Kundalini Yoga with Ketut Bandiastra at Taman Hati Yoga Ashram

GPS waypoint: 8°31'32.7"S 115°15'24.6"E
Location: Jalan Nyuh Gading No.7, Ubud, Bali

Starting the Day Right
It was an early 6am Kundalini Yoga practice where our budding Taman Hati yoga group - myself, Eunice and Shoco, met up all fired-up following yesterday's awesome Pranawayu Yoga with our teacher, Ketut Bandiastra. Something special was brewing and we could all feel the simmering excitement.

Pranawayu Yoga
Last night's Pranawayu Yoga was blissful. Somehow, given my access to numerous yoga studios in Ubud, I default to Pranawayu Yoga by Teacher Ketut of Taman Hati. I have introduced it to friends who have a strong practice - Natalia and Eunice, and both of them loved it. Shoco, a Japanese yogini tried it and likewise was enchanted. After the session, we all decided to come early the following day for a different kind of yoga - Kundalini Yoga, still conducted by our now beloved teacher, Ketut!

Kundalini Yoga
Just last night I attended another Kundalini Meditative Movement at the White Lotus. This morning, more Kundalini, but the yoga kind in Taman Hati. True to their devotion to deepen their practice, Eunice and Shoco were there. Teacher Ketut, with his signature happy demeanor and playful cuing, seamlessly conducted the class. It was a series of kriyas (repetitive exercise designed to deliver a specific output) done in rhythmic unison with the breath to awaken the Kundalini Shakti within. It is said that at the base of our spine, lies an energy band coiled three times like a snake - the Muladhara (Root Chakra) (an energy center). Kundalini Yoga uses specific asanas and kriyas to awaken this serpent-like energy.

Blissed Out
We were all blissed-out after the session. It was an uplifting feeling....not unlike a high but one without a crash landing. It's a happy high that lingers long after the practice. Hungry, Eunice invited me and Shoco to have breakfast at her bungalow. It was lavishly prepared by the manager, Ketut Partox. We talked, shared, intimated and simply felt grateful for the magic that was happening around us - good moments, happy encounters, spontaneous meet-ups, were cascading one after another like a parade of abundance. Wow!

Ending Thoughts
There is something special about the whole package - Teacher Ketut's happy demeanor, the graceful elegance of Pranawayu Yoga's sequencing, the awakening and uplifting high of Kundalini Yoga and perhaps the overall energy of Taman Hati. It's a special place offering a special experience that bond its practitioners. Taman Hati and its sister ashram, Ambar Ashram (of Laughter Yoga) are perhaps the most organic of all the yoga studios in Ubud. It's about being happy, it's about smiling and it's about feeling good about oneself. And you come away with exactly that.

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

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