Bali Shakti is a yoga studio and art gallery surrounded by palm trees and situated between the rice fields and the tropical forest of a valley in Champuan near Ubud. This place is very significant in the history of the Hindu tradition, as it was here that the first Hindu temple was established by Markandeya, a holy man from Java, and this wonderful and very alive Hindu culture started in Bali. The next village is called Payogan, which means a place for yoga or meditation. It was here that this holy man decided to meditate and do yoga. For us this is a very meaningful place like the root of a very strong tree giving the support for any kind of growing process. Our vision is to grow a new space to connect the soul with nature in a sacred place. Bali Shakti is located in a timeless landscape of terraced rice fields, tropical palms and colourful tropical flowers that stretches as far as the eye can see. It is a peaceful and inspiring setting, with a natural daily rhythm of the ducks settling in the rice fields and the herons flying overhead. At the back of Bali Shakti, the yoga room faces a spectacular view of lush tropical jungle and the powerful holy mountain Agung. At the front is the gallery, a place created to exhibit Balinese paintings and performances, with views of the rice fields and distant mountain ranges of Batu Karu. It is situated half way along a beautiful walk from Ubud, which is one of the most famous pilgrim routes of Bali. The route is not open to vehicles, and it takes 15 minutes walking downhill to the Champuan temple, and another 15 minute walk to the centre of Ubud. The alternative way is a road that goes around the scenic Woss valley and takes 20 minutes by car. From the international airport at Denpasar, it is a one hour drive to Bali Shakti. The yoga centre is non-residential for students and is a non-smoking, alchohol, meat and drug free centre.     Copyright © 2004 Bali Shakti