There ain’t no hump day when you’re retired.

And in Ubud.

Every morning, to begin our yoga session, we choose an incense to place on our body and then Dagma plays her guitar so we can chant. 

More like singing, even if this puts you way out of your comfort zone, it is actually uplifting and joyful.

This morning we explored the third Chakra the Solar Plexus – Manipura.

Some of our study includes reflection questions and we team up with a yogi we haven’t spent much time with. Well that gives me at least 16 options, given there are 18 yogis including Dagma.

Today I teamed up with British Kate who lives in Cairns and turns out is one day older than me. 

It’s interesting to discuss with a stranger some of the deeply personal and intriguing questions this practice asks. 

Being in such a safe space is obviously helpful.

People think yoga is just about stretching.

In fact, practicing yoga regularly can bring a wide range of physical, mental, and emotional benefits. It’s not just about flexibility—it’s a whole lifestyle practice that integrates movement, breathing, and mindfulness. Of course the physical benefits are improved flexibility, range of motion, muscle strength and tone, spinal and posture alignment, support for joint health, circulation boost and heart health. 

That’s just the physical impact. The mental impact? Well Yoga is well known for its calming effect on the mind, reducing stress, anxiety, improving focus, concentration, promoting better sleep, encouraging mindfulness and emotional balance.

My practice started some 15 years ago to improve my lower back mobility. And I know, without a shadow of a doubt, that if I did not practice yoga, I would be lucky not to be on a walking frame. It’s as simple as that. 

Enough said.

Possibly too much, you might say. 

Today, post yoga, we once again ate a beautiful healthy breakfast.

Smithy and I had to moderate our intake, given we were to do a Balinese cooking class at 10.30am, which would then evolve into our lunch.

The class with Putu and Wyann was totally awesome and of course I learnt quite a bit.

It’s a pity NZ doesn’t have access to some of the fresh and amazing produce that Bali, and in fact Australia has.  But I can make it work with what we can get a hold of. 

Look out MoD. 

Indonesian Curry on its way. 

He will love it of course, the man loves anything I cook. Or do. Mostly.

But he also loves garlic. And today, within the three courses, we used at least 16 cloves of garlic. Sorry fellow yogis, we might have to be delegated to the open end of the yoga room in the morning. 

Then of course, it was a rest and digest before we headed to the back of the resort to explore what is actually hiding down the path, (not via the ‘very busy road)’to Ubud city.

And what a breathtaking walk it was. It appears to me that there is this place called Ubud where they have put a whole heap of ‘very busy roads’ through the middle. And each side of those ‘very busy roads’ is paradise.

We then decided we might to try and pick up the Sweet Orange Trail which meant a walk down a ‘very very very very busy road’.  With no footpaths. Did I mention it was very busy? After about ten minutes of that trauma we decided we would turn around and walk back from whence we came. 

A stop at the Yellow Flower cafe for a refreshing raspberry lemonade before heading back to our bungalow was in order.

Tonight was a traditional Bali fire ceremony. 

I can’t begin to explain this, only to say, I loved nearly every moment.

Until the Priest threw water on each person’s head, multiple times, gave them water to drink, and then further water to wash your face and hair in. Before throwing water on your head again.

This is not good for the frizz.

Or as my other friend named Michelle would say – ‘Go the Fro love’.

We also wrote down our wishes and individually burnt them in the fire before using that same firewood – cooled of course- to have the ash placed on our ‘third eye’. And yes, we will know who the dirty dicks are if anyone turns up to yoga in the morning with that ash still in place. Just sayin’. 

By the end of the ceremony, I was ‘blessed’ ‘cleansed’ and looked positively frightful.

But that’s ok. I am thoroughly embracing the whole concept of no makeup and bad hair.

Look out MoD, you may just see the real ME. 

Night peeps.