Running the World: Bali Style!

I’ve been in Bali for four days now and it has been amazing, inspiring…and also a little exhausting.

I arrived early on Saturday morning and was quickly greeted by my driver and fellow yogini, Alicia. We loaded up in the car and exchanged the usual small talk as we made our way to pick up the third yogi who would be sharing our shuttle. Watching from inside the van, it looked like pure and complete chaos all around us. Motorbikes speeding by with piles of people and kids on them – some even without helmets – swerving in and out and honking. All the honking. It was like watching a perfectly chaotic dance. Everyone seemed to be moving in different directions, in and out of lanes and between cars – but somehow working together to make it all work. After picking up Leila, the other yogini sharing our van, we made our way to Ubud. It was a surprisingly long and chaotic drive – just miles of honking and scooters – and of course some windy roads to keep it even more interesting.

When we finally arrived it was pouring down rain. We were quickly ushered out of the shuttle and inside an open air eating area where a group of yogis were already sitting around talking, hanging out and enjoying lunch. We newcomers admittedly felt a little lost. It felt like I was walking into the Real World house last on the first day and everyone had already claimed a bed (not that I was ever on the Real World) – ha!

When we finally got out bags and our room numbers, I met my two roommates, Angela (from Milwaukie and Kristina (from Portugal). I could tell right away that they would be friends – people I would want to know long after the training was over…which was a huge relief given just how nervous I was about the whole roommate thing in the first place. And then just about an hour later, we made our way down to the Yoga Shala, a big open air yoga room overlooking the jungle (seriously…) and that’s when it all truly began.

These last few days have been a blur of yoga, learning about yoga, and more yoga; so much yoga in fact that today I had to run. I had to. Like not running wasn’t even an option. I only had about 20 minutes or so of a break and it was hot, hot, hot out but I knew that if I didn’t run then, it wasn’t going to happen. So I laced up my shoes and didn’t even give myself time to think about it.

I needed to clear some space in my mind and get my body moving in a different way… it was almost like I was airing out all of my tired, achey muscles. And it felt great to run even in the hot, sticky air. Plus, it made jumping in the pool right after even that much more fun!

And of course, I was proud of myself for getting out in the heat so I could continue to participate in and support If Girls Ran the World all the way from the other side of the world (I hope you’ll join me for this challenge too!)

Since I have been waking up before 5 am everyday, I need to go to bed…more updates to follow (I promise!)! But for now get out there and RUN THIS WORLD with me!

Stay sweaty friends!

XOXO

Jamie