Bali is a hot spot for yogis, aspiring yoga teachers and spiritual beings, so we were excited to meet up with Californian yoga teacher, sound healer and entrepreneur Danielle Bushell to chat a little bit about her work and Bali lifestyle.
Villa Finder:
Could you give us a short intro about yourself?
Danielle:
I’m originally from the United States, California, I have always felt most like myself near an ocean. I started practicing yoga when I was 16 years old and since then it has always been my sense of grounding and connection.
I am passionately curious, and love meeting people from around the world and seeing how others live. I have traveled to over 30 countries and have discovered that exploring the depths of the unknown I have actually discovered the most of myself. Although I loved my life back in Cali, the less is more life resonates most with me right now and I truly enjoy my simple life here in Bali.
Villa Finder:
What brought you to Bali?
Danielle:
Growing up believing I was a mermaid – I always dreamed of oneday surfing waves in Bali. But I knew it was inevitably something I would do later down the road. What originally brought me to Asia was yoga. I wanted to dive deeper into my own personal practice and be closer to the motherland of yoga. I backpacked all around Asia and just kept finding myself “back in Bali”. What kept me in Bali though…. the people, the culture, the surf, the food, the yoga, the lifestyle. It’s not perfect, but it’s all my favorite things.
Villa Finder:
What are your favourite places on the island?
Danielle:
This is tough. Honestly, I just love getting lost on my scooter and driving inland along the rice fields and temples. But some tough runner ups are cruising on a long wave or floating in the pool at Dragonfly in Ubud.
Villa Finder:
What about Bali inspires you in your working life?
Danielle:
The black and white checkered cloth you see all over Bali. I think it’s relevant to a lot of my work and life. It’s all about the harmony of the dark and the light- the good and the bad living side by side. There is no good and there is no bad because we need both. We need the dark clouds to appreciate the sunshine and vice versa. We need balance. It reminds me to stay balanced to give but also to receive. And it’s something I like to instil in the tone of my classes that we learn from both the light and the dark, on and off the yoga mat.
Villa Finder:
Where are your favourite healthy places to eat on the island?
Danielle:
This is not an easy question to answer. But if I have to choose; ‘The Shady Shack‘ and ‘Peloton‘. Oh and ‘The seeds of Life‘ in Ubud! I’m a sucker for local veg nasi campur too though.
Villa Finder:
Has Bali changed you as a person?
Danielle:
Absolutely. I mean Asia as a whole gave the word “compassion” an entirely different and deeper meaning. But Bali, in particular, has made me approach life with a new perspective. With Devotion, selfless devotion. Growing up in the West I didn’t realize how selfish my thoughts were. Bali makes me want to be a better person not for myself but for others, the earth and the universe for that matter. Watching the locals being so devoted to showing and expressing their gratitude has made me that much more grateful in every aspect of my life. There’s a lot to be grateful for and there was a lot I think I took for granted. The way the locals thank the gods for the land and every little thing just makes me so appreciative for, well – everything.
Villa Finder:
Tell us more about your work, where do you teach yoga? What type of yoga do you teach? Etc.
Danielle:
Sounds so weird to refer to it as work. Very grateful to call my passion “work”. I typically teach at private retreats in the area but also teach at an adorable little retreat center in Canggu called ‘The Chillhouse‘. And it definitely lives up to its name. Love the vibe and the people it attracts. I teach vinyasa, hatha and yin yoga here.
Villa Finder:
And what is sound healing?
Danielle:
Magic. No but really, it’s a pretty magical experience. I discovered it while hobbling around in India after a bad surfing injury here in Bali and experienced its healing. Sound healing uses vibrational frequency to put the mind body and yes, the soul in a deep meditative state. This is a very relaxing state and can be difficult for the western mind to reach otherwise. I work with 7 copper Tibetan singing bowls that are attuned to the frequency of the 7 main energy points, chakras, in the body. Life happens and we get out of balance… physically, mentally and emotionally. When the bowls are played and the body feels the vibration they simply tune the body in alignment with the frequency of the bowls, like we tune musical instruments. Bringing balance to the body… mind…. and soul…..
Villa Finder:
Do you have any recommendations for visitors in Bali hoping to try yoga for the first time?
Danielle:
Don’t worry about what you think the posture is supposed to look like or what the person next to you looks like. Focus on what each posture FEELS like to you, in your body. And BREATHE, breathe deeper than you ever thought was possible.
Villa Finder:
What is the most rewarding part of being a yoga teacher?
Danielle:
Seeing my students’ lips curl up in a sweet blissed-out smile after svasana. And for sure being able to witness transformation… literally have seen hardened layers of stress, anxiety, fear, anger, discomfort just shed.. melt away.. revealing a softer side. Love keeping in touch with students and hearing how much yoga changed their life as much as it has changed mine.
Villa Finder
Any words you live by/ your favourite quote?
Danielle:
Nothing too profound- part of one of my favorite throwback Jack Johnson songs, “never let your dreams be dreams”; and always, follow your heart. The world is a better place when we live in our hearts.
Thanks Danielle!
Feeling inspired? Check out another expat’s life in Bali here!
Check out Danielle’s video below for more information or follow the links at the bottom of the page!
Links:
Website: daniellebushell.com
Instagram: @daniellebushell
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