There are spas; and then there are super spas, such as the one in Four Seasons Bali at Sayan. This 20-year-old grande dame of a resort is located in the highlands of Ubud among lush forests overlooking the Ayung River. Famed for its rooftop lotus pond that frames the runway-like entrance and the spectacular lobby bar, one might forget the resort’s focus goes well beyond its aesthetics: a bee villa program was created in 2017 to help repopulate the bees in the region that tend not to survive the weather, and there is, of course, the spa.
The Sacred River Spa — as the name indicates, is nestled in Ayung river valley — wows, not just with its hardware, but with the extensive therapies and wellness programs it offers. Beyond the usual spa treatments, the spa also offers energy healing, water purification ceremonies and consultations with local healers and therapists. What strike our fancy most, however, are the chakra ceremonies and yoga sessions.
Chakras are seven energy centres located along our spinal column that govern our key physical areas, from our head to our base. Our chakras get out of balance due to stress so you fill out a questionnaire to fill out at the spa to determine which of your chakras needs most attention. Seven different rituals were created to cleanse and rebalance our chakras using smoke ceremonies, detoxifying body scrubs, Tibetan singing bowls for sound therapy, body wraps, flower baths, warm massages and more.
It’s not merely the therapeutic effects of hanging upside down with the help of a hammock (inversions are known to help lengthen and ease tension in our spinal cord) but also their stunning Dharma Shanti Yoga Bale that’s set in the most verdant greenery that makes this a special experience. This yoga pavilion was designed by Ibuku — a team of designers, architects and engineers led by Elora Hardy (daughter of jewellery-maker and Bali’s Green Village creator, John Hardy) that explore ways of using bamboo to build homes, schools and hospitality spaces. Built specially for the location and to accommodate the purpose of antigravity yoga, the entire structure was made out of bamboo with its leaf-like roof to let in the right amount of light in the evening. Sunset yoga at this bale is an experience one would not forget. Before treating yourself to an elaborate ritual, an AntiGravity® Yoga class is not to be missed at this resort spa.
It’s not merely the therapeutic effects of hanging upside down with the help of a hammock (inversions are known to help lengthen and ease tension in our spinal cord) but also their stunning Dharma Shanti Yoga Bale that’s set in the most verdant greenery that makes this a special experience. This yoga pavilion was designed by Ibuku — a team of designers, architects and engineers led by Elora Hardy (daughter of jewellery-maker and Bali’s Green Village creator, John Hardy) that explore ways of using bamboo to build homes, schools and hospitality spaces. Built specially for the location and to accommodate the purpose of antigravity yoga, the entire structure was made out of bamoo with its leaf-like roof to let in the right amount of light in the evening. Sunset yoga at this bale is an experience one would not forget.