Bali Bliss Wellness Journey

Retreat Review 2009

Our 2009 retreat was an exquisite example of the gifts that effortlessly unfold when hearts are open to receive.

Each participant came with an openness to experience all the retreat had to offer, inhaling the many wonders Bali was ready to give; curious about all the insights ready to emerge. Each was willing to be lead with an open mind, trusting the leadership that intuitively responded to the natural rhythms of the group. Each was ready to embrace the evolving emotional clarity and insight as the days unfolded.

Every group member came with the advantage of a high degree of personal accountability for her decision to join the retreat; Each understood and accepted the liberating truth that ultimately we are each responsible for the quality of time we spend and and that it's a personal choice to make the best of and enjoy every opportunity.

These qualities which this and many other Aziza groups have demonstrated define a facilitators dream come true; The dream of the highest healing intentions seamlessly manifesting by the Grace inherent in true receptivity.

Life responds miraculously when it is greeted by an open and willing heart. Love was invited as a welcome and active group member, enjoyed by all and clearly evident in the pictures below.

After our departure from the artisan town of Ubud, we traveled into a rainy East Bali to meet with the High Priests of Sideman to receive a cleansing blessing. This was the first time in 6 years it had rained on a scheduled group blessing day and one participant playfully said," Let's expect it to stop when we arrive." And sure enough it did! It's a lot of fun to dress in Ceremonial sarongs and belts which are worn under long sleeves.

The first part of the ceremony involved a burning of banana leaves, and ritual cleansing of our hands with bits of grass and incense. Small red threads tied to tiny onions were positioned on our feet to be the vessels of any negative thoughts we held and were ready to let go. After the Brahman chanted prayers we walked clockwise three times around the fire, then the onions were burned to help rid us of our negativity. We were then ready to receive the blessing from the High Priest with holy water and flowers, which we had watched them prepare earlier. You can read more about this here.

After a scenic mountain drive north we arrived to our destination at Gaia Oasis Resort in Tejakula.

Gaia is a beautiful, sprawling coastal healing centre and participants were thrilled to be there. Aziza's carefully designed itinerary is balanced with plenty of time to linger in a hammock, relax at the spa, gaze at the moon and sunrise, stretch with yoga, read, write, dream, swim, and simply BE. It's the best way to integrate healing experiences.

The facilitator discovered a serendipitous opportunity days prior to the retreat starting. A traditional Balinese Shaman was well known to Gaia's manager Yen, and during the retreat he was available for consultations at his home temple and shrine on the other side of the Volcano range, 3 gorgeous hours drive away. The group unanimously agreed to spend their scheduled free day touring the island and experiencing this rare gift.

Our host was a handsome, tall, smiling man, exuding an authoritative and warmly wise energy we all felt privileged to share. What was particularly extraordinary was that the information and guidance that he gave each person about her life mirrored and affirmed the insights that emerged from the creative personal growth session the day before. The healing energies on the retreat were perfectly aligned.

On our tour home, we enjoyed a buffet lunch on a mountain perched over rice fields, and shopped at a local market.

Upon Yen's suggestion we detoured in the Lake Region and visited a temple that was under construction, a temple honouring the Goddess of the Lake. Some lit incense and said prayers in the misty hush of this ancient dwelling of the Divine. Nearby in the marshes fishermen and locals were enjoying the day.

Throughout the retreat the group gathered to explore and discover through creative self-expression. Picture 'A' below depicts the awe of witnessing the High Priests of Sideman chant and pray in focused devout unison while preparing Holy Water for our blessing ceremony. Although this participant had been in Bali for 5 weeks already, it was her first feeling of actually entering the culture, connecting with the authentic heart of the island. This experience inspired her own earnest desire to open and fill her heart with light.

Picture 'B' illustrates the liberation from the perception of life 'always and only being hard', and a celebration of her spiritual connection, completed after her session with the Shaman.

A. B. C. D.

Picture 'C' is an expression of the change of personal perception and self image when completing one of the written exercises with a focus only on her positive character traits. She was amazed at how good she could feel when thinking of herself positively rather than dwelling on her habitual energy-depleting negative judgments.

Picture 'D' is the personal freedom this woman felt at the end of the retreat, when she had integrated the option that she could choose to include herself, her needs when she was with her family; she could actively love herself and hold a firm boundary; it was OK for her to receive as well as give. It was OK to say 'no'. This is a universal healing journey many mothers find themselves on.

Aziza Healing Adventures retreats are ideal for those who are ready to attend to the care of heart and soul.

Pack your courage, sense of adventure, an open heart and dash of curiosity about everything life has to offer you.

Aziza is ready for you if you are ready to honestly look inside, dare to move forward, and improve the life you're living.

Aziza returns to Bali next year

9-day Bliss Wellness Journey Jan. 27 - Feb. 5

7-day Bliss Wellness Journey Feb. 16 - 22

For other programs in Canada and the USA please click on Retreats below.

Retreat Facilitator, Laila Ghattas, is an artist, Gestalt therapist and Reiki practitioner. She is an author, public speaker and the founder of Aziza Healing Adventures. Laila combines creative self-expression with psychotherapy in programs designed to heighten awareness, inspire personal insight and improve the life of those who participate.

She holds therapeutic workshops in Toronto, and draws on her worldwide outdoor adventure experience to facilitate international healing retreats for women, couples, mixed groups and corporations.