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As I Am




What to do, what to do is the question on every working person’s mind in the lead up to the holiday season. Until it dawns on us, absolutely nothing!


After much debate and almost not going anywhere, we chose Ubud. A place where we were surrounded by the enchanting rice fields and could listen to the chickens chat with the ducks. It reminded me that this is all I want to do. To waddle through the grass at my own pace with no particular destination in mind, with the freedom to think and feel without judgement. 


Whilst it is now a well known fact that travel is the best medicine along with fresh air and green pastures, sometimes we have to remind ourselves, especially when we are lost in the hustle and bustle of everyday life, why we travel and work towards these ‘getaways’ even though the name is in itself. However, sometimes getting away is not enough, and we need a little guidance and support to fully switch off, drop our shoulders and surrender to doing absolutely nothing. 


In order to find that guidance, I decided to do a little exploring around the rice fields to see if I could discover a traditional yoga class that was genuine in its practice and intention. Luckily, I manage to find a place suitable for the wandering spirit like myself. It was quiet, peaceful and a little off the beaten track. It had my name all over it. In need of some readjustment and spiritual healing, I decided this was the perfect location to do exactly that. 


The next day I manage to find the same little lane way with a modest sign directing me to ‘As I Am’. At the bottom of the steps, through the villas and past the pool I returned to a quiet and serene green landscape, only this time no one was there. Naturally I began to wonder if I was in the right location. What I didn’t realise, was the guests had checked out the day before and I had the whole place to myself, so I thought. 


When I looked up I saw someone casually navigating down the steps in a hoodie and glasses. Great, another student, until I realised only a local would wear a hoodie in 30 degree heat and such humidity. It turns out, I had the privilege of a one on one yoga class with Jai, who has been living and working in Bali for as long as one can remember. His knowledge and expertise in yoga and meditation was exactly what I needed to break up the monotony of my own asanas, and salutations that I was all too comfortable with.


After our first class Jai took the time to have what I thought would be a quick chat, until I remembered we are not in the hustle and bustle of Melbourne and time takes on a different meaning. Some time later, we had covered life, yoga, living abroad and all things that make us human. During this conversation I was reminded of the importance of meditation, something I tend to give less time to, despite promising myself every year to do as little as 10 minutes a day. Maybe, I just need to remove the self imposed time limit.  

Whilst I regularly engage in yoga of some sort, I realised I had become stagnant in my practice and in need of some gentle guidance to break the routine.


Luckily, Jai was available on my last day in Ubud, so naturally, I took the opportunity to do another class. This time, I thought I knew what to expect, and again, I was pleasantly surprised. With a combination of Hatha, Ashtanga and Pranayama I felt the class was perfectly tailored to my needs, at that time. But if I am completely honest, it was the meditation at the end of the session that truly brought everything together, and left me feeling deeply relaxed.


Time and time again, meditation has proven how essential it is to my yoga practice in order to foster a sense of inner peace, balance, and clarity. The challenge now, is to maintain it outside the luscious landscapes of Ubud.







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