This past June I was invited to participate in an 8-day wellness retreat at the Nirarta Center for Living Awareness in Bali, Indonesia. I also acted as the on-site Massage Therapist administering the needs of the participants. I ended up staying for 3 weeks.

My first impression when I saw the Nirarta Center was “I’ve entered the magic kingdom”.  Built on a ridge that overlooks the winding Undu River, the Nirarta Center is surrounded by lush-green, tropical plants, exotic flowers and terraced rice fields. There are six traditionally built bungalows that can accommodate up to 22 guests. Each bungalow has upstairs and downstairs and each offers a stunning view of the tropical landscape.

In the backdrop of Nirarta, on a very clear day you can see the peak of Mt. Gunung Agung, one of Bali’s most sacred volcanoes. Because Nirarta Center is situated up near the foothills of Mt. Agung the area is elevated higher than the rest of the island causing temperate weather cooled with soft breezes and billowy cumulus clouds that bring tropical rains.

Nearby the Nirarta Center is the village of Sidemen that is within easy distance of some of Bali’s well-known attractions such as, Besakih Temple, the summit climb up Gunung Agung, Tenganan and other Bali Aga villages, Padang Bai, Candidasa, Balina Beach, Tirtagangga, Klungkung, and Kamasan village, famed for traditional Wayang style paintings. All of these are easy day trips, a fact that should lead the astute traveler to extend his sojourn in the area.

 The retreat program offered a solid routine of early morning breathing and stretching exercises in the Great Hall, mid-morning and afternoon Silat Kung Fu training, as well as some evening classes for advanced students.

Breakfast was served at 7:30AM. It was either ala carte or buffet meals of traditional Balinese recipes prepared with Nirarta’s organically grown vegetables and fruit. After consuming a sumptuous and healthy breakfast each participant would venture out of the centre to go exploring nearby villages or sit down at the riverbank or enjoy a cool dip in the fresh clear water.