Retreat to Bali

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I thought to myself at that moment, this was the reason that I came to Bali.

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TRAVEL

The moment I arrived in Ubud (Bali) for the first time, I knew I would be back and that the next visit would be with a group whose members I did not know, but who could share the magic of this place.

My first trip to Bali (back in July 2017) was life changing. I had just gone through a divorce. I was at a pivotal point in my career and life, and I felt stuck. In fact, I sat on the porch of my little Jawanese house (in the wee hours of the morning due to the significant time change) and wrote pages and pages about where I was physically, emotionally and spiritually. Not only was I reflecting on the past, but on where I was in the present moment and where I was headed in the future. I sat there alone and just noticed all that came to the surface for me. It was painful, enlightening, healing, and beautiful all at the same time.

During my 6-night stay at the eco-chic hotel Bambu Indah (so thoughtfully created by husband and wife team Cynthia and John Hardy), I began envisioning what it would look like to bring a group back. The hotel property speaks for itself, but the culture and the people of Bali absolutely make it. I ate the most fresh and amazing food. I visited Tirta Empul (the water temple) for an individual water blessing with a Hindu priest. Strapped in, I swung in the jungle. I witnessed happiness through the eyes of people who did not have much. I saw how families lived in a compound where some kids slept on the porch, and I saw richness in it. I saw a healer who not only immediately found areas in my body that needed attention, but who allowed me to cry and surrender to the experience of sincerely letting go. Of all of it. I remember hearing the words spoken

Referred to as the Island of Gods, Bali is bathed in spirituality.

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TRAVEL

to me, “You must be at one with yourself, before you can give to others.” I thought to myself at that moment, this was the reason that I came to Bali, for a soulful experience and healing that changed me. Mainly, my perspective on life had changed.

During the first flight home of my earlier trip, I had put together a 6-day itinerary that I thought would be beneficial for others: an itinerary that was curated, meaningful, and which would help heal any situation that a person might be facing in life. I wanted to bring together the right resources and people to collaborate with who would support the overall mission of bringing a spiritual and inclusive experience to others. Upon arriving home, I remember standing in the house I was living at the time, and thinking, “huh” - I was ready to go back. The itinerary

sat on my laptop for several months, and seven months later, I put my first deposit down on a retreat that would be the beginning of something new. Something that has nothing to do with me, but a business that would help transform the lives of others through wellness and create connection through passion and purpose.

The name of my business is Abhinaya (meaning “leading an audience towards” in Sanskrit). For more information on upcoming retreats, please visit www.abhinaya.me or email andrea@ abhinaya.me.

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