Three Night Retreat at Fivelements, Puri Ahisma, Bali

By Kitty Koolade 
Please visit link bellow for complete article 
http://www.beautybuzzhk.com/2012/09/three-night-retreat-at-fivelements-puri-ahisma-bali/ 

Day Two
8:10am? Oh no! I had slept through my alarm and like a woman with my hair on fire I leaped out of bed, threw on my yoga kit and ran to meet Made Agus Wirayasa, my Tantra Healing Yoga instructor for this session, with 12 years experience under his belt. Although I was furiously throwing my hair up into a ponytail and rattling off apology-after-apology for being late, he calmly smiled and told me not to worry. He carefully removed his shoes, as I furiously kicked mine off, and we walked up the steps into Mandala Agung together like an apple and an orange on totally different wavelengths. This structure was built to resemble Gunung Agung, Bali’s highest and most revered volcanic mountain. In the centre, there is a double spiral formation that symbolizes people from all walks of life and the top allows a channel of light to extend downward.

Made started with some meditation including chanting Sanskrit and I did my best to concentrate. Meditation has never been my ‘thing’ but I was willing to try. Made explained that Tantra Healing Yoga is to expand awareness and bring attention to our consciousness. “Ultimately, we aim to create peace and harmony within ourselves”, said Made as he approached me. He took my hands and said “now we are going to breathe together and give and receive energy”. I wasn’t sure how to exactly give Made my energy and figured he wasn’t expecting me to dig into my pockets and pass it to him, so I did as instructed with my eyes closed and started breathing with him. I soon realized that Tantra Healing Yoga is very different to what I am used to at my local gym during a rushed lunch break. You share a moment with each other; a moment with a stranger who wants to offer you the appreciation of life and its simple graces that they know. Made took me through yoga poses, followed by stretching and massage. At times he would be right behind me with his strong, calm voice reminding me to breathe and focus. If only I had Made by my side during the normal course of life and the curve-balls often thrown my way. We finished with some more breathing together and meditation. This was the perfect way to start my day and I walked out of Mandala Agung calm, relaxed and slightly enlightened. I’d like to think I left more inline with Made than how I scurried in, but at least knew I was appreciative to have shared time with him and I think he understood I was grateful.

Day Three
I didn’t know when I woke up that today would be a day I would remember for a very long time. After some fresh fruit and a morning walk, I again met with Made Agus Wirayasa for a Water Healing Dance in the Watsu (hydrotherapy) pool. The treatment was explained to me as being gliding gracefully through the water while having massage applied and stretches that are also assisted by the water. I was told my body would unwind and through free movement I would be inviting healing, both mentally and emotionally. Well, it was all this and more. Made and I sat together poolside for some mediation and breathing first. Made explained he would put floats on my arms and legs and we would be close in the water. He would help me float, move me through the motions and at times I may experience emotions of sadness or happiness, for example. Made was very gracious and left to get changed while I de-robed and hopped into the Watsu which was warm, inviting and had music around and under the water. The Watsu had a sheer curtain surrounding it and vibrant petals around the outside. I didn’t think I was entering the pool with any worries or baggage, but I certainly came out feeling lighter and free. My eyes were closed throughout the treatment and at one stage, Made was assisting my body to glide and twist to the music and I actually felt like an Egyptian princess standing in a room with white silk curtains floating and blowing behind me. I have never felt so connected with myself and my surroundings and to think 90 minutes in a hydrotherapy pool would leave me feeling like I felt after watching an inspiring dancer on stage was just phenomenal. At the end Made said he knew I had experienced something and I was utterly lost for words.