Power Yoga with Ni Made Murni at The Yoga Barn

GPS waypoint: 8°31'08.4"S 115°15'52.4"E
Location: The Yoga Barn, Ubud, Bali, Indonesia

No Denise Payne
I signed-up for a Power Yoga class with Denise Payne at The Yoga Barn but she was out of the country. Murni subbed for Denise's class. What followed were asanas designed to build power, musculature and mental fortitude while getting tuned for a handstand.

Ni Made Murni
Murni is a Balinese local who has been with The Yoga Barn since its inception. She has her EYT-200 with Anusara, Hatha Yoga. Her dedication to the practice has pushed her up from desk job to teaching yoga.

What exactly is Power Yoga?
I started out in yoga with Ashtanga Yoga. Through the years, I've transitioned to Power Yoga and I continue to evolve my yoga. Nowadays, different people have their own take on Power Yoga, so let me give you my version of what a Power Yoga is. Power Yoga has its genesis in Ashtanga Yoga as far as being an intense athletic yoga. You develop heat, power, stamina and mental fortitude while still being anchored to developing balance, flexibility in conjunction with the breath. Not surprisingly, Power Yoga borrows a lot from Ashtanga. They differ too. Power Yoga does not follow the rigid sequencing of Ashtanga. Power Yoga offers the liberty to change or add different asanas as deemed fit. Also, Power Yoga has no spiritual component or guru factor. It survives on its own workout merit, making it popular in gyms - no chanting and no reference to Patthabi Jois. It doesn't mean however that Power Yoga is pure workout. No, not at all. It is still yoga to the very core...breath with movement, focus on body sensations while doing the asanas. Inevitably, the spirituality comes out. If it doesn't, there might be something wrong with the practice.

The Session
Murni started off the class giving us a heads-up on what the next 1 hour would be like. While her English is better than most locals, I still found some of the words difficult to understand because of the accent. But I managed. There were a lot of Chaturangas and Warrior poses in the sequence, not surprisingly. The ending part was devoted to inversions - headstands, pincha mayurasana, handstands and some arm balancing. It was a big class so it was impossible to assist everyone. There was the wall however.

Ending Thoughts
To deepen a yoga practice, it's my humble opinion that strong components of Power Yoga or Ashtanga is incorporated in the sequence, particularly Chaturangas. These poses are not the end to themselves but simply gateways to the more exciting asanas that lay ahead. Chaturangas build strong arms and shoulders to ease the way for more advanced hand balancing poses, for instance. But just like everything else, yoga is a balance. Balance of the Yang in Power Yoga and balance of the Yin in Restorative or Yin Yoga.

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