Bali: Sunshine, smoothie bowls & self-care. — Ali Chandler

My trip to Bali was b l i s s.

Following on from my winter blues post, I made sure this year to book in some winter sun for around the same sort of time I wasn’t in such a good place last year… Taking matters into my own hands! It’s easy to become a victim to a diagnosis, but we all have the power within us to take action and change something that isn’t working for us. So I knew it was important that I escape the long winter for both my physical and mental health, in the hopes of avoiding going back on antidepressants. I have nothing against them and they helped me when I needed them, but if there is a way to avoid it, then I will certainly try my best to do that.

I’m a massage therapist by trade, but my overall ethos and interest is health and wellbeing as a whole; and so posts about physical and mental health/food/exercise/mindfulness/self-care are all so closely intertwined and connected, that I like to share my two cents for anyone that wishes to read! I also think it’s hugely important to be open about mental health and keep talking about it, so people feel like they can get the help they need and not be ashamed if they are struggling.

Anyway… back to the post! It’s funny how the universe works. I’d been following Annie on Instagram for years. I thought seeing as this is my 30th year I would look for a yoga retreat somewhere tropical, for it to be extra special. As soon as I started looking, Annie had posted a story up about doing a retreat in February (the time I wanted to go away!) and in Bali. The dream. I’d been to Bali years ago and loved my time there, and the retreat was going to be based in Ubud, which also happened to be one of my favourite places I had visited. Manifestation and putting out what you want into the universe is a powerful thing! So it all just kind of fell into place.

The retreat was everything I wanted and more. The heat and sun did wonders for getting me back to health after being hit with the flu and then a chest infection right after!

There were 9 of us in total, all women.

We stayed at the most beautiful resort I have ever stayed in, Bambu Indah. Absolutely everything has been made from bamboo. The ethos of Bambu Indah is all about sustainability- from the architecture, to all the little details such as natural mosquito repellant and toiletries in the rooms, and all the food choices on their menu. The rooms and the place itself were incredible. Natural swimming pools and egg chairs to hang out in to read a book and get some quiet time. Rope swings. Tree houses. Jungle. Sunrises. Sunsets. Nature. It was perfect.

Annie made it extra special with various bits and bobs added into the schedule throughout the week; such as a cooking class, Thai yoga massage workshop, Yoga Nidra before bed, and generally just ensuring we all had a really lovely experience over the course of the week.

Yoga took place in a shala overlooking the jungle. Every morning we did a stronger Vinyasa class, and every afternoon we did a Yin class. The perfect balance of Ying and Yang. Annie’s teaching style is very unique, and if I do ever do my yoga teacher training, I hope one day to be as an inspirational teacher as I think she is.

It was a very special place, and just what I needed to reset and restore. I’ve left feeling super strong from all the yoga, and full of energy and back to my spritely self after giving myself a very much needed break, with a lot of self-love!

I had lots of lovely massages- one was when I first got there at a place called Sundari Day spa- a three hour pamper including a deep tissue massage, full body scrub and a facial- dreamy I know! And then lots of foot massages (my fave!) in Ubud town, as well as one at Bambu Indah, Balinese style. It has been SO nice to be on the receiving end! ! I always like to think of getting massages as market research ;) and I was nicely surprised to find that Indonesian massage is actually very similar to Thai massage- so in my books, very good!

I’m already missing being surrounded by beautiful rice fields, going to sleep to the sounds of the jungle, ALL the yoga, and let’s not forget all the incredibly colourful and healthy food I devoured! The best time.

As the well known saying goes,

“You can’t pour from an empty cup, look after yourself first”.

I certainly feel rejuvenated and full of beans on my return, and know I can give my all to caring for my clients now I’m back.

As someone that is a big advocate for self-care, I guess this was a reminder to myself that I need to practice what I preach, and hope it also serves as a reminder to you too. Self care isn’t selfish- it’s essential. So go and do something lovely for yourself right now, I insist on it :)

With love & health, Namaste,

Ali xx