" /> 
with Alan Goode
‘I take a swim in the morning at first light, then make my way to the practice room in the changing colours of the morning. The air is warm and moist before the heat of the day. I roll out my mat and look out across the ocean …
… another day begins’
Alan Goode
Join us on retreat in beautifully appointed Bali style bungalows set among lush tropical gardens right on the beach. The mountains are behind us, the old volcano looms large, the beaches are fine black sand. There is snorkelling right off the beach and many small boats to hire for short trips to other villages or snorkelling sites. Your bungalow is air conditioned secure and has a small fridge, kettle, tea and coffee making facilities.
There will be two yoga sessions per day with Alan and time for philosophy discussions or a film in the evening. We practice pranayama each day as we explore the principles and themes that guide our practice of Yoga. Following our group sessions have breakfast in the warung (restaurant) with time to discuss and reflect. This is a time to expand your understanding and practice of yoga in an extraordinary environment.
Bookings are made on the Big Sista website: https://bigsisteradventures.com.au/iyengar-yoga-bali-with-alan-goode
‘Moving quickly across still water on our way to snorkel on the shipwreck I look back and the coast. Steep mountains and tropical forest dotted with villages and fishing boats…
… its hard not to think you’ve arrived in paradise’.
Alan Goode
Nyepi & Ogoh-Ogoh
Nyepi is a significant Hindu celebration observed in Bali. Known as the “Day of Silence,” it marks the Balinese New Year according to the Saka lunar calendar. Nyepi is a day of complete silence, fasting, and meditation, intended for self-reflection and spiritual cleansing. On this day, the entire island comes to a standstill: airports close, streets empty, lights are dimmed, and all forms of work, travel, and entertainment cease. The silence and inactivity are believed to cleanse the island and its inhabitants of evil spirits and negative energies, resetting the spiritual and natural environment for the year ahead.
‘Nyepi is unlike anything I have seen elsewhere. For Balinese it’s a day for self-reflection, fasting, and meditation, observed with no fire, work, travel, or entertainment. And we are privileged to be present, in practice, in our refuge for this beautiful rite’.
Alan Goode
In stark contrast to the quietude of Nyepi, the island bursts into exuberant activity on the eve of the festival during the Ngrupuk parade. This is when the Ogoh-Ogoh, large, elaborate effigies made of bamboo and paper representing demonic spirits or mythological beings, are paraded through the streets. These figures are artistically crafted by local communities over weeks and are a vivid display of Balinese artistry and craftsmanship. The Ogoh-Ogoh are meant to embody malevolent spirits, and the parade, accompanied by loud music and often fiery torches, is a ritual to awaken, confront, and ultimately dispel these entities.
After parading the Ogoh-Ogoh through the streets, the effigies are typically burned in a symbolic act of purification, driving away evil spirits to restore balance and peace. This rite of exorcism ensures that the island is spiritually cleansed, ready to welcome the solemn stillness of Nyepi. The transition from the raucous energy of the Ogoh-Ogoh parade to the profound silence of Nyepi reflects the balance of opposites, a core principle in Balinese philosophy and culture.
‘Terrifying ogoh-ogoh images represent malevolent spirits or the negative energies present in the environment. During the Ngrupuk parade the ogoh-ogoh are paraded and then burned to purify the environment from these malevolent influences restoring balance and harmony to the community. Its an unforgettable scene’.
Alan Goode
