Roll and Release by Rusty Davis at Radiantly Alive Yoga Studio

Yoga Teacher: Rusty Davis
Discipline: Roll and Release
Venue: Radiantly Alive Yoga Studio
Location: Jl Jembawan no.3, Padang Tegal Kaja Ubud, Bali

GPS waypoint: 8°30'33.7"S 115°16'01.2"E

Natalia's Gift
Natalia, a beautiful Dutch yogini I've become friends with in Ubud's yoga scene, had to leave Ubud with a remaining yoga class coupon at Radiantly Alive, one of Ubud's popular yoga studios. Luckily for me, she gave it to me. There were many class options but I was intrigued by Rusty's 'Roll and Release' class. What the heck is that?

Self Massage
It was a packed class. Rusty seems popular. It wasn't a yoga class but more like a self-massage class. We used tennis balls, wooden blocks and more props to help us knead those major and hard to reach muscle groups. You can put your body weight against a tennis ball as it presses a particular muscle. It felt odd at first, but after getting the hang of it, it actually works. But you put a lot of work into getting a massage, unlike hiring a masseuse who'll do all the work as you lie down.

Emcee...Rusty
As for Rusty, I could imagine that aside from knowing the sequence itself, you have to have the talent of an emcee. Unlike yoga where you can cue the play-by-play movement, there is a lot of dead air while people spend minutes rolling themselves on the tennis ball. In the meantime, what do you say? You have to keep talking and still make sense. So Rusty talked about body anatomy, pros and cons of deep tissue massage, a little bit of life coaching, etc. Running out of things to say didn't seem like an option - the people had to be constantly engaged. To me, that was an added challenge.

Rusty Davis
Rusty does more than 'roll and release'. He had his start in yoga back in 2004 in India. He has since deepened his practice by attending workshops and trainings in various traditions - Iyengar, Ashtanga, Power Yoga, Pranayama, Meditation, Yin Yoga to name a few. His teachings have taken him to Boulder Colorado, India and now in Bali. My Rusty wish-list? To try his yoga class...but I am already in Singapore now, as I write this.

Ending Thoughts
What I like about 'roll and release' is it's easy to do in the comfort of your own home. You have absolute control on how much pressure you apply and you can modulate the pressure according to desire. It's cheap too - just tennis balls. But if you want community interaction and teacher motivation, there's always Rusty's class.

Thank you Rusty, and thank you Natalia!!!

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