Observing The Balinese New Year
Purification, Wellness, Ritual,
Ceremony, & Silence
Teachers : Ellen Watson, Micha Merrick & Novie Carmelita
Dates : March 6 - 13, 2024
Location : Mimpi Resort, Menjangan, Bali
It’s time right now for you to register, get your ticket and begin planning to experience a powerful series of Balinese Holy Days.
We gather on the evening of March 6, for our opening rituals and sunset dinner.
Our personal care and purification ceremonies begin at Shakti Temple, overseen by Susi, from Mimpi Springs Spa; her family oversees the care of this magical water temple.
We continue through the first two days with making herbal compresses, with skin exfoliation scrubs, with learning simple and profound massage tools for head, hands and feet…we blend our own essential oil body lotion…we move to the rhythms of nature…Qi Gung, Tai Chi, Vibrance Dance, Dancing with the elements, with Rumi, with sound and song.
We celebrate life and being alive to enjoy.
From dawn’s first light to the setting sun we move in and out of celebrating and abiding in stillness.
March 9 brings us to Kuningan Day,a celebration of the end of a 10 day visit by the spirits of departed ancestors and friends, as they return to the unseen world. And, to Melasti, one of three days when Balinese, all Balinese, take their altars to the largest and closest water source (lake or ocean) for an annual cleansing. We will visit a temple by the ocean to witness and observe.
March 10, New Year’s Eve…a day of our personal care and wellness practices followed by Oguh Oguh parade. This year, a presidential election year, won’t be as large as in non-election years.
March 11, at 6 AM: we begin the observation of Nyepi.
Nyepi, also known as the “Bali Day of Silence,” is a key event in the Saka New Year calendar, which is observed following the new moon in March. In 2024, Nyepi falls on March 11th. The island comes to a standstill for 24 hours, with no lights, music, nor noise; transport is halted, and everyone must stay at home. It is a time for reflection, meditation, and self-purification.
Nyepi is a profoundly spiritual and cultural celebration, and participating in it is a truly once-in-a-lifetime experience. We have time to disconnect from the chaos of daily life and connect with the stillness within.
March 12, Our return to embodied presence and wellness practices continues.
March 13, morning practices with brunch…Farewell.
During this most auspicious time in the Balinese calendar.
How to Apply?
1. Click Here to fill in the application form.
2. Return the application form to us.
3. Upon acceptance to the program, you then formally register.
4. Registration begins with choice of room, which determines the price you pay.
5. You also fill in and sign the enrollment agreement.
6. Submit the registration and enrollment agreement to us, along with payment (either deposit of in full) for the room choice you made.
7. We will send you a confirmation of payment, enter you onto the roster, reserve your room, and send you periodic updates.
Teachers
Ellen Watson
Ellen Watson has studied, practiced, and taught at the Esalen Institute, Big Sur, California, since 1984. While calling Esalen ‘home’, Ellen worked in the garden, office and kitchen, where she ‘cooked her way through school’. Using Esalen as a school of Universal Consciousness Studies with a focus on the Somatic and Healing Arts, and cross cultural spiritual practices. Ellen’s mentors in facilitating visionary medicine journeys, were Terence McKenna, Stanislav Grof, and Native American Medicine Healers.
As a licensed minister, and Grof Breathworker, Ellen delights in opening the portals for herself and others to embodying Spirit and Soul.
Ellen has practiced and taught and trained teachers at Esalen and globally in Esalen®Massage & Bodywork, since 1988. Ellen founded Moving Ventures, Inc, in 1996.
Ellen developed Touching Essence™, a multi-cultural, multi-sensory, neo-shamanic approach to healing through touch. Joining Ellen on the faculty of Touching Essence are Elena Gilli and Daniela Urbassek.
A student and teacher of Gabrielle Roth’s 5 Rhythms®, and strongly influenced by Continuum® Movement, Ellen developed along with Ashley Johnson and Daphne Tse, The Vibrance Collective. TVC’s mission is “Dancing, Singing , and Touching The World Awake’.
Ellen currently offers retreats, professional trainings, cultural immersions, and healing journeys worldwide.
Micha Merrick
Micha Shares embodied herbalism as a heartfelt communion with our living ecosystem.
Mentored by womans' healers in Thailand, spiritual midwives in Bali, and wise-woman herbalists in New England, Micha facilitates mind-body healing through herbal bodywork rituals, doula services, intuitive counsel and transformational retreats worldwide. Micha is a faculty member of the Esalen Institute, in Big Sur California, where she creates a weekly ritual flower bath and shares an energetic healing practice combining sound, touch, herbs and intention. Her clients find sanctuary and grounding in connection with the earth.
Novie Carmelita
Born in Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara, on November 26th, 1982, Novie has had a deep connection with music since childhood. Influenced by her father, a former drummer who later pursued a career in civil service, and her grandmother, a talented Sasando musician and church choir leader, at a young age she was introduced to the world of music and dance.
Guided by her grandmother, Novie received initial lessons in Cha Cha and Waltz dance at the age of 8, instilling a profound appreciation for the art of movement and rhythm. Throughout her childhood, her musical exposure was primarily shaped by the melodies playing on the household tape player and the tunes gracing the airwaves. This formative period allowed her to recollect cherished memories vividly.
She firmly believes in the transformative power of music and dance, viewing them as versatile instruments capable of healing, fostering connections, and sharing emotions. With this conviction, Novie is dedicated to using the enchanting allure of music and dance to enrich and color the world.
Sushi
Sushi is a masterful healing artist. With her heart in her hands, Sushi manages Mimpi Springs Spa, and offers sessions specializing in Esalen Massage, and a variety of signature Mimpi Springs Spa services. Sushi has practiced at Mimpi for over 20 years, and is enrolled in the Esalen Massage Training, beginning in June, 2024 and ending in March, 2025.
Venue & Accommodation
For this program, accommodation is available at Mimpi Menjangan, Bali. Contact Us for information on private accommodation upgrades or any further information about Mimpi Menjangan, Bali.
On the North-West coast of Bali in the village of Banyuwedang, Mimpi looks out towards the Menjangan Island. The area is notorious as a hot-spot for diving and snorkelling and just a little further down the coast a regular dolphin hangout.
Pricing & Payment
*you will be redirected to MovingVentures for payment
*payment in full at time of registration, please.
Shared Courtyard Villa with Hot Spring
$2,999 USD
A Court Yard villa features two twin/double beds with a mezzanine, private garden area, and tub which may be filled with hot spring water. All-inclusive. This is the best option for friends or solo travelers - if you are a solo traveler, we will do our best to put you with another roommate of the same sex. If we are unable to do so, then we can explore private options for you.
Private Courtyard Villa with Hot Spring
$3,740 USD
For a taste of luxury, enjoy a CY Villa to yourself for maximum comfort and privacy. Enjoy your own spacious area with a garden and hot spring bath for total relaxation. All-Inclusive.
Private Patio Room
$3,250 USD
The rooms are spacious and very comfortable, making them easy to share with another guest whilst maintaing plenty of personal space.