On the first day, I got a timetable with more free gaps than activities. There was only one yoga class per day (if that). Plus, I was the only one doing a retreat there...
I attended yoga classes with three different teachers. Two of them, in my opinion, were just awful.
On the second evening, I had a "Motivational talk" with Master Ketut Arsana. They wrapped a white cloth around my waist and a yellow cloth around my shoulders. A young lady led me through a dark path away from the hotel grounds to a hut where the Master was waiting on an elevated seat. I was expected to kneel and ask him questions. Then he performed a baptism-like ritual and gave me something to drink. The staff seemed to have a lot of respect for him. It all came off as pretty cult-ish or like a tantra community from my perspective.
Feeling totally uncomfortable, I decided to cancel the retreat and book somewhere else after just two nights. When I informed reception of my decision, they blatantly tried to block any phone calls.
Luckily, the rest of my vacation was spent at a different yoga retreat where I felt much more at ease. Unlike the Om Ham Center, this place had yoga and meditation twice a day, workshops, cultural excursions, 25 other participants from all over the world, and a healthy atmosphere. The restaurant and coffee area were charming and the service staff were very attentive. The food was decent.
For hotel guests who aren't booking a retreat, this place might be suitable as the rooms, pool, yoga rooms, and restaurant are well-maintained and the staff are extremely helpful. But for a yoga retreat, I would strongly advise against it!
Master Ketut Arsana's yoga class was actually good, it's just a shame he only teaches one hour a week.
On the first day, I got a timetable with more free time slots than activities. There was only one yoga session per day (if that). Plus, I was the only person doing a retreat there...
I attended yoga classes with three different teachers. Two of them, in my opinion, were just plain terrible.
On the second evening, I had a "Motivational talk" with Master Ketut Arsana. I was draped in a white cloth around my hips and a yellow scarf around my shoulders. I was led by a young lady through a dark path away from the hotel area to a hut where the Master was waiting on an elevated seat. I was expected to kneel and ask him questions. Then he performed a baptism-like ritual and gave me a drink. The staff seemed to have great respect for him. From my perspective, it felt very cult-like or like a tantra community.
Feeling very uncomfortable there, I decided to cancel the retreat after two nights and book somewhere else. When I informed the reception of my decision, they clearly tried to prevent any phone contact.
In comparison, I spent the rest of my vacation at another yoga retreat where I was fortunately well taken care of. Unlike the Om Ham Center, there were two yoga and meditation sessions per day, workshops, cultural excursions, 25 other participants from around the world, and most importantly, a healthy atmosphere. The restaurant and coffee area were charmingly decorated and the service staff was very attentive. The food was decent.
For hotel guests who aren't booking a retreat, this place might be suitable because the infrastructure (rooms, pool, yoga rooms, restaurant) is well-maintained and the staff is extremely helpful. However, I strongly advise against it for a yoga retreat!
Master Ketut Arsana's yoga class was actually good, except I found out he only teaches once a week for an hour.
I wish I had tried more yoga styles. You should switch to metal/bamboo straws instead of plastic ones. The vegan buffet blew me away. It was so thoughtful to offer complimentary juice every day.
The bed might have been a little hard, but the premises are practically brand new so you can expect top-notch accommodations! I actually got used to the bed so much that now I can't sleep in my own! I definitely plan on returning next year. The classes were amazing, with instructors who had years of experience and were not only friendly and caring, but also highly professional. I would rate this retreat a perfect 10 out of 10 - it was my first yoga retreat and it was absolutely fabulous!
We offer advanced classes, a variety of yoga and classes all day long, events and talks in the evening, different meals every day, excellent customer service, and a friendly staff. I highly recommend this superb experience!
On the first day, I got a timetable with more free gaps than activities. There was only one yoga class per day (if that). Plus, I was the only one doing a retreat there...
I attended yoga classes with three different teachers. Two of them, in my opinion, were just awful.
On the second evening, I had a "Motivational talk" with Master Ketut Arsana. They wrapped a white cloth around my waist and a yellow cloth around my shoulders. A young lady led me through a dark path away from the hotel grounds to a hut where the Master was waiting on an elevated seat. I was expected to kneel and ask him questions. Then he performed a baptism-like ritual and gave me something to drink. The staff seemed to have a lot of respect for him. It all came off as pretty cult-ish or like a tantra community from my perspective.
Feeling totally uncomfortable, I decided to cancel the retreat and book somewhere else after just two nights. When I informed reception of my decision, they blatantly tried to block any phone calls.
Luckily, the rest of my vacation was spent at a different yoga retreat where I felt much more at ease. Unlike the Om Ham Center, this place had yoga and meditation twice a day, workshops, cultural excursions, 25 other participants from all over the world, and a healthy atmosphere. The restaurant and coffee area were charming and the service staff were very attentive. The food was decent.
For hotel guests who aren't booking a retreat, this place might be suitable as the rooms, pool, yoga rooms, and restaurant are well-maintained and the staff are extremely helpful. But for a yoga retreat, I would strongly advise against it!
Master Ketut Arsana's yoga class was actually good, it's just a shame he only teaches one hour a week.
On the first day, I got a timetable with more free time slots than activities. There was only one yoga session per day (if that). Plus, I was the only person doing a retreat there...
I attended yoga classes with three different teachers. Two of them, in my opinion, were just plain terrible.
On the second evening, I had a "Motivational talk" with Master Ketut Arsana. I was draped in a white cloth around my hips and a yellow scarf around my shoulders. I was led by a young lady through a dark path away from the hotel area to a hut where the Master was waiting on an elevated seat. I was expected to kneel and ask him questions. Then he performed a baptism-like ritual and gave me a drink. The staff seemed to have great respect for him. From my perspective, it felt very cult-like or like a tantra community.
Feeling very uncomfortable there, I decided to cancel the retreat after two nights and book somewhere else. When I informed the reception of my decision, they clearly tried to prevent any phone contact.
In comparison, I spent the rest of my vacation at another yoga retreat where I was fortunately well taken care of. Unlike the Om Ham Center, there were two yoga and meditation sessions per day, workshops, cultural excursions, 25 other participants from around the world, and most importantly, a healthy atmosphere. The restaurant and coffee area were charmingly decorated and the service staff was very attentive. The food was decent.
For hotel guests who aren't booking a retreat, this place might be suitable because the infrastructure (rooms, pool, yoga rooms, restaurant) is well-maintained and the staff is extremely helpful. However, I strongly advise against it for a yoga retreat!
Master Ketut Arsana's yoga class was actually good, except I found out he only teaches once a week for an hour.
I wish I had tried more yoga styles. You should switch to metal/bamboo straws instead of plastic ones. The vegan buffet blew me away. It was so thoughtful to offer complimentary juice every day.
The bed might have been a little hard, but the premises are practically brand new so you can expect top-notch accommodations! I actually got used to the bed so much that now I can't sleep in my own! I definitely plan on returning next year. The classes were amazing, with instructors who had years of experience and were not only friendly and caring, but also highly professional. I would rate this retreat a perfect 10 out of 10 - it was my first yoga retreat and it was absolutely fabulous!
We offer advanced classes, a variety of yoga and classes all day long, events and talks in the evening, different meals every day, excellent customer service, and a friendly staff. I highly recommend this superb experience!