Rooted in Stillness — A Conversation with Maria.
Originating from Japan, Maria has spent more than a decade traveling and offering her yoga practice and ceremonial work to communities around the world. Her path has taken her through Canada, Spain, Hawai‘i and now Bali — where she arrived only briefly, and where she discovered Yama by chance.Although she continues to move from place […]
The Power of Our Incense
The use of incense in Bali has deep roots. For centuries, it has been part of the canang sari offerings that families place in temples, homes, businesses, and even on the streets. Its rising smoke represents the link between the physical world and the spiritual. Beyond religion, incense has always been a tool to honor […]
The Balian River: Stories and Secrets
The Balian River holds a secret. One that is never spoken aloud, yet everyone senses when watching its slow course, its misty mouth, or the way it meets the ocean as if recognizing an old friend. In front of Yama, this river is not only part of the landscape—it is part of the experience. Its […]
Eating for Stillness: How Food Supports Meditation
Meditation does not start the moment you sit down and close your eyes. It begins much earlier—with the choices you make at the table. Food has a direct impact on how you feel in both body and mind. Since meditation is about observing both with presence, what you eat can either support—or disrupt—your practice. 1. […]
Interview with Ryan Mannix — Founder of It’s All Yoga
With more than 14 years of experience teaching around the world, Australian yoga teacher Ryan Mannix has made Bali a regular stop for the past decade. While familiar with Ubud and other areas of the island, this was his first time in Balian—and his first retreat at Yama. Founder of It’s All Yoga, Ryan runs an […]
Soulful Flow Retreat in Bali — A Journey Back to Yourself
There are moments in life when you feel the need to step away. To reset. To slow down. To reconnect — not only with your body but with something quieter, deeper, more true. The Soulful Flow Retreat is one of those invitations. From August 5th to 8th, in the sacred lands of Balian, this four-day […]
Sacred Circles: The Meaning of Mandalas in a Retreat in Bali
A shared ritual to begin the journey inward. The word mandala means “sacred circle” in Sanskrit. Rooted in Hindu and Buddhist traditions, mandalas are symbols of the universe and the self — used for meditation, reflection, and spiritual alignment. In many cultures, the act of creating a mandala represents the journey from the outside world […]
From Guest to Guide — A Conversation with Jac Keleher
Retreat leader, yoga teacher, and returning soul to Yama Balian. Some people stumble upon Yama. Others find it again — like an old friend — and know it’s time. This month, we’re honored to welcome Jac Keleher, who first discovered Yama Balian years ago while assisting at a meditation retreat. The experience left a lasting […]
Essential Oils Workshop with Anashi Escents at Yama Balian
At Yama, our essential oils workshop with Anashi Escents is more than just a creative activity — it’s a sensory ritual. We believe healing doesn’t only happen in grand gestures; it lives in the scent of a room, the softness of breath, the intention behind a touch. Their plant-based, intuitive approach to essential oils has […]
Essential Oil Rituals — The Power of Plants at Yama Balian
The Power of Plants — Essential Oils & Everyday Rituals Scents that ground us. Scents that open us. Scents that bring us home. At Yama, essential oil rituals are part of how we return to presence. The air holds more than silence — it carries the scent of lemongrass after rain, of fresh ground vetiver, […]