The morning began with a delightful run through the countryside. I found trails and paths to follow, which wound me around the area of Tegallalang, known for it’s beautiful rice terraces.

After my run and breakfast, Alex (from Grab) picked me up for a larger tour of the area. We went to a coffee farm, and then onward to the mountain Bratan. We visited the lake, a water temple and took some photos. It was so fun! I wish I had more time to explore and climb the volcano!

Next stop: the ocean and my friend Roger.

After leaving the group, I headed outside of Ubud to a tiny village nestled among the rice paddies. Of course it’s beautiful here, it’s Bali.

My room has it’s own swimming pool, with lounge chairs on their own patio.

I had read about a full day bike ride in the rural area in Lonely Planet before I left home. I thought it would be a really nice way to see a piece of real life in Bali.

I was warmly greeted by my guide (Bagi) and his son. We launched immediately upon my arrival.

We pedaled trails and tracks through jungle and neighborhoods. It was deligtful

We finished at a tiny restaurant, owned by Bagi. The food was delicious!

It’s so hard to leave this group of amazing women. Many of them come through Seattle, so I know I will see them again.

Our closing was very special, intimate and moving.

We gathered at the fire puja. One by one, we expressed, out loud, what we are releasing.

We then followed by giving “vows” to ourselves, announcing what we will commit to going forward.

A special night with a very special group of women who have all come through an indescribable journey together.

Translated to “Holy Spring Temple” in English,  it’s one of Bali’s most sacred Hindu temples. Visiting there today was the perfect sequence after our ceremony yesterday. It is stunningly beautiful, with many rituals, offerings and sacred spaces. We had a guide who led us around and explained things to us, what they meant, and how to honor them.

It is famous for its natural spring water and Melukat translated to Water Purification in English, a spiritual cleansing practice for mind, body, and spirit.

Both locals and tourists seek healing, emotional release, or time for reflection, the purification process is soothing and warm.  

Our group stopped at every station and near the end, there is a stop under a waterfall where you scream out anything you wish to let go of.  That was truly an amazing relief.

Ahhhhh,

I have been on a journey. A real one, inward, to places I didn’t know existed. At my retreat, I have had two ceremonies. I am going to try to describe what I experienced, knowing that some of it may be beyond words.

The first session launched me.

I left myself — beyond my body, beyond my ego. I saw infinity. I saw what I can only describe as the eyes of the god(dess), the origin of consciousness itself.

There was nothing personal in it. Just beyond. Beyond earth, beyond heaven, beyond the universe— infinity. I found spirituality in a form I can actually understand. Not someone else’s version. Mine.

It was beautiful. Bursting with love and joy, tumbling with love — and it made me smile, feel full, feel content, and want more.

It has been here all along. I just couldn’t see it before.

The second session was the most intense experience of my entire life.

I went deep, and it was dark. I went to infinity again — but this time the other way. Down, down, down. Beyond anything I have a name for.

I went to the origin of rage. The origin of anger.

Not my anger. The anger of all of time. Ancient, ancestral, primal — back further than memory, further than history, further than anything human. I kept going deeper and deeper until I reached something that existed before language, before thought, before fire, before breath.

The source. A wound in the fabric of nothing, beyond time, fracturing outward in all directions with no intention, no mercy, no end. The deepest crimson at its heart is not heat — it’s the cellular memory that existence itself is passion.

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And then I came back.

I remembered nothing of what happened in the room. But my facilitators told me they had been holding me, cradling me. Another person was holding down my legs while I writhed across the mats on the floor. I kicked. I yelled. My body expressed what my consciousness could not contain.

None of that is in my memory. I was not in the room.

And now — I process. Trying to understand what I am to learn from this.

It was amazing. It was intense. It was life changing.

I am still searching for understanding and meaning, realizing that something has shifted that will not shift back.

On Thursday afternoon we experienced Tantric Breathwork. It was beyond my imagination how cleansing and cathartic it was. It’s nearly impossible for me to put into words what I experienced, so I found someone else to help me describe the process.

The Science Behind Tantric Breathwork

At the heart of Tantric Breathwork is the manipulation of breath, which in turn, affects our body’s physiological and psychological processes, emphasizing controlled breathing to improve overall health.

When we consciously alter our breathing pattern, it triggers our autonomic nervous system, affecting our heart rate, blood pressure, and stress response. These physiological changes can lead to relaxation, reduced anxiety, and improved mental clarity. Moreover, the rhythmic, conscious breathing can induce a state of ‘hyperventilation’, leading to an altered state of consciousness, providing a platform for self-exploration and emotional release.

Tantric Breathwork is often perceived as a journey inward, a path towards self-discovery. By heightening our awareness of the intimate connection between breath, body, and mind, it fosters a space for introspection and self-awareness, crucial aspects of personal growth.

Our experiences, traumas, and beliefs often create emotional blockages that inhibit us from realizing our true potential. Tantric Breathwork, empowers us to identify and release these obstructions, paving the way for profound personal transformation.

My feeling after is wow, I had no idea…..

The retreat has been beyond amazing. The place is beautiful, the food is excellent and we have a pool, a sauna and a plunge pool. Not that we have a lot of time for swimming. The pace has been brisk, with an intensity of eleven (out of 10 for those of you who have not seen spinaltap).

There are eleven of us, in total, including our fearless leaders J’taime (L) and Lena (R).

We are: Sterling, Megan, Maris, Nikki, Amy, Marika, Zoe, Yay and Kaia.

Ages rage from 21 – 65 – I’m the oldest. Profession’s include: a singer, a massage therapist, a professional chef, a supplement spokesperson, an executive coach, a lawyer, a motorcycle builder (she’s 21), two photographers, and a body worker. The group has really come together, as expected with the personal, deep experiences we are sharing.

Each day moves so fast, and is packed so full, it’s hard to believe we’ve only had two and a half days together. AND there is so much more to come, hooray.

• Nyepi is a Hindu religious celebration and Balinese New Year.
• It’s celebrated on the first day of the tenth month, or sasih kedasa, one day after the ninth new moon.
• This year, Nyepi is on March 19th and lasts 24 hours starting at 6am.
• The night before Nyepi (tonight) is the Ogoh-Ogoh parade, which is very loud and lively. 
• During Nyepi, all lights, sounds, and daily activities are stopped.
• Restrictions include no travel, no work, and no entertainment. The airport closes, the cell network and internet go down.
• Non-Hindus, including foreigners and locals, are not exempted from these regulations.
• Solana property has specific rules to follow during Nyepi, including staying quiet and staying indoors.
• Festivities occur around Nyepi Day, including the Ngrupuk ceremony to cleanse evil influences.

Tonight, we went to the parade of demons. Here’s a short video of the parade. These demons kept coming down the street.

Here’s a close up of one of the demons, and a photo of two girls who desperately wanted to speak English with me.

Will be an interesting and quiet day tomorrow.

I have only just arrived. This place is amazing. So much is familiar from other parts of Asia I have visited, yet there is something different and beautiful here that I have not seen before.

We had our retreat opening ceremony last night. More on that later.

My hotel is at the domestic airport and the control tower is attached to this building. Appropriate.

At every breakfast I have been served, there is a bottle of caster oil. I thought, ok, I’ll go for it. I’ve had a shot every morning I’ve been in Iceland.

I watched this plane take off. It sure looks like a DC3 to me.

Since I’ll be traveling for 22 hours tomorrow, I decided to walk the city.

I started at the beach up the road. I was disappointed it was closed on Sunday’s. I guess it’s open year round and hot springs feed the baths. You can see the round one in the photo, and there was another up closer to where I’m standing.

Next, I went to the Ice Skating center. What a place! It was packed! I skated for about 20 minutes, which was plenty. The kids were zooming around and I was sure I was going to be taken out. First the Zamboni.

I then, took a bus to the beautiful Harpa (The Opera House). Beautiful architecture on the waterfront.

Next, I returned to the hotel to warm up and chill out. Bali in the early morning. Can’t wait to be warm!