A Week of Inner Stillness – Cleansing in Como Shambhala Bali

Escape from the buzz and constant din of a city as busy as Singapore is a necessity. To refresh. To regroup. To find that place of inner stillness. Being based in Singapore has its advantages. It’s a hub and we are spoiled for tropical paradises to choose from for short and longer trips. There is a city, a beach, a resort or culture to suit everyone’s taste, desires, and budget.

For me, I needed a special place this time. Somewhere quiet, in the nature, with fresh air. I wanted a beautiful place to detox and cleanse, emotionally, mentally, and physically. I wanted privacy, with personal and discreet service. Somewhere I could unwind, practice yoga and meditation, float in a pool, and cozy up with a book. Pampering myself was the top of my list, because it seemed like my self-care practice was off-track. Caring for myself, hearing what is important – that’s what mattered for this trip. So I decided on Ubud, right in the middle of the forest and Como Shambhala.

I took the early flight to Bali and by the afternoon, I was soaking in a large deep stone tub, listening to a-ha. I felt enveloped – safe, floating in life’s elixir. It was so healing, with water up to my chin, in an infusion of essential oils and sea salts. The dark clouds had rolled in and rain began to fall, surrounding my villa with wondrous sounds, rhythmic and soothing. A symphony of nature’s song.

I drifted off, completely relaxed, washing away all my cares and the travel off my weary body. The only reason why I left that warmness was my personal butler had already made a spa appointment for me. In fact, by the same time the next day, he would have printed me my itinerary booklet, detailing my spa treatments, meals, and any activities and excursions that may interest me. My earlier consultation with the nutritionist Eve was somehow translated into my week ahead. No thinking and no efforting required.

The Spa Experience

The spa reception was simply breathtaking. The rain had stopped and the glow of the departing sun enveloped the misty forest in a veil of mystery, like the divide between two worlds. Somewhere someone’s day was starting as mine was just ending, sliding into darkness.

The forest around us was very much alive and pulsating as daytime creatures were winding down and the nocturnal ones began to stir. There was a lightness in the mountain air. Clean. Untainted. Peaceful.

The design of the reception area reflected this perfectly, open to the forest on one side and the courtyard on the other.  With the natural materials, I felt like an integral part of nature and the greenery. Unobtrusive.

There was no irritating “relaxing” spa music and the staff was attentive, without being intrusive. I was left with a cup of delicious ginger tea as I waited for my appointment.

The Best Massage Technique

The spa treatment that evening, like all the ones that followed, was just amazing. I love their technique of firm strokes up and down the entire side of the body, at times switching tantalizingly from one side to the other at the waist. Most massage therapists work on the upper body, then the lower body, going from the back to the front. I actually feel like they are splitting up my body, rather than seeing me holistically. So it was refreshing and even exciting to be worked on and touched in a new way. I hovered in half-slumber as you do during a massage, enjoying complete physical relaxation while mentally I drifted off to some half-thought half-dream world. It was wonderful. Exactly perfect.

Heavenly Food

The most important part of any detox and cleanse is the diet. It was one of the reasons I chose Como Shambhala. I love eating at glow here in Singapore. The food is always fresh, delicious, and complex-yet-simple.

The dinner that night and the breakfast the next day were the only meals outside my cleanse package. I was free to choose whatever I wanted, though I was advised to eat “cleanly”.

Easing into and out of a cleanse makes it easier for the stomach and ramps up its effectiveness. Not reacting poorly physically also means you can enjoy the experience psychologically and emotionally. I don’t drink coffee or caffeinated tea or eat much meat so my system was already somewhat prepped for a cleanse.

So what did I choose? I admit I did splurge on the pre-cleanse meals. I just couldn’t help it. The Moroccan spiced veggies and quinoa that night was scrumptious. The dish was delicious and healthy, every bite heavenly, topped with figs, almonds, and raisins.

The key to eating well, anytime, is to eat consciously, taking your time with the food. You’d be amazed at the different textures, smells, and tastes you can pick out when you do, making the meal ever more beautiful. This is one of the reasons I enjoy eating by myself, so I can focus on the food.

My last pre-cleanse meal was raw crepes and almond milk porridge with cinnamon and shaved young coconut. With figs. So savory and nourishing I optimistically thought I could eat like this, every day. I actually felt happy and joyful eating this breakfast. Yes, even despite the circumstances that brought me to Bali. Sitting in a 200-year-old building from Java, I was lost in my own quiet reverie of life. A look at the crossroads ahead of me. The fresh morning air, the fluttering insects, the faint sounds of the forest…everything else receded. Life was good.

Even though the rest of my cleanse diet was simple and clean, everything I had was delicious, from all the juices and soups to the steamed tofu and vegetables. I was quite surprised to find steamed tofu to be so yummy. I love my agedashi tofu and tofu in sauces…so who knew.

Moving Meditation

For me, a cleanse is not complete without meditation, yoga, and swimming. Nothing strenuous. Stretching of the body and the mind, allowing more space within. Though it’s a constant goal, I don’t have a regular yoga or meditation practice. I’m forever a beginner, even though I went to my first yoga class more than fifteen years ago.

I’m always open to learning from different people, building a better foundation for a stronger practice, when it does start. Both the resident and guest teachers at the resort were well-versed and dedicated. Meditation and yoga in an open pavilion, overlooking the forest, was completely different than sitting in my own living room. That certainly put more zen into my experience; I would be remiss if I didn’t acknowledge the impact of the attitude and knowledge of the teachers. They also simplified everything, seeding the belief that a daily practice is not only possible for them, but for someone like me.

Exploring Como Shambhala Grounds

When the rain let up, I explored the estate Como Shambhala sits on. The estate walk was unavailable since the rain had made parts of it off-limits. The winding paths led me down to the river. I even stopped at a beautiful vista for a meditation, before relaxing in a spring-fed pool by the river.

Perhaps it’s the size or maybe it’s because it was low season; the estate was very serene and quiet.

Along the way, I would meet up with the gardeners and other workers diligently keeping this place beautiful. Everyone would smile. The Balinese are known for their friendliness. A few times I would meet Sandy, the resident dog, and his handler. On occasion Sandy would continue with me on my walk and even returning to my residence for company. I felt like I was a guest at a friend’s home, with very attentive staff (complete with a personal masseuse and a chef!) and an ultra-friendly dog. I was of course missing my own two dogs.

My seven nights at Como Shambhala was exactly what I needed. Meditation. Yoga. Hydrotherapy and lots of swimming in the spring water pools. Hiking and biking through the rice fields. I even had time to see a local healer and do the water purification ceremony. I was thoroughly relaxed. The divine spa treatments definitely put me in another zone, away from the heaviness that awaited in Singapore. I felt much lighter and healthier. The cleanse was completely tailored – no cookie-cutter detox here. I had released toxins on so many levels, letting go of the turmoil that was in my life at that time. I felt ready to emerge from the forest, to face the world again. Happy.