Andrea Paige ND, MSc, E-RYT 500 - Health Crusader and Yogini

Location: The Yoga Barn, Ubud (city), Bali (province), Indonesia

Shifting the Paradigm
With my stay in Ubud, Bali, I came across a health enthusiast who really inpired and impressed me. I'm already in the health bandwagon so it takes a lot for someone to impress me on health, but Andrea Paige is a crusade all her own.

I first attended her free health talk at The Yoga Barn not sure what it's all about. Then walked in this lovely woman, full of energy and vitality, taking command of the entire room as she talked passionately about leveling-up health from "I'm healthy because I'm not sick" to "I'm healthy because my life is full of vitality!". She doesn't insult your intelligence by telling you 'don't do this' and 'do that instead'. Instead, she gives you empirical data and first-hand personal life experience on health facts and leaves you to critically decide for yourself if it makes sense to follow. Her arguments are radical but equally compelling.

Credentials
Andrea has many titles to her. Currently, she is the Detox Director for The Yoga Barn, sits on the Board of Directors of the Festival Medical and co-founder of Microbiome Think Tank. She has a Doctorate in Naturopathy and schooled in Colon Hydrotherapy Advanced Methodology. She has professional competency on yoga as well - Iyenger, Power Yoga, Ashtanga Primary and Intermediate Series, yoga therapy, Vinyasa Flow, the list goes on. She conducts 200 and 500 hours for Yoga Teachers' Training certification.

Fasting
Her primary advocacy is fasting. She makes superlative claims along this line. But it's not all talk. She just broke a 47-day fast surviving only on fruit and vegetable juices, half of them all green. You would think she'd be lethargic wrapped by skin and bones. But no, her energy level equals 5 shots of espresso. According to her, 70% of the body's energy is expended on digestion. When fasting, that 70% becomes available for other essential uses. To those who cannot fast, she puts out 2 words - fruits and vegetables!

Andrea Paige conducting her free Monday health satsang at The Yoga Barn

Ashtanga Yoga
During Andrea's 47-day fast, she was doing Ashtanga Yoga Intermediate Series 6 days/week! Very few people on the planet can do this, let alone while fasting! To put things in perspective, Ashtanga is the most athletic of all yoga disciplines. Yogis, even veteran teachers are stuck in the Primary Series (I am!) because it's very demanding, to put it mildly. The Primary Series is therapeutic and benefits body organs and the circulatory system. The Intermediate Series however, is a definite level-up and addresses the nadis or the central nervous system of the body. It takes a certain level of proficiency and commitment to reach that level. The fact that Andrea is on this routine defies many established norms in health and science. Where does she get the energy?

Prana
In the yogic world, prana is the life source of the universe. In other cultures, they call it chi. We get subtle prana from the food we eat and the air we breath. It seems simple enough but Pranayama, the breath exercise to harness prana, is a very powerful technique. I toyed with it for half a day a few years ago and I experienced what I would call the Superman-effect - it was frighteningly powerful. I respect it so much now I never tried it again. It's like playing with wild fire - if you get careless you will be burned.

Going back to Andrea and her fasting. She claimed that the shortcut to harnessing prana is fasting. What? I've never heard that one before. According to her, given her athletic daily routine, the calories she gets from the juices are not enough to fuel her...not for 47 days doing things like a tri-athlete. She claims that when there is no source of fuel from food anymore (because she is on a fast), the body sources energy from within. It digs deep down to harness prana! If otherwise claimed by some spacey new-age junkie, I would raise an eyebrow. But Andrea lives it day to day! She makes an example of herself, being her own living lab. I find that compelling.

Global Citizen
The world can't get enough of Andrea. In a few weeks, she'll be flying across the globe to conduct health workshops and seminars. Catch her at The Yoga Barn while you still can.

Andrea Paige - Live for Vitality Yoga: Teacher Trainings | Anatomy and Physiology | Workshops Health: Fasting | Iridology | Colonics | Lectures | Retreats The Yoga Barn : health talk - free every Monday at 5:30pm hatha yoga - Thursdays, 9am nada yoga - Thursdays, 3pm vinyasa flow - Tuesdays, 7pm

Ending Thoughts
What I like about traveling is that life accelerates on overdrive. What might take others a year to go through in terms of life experience, you could go through in a month. I know so - I'd been homeless now for 4 years, pursuing my travel where the wind blows me. At that pace, life can be a passing blur. But every once in a while, something special comes along and catches and holds your attention. And you want to stop and just be amazed.

You amaze me, Andrea. I've only known you from a distance, we didn't hang out, we didn't become friends, no coffee conversation, but am grateful for even the minor 'crossing of the paths' with you. Thank you for the inpiration. And thank you for making us an optimum version of ourselves through your vitality crusade. With your sharing, I am more mindful now of what goes into my mouth, of the air that goes through my lungs and the mindful health choices that lay before me. I share you my merits so you can continue the wonderful things you're doing. Again, thank you and may this benevolent universe continue to bestow its blessings on you.

--- TheLoneRider
Yoga & Fitness Website: YOGA by Gigit

ps - If you want me to participate and write about your yoga studio or your yoga practice, email me. For my complete yoga profile, you can visit this page: YOGA by Gigit

Andrea Paige Blogs by TheLoneRider

1. Hatha Yoga with Andrea Paige at The Yoga Barn July 21, 2016
2. Andrea Paige - Health Crusader and Yogini July 18, 2016

Bali, Indonesia

tourist attractions

• Pasar Seni Ubud (market) - main market in Ubud with everything touristy you can ask for
• Goa Gajah (Elephant Cave) - 9th century Buddhist temple
• Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary - there really is a monkey forest right in the heart of Ubud!
• Jalan Kajeng - animated street similar to Hollywood's Walk of Fame
• Nyuh Kuning - wood carving village with a burgeoning chic cafe and resto scene along Jalan Nyuh Gading
• Ubud Royal Palace - home of the royal family
• Campuhan Ridge Walk - spectacular ridge view and hike ending 1km to the artists' village, Bangkiang Sidem | 8°30'13.0"S 115°15'16.9"E

- hotel

• Ubud Backpackers Room - newly constructed, all new and clean, lockers, good water pressure, compli tea and coffee, spacious and alfresco chillout center
  Jalan Nyuh Kuning, Pengosekan, Ubud, MAS, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali - 8°31'36.5"S 115°15'41.3"E
• Nando House - free WiFi, restaurant, terrace, free private parking, pet-friendly accommodation, private bathroom, room service
  Jalan Subak Sok Wayah, 80571 Ubud, Indonesia - 8°30'14.4"S 115°15'28.6"E

yoga

• The Yoga Barn - full service yoga studio, holistic healing retreat center
  PT. Yoga Barn, Jalan Raya Pengosekan, Ubud - Bali, Indonesia - 80571
  8°31'08.4"S 115°15'52.4"E
• Ubud Yoga House - yoga for Every Body...all shapes, sizes, ages & levels
  Jl. Raya Ubud No.23, Ubud, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali
  8°30'07.0"S 115°15'30.5"E | 0821-4418-1058
• Taman Hati Yoga - Pranawayu yoga and Kundalini yoga
  Jalan Nyuh Gading No.7, Ubud, MAS, Kec. Gianyar, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali
  8°31'32.7"S 115°15'24.6"E | +62 (0)361-974-058 | tamanhatiyoga.bali@gmail.com
• Ubud Yoga Centre - Ashtanga Yoga
  Jalan Nyuh Kuning Raya / Singakerta Raya, Ubud, MAS, Gianyar, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali, Indonesia
  8°31'43.0"S 115°15'15.5"E | +62 812-1020-389 | hello@ubudyogacentre.com
• Intuitive Flow Yoga Studio - Healing, Yoga, Meditation with a breathtaking view
  Jl. Raya Tjampuhan, Penestanan Kaja, Ubud, Bali, Indonesia
  8°30'10.8"S 115°15'07.8"E | +62-361-977-824 | contact@intuitiveflow.com
• Ambar Ashram Laughter Yoga - Healing, Laughter Yoga, Meditation
  Jl. Nyuh Bojog No.5, MAS, Ubud, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali, Indonesia
  8°31'21.2"S 115°15'22.0"E
• Radiantly Alive Yoga - Vinyasa Yoga, Tibetan Heart Yoga, Iyengar Inspired, Pilates, Fly High, Roll and Release, Ashtanga Mysore, Yoga Dance, Salsa, Arm Balance Foundations, Beginners Yoga
  Jl Jembawan no.3, Padang Tegal Kaja Ubud, Bali, 80571
  +62 (0)361 978 055 | 8°30'33.7"S 115°16'01.2"E
• White Lotus Meditation Centre - Meditation classes | Meditation retreats
  JL. Kajeng 23, Ubud, Ubud, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali, Indonesia
  +62 899-0134-962 | 8°30'12.9"S 115°15'43.1"E
• ONEWORLD retreats - yoga, meditation, spa and discoveries
  Jl. Suweta, Banjar Sambahan, Ubud, Bali, Indonesia
  +62 361 289752 | info@oneworldretreats.com

- restaurant

• warung eateries - a cluster of roadside eateries, essential for those on a budget or those who want authentic Balinese everyday food at local prices
  across the Pertamina Gas Station - 8°31'28.2"S 115°15'49.0"E
• Nando's Warung - delicious Balinese food at local warung price in a garden setting
  Jalan Subak Sok Wayah, 80571 Ubud, Indonesia - 8°30'14.4"S 115°15'28.6"E

- motorcycle rental

• D&D Rental - motorcycle and bicycle rental, tours, tourist information center
  Pengosikan Street, Ubud

Ubud FYI / Tips

• the tourist area where most of the hotels, restaurants, ticket offices, tour operators are, is concentrated within the rectangular area covered by Jalan Raya Ubud, Jalan Hanuman and Jalan Monkey Forest. Best to book your hotel within this area

How to Get to Ubud from Denpasar Airport (Ngurah Rai International Airport)

1. best, cheapest, fastest and most comfortable (this is what I did for Ubud and in Singapore) - at the airport, talk to other white travelers waiting on the same gate if they are going to Ubud. Arrange for a taxi pool. With 3 guys, you split the taxi fare (usually IDR 200k + IDR 5k for airport entrance) three-ways. You end up paying just slightly more (IDR 68k) than roughing it through a series of bemos and vans.
2. take a bemo (public bus) to Kuta (IDR 6k) then take a shuttle bus by Perama to Ubud (IDR 50k)

Ubud Cost Index

• IDR 30-35k one small bottle beer with live band
• IDR 4.5k 1.5 liter drinking water
• IDR 70k one hour massage
• IDR 15k warung food in hawker style food cart
• IDR 15 coffee in trendy cafes
• IDR 35k bicycle rental
• IDR 20k per kilo or IDR 2k/piece laundry (although I've seen one at IDR 8k per kilo)
• IDR 60k shuttle to airport
• IDR 130k bunk bed in a dorm room, shared toilet
• IDR 8k internet cafe
• IDR 50k haircut
• IDR 80k cultural performances
• IDR 130k standard drop-in yoga class

Indonesia Blogs by TheLoneRider

Jakarta, Java

1. A First-timer in Jakarta June 23-25, 2016

Bandung, Java

2. Visiting the White Crater (Kawa Putih) of Bandung Jun 28, 2016

Bogor, Java

3. Exploring Bogor, Indonesia Jun 25-27, 2016

UBUD, BALI

4. 21 Days of Abundance, Yoga and Friendship in Ubud June 30-July 21, 2016
5. Hatha Yoga with Andrea Paige at The Yoga Barn July 21, 2016
6. Roll and Release by Rusty Davis at Radiantly Alive Yoga Studio July 20, 2016
7. Kundalini Yoga with Ketut Bandiastra at Taman Hati Yoga Ashram July 20, 2016
8. Kundalini Meditative Movement with Sandeh at White Lotus Meditation Center July 19, 2016
9. Andrea Paige - Health Crusader and Yogini July 18, 2016
10. Power Yoga with Ni Made Murni at The Yoga Barn July 18, 2016
11. Vinyasa Yoga with Daniel Aaron at Radiantly Alive Yoga Studio July 17, 2016
12. Mass Cremation (Ngaben) in Ubud with Louisa July 16, 2016
13. Mysore Ashtanga with Laruga at Ubud Yoga Center July 15, 2016
14. Kalimasada at Yayasan Segara Giri July 14, 2016
15. Hiking Campuhan Ridge July 14, 2016
16. Vinyasa Flow with Nina at Intuitive Flow Yoga Studio July 14, 2016
17. Laughter Yoga with Kadek Suambara at Ambar Ashram July 12, 2016
18. Dance til you Drop at Bollywood Night with Punnu Wasu July 11, 2016
19. Mayan Calendar Readings by Vasumi July 10, 2016
20. Yoga Pranala with Chiara at Intuitive Flow Yoga Studio July 10, 2016
21. Visiting the Elephant Cave (Goa Gajah) July 9, 2016
22. Pranawayu Yoga with I Ketut Bandiastra, S. Ag at Taman Hati Yoga Ashram July 7, 2016
23. Astrology Talk at The Yoga Barn July 6, 2016
24. Yoga with Sasha Lang at the Ubud Yoga House July 6, 2016
25. Ananda Mandala Meditation by Punnu Wasu at The Yoga Barn Jul 4/5, 2016
26. The Wild Monkeys of the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary July 7, 2016

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