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Michael Franti

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Following 2014 exciting dance performances and colourful costumes by the Dayaks Dancers from Borneo, in 2015 Bali Spirit Festival  hosted a Borneo tent. It was there that I met David Metcalf, a masterclass photographer and author of the book “Looking for Borneo”, exhibiting 250 spectacular colour photos of Borneo. David is passionate about the Dayak people and has spent years exploring the outer reaches of one of the most ecologically diverse landscapes on the planet. He introduced me to a group of Dayak dancers directly from the jungles of Kalimantan: the Spirit of the Hornbill dance academy, 19 Dayak dancers flown in directly from the jungles of Kalimantan, Borneo.

Spirit of the Hornbill dancers

Spirit of the Hornbill perform Dayak dance and music, and have prepared a workshop that is part of a program in tour to lift the Dayak cultural traditions through dance. I learned that the academy had been formed just over one year before by Siti Habibah from the Dayak Ngaju tribe, Central Kalimantan. They teach young children from the age of seven years about Dayak dance and culture and perform in regional competitions. In 2014 they represented Central Kalimantan against many dance groups from around Indonesia in Semerang, and the older members of the group have performed in Jakarta on two occasions and at the Bali Writers festival.

Spirit of the Hornbill musicians

The spirit of the Hornbills dance academy was about to enter a new stage. The team of dance teachers will be heading out to the villages in Central Kalimantan to provide teaching to the Dayak children who currently receive no dance teaching at all. The idea is to give those kids some hope and to preserve their culture through dance. Borneo’s forests and culture is fast disappearing. One way to raise awareness is through cultural expression and dance, and communicating to people the importance of developing this art form.

Siti, leader of Spirit of the Hornbill

Siti, the leader of the dance studio, is a very talented dancer and teacher and needs support to take her studio from its humble beginnings to the next level. They do not have any musical equipment so the children mostly aged between 6 and 12 have to dance to a CD. When they perform they have to hire a traditional musical instrument if they can afford it. Siti started her studio by saving for many months to raise the $500 required to pay for the rent on the studio for the following 12 months.

Spirit of the Hornbill dancer

The objective is to buy the musical instrument they need, then dance uniforms, and other Dayak accessories to demonstrate and express their culture. You can read about Siti in David’s website: http://www.davidmetcalfphotography.com/siti-dayak-dancer/ . David’s objective is to help Siti achieve her dream, raise awareness about Dayak culture and pass on this aspect of Dayak culture to the younger generation, encouraging more young Dayaks to dance. If you wish to help, you can support Siti through Gofundme: https://www.gofundme.com/Sitis-Dream 

Spirit of the Hornbill dance academy performance at the Bali Spirit Festival was great; they designed a special dance for the opening night, and were the chosen band to close the festival.

You can watch them on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GlFFZaFaMlc 

Read about David Metcalf movie, Long Sa’an, raising awareness about the plight of the forests and wildlife.

For great adventures in the Indonesian Kalimantan, check Central Borneo Guide by Yun, Siri’s sister. 

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Hurrah for Bali SPirit Festival!

Sunday, the last day at the Bali Spirit Festival www.balispiritfestival.com, is Hari Cinta Kewarga, or family day. A day when kids and their families are invited to enjoy the spirit of the festival, with special classes tailored towards kids and the whole family.

Since I felt a little tired from the day and night before 16 hours marathon, I opted for a Tai Chi class. Canadian born Panda Chi, from Chinese descents, has been practicing the art and philosophy of Tai Chi from the early age of 12. His short morning class was more spiritual and on feeling our soul and innemost being rather than on Tai Chi movements, and this suited my slow morning mood.

Sarina Jain with Punna

The real shock came from the class after that, Masala Bhangra workout by USA born, Indian Sarina Jain. I wanted to attend this workout as I well remembered how great I felt at Sarina’s class at BaliSpirit Festival in 2013; I was not wrong.

This time Sarina was accompanied by her partner as well as by two Indian bearded drummers who gave the beat to the Indian dance music while we danced Bollywood style!

Dancing at Sarina Jain Masala class

The Main Pavillion was filled with at least 200 people, which made the dance floor crowded but funny all the while. We danced and sweated as we learned Bhangra movements mixed with funky dances. Great stuff, which made my t-shirt soaked wet and my legs numb. Check on Sarina’s fitness classes and more on www.masaladance.com

Dharma Fair

After another great lunch at the Dharma Fair, where I filled up with an amazingly tasty quinoa and fern salad, we headed to the Bale Down to watch the Long Sa-an movie presentation by photographer David Metcalf. It is an incredibly brave journey, both physical and mental, that a group of people embark on with the purpose of saving the forest dwelling of the Dayaki people. The preservation of their culture depend on the forest, so check on www.thejourneyback.info to know more about this amazing project. Local songwriter Robi Navicula delighted us with some great music.

Borneo tribal women

The last class of the day was at the Main Pavilion where Cristi Christensen delivered an emotional tutorial on deep inhaling energy, moving and connecting with ourselves and with the others. It started as a slow affair, to which over 300 people participated filling the whole pavilion, and developed into something so strong that I have difficulty in describing. A former gymnast and platform diver, Cristi Christensen specializes in yoga techniques that provide balance while centering the mind and body. She applies sacred movements and exhaling to her classes, delivering bright energy in a unique class style; I could not help but feel her infectious energy throughout the class, and this was a blessing ending to my Bali Spirit Festival 2105.

At that point,, after all that holistic voyage, I wished there was a BaliSpirit Festival every month everywhere. This festival delivers a mix of emotions and lets you really open up body and mind for a healthier, happier life! So long Bali Spirit Festival.

Asianitinerary stayed at the Lodtunduh Sari Villas –  http://asianitinerary.com/lodtunduh-sari-villas-ubud/ 

TO BOOK LODTUNDUH SARI VILLA CLICK HERE !

TODAY’S ARTISTS

Sarina Jain

Sarina Jain

Born in California, Sarina started leading fitness classes at a young age, and has been a certified fitness instructor for more than 18 years. She completed studies in marketing and public relations in Los Angeles before founding her company, Masala Dance & Fitness, Inc., in 1999. She soon relocated to New York where she successfully cultivated a larger audience for her cross-cultural fitness ideas. An energetic fitness innovator, music video choreographer, and international television/radio personality, Ms. Jain is America’s first cross-cultural fitness star and the creator of the Masala Bhangra Workout@reg;, which fuses Bhangra with modern, funky dance moves. Ms. Jain also hosts her own TV segment on Discovery Channel’s Fit TV, has a show on ExerciseTV, and she regularly appears on networks and programs including NBC and Today. For more information see: www.masaladance.com

Panda Chi

Panda Chi

Panda, from Chinese descent, was born in 1958, Vancouver Canada. From the age of 12 he began practicing the art and philosophy of Tai Chi. By incorporating Tai Chi’s main principle of non-resistance and following one’s true nature he was slowly brought to all his spiritual teachers who gave him the profound experience of his innermost being: Soul Realization. With a background of more than 35 years in the fields of Eastern Therapeutic Therapies and Self-Realization arts he has combined his personal awakenings and trainings to create a unique work that leads to transformation and Soul-Realization. He has taught for more than 20 years. He is also the author of two books and his instructional DVD, “Self-Realization Through Movement.” For more information about Panda, see: www.pandayoga.net

Cristi Christensen

A former elite-level gymnast and platform diver, Cristi trained with the US Olympic diving team as an young adult. After an injury cut her Olympic dreams short, Cristi shifted her focus to helping others improve their level of fitness through personal training, Pilates, Core Fusion, and yoga. From 2006-2014, Cristi served as the Director of the internationally renowned Exhale Center for Sacred Movement in Venice, CA, where she continues to teach yoga and Core Fusion. Cristi combines her teaching, practice, and bright energy into a dynamic and unique classroom style that translates into an infectious energy that her students can’t help but feel during each class. She spreads this energy across the globe, leading workshops, retreats, and has graced the covers of Yoga Journal and LA Yoga. For more information on Cristi, please see: www.cristichristensen.com

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Workshop at Bali Spirit Festival

When I attended the Bali Spirit Festival – www.balispiritfestival.com – for the first time two years ago, I was lucky to have enough time to dedicate to the full 5 days program. This year, I am only blessed to attend the last two days so I was determined to make the most out of them, at the same time trying not to get too worn out…

As I collected my Media Pass on Saturday morning at the Purnati Center, my eyes quickly scanned through the full schedule of the festival: soooo many different and varied classes and seminars had already happened in the past three days, some not to be repeated. I felt so bad to have missed all that action.

Malaika Maveena Darville

I continued scanning the daily program and I realized I had little time left to make it to the Grove Pavillion, where I enjoyed the wisdom of Malaika Maveena Darville. Malaika, of Canadian and Jamaican ancestry, brings a wealth of wisdom for an immediate awakening as we got to dance in circles, mimicking impersonations of Shiva and Shakti: we interacted with each other, touching hearts and hands and sharing with all present beings. It was such a strong experience made of dance, release, and of a deep looking into our own heart. Malaika class is called ‘5 Elements Shiva Shakti Heart Activation, and I was fully taken by it. Towards the end, tears rolled down my cheek. What an emotional start, I thought. I was indeed ready for more.

Sam Weinstein

I was about to join the ‘Gospel Singing Dancing and Drumming Revival‘ at the Amphitheater when  I noticed that Sam Weinsntein was preparing his class at the Bale Down. I could not miss it, as the night before I had been quite taken by the description of his classes: “Yoga with heart, postures, breath and a bit of sweat and laughter”. If fate was bringing me to him, I thought I could not resist it. I found a tiny space in the crowded room and soon realized I was in the right place!

Sam is a passionate teacher who enriches detailed Iyengar yoga and therapeutic postures, a class for everyone and at any yoga level, entertaining thanks to his stories and anecdotes about his life journey into yoga, his time in India and more. The class ended up being tiring due to the fast flows we endured, I must admit, but it was also so rewarding and warm. I hope you cross Sam’s world path one day.

earthy food and organic veggie at the Dharma Fair

Lunch was a great affair of Balinese earthy food and organic veggie wraps at the Dharma Fair, where all sort of food mingled: Indian, vegetarian as well as delicious cakes and tasty coffees. There were yoga clothes and merchandise stalls, art and jewelry, and a wealth of eco-information to be digested too!

Outside of the pavillions, local Balinese women were dressing the lawn with colourful flowers in fantastic floral carpets, and the Brazilians were preparing their capoeira class. There were lots of people of all kind of nationalities and ages, and it felt great to be in such a multiethnic environment. I had not felt that magic since the previous Bali Spirit Festival!

Daniel Rojas

I split the following two hours between Colombian Daniel Rojas and his great class on inspirational dance, and the amazing singer/guitar player duo Daphne Tse, a regular at Bali Spirit Festival, and Zenthai Shiatsu master, Australian Gwyin Williams, who combined his yoga class with Chinese medicine for a unique therapeutic practice, accompanied by Daphne’s cool, relaxing sounds. At 3 pm my energy was about to leave me.

I had missed the 1pm Press Conference on HIV/AIDS but promised myself to look online at their amazing foundation work. Check them on Facebook or on Youtube: Ayo Ubud. I had also missed the Media Panel discussion on Ayurveda practice, but this is Bali Spirit Festival: you can’t have it all, it is all about choices…

Jeffrey Armstrong

The choice of the last workshop of the day was a bit of a dilemma for me, but in the end, music and philosophy won my heart and I made my way to the Main Pavillion to listen to Jeffrey Armstrong’s speech accompanied by live Indian music by Kevin James and Friends and by Punnu Singh Wasu.

Balinese dancers on the lawn

Motivational speaker Jeffrey Armstrong enlightened us about the Bhaktri concept whereas we are all our own gurus if we consider the Bhaktri dimensions. First of these dimensions is to realize that we should all care and respect all living beings, and be regulated by their lifestyle. Mantra chanting was a great way to feel unite with the group, and we expressed gratitude to the planet and to Bali in particular.

Here, at the Bali Spirit Festival, we are called to understand more and more about our magic planet Earth, and we leave as ambassadors with a very special message to the world. Kavin James’ lovely interpretations of the mantra songs closed my first, inspiring day at the Bali Spirit Festival.

See you tomorrow!

Asianitinerary stayed at the Lodtunduh Sari Villas –  http://asianitinerary.com/lodtunduh-sari-villas-ubud/ 

TODAY’S ARTISTS

Malaika Maveena Darville

Malaika Maveena Darville

Malaika Darville is a world class Global Facilitator, ISHTA Yoga teacher, Water Dance Practitioner, Lomi Lomi Practitioner, Tantric Workshop Facilitator and Global Humanitarian. She is the Creatrix of 5ELEMENTS DANCE ACTIVATION™ and has been sharing her passion and wisdom internationally for the past 25 years. Committed to her own personal development and healing she has lived and studied all over the world. She embodies the Earth wisdom of the Indigenous people she was privileged to spend time and learn from including one year in an African Village. Her workshops are high energy, powerful Shamanic Activations for both men and women to restore balance, connection and community. For more information, see: www.inmyelements.com

Sam Weinsntein

Sam Weinstein

Sam Weinstein has been teaching yoga for 42 years. His first mentor was the yoga legend of consciousness Pujari of 70’s San Diego California -launching Sam on his path of yoga and consciousness.

After Sam completed Pujari’s 3 year yoga teacher training he went on to India to Study with B.K.S. Iyengar in Poona. Sam is developing a teaching style called Transformational Yoga. A merging of detailed Iyengar Method, simple hatha yoga, flow, and therapeutic. Stretch, Breathe, Sweat, laugh, a tear or a smile. Geared to all levels emphasizing only go to your edge. He is a passionate teacher full of stories of India and life. Sam has total faith in all his students, their goodness and their beauty. It is with this faith that he encourages students to discover themselves and allow transformation. Sam and his wife Sydel run The Home Of Yoga in Mosman Park Western Australia. They run a Yoga Teacher Training program and lead yearly Yoga Retreats in Bali. For more information, see: www.homeofyoga.com

Daniel Rojas

Daniel Rojas

Based in Scandinavia, professional Dancer, Choreographer, Actor, Nutritionist, Yoga Teacher, Daniel Sonic Rojas has been dancing for more than 20 years. In addition to dance, Daniel has a strong practice in Yoga, Meditation and Nutrition, including certification as a Yoga Instructor and as a Raw Food Chef.

As a performer and teacher, Daniel is known around the world for his creativity and individual way of expressing himself by telling stories through dance. Combining his Latin roots and his experiential journey of many years as a professional dancer/performer, Daniel has created his own style that he calls CONTEMPORARY-BREAK. At the 2015 BaliSpirit Festival Daniel will be teaching Embodied Dance, a unique play shop created by Daniel ‘Sonic’ Rojas, that combines elements of different dance cultures to inspire freedom & creativity in dancers, as well as non-dancers, to break the boundaries of dance and explore feeling through movement. It is Daniel’s aim to integrate Yoga, Dance, Meditation and Nutrition into a holistic offering to better understand the Body/Mind, as well as a way to spread his message to the world: Live, Love & Dance. For more information about Daniel, see the following links:

Interview for Savory Academy on Contemporary Break: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hKo9EkwdcYM

Personal Promo Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SlQTeVS90Sw

This is an interview he gave about teaching yoga for dancers: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4gKdFAICxFY

Gwyin Williams

Gwyn Williams

Gwyn Williams has spent 15 years effectively combining Traditional Chinese Medicine with Yoga to create Zenthai Shiatsu to allow a unique, therapeutic and awakened art to deepen your practice and share with another. Also a martial arts and acroyoga teacher, he utilizes a lifetime of learning from masters of Thai Massage and Osteopathy to share his prime passion.. Awareness. The way you hand touches the mat ,your foot rises into the air or your touch meets another body will definitely become a more rich and sacred experience.

For more information, see: www.zenthaishiatsu.com

Jeffrey Armstrong

Jeffrey Armstrong

Back at the BaliSpirit Festival for the third year in a row, Jeffrey Armstrong, Founder of VASA (the Vedic Academy of Sciences & Arts), will challenge your mind and open your heart and show you a vision of a new world that blends modern science with timeless wisdom. Part guru, part poet, a CEO with endless energy and passion, he considers himself “an astronaut of inner space” and believes that a instinctual need for balance is what has led to the unprecedented popularity of yoga. Jeffrey is an award-winning poet and best-selling author of numerous books including his recent book: Spiritual Teachings of the Avatar, Ancient Wisdom for a New World, published by Beyond Words/Simon & Schuster. He is a relationship expert, philosopher, practitioner and teacher of the Vedas for over 40 years and spent five years in an ashram as a brahmacharya (monk). For more information about Jeffrey, see: www.JeffreyArmstrong.com

Punnu Singh Wasu

Punnu Singh Wasu 

Punnu Singh Wasu born in Hyderabad, India into a family that has a true love for Kirtan. He is a multi talented musician, singer/composer, healer, yoga teacher & a spiritual activist. He is a devoted harmonium, mandolin and tabla player with a remarkably soulful voice that touches the deepest core of listeners. Punnu offers a variety of classes & courses at The Yoga Barn, Bali among meditation & melodic sound journey – his Indian Kirtan is a highlight. Aside from his other performances globally Punnu also has performed in Bhaktifest Joshua Tree in 2010/11 & at Bali Spirit Festival in 2010/12/13 and 2015. Check on him at www.punnuwasu.com

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The BaliSpirit Festival is excited to announce the 9th annual BaliSpirit Festival dates: March 29th and 3rd April, 2016.

The BaliSpirit Festival, a Global Celebration of Yoga, Dance and World Music, offers rejuvenation and inspiration to all participants, providing over 230 daily classes in yoga, meditation, healing, dance, and music along with seminars focusing on healing, health, spirituality and personal development. The festival also brings together dozens of top international performers and world-class musicians, attracting a truly global audience to the annual event.

The 2015 BaliSpirit Festival was a huge success with over 7,000 festivalgoers, from over 40 countries, uniting together in a global celebration of dance, music, yoga and healing.

Along with the myriad of workshops offered, the daytime event features a Dharma Fair for those who want to indulge in a little conscious shopping!  Also featured in the Dharma Fair is the Healing Huts area, Kids Zone, healthy, local organic food stalls and the Coco-Love Stage which showcases World music throughout the daytime festival, creating a truly dynamic and engaging festival vibe.

Additionally, BaliSpirit Festival’s devotional Bhakti Nights and its vibrant ‘One World One Stage’ night concerts, provide a vast diversity of performers across 2 stages over 5 nights, featuring over 100 extraordinary international performers committed to delivering inspiring messages through their music.

Participants have described BaliSpirit Festival as a ‘life changing experience’, ‘inspirational’ and having ‘being positively impacted by the festival’s blend of energy, passion, personal awakening, social consciousness and high quality entertainment’.

We invite you to join us in 2016 at the BaliSpirit Festival for this global collaboration of love, harmony and oneness.  The 2016 Super Early Bird tickets are now on sale – $550 for VIP and $450 for a full-festival pass.

To purchase your ticket, please click here.

View images of the 2015 Festival here. View the 2015 promotional video here.

Additional Information:

Website : www.balispiritfestival.com

General Information: info@balispiritfestival.com

Media inquires: media@balispiritfestival.com

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