yogatrex viniyoga trainings in bali
ABOUT BALI
It's often said that Bali is like no other place in the world. The island's unique culture is evident in all directions. From the morning offerings, to the ever-present, traffic-stopping processions, to the ring of gamelan music across the rice fields at night, Bali is bursting with spiritual busyness, and artistic activity.
Yes, it has all those things you might expect of a world-class destination: accommodation ranging from 5-star to backpacker heaven, luscious beaches, awe-inspiring mountains, fluorescent green rice fields, and a variety of outdoor activities. There are amazing spas, and top-quality food presented with a flair. But what sets Bali apart is its own special flavor of spirituality, and the people who are so gracious, friendly, and inquisitive. It's interesting to note, that the Balinese are often considered some of the most well-adjusted people on earth. It's an ideal setting, and one of the best places for a world yoga retreat and training experience.
BALI'S HINDU-BUDDHIST SPIRITUALITY AND CULTURE
Bali's religion is said to be India's furthest Hindu outpost, but it's far too animistic to be directly compared to India's Hinduism. A strict Indian Brahmin would probably shutter at the flourish of Bali's religion, but that's what makes it so interesting and colorful. Since Hinduism and Buddhism existed side by side for quite some time, Bali culture and religion is a fascinating blend of the two.
To the Balinese, everything has its place. They recognize dualities such as: male and female, good and evil, day and night, life and death. Order and harmony in the form of various deities are thought to live in high places, in the spectacular mountains of Bali. Opposing demons, who represent chaos and destruction, live in the ocean. It's one of the few island cultures that regards the sea with suspicion and dread, therefore leaving more beach area open to visitors. There are regular offerings and prayers to maintain the delicate balance between opposing forces.
The Balinese are not obliged to study in depth, adhere to any specific doctrine, or lead a puritan lifestyle. There are many paths that please their gods, but most of them, interestingly, are artistic endeavors like dancing, singing, music, carving, puppeteering, woodworking, painting, or acting. A worshipper just needs to perform daily offerings and actively participate in the frequent temple ceremonies and village events.
Another unique element of Balinese life is their reverence for inanimate objects like books, trees, stones or other geographic oddities, even motorcycles. And the Balinese are scared to death of goblins, and ghosts, and leyaks or witches, which leads to a host of beliefs, and appropriate offerings. To outsiders, Balinese culture is an endless source of wonder.
LIFE RITUALS
From conception to beyond death, there are precise rituals performed for the various stages of one's existence in Bali. As soon as it's known that the wife is pregnant, a ceremony is performed to appease evil spirits and to insure the child's good health. The father may be prohibited from killing animals or cutting his hair until the child is born. The child is not named until 105 days after birth, or half of a year according to the Balinese calendar. Then the child is allowed to touch the earth for the first time. Coming into contact with the ground any sooner is considered too strong for a vulnerable infant. At 210 days or the length of a year in the Balinese calendar, the child is given a magic name separate from his given name that remains secret. At this time, the child is considered an adult, is often cared for by other children, and is allowed to roam somewhat freely through the village with other kids.
Tooth filing happens at puberty. Pointed teeth are likened to demons and filed down to control evil characteristics such as greed, lust, anger, jealousy and so forth. On and on, the rituals proceed until death and cremation. A soul borrows a human body, so upon death, the body is returned to the five elements-wind, earth, fire, water and ether. The soul is released by cremation to reincarnate on earth or join the supreme being, Sangyang Widhi Wasa, the combination of the trisakti, or holy trinity: Shiva the destroyer, Brahma the creator, and Vishnu the preserver.
THE FLORA
Flowers are adored by the Balinese and their gods. They're a requirement for almost all of the island's rituals and ceremonies. The Balinese use flowers to decorate themselves, and each time they pray a flower is held between the fingers. Statues of the many gods and goddesses are adorned with them, and dancers' head gear are covered by them. When drivers of bemos or cars set out for the day, wives or daughters send along a floral offering, or canang, to be placed on the dash board for protection on the road. Indeed, flowers are so much in demand it's rare to see them on the trees and bushes.
Large trees are highly revered and adorned with umbrellas and traditional checkered cloth along with a scarf and headband, the same dress that Balinese men wear to temple ceremonies. Since the Balinese believe that a host of spirits and demons live in the trees, you often see offerings on the ground by them, and shrines built in their branches. Many temples have been built next to important, spiritually charged trees. And there are sacred reserves all over the island like the Monkey Forest in Ubud, and a grove of disterocarps in Sangeh. Bali's most famous trees are the massive banyan, or bringins, that spread like grass by dropping roots down from their branches. The largest one in the world covers two acres and lives in Bongkasa, just a few kilometers from Ubud.
Thirteen species of giant bamboo grow in Bali. It has many uses: food for people and cattle, paper, rice steamers, clothes pins, fish and crab traps, boxes, flutes, ladders, construction supports and scaffolding, firecrackers, fishing poles, windmills that scare birds from the rice fields, and a very strong twine. And different lengths of bamboo are used for xylophone -like instruments in Angklung orchestras, known for their haunting, mellow sounds.
THE ARTS
It seems that everyone is an artist in Bali. At the root of the island's prolific production of arts, is religious obligation. The gods love it and demand it. It starts with the womens' preparation of offerings ranging from the simple, delicate, daily ones to the more elaborate offerings for temple celebrations. At any given ceremony one might see great sculpted towers of flowers and fruits, two meter high cakes, the traditional penjors or ornamental poles, and figures woven in palm and bamboo leaf of the rice goddess, Cili, a symbol of fertility.
This devotion extends into the arts of painting, woodcarving, music, dance, or virtually anything tangible or intangible that presents itself as a canvas: motorcycles, menus, food, cars, and buildings. Look around and everything seems to be stamped, carved, painted, or sculpted, all with such love that it could only be done for a higher being.
For centuries, Bali has had a well organized rice cultivation system that overlays the culture, and makes for an abundance of rice, fruits, and vegetables. Couple that with the astounding fertility of the island, and you have a population that is well fed, clothed, and sheltered. The Balinese have had the leisure time to develop their arts and pursue their spirituality seemingly since the beginning of time.
THE FOOD
Along with traditional Balinese and Indonesian dishes one can find an amazing array of international cuisines in Bali: Japanese, French, Indian, Italian, Chinese, Thai, Mexican, fusion, vegan, haute, macrobiotic, nouvelle, you name it. The people so wish to please that they offer quite a variety in their in their restaurants, and it's presented with a great sense of style.
Go to any outdoor market and see that there's a bounty of all the raw ingredients. The balmy tropical climate, and rich volcanic soil has blessed the island with a variety of fruits and vegetables. And it's not restricted to tropical produce, as the highlands have the more temperate-climate crops. Almost any fruit, vegetable, or spice imaginable can be found, from coffee to cardamom, cloves, grapes, hot chilies and spicy herbs.
For more than a thousand years, traders from many countries have passed through Indonesia and Bali, leaving behind their influences and their animals and birds. And the surrounding sea is abundant. To the visitor, all this means a wide range of high quality food at surprisingly low prices.
You'll want to try the delicious desserts: black rice pudding, little coconuts cakes and dumplings of rice flour with tapioca flavored with coconut milk and palm sugar. Yum. And when you're thirsty, drink the juice right out of a coconut, a local coffee or tea, or a fruit juice of fresh sirsak, avocado, pineapple, banana, or mango.
ACTIVITIES
The island offers world-class surfing, rice field and jungle trekking, climbing, biking, diving, snorkeling, white-water rafting, paragliding, bungee jumping, kayaking, elephant riding, bird watching, herb walks, market tours, island sight-seeing tours, golf, deep-sea fishing, horse riding, sailing, or classes in painting, carving, dancing, music, and cooking. Pick one or more.
SPAS
Massage, beauty treatments, healing therapies, and cleansings are a big part of life in Bali. Though it's a relatively new phenomena, Bali now has the highest concentration of spas in Southeast Asia. If you want your body pampered, there's likely a treatment you'll enjoy.
Many remedies use local plants and spices such as galangal, a type of ginger, turmeric, avocado, aloe vera, lemon grass, and papaya. The popular Balinese massage is a combo of gentle stretching like Thai Yoga and acupressure, mixed with Ayurvedic techniques.
Or you might want to try Mandi Lulur, a treatment that originated in the royal palaces in Java and spread to Bali long ago. It 
starts with a massage using coconut oil infused with pandanus leaves and cempaka flowers know in Hawaii as pikake, one the most sublime fragrances on earth. This is followed by exfoliation with a paste blended with sandalwood, turmeric, rice, and jasmine flowers. Then soak in a bath laced with frangipani flowers, rose petals and a mixture of astringents. The treatment ends by being slathered with a yogurt mix to restore tone and balance to the skin. It lasts 2 to 3 hours.
To top off the treatments, the architecture and ambience of most spas is stamped with the unmistakable Bali style and the decors can range from Zen simple to over-the-top luxurious. Water features are almost always key elements. And the prices are so reasonable, treatments are addictive.
TRADITIONAL HEALERS
Bali has a long history of healing therapies, herbal remedies, readings, energy work and more. Healers abound. They're used often by the Balinese, and are not just tourist attractions. Drop in to see Wayan Nuriyasih or Ketut Liyer, who were described by Elizabeth Gilbert in her book, "Eat, Pray, Love" and the upcoming movie version with Julia Roberts. Or choose among several other highly respected healers, such as Cokorda Rai.
WHAT WE'LL DO DURING THE TRAINING
August is one of the driest months. There are occasional rains to keep the landscape lush, but lots of clear days for outdoor activities. This is also the time of year that's packed with temple celebrations, dance performances, processions, and cremations. We'll be quite busy with the training, but the schedule is arranged for you to totally immerse in Bali culture, too. You may strike off on your own or in small groups. It's quite the adventure. We will also organize a few activities for the whole group: a cremation, a temple ceremony, and a cleansing at the most important water temple, Tirta Empul, all optional. We'll furnish you with lots of ideas, and you take off in whatever direction you'd like, guided or unguided. We will help arrange transportation and help with logistics in whatever way we can. If you have something special in mind, ask us, we can probably help to arrange it. This program is about transformation, both in a yogic sense and that of opening to this new and rich culture. For more details about all the possibilities, please feel free to email or call us at 201-788-7929.
BALI LINKS
Bali Spirit - all things yoga in Bali and then some
Listening to the Mountain - article about climbing Gunung Agung, the mother mountain, and holiest place in Bali
All About Bali - as the title implies
Balanced on Bali - six week travelogue
Bali Climate - year-round average temperatures, rainfall, humidity
Balinese Cremations - article on the end of life ritual
Balinese Tooth Filings - article on the coming of age ritual
Bali Kite Festival - all the kite festival held every even year, and by all means scroll to the bottom and hit the link to hear the chorus of frogs on the Ayung River north of Ubud.
Botanic Garden - a peaceful oasis in Ubud
Monkey Forest in Ubud - a sacred preserve in Ubud
Indus Restaurant - website for Indus Restaurant and sister restaurant Casa Luna
Indus Sample Lunch Menu .pdf - see what we'll have for lunch in .pdf
Bali Eats Reviews Ubud Restaurants
Ananda Cottages - the venue for the YogaTrex Viniyoga Teacher Training 2010
Click here for the YogaTrex photostream on Flickr
Email for additional information
or call 512-623-0334
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Bali Indonesia - Viniyoga Yoga Teacher Training Program. Beautiful and Cultural Bali offers world-class surfing, jungle trekking, climbing, biking, diving, snorkeling, white-water rafting, paragliding, bungee jumping, kayaking, elephant riding, bird watching, herb walks, market tours, island sight-seeing tours, golf, deep-sea fishing, horse riding, sailing. Rich culture, arts and spirituality are amazing, but the gracious and friendly people really set Bali apart. YogaTrex is proud to partner with Stan Hafner to offer this original learning experience. All levels are welcome, but a genuine desire to learn is required. This is a 200 hour Yoga Alliance Registered program that will take place at Ananda Cottages in Ubud, Bali, Indonesia, August 1-28, 2010. Your tuition includes accommodations at Ananda Cottages in Ubud, Bali, breakfast everyday, lunches on training days, and airport transfers on arrival. Our viniyoga Yoga Teacher Training Program in Bali Indonesia prepares students to teach safe and effective group and private yoga classes. We emphasize the personal practice of the yoga teacher as the foundation of the training program. This viniyoga Yoga Teacher Training Program in Bali Indonesia is perfect whether you wish to teach entirely in the Desikachar method of Viniyoga, or add it to your current teaching repertoire, or if would like to go deeper with your practice, the viniyoga Yoga Teacher Training Program in Bali Indonesia will provide you with the necessary tools. Serious students of yoga or Viniyoga who wish to deepen their personal practice and health care professionals with an interest in yoga or Viniyoga and health are welcome to attend this program. Join us for the viniyoga Yoga Teacher Training Program in Indonesia at Ananda Cottages in Ubud, Bali, Indonesia, August 1-28, 2010. Stan Hafner " will be the lead teacher and will provide in-depth asana instruction covering the mechanics of the postures, and their related advantages, disadvantages, counterposes, and contraindications. The idea is to focus awareness on exactly what you are doing in the moment, to be mindful. When practicing yoga with your teacher, one goes within oneself, being aware of what is happening inside your body. If you continue viniyoga teacher training, you may find that yoga can lead to a journey learning more about yourself. viniyoga, Yoga, Teacher Training, Stan Hafner, Teacher Training Program, viniyoga Yoga Teacher, Desikachar, Yoga Teacher, practitioner, Johanna Sullivan, philosophy, Jerry Kuhlman, Eva Kuhlman