TESTIMONIALS
Ariana Ridley, Dunedin, New Zealand - Relax, Rejuvenate, Reflect Retreat - Bali June 2019
Firstly Ian and I would like to extend our love and gratitude to you both for creating this amazing experience. The expectations we had including accommodation and the retreat itself was far beyond anything we ever imagined. Such a humbling and grounding place to be with amazing people, food and yoga. Everything down to the final details were thought about, leaving nothing to do but relax, immerse in the environment and practice the ever changing and powerful yoga. So from our hearts to yours thank you. Additionally can we please book in for next year? Sally Gable, Dunedin, New Zealand - Relax, Rejuvenate, Reflect Retreat - Bali June 2019
I went with my husband on this fantastic yoga retreat and we were in fact one of 4 couples. The yoga classes were wonderful, covering a range of styles but with plenty of my favourite, Bikram. The food was outstanding. It was plentiful and delicious as well as being healthy. The company and atmosphere and social side of the retreat was ideal. Lovely people from different backgrounds, blending together to make the experience nurturing and affirming. It didn’t matter if you had done one class or 20 years of yoga, as there were always options. I adored the side trips, particularly the temple visits on scooters and scuba diving whilst others were snorkelling. The respect for people’s own space and individual journeys was very apparent. I would thoroughly recommend this retreat and suggest booking early! Carla Mulder, Dunedin, New Zealand - Relax, Rejuvenate, Reflect Retreat - Bali June 2018
I probably arrived in Bali for the June Lotus Moda retreat coming from a different place than some others. I don't work full time, so I wasn't taking a break from an intense work environment. Nevertheless, I felt totally rejuvenated after my trip. I think I suffer a common affliction, that is the feeling of guilt if I do something that benefits only me. Within a fairly short time at the retreat I was having no such thoughts. I felt like I had space to think and just ponder. I was not rushing from class to carry on with my day, but could come back to those great moments of clarity you get in Bikram Savasana and chew on them further as I floated in the private villa pool after class.
The length of the retreat was great. Six full days of yoga and activities was not too short that you felt cheated and wanting more, neither was it so long that you dreaded leaving and diving back into regular life. I would absolutely recommend arriving in Bali one or two days before the retreat though, to acclimatise and to possibly work through upset stomachs that can happen with the change of diet. |
Yogis waiting for their morning yoga practice outside the shala
Post yoga, waiting for dinner!
2018 yogis from New Zealand and Australia
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The retreat itself is located in an exceptionally laid back part of Bali. Tourism is in its infancy, so you feel happier spending in the village as you see that the profits probably trickle down to the locals more than in the more densely populated Kuta/Seminyak area in the south. The drive there is quite long, but comfortable in an air conditioned van. It was like any airport taxi van in New Zealand.
The standard of accommodation at Jedi Villas is superb. There is the odd bug in your room, but that is to be expected as it is as open plan as it gets- open air. Staff clean daily and ensure the kitchen is stocked with coconut water, fruit and coffee. The food is so plentiful at mealtimes that there is always leftovers to help yourself to in the fridge.
The extra activities organised by Jeda Villa were also terrific. We spent the best part of one day snorkelling in a marine reserve and then another day being ferried around Hindu temples in the village. The Villa staff also organised a surprise performance for us on our last night which was really lovely.
In terms of the yoga, being in a small group I really noticed the personal attention we received in class. The posture clinic held early on in the retreat was especially helpful. Again, because of the small numbers, we each got the opportunity to ask questions about any yoga postures. For me it was a case of getting my arms and legs pulled while in Balancing Stick to 'get' how the posture should feel. It was great to have a break down of postures early on in the week which led to an immediate sense of focus. The retreat reignited the passion for Bikram that got me into yoga in the first place.
Yin was always practised in the evening before dinner. We almost glided from the yoga shala to dinner each night. Some of the Lili's yin sequences, combined with her meditations, were really powerful. The yoga studio, or shala, is a beautiful space. In fact everything at the retreat is of really high quality.
Without going on, the Lotus Mode 2018 Bali Retreat was a wonderful experience. I have come away feeling relaxed, more patient (I think and I hope-it was my 'intention'), happy and with some great memories banked. This is not to mention I have made new like-minded friends.
Thanks so much, Donna and Lili.
The standard of accommodation at Jedi Villas is superb. There is the odd bug in your room, but that is to be expected as it is as open plan as it gets- open air. Staff clean daily and ensure the kitchen is stocked with coconut water, fruit and coffee. The food is so plentiful at mealtimes that there is always leftovers to help yourself to in the fridge.
The extra activities organised by Jeda Villa were also terrific. We spent the best part of one day snorkelling in a marine reserve and then another day being ferried around Hindu temples in the village. The Villa staff also organised a surprise performance for us on our last night which was really lovely.
In terms of the yoga, being in a small group I really noticed the personal attention we received in class. The posture clinic held early on in the retreat was especially helpful. Again, because of the small numbers, we each got the opportunity to ask questions about any yoga postures. For me it was a case of getting my arms and legs pulled while in Balancing Stick to 'get' how the posture should feel. It was great to have a break down of postures early on in the week which led to an immediate sense of focus. The retreat reignited the passion for Bikram that got me into yoga in the first place.
Yin was always practised in the evening before dinner. We almost glided from the yoga shala to dinner each night. Some of the Lili's yin sequences, combined with her meditations, were really powerful. The yoga studio, or shala, is a beautiful space. In fact everything at the retreat is of really high quality.
Without going on, the Lotus Mode 2018 Bali Retreat was a wonderful experience. I have come away feeling relaxed, more patient (I think and I hope-it was my 'intention'), happy and with some great memories banked. This is not to mention I have made new like-minded friends.
Thanks so much, Donna and Lili.
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Pleasance Hansen, Dunedin, New Zealand - Relax, Rejuvenate, Reflect Retreat - Bali June 2017
When I first started practising Yoga a few years ago, I never dreamed that one day I would be at a Yoga retreat doing yoga twice a day!! For a while in my beginning practice I could only hold two poses~ the other 24 were a real struggle. Over time I've gradually built up my confidence. Nevertheless when the opportunity to go to a Bali Yoga Retreat came up it still felt a bit scary and challenging. I'd done a couple of 30 Day Challenges, but the idea of doing Yoga twice a day felt like a bit of a stretch! However, right from the start 'Relax, rejuvenate & reflect' lived up to its promise. The very 1st night Lili and Donna gave us an opportunity to set an intention for the week. I decided I needed to 'fill up my well'. As a professional Coach & Facilitator I need to stay inspired to be effective in my work. But recently a few things had drained me. So that was the intent I set: 'Fill up my internal Well to do the work I love'. (I also had a big Workshop coming up shortly after my return to NZ after the Retreat). Then we started. First thing next morning at 8am, in fairly intense morning heat, we did our 1st Hot Yoga with Donna in a beautiful Yoga Studio. It was lined with mirrors opposite sliding doors and windows looking out to nature. I'd never experienced a Camel Pose looking at tree tops apparently falling out of the sky before ~ it was a totally different perspective. Our 1st brunch was equally unbelievable~ as much fruit as we wished, smoothies, fresh fruit juices, egg & vegetarian dishes, cereals nuts and grains. I was in a 'foodie's heaven'. Resting by the pool passed the rest of the time before our 2nd Yoga Session at 4pm with Lili. Thankfully this was a Yin Yoga Session as we were now in the full heat. Again, it felt magical and wonderful to be doing Yoga in such a gorgeous setting. |
One of the many delicious meals!
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By the 3rd day of this routine I felt completely blissed out. This was our 'day of silence' where even our cook couldn't speak~ she had to write out what we were being offered. I'd also lost my resistance to doing Yoga twice a day. In fact my Yoga practice felt as if it was occurring at a completely different level. We were synchronising our Yoga movements by now~ expressing the sense of harmony which had started to flow through all of us and physical ailments were disappearing. The magic of Yoga was at work!
When we came to leave at the end of the week it felt too soon. But my Well had been filled up and was overflowing! This Retreat had delivered even more than I'd anticipated. I'd highly recommend it to anyone wanting a recharge, and a chance to get away and get to know yourself all over again, in a beautiful gorgeous setting with two great Yoga Teachers. Thank you Donna and Lili for doing such a wonderful job in designing and running it and thanks to my fellow yogis for your sense of fun and commitment. It's been an Unmissable Experience!!
When we came to leave at the end of the week it felt too soon. But my Well had been filled up and was overflowing! This Retreat had delivered even more than I'd anticipated. I'd highly recommend it to anyone wanting a recharge, and a chance to get away and get to know yourself all over again, in a beautiful gorgeous setting with two great Yoga Teachers. Thank you Donna and Lili for doing such a wonderful job in designing and running it and thanks to my fellow yogis for your sense of fun and commitment. It's been an Unmissable Experience!!
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Jane Nicholls, Dunedin, New Zealand - Relax, Rejuvenate, Reflect Retreat - Bali June 2017
I boarded the plane with a tight jaw from constant clenching, aching shoulders from being slumped over a keyboard, and a headache that just would not end. I had come to believe this was the new norm for me. Just the way things are when you work in senior management. For the last five years I have promised myself that for my 50th birthday I would go on a yoga retreat. The year had finally come, and the best thing is that my local yoga studio was hosting a retreat – the stars had aligned !! This was my time. I picked up my friend Deb in Perth and we headed to Bali. The entire trip was worry free. From the moment we landed in Denpassar there was a friendly helpful driver to pick us up and take us on the four hour drive across the island to the north western town of Pemuteran. |
Late afternoon Yin practice in the yoga shala
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The drive was in a very comfortable air conditioned van and the four hours passed so quickly as we marvelled out the window at alternating sights of ridiculous traffic (entire families on small motor bikes!); amazing rice fields; monkeys; volcanoes; lakes; and temples. Once we reached Pemuteran we turned off the road and travelled down a long driveway and arrived at the aptly named Jeda Villas. Jeda means ‘pause’ and this turned out to be exactly what it was. We were gifted with a pause from our lives and stress for a week.
The resort was everything you could hope for. The entire resort was booked just for the yoga retreat, this meant that there was nothing to snap you out of your ‘pause’. The biggest decision I had to make all week was when to stop eating the huge amounts of glorious vegetarian food that our chef, Jockie, kept preparing for us.
On the first day we were asked to set an intention for the retreat, I turned to Deb and said that if I could stop clenching my teeth, lose the pain in my shoulders and wake up without a headache, that would be enough for me. Well, this all had disappeared by the end of the second day, I then had the freedom to set a real intention for my practice.
Practice, that is what this retreat was all about. And I realised that yoga practice is not just the time on the mat. Yoga for me is about achieving balance. Balance between breathing, effort, and form. In all parts of my life. Each morning we started with an 8am Bikram class. The yoga studio was beautiful, mirrors on one wall and glass doors on the other two walls looking out over the resort gardens. The sound of playing dogs, chickens, and gamelan music greated us every morning as we went through our postures. Each day I found myself getting stronger, and each day I looked forward to my class to try and achieve my balance. At the end of the class we walked back to our villas and straight into our swimming pool. There is no better way to do the final savasana!
The days were nicely paced with a day of activity and a day of rest between. The first day we had Bikram in the morning followed by the most divine brunch at 10am. We then relaxed for the day, swimming, reading, a massage, and then headed to Yin at 4pm. Another swim followed by gourmet dinner at 6pm. I can’t overstate how good the food was!
We were free to head into the village or to the beach to have a look around, but I didn’t want to break the magic of my ‘pause’ so I stayed in the Jeda Villas for the entire week. By the end of the Yoga retreat I was a completely new version of myself. All of my pain and stress was gone, my skin felt amazing from the daily massages, my body felt healthy from daily exercise and good nutrition, my mind was clear, and my practice was improving. I had time to look up and out of myself. I had time to think, plan, and be. I had time to appreciate the big and small things, and I had time to make changes.
This yoga retreat was life changing for me. I’m already booked in for next year.
The resort was everything you could hope for. The entire resort was booked just for the yoga retreat, this meant that there was nothing to snap you out of your ‘pause’. The biggest decision I had to make all week was when to stop eating the huge amounts of glorious vegetarian food that our chef, Jockie, kept preparing for us.
On the first day we were asked to set an intention for the retreat, I turned to Deb and said that if I could stop clenching my teeth, lose the pain in my shoulders and wake up without a headache, that would be enough for me. Well, this all had disappeared by the end of the second day, I then had the freedom to set a real intention for my practice.
Practice, that is what this retreat was all about. And I realised that yoga practice is not just the time on the mat. Yoga for me is about achieving balance. Balance between breathing, effort, and form. In all parts of my life. Each morning we started with an 8am Bikram class. The yoga studio was beautiful, mirrors on one wall and glass doors on the other two walls looking out over the resort gardens. The sound of playing dogs, chickens, and gamelan music greated us every morning as we went through our postures. Each day I found myself getting stronger, and each day I looked forward to my class to try and achieve my balance. At the end of the class we walked back to our villas and straight into our swimming pool. There is no better way to do the final savasana!
The days were nicely paced with a day of activity and a day of rest between. The first day we had Bikram in the morning followed by the most divine brunch at 10am. We then relaxed for the day, swimming, reading, a massage, and then headed to Yin at 4pm. Another swim followed by gourmet dinner at 6pm. I can’t overstate how good the food was!
We were free to head into the village or to the beach to have a look around, but I didn’t want to break the magic of my ‘pause’ so I stayed in the Jeda Villas for the entire week. By the end of the Yoga retreat I was a completely new version of myself. All of my pain and stress was gone, my skin felt amazing from the daily massages, my body felt healthy from daily exercise and good nutrition, my mind was clear, and my practice was improving. I had time to look up and out of myself. I had time to think, plan, and be. I had time to appreciate the big and small things, and I had time to make changes.
This yoga retreat was life changing for me. I’m already booked in for next year.
Debra Clements, Perth, Australia - Relax, Rejuvenate, Reflect Retreat - Bali June 2017
Arriving in Denpasar on 17th June was the beginning of an amazing adventure.
Picked up at the airport in a comfortable air conditioned van that took us on a 4.5 hr long journey through the villages and mountains of Bali, the sights were breath taking, Jane and I sat up like excited meerkats not wanting to miss a thing.
Arriving at the Jeda Villas brought even more amazement, the grounds were so vast and beautiful. We were taken to our villas to find that we had our own private villa with an outdoor spacious bathroom, massive bedroom, our own kitchen, meal area, library, and to top it all of a private pool and deck area with sunbeds. I stood there for a moment and cried with joy. Gratitude would be the word!!!
The retreat followed with 6 days of amazing yoga classes in our own private heated yoga studio, meditation, massages, swimming, snorkelling and vegetarian meals with snacks OMG the flavour of the food, you will be well satisfied.
We also had the opportunity to experience a celebration with the locals in the town one evening, and go on a snorkelling trip to a local Island (this was an experience beyond words - peaceful yet colourful and intense).
The day of silence was a challenge for me at the time but reflecting back a very pivotal part of the trip.
Among the many benefits I received from the retreat I would have to say that my renewed passion for Yoga and the variety of yoga has been restored, I connected with the practice like never before, and I am sure it had a great deal to do with the wonderful Donna and Lili who provided inspiring classes of Bikram and Yin Yoga with meditation and Rieki included. These classes and the nutritional food saw a shift in my mind body and soul. I have taken this shift home with me and will continue to build on and draw from over the next 12 months until the next Retreat in 2018.
Gratitude beyond measure to Donna and Lili for providing such an Inspiring and moving retreat!!!
Arriving in Denpasar on 17th June was the beginning of an amazing adventure.
Picked up at the airport in a comfortable air conditioned van that took us on a 4.5 hr long journey through the villages and mountains of Bali, the sights were breath taking, Jane and I sat up like excited meerkats not wanting to miss a thing.
Arriving at the Jeda Villas brought even more amazement, the grounds were so vast and beautiful. We were taken to our villas to find that we had our own private villa with an outdoor spacious bathroom, massive bedroom, our own kitchen, meal area, library, and to top it all of a private pool and deck area with sunbeds. I stood there for a moment and cried with joy. Gratitude would be the word!!!
The retreat followed with 6 days of amazing yoga classes in our own private heated yoga studio, meditation, massages, swimming, snorkelling and vegetarian meals with snacks OMG the flavour of the food, you will be well satisfied.
We also had the opportunity to experience a celebration with the locals in the town one evening, and go on a snorkelling trip to a local Island (this was an experience beyond words - peaceful yet colourful and intense).
The day of silence was a challenge for me at the time but reflecting back a very pivotal part of the trip.
Among the many benefits I received from the retreat I would have to say that my renewed passion for Yoga and the variety of yoga has been restored, I connected with the practice like never before, and I am sure it had a great deal to do with the wonderful Donna and Lili who provided inspiring classes of Bikram and Yin Yoga with meditation and Rieki included. These classes and the nutritional food saw a shift in my mind body and soul. I have taken this shift home with me and will continue to build on and draw from over the next 12 months until the next Retreat in 2018.
Gratitude beyond measure to Donna and Lili for providing such an Inspiring and moving retreat!!!
Angeleen Managh, Sunshine Coast, Australia - Relax, Rejuvenate, Reflect Retreat - Bali June 2017
Wow what an amazing experience I had at Donna and Lili’s Yoga Retreat held at Jeda Villa, in Pemuteran, Bali. The luxury villas and the surroundings were inviting, calming and aesthetically pleasing to all senses. Donna and Lili’s knowledge and professionalism were evident in all of their yoga classes. They catered for our diverse yoga levels and ailments. The day of silence was a much-needed recommendation from the soul. It was great to allow space to connect with ‘self’ in such a beautiful tranquil environment. The outstanding vegetarian meals were made from fresh local produce. The dishes were absolutely delicious, creative and definitely fit for a King and Queen. This Yoga Retreat spoke to my body, mind and soul. I would highly recommend it to anyone wanting or needing to take time out away from the busyness of life. A huge thank you, to Donna and Lili for making this amazing experience a reality.