Ashtanga Intensive in Bali, February 2025
Ashtanga Intensive in Bali, Ubud
Sunday February 16th to Sunday March 2nd, 2025
Our aim in this Ashtanga intensive in Bali is to focus on the pursuit of the yoga path on a practical level. We will explore our physical practice and the wish to make progress and what that has to do with yoga. Essentially, how is this related to yoga on a deeper level?
The mind is affected by the body and yoga practices are a way to tap into that level of energy. You may have experienced of the depth of yoga’s capacity to transform already. If our practices are to be considered a life-long endeavor, we need to know how to do them safely, in a structural sense that they can be comfortably continued for the whole of our lives.
In this time together, we aim to explore in more depth how and why the physical practices work like they do, to suit their general principles to the unique demands of each individual.
Adam has taught Ashtanga yoga for nearly 25 years and completed the Advanced A series in Mysore with Sharathji in 2012. He teaches in a practical, grounded and inclusive way, through his experience and with a sense of humour. All will made to feel welcome.
Arrivals: Sunday February 16, check in at 14.00, welcome talk 18.00
Departures: Sunday 2nd March, check out by noon.
Daily Schedule (subject to minor changes)
6.30 - 8.30: Ashtanga Assisted Self-Practice, Monday to Friday, Led class Saturday
8.30 – 9.00: Small break, tea, fruit
9.00 – 10.30: Workshop, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday
10.30: Breakfast is served
5.00 – 6.00 pm: Talk Monday to Thursday
Below is a list of the type of themes we will explore together.
- Yoga fundamentals – the theory of how to stretch effectively
- Yoga fundamentals – applying the theory of right tension practically
- Learning the meaning of bandha through the legs in Standing Postures
- The meaning of spinal extension (‘backbend’ is a mistranslation)
- Scapula mobility is core mobility: arm balances and jump-backs
- Vinyasa, rhythm and the importance of the space between the notes
- Hips and kundalini; a modern re-appraisal of an ancient idea
- Avoiding and managing injuries and a different look at yoga adjustments.
- Introduction to my approach and getting to know each other
- The history of classical yoga
- The history of modern yoga
- The history of the modern Mysore ashtanga tradition
- Short-form practices and how to scale back practice when you need to
- The Bhagavad Gita
- A brief introduction to the tantric background of hatha yoga
- Between the Yoga Sutras and Krishnamacharya
- Closing chat, time for question and answer, group sharing and discussion.
Ubud, Bali, Indonesia
The yoga and cultural centre of Bali, Ubud is steeped in atmosphere. It is in the centre of the island and situated in a tropical rain forest jungle, located amongst rice paddies and steep ravines.
The great thing about our location in Ubud is that you can walk around the streets, rice fields, and take in the art, cafes and culture. We honestly feel that this is an ideal setting for Adam's first Ashtanga intensive in Bali.
ACCOMMODATION
We have chosen the Honeymoon Guest House for the accommodation and yoga. It is a charming Bali-chic oasis that offers an authentic Balinese experience with a touch of elegance and tranquillity.
Situated in the centre of Ubud, within walking distance of everything, Honeymoon is an oasis of calm with its relaxed and quaint atmosphere. You can enjoy the salt-water swimming pool, selection of cools drinks, spa centre and you can spend quiet time reading time in the Honeymoon Library.
The spacious rooms are spread over two traditional compounds set in lush gardens, overlooking lily ponds and stone statues. The rooms feature four-poster beds, wooden shutters, carved doors, marbled floors and Javanese teak sofas.
Breakfast (included) is from the Honeymoon Kitchen, located on the grounds of the guesthouse includes fresh tropical fruit, house-made yoghurt and granola, warm freshly baked pastries and bread from The Honeymoon Bakery, as well as Balinese specialties and other modern fare.
Other meals and snacks (not included in the cost)
At the onsite Honeymoon Kitchen, you can enjoy delicious Balinese and international dishes as well as refreshing tropical drinks and benefit from a 10% guest discount.
Other choices at the Honeymoon Kitchen include nutritious plant-based salads, fun snacks and health juices. You can grab a dinner of Balinese favourites or sit back in our grand wicker chairs, meet friends, sip on a perfect caffe latte with a Honeymoon bakery pastry and watch the Ubud world drift by until late. As a guest you will receive a 10% discount at the Honeymoon Kitchen and Bakery as well as sister restaurants Casa Luna and Indus.
Ubud is famous for having a multitude of healthy cafes for meals, snacks and drinks, all at good value and within walking distance.
Spa
Embark on a journey to sensory heaven in the comfort of your own room or at the onsite spa. Choose from a selection of treatments and allow the trained therapist to transform you into a gracious goddess. The staff will help you with appointments.
See info here: https://honeymoonguesthouse.com/spa-treatments/
Cost & Booking
To secure your place you will need to pay for your yoga first.
Your confirmation email will have all the details about how to contact the Honeymoon Guest House to make the payment for your room including any extra nights before or after that you might need. Full payment needs to be made one month before your arrival.
Accommodation
Deluxe AC:
- 12,600,000 Indonesian rupiah (approx €718 | £604 | US$768 | AUS$1159)
- Queen or Twin, let us know your preference, 4 rooms available, 2 twins & 2 queen
- Room cost is for 2 weeks bed and breakfast, whether shared or single.
Yoga
The cost for the two-week yoga course including welcome dinner on the first night is
- €670 (approx. £596 | US$721 | AUS$1079)
For a current exchange rate, you can use www.xe.com
The yoga payment is non-refundable, if you have an extreme reason for not being able to make the course, and we can fill the space, contact us talk about a credit.
Check in: Sunday 16th February at 14.00
Check out: Sunday 2nd March at noon
Flights arrive into Bali at I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport, also known as Denpasar International Airport, and it takes around 60 to 90 minutes in a taxi to Ubud.
The guest house offers convenient transport services to pick you up from the airport. This includes a comfortable ride for up to 3 passengers with luggage, English-speaking driver, and petrol.
- The rate is IDR 600,000 per car. (approx. USD$36 | €34 | £29 | AUS$55)
- For arrivals after 22:00, there is a surcharge of IDR 100,000. (approx. USD$6 | €6 | £5 | AUS$9)
You must have a visa to visit Indonesia. You can get a 30-day visa on arrival (VOA) for tourism.
- The VOA costs 500,000 Indonesian rupiah, payable in cash or by card. It is valid for single entry only.
- You can also apply for a visa at least a week before you leave on the Indonesian immigration website. You will find options to apply for a multiple-entry visa or a 60-day visa.
- Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from the date you plan to leave Bali
- You will need to show a return or onward ticket for within 30 days or within your visa limit to board your plane to Bali.
Bali tourist levy
The Bali provincial government has introduced a tourist levy of 150,000 Indonesian rupiah (approximately £8) for all foreign tourists arriving in Bali. You can pay online or on arrival. See the Bali provincial government website for more details.
About Adam Keen
Adam has been a yoga practitioner since 1999 and has taught Ashtanga yoga internationally for over twenty years. His style is open, non-dogmatic and eclectic while remaining rooted in an appreciation of the benefits of the method of ashtanga as he learnt it in Mysore, India.
In 2012 he completed the Advanced A sequence with Sharath and was authorized to teach. Adam meets all students where they are, hopefully, with humour, kindness and inspiration, holding a safe and supportive space for personal inquiry. He is also the co-founder of Keen on Yoga and the Keen on Yoga podcast with his wife Theresa.
Instagram: @adam_keen_ashtanga & @keen_on_yoga
