A TASTE OF ASTROLOGY

Two world-renowned astrologers, Jeff Jawer and Rick Levine, owners of www.StarIq.com and top contributors to www.tarot.com, will present a free public lecture at Melati Cottages Wantilan, Penestanan, Ubud, September 17 from 5.45-8pm. It’s an ideal opportunity for interested novices to begin to learn about the field of astrology.

The public lecture is the opening event in the "Initiation Into Astrology" workshop, to be held from September 17-26, 2010. It is Bali’s twelfth workshop in the "Heaven and Earth Workshops" series, by resident Ubud astrologer, Evelyn Roberts.

The lecture and the extended workshop itself are perfectly suitable for those with zero astrological background, astrology students and practicing professional astrologers alike. For more information, see workshop listing in this newsletter and on Balispirit.com. Please RSVP to public lecture: evelynroberts@earthlink.net. HP: 08133 837 2598 / 08123 677 9421.

STARFISH LANGUAGE CENTER

If you’ve ever wanted to speak Indonesian, the Starfish Language Center in Ubud is the place to learn. Starfish offers affordable language courses with all proceeds going to support the free English classes they provide for underprivileged Balinese children.

Starfish focuses on providing a unique experience and interactive learning environment. In addition to Indonesian language courses, Starfish also has classes where you can learn Japanese, French and Spanish. All classes are taught by local and international volunteers, native speakers of the language taught.

As part of the nonprofit organisation Tri Hita Karana Bali, Starfish's mission is to help local Balinese with access to language courses in order to provide them with a brighter future. Starfish believes by creating an awareness of the importance of languages and giving back to the community they can maintain the vitality of the local culture and improve the economy.

To find out more about the Indonesian and other language courses currently on offer, contact the Starfish Language Centre today!

Jl. Pengosekan 3, Ubud, Bali
Phone: +62 (0) 818 0541 8811.
Email: languagecenter.starfish@gmail.com. website: http://www.starfishubud.com/

Why “Starfish”?
There’s a tale about a young boy walking along the beach with his grandfather. The beach was littered with thousands of starfish, washed up on the shore by the previous night’s storm. Every now and then the old man stopped, reached down and picked up a starfish, tossing it far out into the water. Eventually the boy could not resist asking, “Why do you do that, Grandpa? There are so many starfish dying on this beach. What difference will it make?” As the old man picked up another starfish and threw it back into the water he simply said, “It’ll make a lot of difference to that one.”

SARASWATI DAY

This year, the Balinese Hindu community will celebrate Saraswati Day on September 25. The name Saraswati came from "saras" (meaning "flow") and "wati" (meaning "a woman"). The Goddess Saraswati became the symbol of knowledge and the arts with its flow or growth being like a river, and the quest for knowledge being supremely alluring, like a beautiful woman.

The philosophy behind the celebrations on Saraswati day is the Balinese Hindu belief that knowledge is an essential medium to achieve the goal of life as a human being. On this day no one is allowed to read or write, and offerings are made to the lontar (palm-leaf scripts), books and shrines. Educational institutions in Bali hold a special ceremony to worship and thank Saraswati for her blessing and offer a prayer that knowledge and the arts will continue to develop and grow. If you’re lucky enough to be in Bali on September 25, you’ll see teachers and students abandon their uniforms for the day in place of bright and colourful ceremony gear, filling the island with colour! Children bring fruit and traditional cakes to school for offerings at the temple. Ceremonies and prayers are also held at the temples in family compounds, villages and businesses from morning to noon.

17 - 22 September 2010

6 wonderful days in beautiful Ubud, Bali.

Rejuvenate, recharge & celebrate this precious gift of life as we immerse ourselves in a diverse range of transformational Yoga practices in this beautiful tranquil Balinese setting.

Includes:

• 4 star Luxury Accommodation at the Ananda Cottages, Ubud.
• 2 hour inspiring Yoga class each morning
• 2½ hour Yoga Workshop Immersion each afternoon/evening.
• Healthy Hearty Vegetarian Brunch after our energizing morning Yoga class.
• PLUS: A pampering complimentary Traditional Balinese Massage, followed by a luxurious Body Scrub & relaxing Flower Petal Bath in the Retreat's own beautiful Bliss Spa.
• Free time to explore

Retreat Cost:
$1190 twinshare ($1490 single occupancy)

click here for more info

The "Initiation Into Astrology" Workshop, September 17-26, will expand the awareness of every participant, whether they are beginners or experienced practitioners. This is an immersion experience - a voyage to the Sun, Moon and planets. Novices start from a deep and rich self-understanding to an awareness of the complexities of human experience. Advanced students develop greater fluency in the vibrant language of astrology as their own skills deepen. Not an academic exercise, but something living that you can apply creatively to your life today, connecting your body, mind and emotions with ancient wisdom of Astrology.

The workshop begins with a free evening lecture by two internationally respected astrologists - Jeff Jawer and Rick Levine of StarIq.com - on Friday Sept 17, in the Wantilan of Melati Cottages in Penestanan, Ubud. Both this introductory lecture and the extended workshop itself are suitable for practicing professional astrologers, astrology students and complete beginners.

For registration, ex-pat rates & directions: evelynroberts@earthlink.net; hp: 08133 837 2598 / 08123 677 9421. For sliding scale workshop fees for Indonesian Nationals; hp: 08123 677 9421; ilhusukesni@yahoo.com

click here for more info

Sept. 25th & 26th 2010

A New Beginning is a revolutionary 2 - day course that will help you understand your conditioning and break free from your limitations. It equips you with the ability to arrive at right decisions, perform the right actions, heal hurts, forge enduring relationships, elevate consciousness, awaken the heart and help you grow consistently in life. A New Beginning will help you move from a state of conflict, to one of joy and peace in your life.

Modules:

• Creating the Shift
• Breaking through Limitations
• Developing Awareness through Self-Enquiry
• The Ever Present Presence
• Healing the Past
• Relationships - The Pivot of Life

Where: ARMA Resort - Jl. Raya Pengosekan, Ubud, Bali 80571, Indonesia. www.armaresort.com

Course fee: US$355, which includes two very full, life-changing days, refreshments and lunch.

click here for more info

Level I, 300 hour Courses

• Oct 10-Nov 7, 2010
• May 8-June 5, 2011
• Sept 25-Oct 23, 2011

Level II, 500 hour Modules

• Nov 12-25, 2010
• June 10-June 24, 2011

Join us in the tropics of Bali, where the world's leading teachers in Ashtanga, Iyengar, Jivamukti, Bhakti and more combine ancient wisdom in a contemporary context. Breathe, sweat and transform with , Dena Kingsberg, Rusty Wells, Tias Little, Nicki Doane, Edward Clark, David Stringer and many more.

These Yoga Alliance certification courses present a phenomenal comprehensive curriculum from challenging asana to enlightening philosophy, uplifting kirtan to organic, raw foods.

The Level I courses are open to all levels whether new, beginning to learn the benefits or already teaching. The Level II is a unique opportunity to dive much deeper in an intimate program designed for the intermediate practitioner.

click here for more info

Nov. 21st-Dec.19th, 2010 and April 3rd-May 1st , 2011

Featuring the gifted instructors of Bali’s world-renowned Yoga Barn, our 200 hour Yoga Alliance accredited training program offers a comprehensive education and a transformational experience.

Become a more fully blossomed yogi and a skilled, professional yoga teacher.

Emphasizing the practical, theoretical, and the experiential aspects of this ancient art and science, our curriculum includes Vinyasa/Hatha Flow and Yin Yoga as its foundation, honoring both the classical as well as the Tantric approach.

US $3,250 includes a treatment at Ubud’s new Ayurvedic Clinic (‘KUSH’) Plus free transport from the airport.

Our April 2011 training combines with the Bali Spirit Festival, March 23rd-28th, Our annual celebration of Yoga, Music, and Dance.

Special student discount: $3500 includes a full 5-day festival pass