On Bali's most sacred day each month, experience this special yoga practice for the soul - replenish vital energy as Balinese-Hindus thank their gods for their protection with offerings and ceremonies across the island to counter negative forces
Practice your Moon Salutation in paradise under a spiritual full moon, as Full Moon Yoga in Bali launches in a dramatically beautiful location in Ubud, on a stunning new, river-edge wooden platform surrounded by ricefields and the lush Sayan Valley forest. Perched on the banks of the sacred Ayung River at one of Bali’s most luxe health and well-being resorts, the Four Seasons Resort Bali at Sayan, the new Dharma Shanti River Terrace provides a breath-taking, open-air venue that enhances the property’s uplifting wellbeing and yoga programs. We just love that the Four Seasons Bali are often the first to bring dynamic new practices and programs to Bali.
Yoga under a Bali Full Moon
The Full Moon ‘Purnama’ Yoga is another first for Bali, under the glow of the full moon and twinkling stars. Every full moon (or ‘purnama’) is a sacred day in Bali, when Balinese-Hindus honour ancestral gods and thank them for their protection with offerings and ceremonies across the island – intending to counter negative forces and replenish vital energy.
The new Full Moon Yoga program is all about experiencing the uplifting energy of this sacred day by honouring the ‘yin’ or divine feminine side with Moon Salutations, whilst counter balancing the ‘yang’ or masculine nature of classical Sun Salutations (Surya Namaskar) of day yoga. Moon Salutations are believed to cool-down fiery impulses and ‘hot’ emotions, allowing creative energy to flow.
If that doesn’t beat a brainstorm in a corporate boardroom, or racing to city yoga each morning before a busy work day, we honestly don’t know what else could.
The first Full Moon Yoga program starts at 7.30pm on each full moon: 28 September, 27 October, 26 November, and 25 December (now that’s a spiritually aligned Christmas Day). Sessions are complimentary for in-house guests of Four Seasons Resorts Bali, while luckily everyone else is welcome at a rate of IDR 300,000++ per person.
NEW Dharma Shanti Yoga Bale
But it’s not all about the brand new news in this health haven. Yes, the River Terrace is a stunning and peaceful venue for private meditation sessions, but it also follows the recent launch of the 100% bamboo Dharma Shanti Yoga Bale, located just across the rice fields which offers even more wellness activities. Dharma Shanti Yoga Bale (meaning ‘path to peace’ in Sanskrit) is nestled in a quiet corner of the resort surrounded by lush forest at the bottom of the Sayan Valley, with views over ricefields to the fast-flowing Ayung River. River or ricefield front row? It’s your choice.
Yoga classes at the bale include Bali’s first certified AntiGravity® Yoga, created and founded by former gymnast and dancer Christopher Harrison (we tried it and it’s amazing!); Laughter Yoga and complimentary Sunrise, Power or Hatha Yoga. The resort’s resident Wellness Mentor, Ibu Fera, leads the popular Life Talk series that guides you towards inner peace, happiness, stress management and compassion.
If the resort’s weekly wellbeing program still doesn’t impress you enough, don’t miss their exclusive series of international yoga masters-in-residence, with the next ‘yoga masters to the stars’ featuring: Summer Dien (September 14-20, October 5-10 and October 12-17), and Faye Riches (November 9-21).
And whilst these impressive e visiting masters bring their own individual styles to further develop your own practice, the resort’s own program of health and wellness is itself a giant leap towards improving your vitality, relaxation and well-being.
Four Seasons Resort Bali at Sayan, Jalan Raya Sayan, Ubud, Bali 80571, p. +62 361 977 577. This story was proudly sponsored by the Four Seasons Resort Bali.
