BALANCE

BALI blog 7-16th March 2008

Hello :-) As promised...our blog for our retreat to BALI. Where possible I will update what we are up to each day...wishing you a very Happy Day. Lots of love Kerry x

Friday 7th March

We have arrived safe and well...a little tired following the long flights...though ready to begin a wonderful retreat here in Bali. The first stage of our retreat is to rest and we are enjoying the peace and beauty of the Bali Hyatt in Sanur - South East of the Island. Practicing Yoga here is a special experience due to the natural spiritual beliefs and stunning surroundings. Whilst enjoying the luxury available and appreciating the amazing natural beauty its a great opportunity to remember to say "Thank you" for our wonderful world that we live in.

So on with the rest....wishing you a beautiful day. Kerry x :-)

Saturday 8th March

Helloa, :-) attaching lots of Bali sunshine for you. :-) Carole, Michael and I survived our fast yesterday as it was NYEPI when the whole island takes retreat into silence. This is following a parade of statues created to represent the evil spirits....representing the cleansing of all bad from the island. This was promptly followed by an amazing downpour which we enjoyed whilst tucking into a banquet.

Today is exploration...walking to Sanur and experiencing local life - simple and yet very happy. :-)

The journey continues this evening with us travelling to Ubud - the cultural centre of Bali - when there will be heaps of Yoga to enjoy from International teachers and stunning surroundings with beautiful people.

Hoping to get some photos attached once in Ubud.

Wishing you a magnificent day. Kerry :-) x

Sunday 9th March

Hi. :-) Wow what a day!!! Usually the day of rest, however in Bali we enjoyed an epic adventure....by bike! :-)

Carole taking over here.  Kerry is just so persuasive.... so despite twelve years not cycling I found myself hurtling down from very high up towards Ubud.  And I mean hurtling, freewheeling all the way on slightly suspect bikes.  Not that that made any difference since I found I had forgotten how to stop.  Now have grazed knee, loads of bruises, and very hurt self image after falling into ditch.  Bike on top.  Retired gracefully [hobble hobble] to bus for rest of four hour journey.  It was Michael's fault, he wobbled in front of me...   Back to Kerry:

mmmm.....Carole did very well and it was a spectacular fall! :-)

Again a day of stunning beauty and finished with a mesmorising traditional dance and music performance at the Royal Palace!!

Looking forward to Children's Project tomorrow - Happy Days,

Kerry :-)

Monday 10th March

Hi all:-) Bali a fantastic place, I didn't really wobble gears just wouldn't change.
Today been to Children's Project wonderful people doing wonderful things for little people less fortunate than themselves.
Air so clean, (No pollution). Never have to blow my nose.
We have a wonderful Yoga teacher here by the name of Kerry. I'm not doing as much as I should, No change there I here you say, but really enjoying what I do.
I'd would just like to say I wish you were all here, but I don't want to start telling fibs at my age, so I will, tell you all about it on my return.
Enjoy my absents. Mmmm!!! x

Helloa...Kerry here now...it has been a brilliant day today and I have personally learnt alot! Watch out for the new BALANCE programme coming in when I'm back in town....its just sooooo inspiring out here....the creativity comes flying in. Loving it!
Wishing you inspiring days,
Kerry x

Tuesday 11th March

Helloa :-) Wonderful day today with lots of variety....starting with the Bali Children's Project. It has been an interesting visit and I have gained alot form the experience of learning how to best help people when such a distance from home. "Thank you" to everyone who donated toys and playthings for the children - they are already being put to good use. The children who attend school are well looked after. As you can imagine, the school system is a little different to ours at home, that said the children are very happy and vibrant! :-) The project is focused on giving children particularly from rural families, the opportunity to go to school...opportunity being something very dear to my heart. :-) It was good fun this morning as Carole and I were asked to sing with the children....very amusing!

One of the best ways I have now realised to support this work is to sponsor a child..I'll come home with lots of leaflets should you wish to have more info.

A lovely afternoon and more homework for me - feeling very energised and loving being creative in such a gorgeous environment.

Very exciting....pictures for you to see our trip so far...

Michael, Carole and I posing with the stunning rice fields. :-)

Enjoying a cuppa!

Carole demonstrating her cycling skills....using that excellent balance and core stability...transverse engaged!!!

Oooops.....taking a trip into the ditch and then the patch up from our guides...

Michael and I taking some rest...enjoying the brilliant cycling trip through Bali. :-)

 Children making the most of their playground. :-)

 A great opportunity to see Kadek's (Bali Childrens project Leader) new school to open in July.

All aboard for the ride home...

Enjoying the news toys :-)

Recieving a very warm welcome and learning some new tunes :-)

Wishing you a day of bliss - with love and sunshine - Kerry :-) x (Heaps more photos to see on our return.)

Wednesday 12th March

:-) Happy Wednesday :-)

Early start today to catch the beginning of school, after collecting the beautiful painting from Londo for our studio. (Londo is a lovely artist who lives in the rice fields of Penestanan) Its so interesting just being with the littlens and feeling their energy - amazing bundles of fun and very happy. :-)

Heading north tomorrow am for an adventure - so internet access may be a bit tricky...I will update the blog asap.

Attaching lots of sunshine and love - Happy days,

Kerry x

Friday 14th March

Wow - an awesome trip! :-) Involving a trip to the Mother Temple, a beautiful place that oozes spirituality and is a great place for personal reflection of gratitude. Followed by a dip in the natural hot springs - awesome for the soul once you've got past the sulpuric smell...then onwards to Ahmed traveling through spectacular coastal roads...this really is a complete Yogic trip of holistic natural abundance. Staying in a beach hut, with a few crawling friends, we awoke with the sunrise and witnessed the glory of Agung - the largest volcanoe on the island. Today has been fantastic...swimming, snorkelling and more stunning scenery. Now in our last resting place of Desa Seni - a unique village resort in Canggu.

A great lesson today in patience and trust...we were booked on the tour for Dolphin watching at sunrise - though thought better than following dolphins around at 6am in a speedboat....whilst enjoying breakfast we we graced with a magcal viewing of three dancing dolphins playing in the ocean infront of us.. .just to remind me that if its right...then it will happen, within the flow of life...with effort...without force! :-)

Wishing you an enjoyable day with effort and without force.

Lots of Love  - Kerry x :-)

Saturday 15th March

:-) It's official the new BALANCE programme is launched...we enjoyed a lovely workshop with lots of sharing in reflection of Ahimsa - Love and application into individual Yoga practice. Great to have new perspectves and to share the programme. I am very excited to be returning home on Tuesday morning and to catch up with everyone. That's all the work complete now and so for that traditional day of rest tomorrow, before the flight home. As lovely as Bali is....our Yoga community @ BALANCE has that special edge and its been wonderful to gain the experiences and to be creative...now it's time to apply the theory...very exciting year ahead for BALANCE. :-)

Signing off now until I catch up with you in class. Wishing you a wonderful weekend.

Love and sunshine,

Kerry x :-)