one of the many vegan or vegetarian restaurants.

In many other countries, healthy food can be extremely expensive, and sometimes not made very well. In Ubud, you are spoilt for choice when it comes to incredible restaurants that cater to many dietary needs. Not only is the food delicious, but a reasonable price.

7. Visit Kintamani for a view you won’t forget, or hike Mt Batur.

Depending on your preferences, visitors may decide to drive to the beautiful town of Kintamani where many restaurants overlook Mt Batur and a lake. Another option that many visitors also try is a morning hike up to the top of Mt Batur. Your tour guide will pick you up at 2am, and you will reach the summit for the incredible sunrise.

8. Explore the Tegalalang rice fields.

The world heritage listed Tegalalang rice fields are a short 15 minute drive from Ubud and feature terraces that go for miles. With many local warungs around the fringes, you can explore for hours either with a guide or alone. Please also be aware you will be expected to make several donations to locals to trek in this area.

9. Go for a swim in the river near Prashanti!

While Prashanti doesn't have a pool, just a short walk from the resort you can cool down in the river, away from the crowds. Just ask our friendly staff how to get to the pathway to lead you there!

We look forward to welcoming you to Ubud soon, and are happy to assist with arranging any of your trips if you require.

Book your stay at Prashanti Yoga Retreat Ubud via our website today.