July 7, 2016
Pranawayu Yoga with Ketut Bandiastra at Taman Hati Yoga Ashram
Taman Hati Yoga Ashram
Location: Jalan Nyuh Gading No.7, Ubud, BaliEmail: tamanhatiyoga.bali@gmail.com
Tel: +62 (0)361-974-058
GPS: 8°31'32.7"S 115°15'24.6"E
Yoga Quest
Ubud is not only the cultural capital of Bali, it is also the yoga Mecca. The place is rich in art, cultural events, spas and yes, a generous sprinkling of yoga offerings from home studios to lavish yoga resorts. In my quest to try out the yoga studios in Ubud and experience the different styles of yoga offered, I ventured into an off-the-grid ashram in Nyu Kunin area about 4kms from the Ubud town center, called Taman Hati Yoga Ashram.
at the Taman Hati Yoga Ashram
Taman Hati Yoga Ashram
A shortcut to Taman Hati from Ubud town center is to go on foot or bicycle around the Monkey Forest until you end up on the back side of it - you're now in Nyuh Kuning. The ashram was established in 2002 and located within a quiet residential neighborhood in the upcoming trendy area of Nyuh Kuning where chic restos and touristy warungs are mushrooming up. The yoga studio is unusually huge with a high ceiling and alfresco walling. Frequented by locals with a few foreigners, it's one of the least commercial of the gamut of yoga studios in Ubud. There is also a Myna bird who perfectly mimics the laughter and even voice of the teacher, I Ketut Bandiastra, S. Ag.
I Ketut Bandiastra, S. Ag
Ketut is a son of a Balinese priest and hails from Ubud. He has traveled the world in the course of his teachings. The class I attended was mostly locals with a handful of foreigners. Locals pay by donation while admission for foreigners is IDR 100k. Ketut conducted the class mostly in Balinese with a few sprinkling of English, Japanese and French lines. He has an infectious laughter and smile. He carries himself lightly and exudes an aura of Hakuna Matata, "don't worry, be happy" - a very good embodiment of the Balinese demeanor. So far, in my limited experience in Ubud, I can say that this is the only culture I've seen that makes a conscious effort to be happy and in fact, celebrates their happiness! In his cuing, he generously throws-in the words, 'happy', 'sexy (but in a good way)' and 'smile'. While light-heartedly said, in his cuing, he also underscores that divinity resides within us - something that resonates highly with me. He comes across as a teacher you want to have a fun time with after the class (instead of being worshiped).
Pranawayu Yoga
Pranawayu Yoga is a unique sequence with a Balinese Hindu flavor as developed by Ketut given his background in Kundalini, Ashtanga and Iyengar yoga. It has a specific set of asanas done in precise chronological order. The asanas are essentially the same as Hatha yoga but the sequencing is gracefully elegant, unique and challenging.
Akiko Abe
In all of this yoga quest, Aki has been the surpring curve ball. I met her while looking for Teacher Ketut. She is a yoga teacher from Japan and devoted to deepening her yoga here at Taman Hati, going through lengths of devouring even the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali. According to her, she has tried many teachers and many styles but Pranawayu Yoga is a good match for her. She has a strong practice. Our friendship is an unexpected Easter Egg I found along the way.
Ending Thoughts
Pranawayu Yoga has one of the best sequencing I've ever experienced. With my strength coming back (from a month-long hiatus from yoga), I managed the asanas which were both challenging and artistic. The transitions were intelligent and intuitive as well. It felt like a well-orchestrated movement through space. Like Ashtanga and Sivananda that has a prescribed set of asanas in regimented chronology, so is Pranawayu. A sequence as gracefully articulated as this deserves its own name. Pranawayu Yoga!
Teacher Ketut, thank you so much for sharing the magic of Pranawayu Yoga with me. A year ago, I started developing an advance sequence combining the many elements of bandha, pranayama, kumbhaka into a series of asanas woven together into a seamless meditative vinyasa...but somehow left it unfinished. You give me inspiration to complete it.
--- TheLoneRider
Yoga & Fitness Website: YOGA by Gigit
ps - If you want me to participate and write about your yoga studio or your yoga practice, email me. For my complete yoga profile, you can visit this page: YOGA by Gigit
Leave a comment?
Reader Comments:
JimThai Plum Village
(Sep 29, 2017) Thank you for the amazing recommendation...he (Ketut Bandiastra) remembered you right away! Sends his kindest regards. Challenging class yet happy and light with his encouragement and banter. I intend to get in one more class before leaving next week.
Eunice
(July 18, 2016) Thank you for introducing Taman Hati to me. That's probably the best yoga I have ever attended. I'm going to Ketut's class tomorrow morning again! He's so funny! Haha! I enjoyed the entire process!
Natalia
(July 9, 2016) Thank you for sharing Gigit - I will definitely give it a try next week!
(July 11, 2016) The class was fantastic, I'm coming back tomorrow!! Come tomorrow morning for yoga at 10am for practice :) happy lungs happy chest happy sky
Ketut Bandiastra
Pranawayu Yoga Teacher at Taman Hati Yoga Ashram, Bali
(July 9, 2016) Siawase
TheLoneRider
(July 31, 2016) Teacher Ketut, I am sorry I left Ubud without saying goodbye. I left in a hurry, one day ahead of schedule when I found out there was a cheap flight out of Ubud just a few hours away. I want to thank you for the wonderdul Pranawayu Yoga experience. I still talk about it to my yoga friends and tell them not to miss your class if they visit Ubud. Take care Teacher! I hope to see you again when the wind takes me back to Ubud :)
Akiko Abe
(July 9, 2016) Thank you for your nice report Gigit!
Next stop: Visiting the Elephant Cave (Goa Gajah)
Bali, Indonesia
- Pasar Seni Ubud (market) - main market in Ubud with everything touristy you can ask for
- Goa Gajah (Elephant Cave) - 9th century Buddhist temple
- Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary - there really is a monkey forest right in the heart of Ubud!
- Jalan Kajeng - animated street similar to Hollywood's Walk of Fame
- Nyuh Kuning - wood carving village with a burgeoning chic cafe and resto scene along Jalan Nyuh Gading
- Ubud Royal Palace - home of the royal family
- Campuhan Ridge Walk - spectacular ridge view and hike ending 1km to the artists' village, Bangkiang Sidem | 8°30'13.0"S 115°15'16.9"E
- Ubud Backpackers Room - newly constructed, all new and clean, lockers, good water pressure, compli tea and coffee, spacious and alfresco chillout center
Jalan Nyuh Kuning, Pengosekan, Ubud, MAS, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali - 8°31'36.5"S 115°15'41.3"E - Nando House - free WiFi, restaurant, terrace, free private parking, pet-friendly accommodation, private bathroom, room service
Jalan Subak Sok Wayah, 80571 Ubud, Indonesia - 8°30'14.4"S 115°15'28.6"E
- The Yoga Barn - full service yoga studio, holistic healing retreat center
PT. Yoga Barn, Jalan Raya Pengosekan, Ubud - Bali, Indonesia - 80571
8°31'08.4"S 115°15'52.4"E - Ubud Yoga House - yoga for Every Body...all shapes, sizes, ages & levels
Jl. Raya Ubud No.23, Ubud, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali
8°30'07.0"S 115°15'30.5"E | 0821-4418-1058 - Taman Hati Yoga - Pranawayu yoga and Kundalini yoga
Jalan Nyuh Gading No.7, Ubud, MAS, Kec. Gianyar, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali
8°31'32.7"S 115°15'24.6"E | +62 (0)361-974-058 | tamanhatiyoga.bali@gmail.com - Ubud Yoga Centre - Ashtanga Yoga
Jalan Nyuh Kuning Raya / Singakerta Raya, Ubud, MAS, Gianyar, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali, Indonesia
8°31'43.0"S 115°15'15.5"E | +62 812-1020-389 | hello@ubudyogacentre.com - Intuitive Flow Yoga Studio - Healing, Yoga, Meditation with a breathtaking view
Jl. Raya Tjampuhan, Penestanan Kaja, Ubud, Bali, Indonesia
8°30'10.8"S 115°15'07.8"E | +62-361-977-824 | contact@intuitiveflow.com - Ambar Ashram Laughter Yoga - Healing, Laughter Yoga, Meditation
Jl. Nyuh Bojog No.5, MAS, Ubud, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali, Indonesia
8°31'21.2"S 115°15'22.0"E - Radiantly Alive Yoga - Vinyasa Yoga, Tibetan Heart Yoga, Iyengar Inspired, Pilates, Fly High, Roll and Release, Ashtanga Mysore, Yoga Dance, Salsa, Arm Balance Foundations, Beginners Yoga
Jl Jembawan no.3, Padang Tegal Kaja Ubud, Bali, 80571
+62 (0)361 978 055 | 8°30'33.7"S 115°16'01.2"E - White Lotus Meditation Centre - Meditation classes | Meditation retreats
JL. Kajeng 23, Ubud, Ubud, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali, Indonesia
+62 899-0134-962 | 8°30'12.9"S 115°15'43.1"E - ONEWORLD retreats - yoga, meditation, spa and discoveries
Jl. Suweta, Banjar Sambahan, Ubud, Bali, Indonesia
+62 361 289752 | info@oneworldretreats.com
- warung eateries - a cluster of roadside eateries, essential for those on a budget or those who want authentic Balinese everyday food at local prices
across the Pertamina Gas Station - 8°31'28.2"S 115°15'49.0"E - Nando's Warung - delicious Balinese food at local warung price in a garden setting
Jalan Subak Sok Wayah, 80571 Ubud, Indonesia - 8°30'14.4"S 115°15'28.6"E
- D&D Rental - motorcycle and bicycle rental, tours, tourist information center
Pengosikan Street, Ubud
Ubud FYI / Tips
- the tourist area where most of the hotels, restaurants, ticket offices, tour operators are, is concentrated within the rectangular area covered by Jalan Raya Ubud, Jalan Hanuman and Jalan Monkey Forest. Best to book your hotel within this area
How to Get to Ubud from Denpasar Airport (Ngurah Rai International Airport)
- best, cheapest, fastest and most comfortable (this is what I did for Ubud and in Singapore) - at the airport, talk to other white travelers waiting on the same gate if they are going to Ubud. Arrange for a taxi pool. With 3 guys, you split the taxi fare (usually IDR 200k + IDR 5k for airport entrance) three-ways. You end up paying just slightly more (IDR 68k) than roughing it through a series of bemos and vans.
- take a bemo (public bus) to Kuta (IDR 6k) then take a shuttle bus by Perama to Ubud (IDR 50k)
Ubud Cost Index
(US$1 = Indonesian Rupiah IDR 13,140 = Philippines Php 47.00 as of July 1, 2016)- IDR 30-35k one small bottle beer with live band
- IDR 4.5k 1.5 liter drinking water
- IDR 70k one hour massage
- IDR 15k warung food in hawker style food cart
- IDR 15 coffee in trendy cafes
- IDR 35k bicycle rental
- IDR 20k per kilo or IDR 2k/piece laundry (although I've seen one at IDR 8k per kilo)
- IDR 60k shuttle to airport
- IDR 130k bunk bed in a dorm room, shared toilet
- IDR 8k internet cafe
- IDR 50k haircut
- IDR 80k cultural performances
- IDR 130k standard drop-in yoga class
Indonesia Blogs by TheLoneRider
- A First-timer in Jakarta June 23-25, 2016
- Visiting the White Crater (Kawa Putih) of Bandung Jun 28, 2016
- Exploring Bogor, Indonesia Jun 25-27, 2016
- 21 Days of Abundance, Yoga and Friendship in Ubud June 30-July 21, 2016
- Hatha Yoga with Andrea Paige at The Yoga Barn July 21, 2016
- Roll and Release by Rusty Davis at Radiantly Alive Yoga Studio July 20, 2016
- Kundalini Yoga with Ketut Bandiastra at Taman Hati Yoga Ashram July 20, 2016
- Kundalini Meditative Movement with Sandeh at White Lotus Meditation Center July 19, 2016
- Andrea Paige - Health Crusader and Yogini July 18, 2016
- Power Yoga with Ni Made Murni at The Yoga Barn July 18, 2016
- Vinyasa Yoga with Daniel Aaron at Radiantly Alive Yoga Studio July 17, 2016
- Mass Cremation (Ngaben) in Ubud with Louisa July 16, 2016
- Mysore Ashtanga with Laruga at Ubud Yoga Center July 15, 2016
- Kalimasada at Yayasan Segara Giri July 14, 2016
- Hiking Campuhan Ridge July 14, 2016
- Vinyasa Flow with Nina at Intuitive Flow Yoga Studio July 14, 2016
- Laughter Yoga with Kadek Suambara at Ambar Ashram July 12, 2016
- Dance til you Drop at Bollywood Night with Punnu Wasu July 11, 2016
- Mayan Calendar Readings by Vasumi July 10, 2016
- Yoga Pranala with Chiara at Intuitive Flow Yoga Studio July 10, 2016
- Visiting the Elephant Cave (Goa Gajah) July 9, 2016
- Pranawayu Yoga with I Ketut Bandiastra, S. Ag at Taman Hati Yoga Ashram July 7, 2016
- Astrology Talk at The Yoga Barn July 6, 2016
- Yoga with Sasha Lang at the Ubud Yoga House July 6, 2016
- Ananda Mandala Meditation by Punnu Wasu at The Yoga Barn Jul 4/5, 2016
- The Wild Monkeys of the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary July 7, 2016
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Bogor, Java
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