Yoga with Sasha Lang at the Ubud Yoga House

Location: Jl. Raya Ubud No.23, Ubud, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali
GPS waypoint: 8°30'07.0"S 115°15'30.5"E

Genesis
Yoga with Sasha would not have happened if not for a chance meeting in a diver's cafe over dinner in Dumaguete, Philippines with Nichole and Michael Kerle a year ago when I was scuba diving with a good friend, Metz. The 4 of us got into a conversation, and somehow talk drifted into Bali and yoga with a wonderful yogi named Sasha. Although Bali was not even on my radar then, I took down mental notes. Lo and behold, fast-forward to now, I am in Ubud, Bali! Nichole PMs me in Facebook connecting me again to the wonderful yogini of Ubud - Sasha. What followed was yogic asanas in the beautiful enclave surrounding Ubud Yoga House - terraced rice paddies and wide open expanse in a community of yogis who came to deepen their practice.

Sasha M. Lang (Alexandra M. Lang)
At first introduction, Sasha's reassuring smile shines through. She has a gentle firmness about her and exuded a wealth of yoga experience on her belt. In the last 1.5 decades, she's had a long string of involvement in upscale spas stretching from California to Boston. She's registered with Yoga Alliance with professional competency in Vinyasa Flow and Ashtanga. She now resides in Ubud with her partner and 2 lovely daughters, Solana and Nya.

Asanas
It was a mixed group - beginners, advanced, young, somewhat elderly (no, not me! he-he) and couples. Just like any responsible yoga teacher, Sasha had to find an optimum level for the class that accommodated everyone. It was a flow Vinyasa with some challenging balancing poses, some of them unique. Her cuing is thought-through and slow-paced, allowing us to sink deep into the pose before the next transition. She integrates theory and a little life-coaching as we held the poses. Unlike some yoga teachers who package themselves as the end-all of yoga, Sasha makes it as human as it gets - talking about her challenges, what she can't do after just giving birth, etc. Aptly, she uses the word 'guide' instead of 'teach'.

'Guide' is something I would probably reuse in my own classes as I was never comfortable using the word 'teacher'. Perhaps if I am taking ownership of a person's yogic development over the long term, I can use the work 'teacher'. However, if I'm just conducting a yoga class to yogis who will come and go, the word 'teaching' seems too loaded.

Struggle
I haven't done serious yoga since Penang (Malaysia) and that was a month ago. Add consumption of deep-fried food, a popular cooking style in Indonesia, and I had the recipe for a yoga-struggle. Sasha's class purged the toxins out of my system like wringing a wet towel. I remember back in Cebu when I was doing yoga twice a day everyday...sometimes 3 classes a day - I felt the strength of a raging locomotive. Now, at Sasha's class, I felt my weakness - what should have been an easy hold or an easy balance was left on shaky legs and breath-catching gasps for air. Fortunately, I also know that with just a few regular sessions, I'll be back in shape.

Ending Thoughts
Sasha's yoga at Ubud Yoga House is one of many different yoga studios in Ubud adding choice to the myriad of yoga practitioners looking for a teacher or a studio they can resonate with. If you are still unsure where to take your practice, give this studio a try. Sasha's classes are never the same as they are always tailor-fitted to the students' level and common denominator. The studio setting alone is already worth a visit.

Thank you so much Sasha for allowing me to be a part of your awesome class and for introducing me to the wonderful people who share your space - Shiela and Greg. Thank you Nichole for connecting me and Sasha - miss you and Michael!

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