This trip offers an in-depth excursion into the culture of Bali through the eyes of the Balinese for those who wish to observe and appreciate such an experience while enhancing their own well being with nurturing and invigorating daily yoga classes with Laura.  We begin on the coast in Candi Dasa where you will have time to relax, get your bearings, stretch out and revitalize.  The trip proceeds to Ubud, the cultural and artistic heart of Bali, where you have a taste of traditional performances, local arts, crafts and shopping. It also encompasses one of the most important holidays on the Bali-Hindu calendar year, Nyepi, the New Years, when the entire island celebrates a ritual purification. The festivities involved with Neypi include performance, procession, meditation, and in some cases, trance dance.—Laura DeFreitas

Yoga in Bali
Bali, the little Hindu oasis of calm, resonates deeply with the serenity, sacredness, and natural artistic beauty that permeates everyday life on this extraordinary island.  In 2008 Laura discovered Bali to be fertile ground for the practice of yoga.  The balmy tropical atmosphere relaxes the body's joints and muscles and the slower pace of life is contagiously soothing to the nervous system, coaxing one to explore new possibilities and achieve a depth of practice difficult to experience otherwise.  Careful attention has been paid in the selection of the finest settings and most exquisite practice locations to share her love of Bali with students on this cultural yoga journey.

Art and Culture
In Bali, art is part of religion and in some cases, healing. This trip includes several performances of Balinese music and dance. Some are private, some part of regular tourist performances, and some take place at temple festivals. All are of the highest quality. You will also visit some of the most important sites on the island, and view its natural, unspoiled beauty in comfortable air-conditioned mini buses.

Massage
Massage is regarded as an important healing art on the island of Bali.  Because families have a member who practices this art, there are many professionals.  Some specialists are even called upon in emergencies to set broken bones or dislocations.  The skill of some massage professionals has been handed down from generation to generation, while others have received their skill directly from the Hindu deities.  During the trip each participant will receive several traditional massages with opportunities to schedule other sessions. 

Mysticism
Purification ceremonies are an important part of Bali Hindu religious cycles. Usually held during times of stress, plague, or purification, these ceremonies often involve sacred masks, and most are held within the village temples. Our trip includes attending a private purification ritual at the healing springs of Tampaksiring Temple.

Balinese New Year
In 2010 our trip falls during the dates of Hari Raya Nyepi, the Balinese New Year celebration, when the entire island undergoes ritual purification. Nyepi is a day of meditation, contemplation and renewal--themes that parallel the focus of our trip so perfectly that we felt we must include it. The day before Nyepi focuses on purification by noise and fire, culminating in our favorite spectacle of the year--a torchlight parade of up to 200 giant demonic figures, accompanied by raucous Gamelan orchestra. Don't miss this unique event!

Tentative Itinerary
March 4th -17th, 2010

Thur. March 4: Transit. Late evening depart USA aboard regularly scheduled Singapore Airlines. Your flight includes several meals, drinks and films.  Cross international dateline and lose one day, which is made up on your return.

Fri. March 5: Candi Dasa. Arrive in Bali where you are met by your guides and transported to your oceanfront rooms in the fishing village of Candi Dasa.

Sat. March 6: Candi Dasa. Morning gentle yoga class to work out the kinks. Breakfast, followed by an orientation session focusing on basic Indonesian manners & customs. Then we venture off by minibus to our waiting boat and a snorkeling excursion to a nearby coral reef preserve with dozens of tropical fish. Back to our hotel to wash up. Walk to the center of the village to see the temple for which Candi Dasa is named and tour Bali's only Gandhian Ashram. We have lunch prepared by the ashram members. Afternoon downtime and yoga session with Laura.

Sun. March 7: Candi Dasa. Morning yoga class followed by breakfast. Then take off for a walk in Tenganan aboriginal village to observe the making of traditional palm-leaf books, and double ikat weaving--practiced only 3 places in the world!  Afternoon attend the second orientation/language session focusing on the Bali/Hindu religion and caste system and late afternoon yoga and meditation class.

Mon. March 8: Candi Dasa. Morning yoga. Breakfast and our third orientation and language session, focusing on Bali/Hindu Rites of Passage. Optional snorkeling excursion to the coral reefs of Amed in east Bali. Late afternoon yoga with Laura.

Tues. March 9: Candi Dasa. Morning yoga followed by breakfast and then an excursion to East Bali for an optional climb up Gunung Lempuyang, a sacred, yet accessible (there are steps) volcano. After our descent, we move on to Tirtagangga, a fabulous “water palace” created by the region's last Raja. You can swim in the crystal clear, Olympic-sized pool, and have lunch at the gourmet cafe overlooking the pools and statuary. Our final stop is the Raja's old palace in the capitol city. Late afternoon final language review and talk on Balinese history and contemporary politics.

Wed. March 10: Ubud. Yoga and breakfast before checking out and departing for our new home in Ubud, Bali's cultural center.  We travel to the center of the island, stopping along the way at Kerta Gosa Hall of Justice to view the ceiling paintings--visions of hell from the Mahabharata story.  Arrive in Ubud in time for lunch. Downtime to relax before afternoon yoga in our yoga and meditation room.

Thur. March 11: Ubud. Morning yoga session, followed by breakfast, leisure time to explore Ubud, the beautiful hotel swimming pool, or luxuriate in a traditional massage and herbal body treatment. At 4:00 we venture to nearby Petulu village, a preserve for Bali's herons (called kokokan) and then enjoy a sunset walk back to the town on a quiet road, past small villages and rice fields.

Fri. March 12:  Ubud.  Early yoga as usual. Visit to the homes and studios of the area's basket makers, wood carvers, mask makers, painters, and weavers, to photograph and watch them work, as well as make purchases at considerable savings with your guide. Late afternoon yoga, and optional performance of classical dance

Sat. March 13: Ubud. Melasti Festival Day (Purification by water). Early morning departure to visit (and perhaps receive a purification if you wish) in the elegant temple and Sacred Springs of Tampaksiring, believed to have healing properties. In the afternoon we travel to Sanur beach to watch hundreds of Balinese in their finest apparel and with their sacred objects march in procession to the sea where a trance ritual is held. You may join them in prayer if you wish. Then back to Ubud and a visit to the home of your Guides for a tour of their collection of traditional masks and Happy Hour.

Sun. March 14: Ubud. Morning yoga class. The rest of the day is free to finish up last minute shopping, get a massage and enjoy the pool. It would also be possible to organize another volcano climb to watch the sunrise. Late afternoon yoga with Laura.  Evening performance of the Kecak dance by torchlight in our village.

Mon. March 15: Ubud.  Mecaru Festival Day (Purification by fire). Early yoga session. After lunch, depart Ubud for south Bali, stopping in the capitol city, where we visit Surya's traditional family compound, and enjoy an early traditional dinner, prepared by his family. A short distance is the main street of Denpasar, where we enjoy the Gamelan and torchlight parade of over 200 giant demonic puppets constructed by the cities youth organizations. Return to Ubud.

Tues. March 16: Ubud. Hari Raya Nyepi. New Years Day. A day for meditation and contemplation. No one is allowed to work or cook or leave their compound (in your case, the hotel). Laura will lead a very special workshop this day, to harmonize with the religious holiday and culminate your experience in Bali. There will be a limited staff at the hotel and minimal meal service.

Wed. March 17: Travel Day. Last morning Yoga session, followed by an optional swim at the beach or rest and relax before beginning your journey back to the real world, or stay on and enjoy more of Bali's magic!  You arrive back the same calendar day. Itinerary may change slightly subject to unplanned opportunities. Although no one is required to attend any activities, there will be no refunds for missed activities. Anyone who leaves the tour at any time, for any reason, is on their own.

Yoga Instructor: Laura DeFrietas came to yoga in order to reclaim her body. Fifteen years of disciplined gymnastic training left Laura viewing her body as a tool or object to be manipulated in space. Yoga offered a way back home to her body while unexpectedly opening a door unto a realm of mental and emotional reintegration. Since completing the Pacific Yoga Teacher Training in 2002 she has been heavily influenced by the Ashtanga and Universal Styles of Yoga. She specializes in Integrative Restoration (Yoga Nidra), a meditation technique that promotes deep physical, mental and emotional relaxation while restoring an awareness of True Nature. It is Laura's intention to be a conduit through which the teachings of yoga reveal the student's inner teacher, thereby transcending one's mat to inspire everyday life. When outside the studio Laura enjoys long walks, reflective writing, experimenting in the kitchen, tropical adventures and consuming large quantities of raw/dark chocolate.

Tour Organizers: Bringing us deeply into an experience and appreciation of Balinese culture are Judy Slattum MFA and Balinese-born Madé Surya B.S. - professional tour organizers who have been leading study tours in Bali for 20 years. They have translated and worked with scholars and educational film and video crews, including National Geographic, and live in Bali half the year. Their book, Masks of Bali: Spirits of an Ancient Drama, is the definitive work on this topic, was featured in Time magazine, and has sold over 17,000 copies. They were Senior Researchers for the Society for the Study of the After Death's Bali research project.

Not Included:
Meals except where noted in itinerary, laundry, airport taxes, overweight fees, additional sightseeing, snorkeling equipment rental.

Tour cost: $3,100.00 based on two persons sharing a twin-bed room with bathroom. Ground transportation only deduct $1,500.00 (does not include transfers). Group size limited to 20 participants maximum with a minimum of 10 to maintain our low price sensible fare. New York departures $100.00 extra.

Roommates: Single people may sign up for accommodations desired on a shared basis; roommates can be chosen from other tour members. If a roommate is unavailable, the participant will be notified of the adjusted price for a single supplement: $258.00 extra.

Deposit: A deposit of $350.00 per person is due at the time of booking. Final payment is due on Jan. 20, 2010. Deposit minus a $75.00 cancellation fee is refundable until 30 days prior to departure.

Passport, Visa and Health: A passport, valid six months from date of entry with proof of onward transportation. Indonesian visa is not required for tourists staying less than 60 days. No inoculations are required.

Call toll free 888-476-0543 or email for further information.
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