Interview: Captain Bingo, a Journey of Joy, Nature, and Balance

Interview: Captain Bingo, a Journey of Joy, Nature, and Balance

1. Can you introduce yourself and share some background on your journey?

Of course! My name is Captain Bingo, and yes, it’s really my name. Growing up in Venice Beach, a colorful and vibrant place, I saw a lot of excitement but also a lot of people chasing satisfaction and not finding peace. That made me realize there had to be more to life than just running around. One of the most impactful moments in my youth came when a family friend said, “Enjoy your life now because, as an adult, you won’t have time.” That stuck with me. I made a contract with myself to always chase what brought me happiness—connecting with nature and keeping my mind, body, and soul healthy.

2. How did this approach lead you to where you are today?

I was fortunate to grow up in an environment full of energy, but it wasn’t necessarily healthy energy. I saw a lot of people using their energy to avoid finding real peace or health. That made me determined to follow a different path. At first, I sought balance through fitness, experimenting with diets and yoga. But I soon realized it wasn’t just about feeling good physically. True happiness comes from sharing those experiences with others—building community and fostering joy together. So my mission became figuring out how to live in the moment and enjoy life fully, rather than waiting for some distant reward.

3. How did Bali and Yama fit into that mission?

Nature has been my guide, and that’s what brought me to Bali. I surfed the tsunami of 2011 away from the radiation of Fukushima to the island of Bali. Bali offers a slower pace of life, particularly in Balian, which helps people enjoy the present and find balance. Yama, created by my friends who share similar values, became a natural extension of that mission. We’ve built an incredible space that focuses on wellness and connection, offering yoga, meditation, and, most recently, ice bath and sauna experiences.

4. Tell us more about the philosophy behind the ice bath and sauna program.

The program at Yama is more than just ticking an item off a bucket list—it’s about making peace with discomfort. Life can be uncomfortable, and instead of running from it, we teach people to embrace it, whether through the cold of the ice bath or the heat of the sauna. The idea is to use breathwork and mindfulness to navigate these challenges, making discomfort a friend rather than an enemy. In our sessions, we go through multiple rounds of the ice bath and sauna, focusing on how the experience impacts both body and mind. Knowing the long-term benefits, like reduced inflammation and better sleep, helps people see the value in discomfort.

5. What do you hope people take away from their experience at Yama?

I hope they leave Yama feeling more connected to themselves, nature, and others. Yama is a space where life slows down, and we can focus on what really matters—meaningful conversations, shared meals, and personal reflection. By immersing ourselves in nature, we find balance. The sense of community and the power of slowing down are key elements that contribute to overall well-being. At Yama, it’s not just about the physical retreat; it’s about creating a space where people can reconnect with the essentials of life and appreciate the moment.

6. What message would you like to leave people with?

My wish is that everyone who visits Yama leaves with a deeper sense of peace and joy. The world moves fast, but at Yama, we learn to slow down, savor the present, and live with intention. Our focus is on helping people rediscover themselves, heal through nature, and embrace the discomfort that life inevitably brings. It’s about building a life of quality, where we fully appreciate our time here and make it count.

Aside from the interview, you can join us at Yama Balian for a guided ice bath and sauna session with Captain Bingo. Book your stay with us or simply come to enjoy our new wellness installations. We would love to share this experience with you and help you find balance and joy in nature.

Payments and cancellations

  • Early Bird Discount will apply if we receive the full amount owing by midnight of the cut-off date. To qualify for the Early Bird Discount, you must pay the FULL amount before, or on the cut-off date. Starting a conversation prior to the cut-off date for the Early Bird Discount does not necessarily qualify you for the Early Bird Discount
  • All Course Fees are to be paid in full.

Refund Policy

  • Yama Balian and YogaCoach reserves the right to cancel the event if necessary. In the unlikely event that this occurs, a full refund of all monies will be returned to the client.
  • If a student withdraws from the course before 2 months (8 WEEKS) of retreat start date, he/she will be refunded the full retreat amount.
  • If a student withdraws between 8 weeks and 4 weeks before the retreat start date, you will get a 50% refund. Due to our need to commit to accommodation and other arrangements in advance, exceptions to our policy cannot be made for any reason.
  • If a student withdraws with less than 4 weeks before the retreat start date, the amount already paid will not be refunded.

Conditions

  • It is strongly recommended that students purchase Travel Insurance to cover any situation that may arise, such as illness, change of ticket dates, family emergency, etc. Students in the past have needed to use their travel insurance, so it is a very WISE investment.
  • ​85% attendance is required at each Yoga Teacher Training Course. In the event of sickness or other circumstances, YogaCoach will work closely with the student to ensure she/he can attain their certificate and transfer the money paid for the Yoga Teacher Training Course to another Yoga Teacher Training Course if necessary. This is where Travel Insurance comes in handy.
  • ​It is your responsibility to organize suitable travel and health insurance. Although we strongly encourage you to do so, you acknowledge that YogaCoach is not in the business of providing insurance products and cannot be held liable if your failure to arrange suitable insurance coverage leaves you exposed, medically, financially or otherwise. 
  • ​If you postpone your training fee to other courses due to personal issues. You will not be eligible for a refund.
  • Your course fees are not transferable to other students or other courses.
  • It is your responsibility to communicate with us in regards the progress of your course.

Force Majeur

  • Yama Balian & YogaCoach will not be liable for failure to perform any of its obligations under this Agreement during any period in which such party cannot perform due to fire, earthquake, flood, or another natural disaster, pandemic, epidemic, explosion, casualty, war, terrorism, embargo, riot, civil disturbance, the act of a public enemy, an act of God, or the intervention of any government authority, or similar cause beyond either party’s control, YogaCoach would not be liable for refunds, loss of income or investment

Disclaimer of warranties

  • We do not guarantee, represent or warrant that your use of our service will be uninterrupted, timely, secure or error-free. We do not warrant that the results that may be obtained from the use of the service will be accurate or reliable. You agree that from time to time we may remove the service for indefinite periods of time or cancel the service at any time, without notice to you. You expressly agree that your use of, or inability to use, the service is at your sole risk. The service and all products and services delivered to you through the service are (except as expressly stated by us) provided ‘as is’ and ‘as available for your use, without any representation, warranties or conditions of any kind, either express or implied, including all implied warranties or conditions of merchantability, merchantable quality, fitness for a particular purpose, durability, title, and non-infringement. In no case shall YogaCoach Ltd. our directors, officers, employees, affiliates, agents, contractors, interns, suppliers, service providers or licensors be liable for any injury, loss, claim, or any direct, indirect, incidental, punitive, special, or consequential damages of any kind, including, without limitation lost profits, lost revenue, lost savings, loss of data, replacement costs, or any similar damages, whether based in contract, tort (including negligence), strict liability or otherwise, arising from your use of any of the service or any products procured using the service, or for any other claim related in any way to your use of the service or any product, including, but not limited to, any errors or omissions in any content, or any loss or damage of any kind incurred as a result of the use of the service or any content (or product) posted, transmitted, or otherwise made available via the service, even if advised of their possibility. Because some states or jurisdictions do not allow the exclusion or the limitation of liability for consequential or incidental damages, in such states or jurisdictions, our liability shall be limited to the maximum extent permitted by law.