The interior of Erykah Badu and Desa Potato Head at the Epic Feeling festival in Bali

As the morning light brilliantly dawns a brand new day over the ethereal skyline of Sunset Park at Potato Village in Balihotel guest Robyn Hillman-Harrigan quiets her mind during a meditative respiratory session with Fa’ Pawaka and Gato Latex at the Merasa Festival.

“I think breathing is something we easily take for granted. I practice breathwork regularly at a gym near my home in Melbourne. As a black woman born and raised in New York and very hyperactive, I find this practice really grounding,” explains the Australian financial therapist, adjusting her yoga mat.

The hypnotic ambient sounds of the bonang (an Indonesian instrument made of small gongs) coupled with the crashing beach waves nearby fill the crisp, rising air, creating an inviting mood for the twenty session participants. It’s about adjusting your lifestyle, centering your respiratory, Hillman-Harrigan as he goes on to notice, this was no easy task. However, she found balance by visiting Indonesia in her travels.

“Here in Bali, people pay more attention to ceremonies, community and rituals, which is a large difference from the West – because in the here and now you might have to decelerate. Breathing teaches you quite a bit about unhealthy habits and the healing that is required to center, prioritize and optimize your well-being.

– an Indonesian word that loosely translates to “experiencing or being aware of emotions or sensations” – is the most appropriate description of the festival, whose 2024 edition is curated by Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter Erykah Badu and the majestic Potato Head Center founded by Ronald Akili. The progressive week-long program combines practices related to health, music, fitness and creativity, while reinventing ideas about well-being and the restorative tools that may guide the human journey.

For Badu, harmonizing with nature and yourself on the “Island of the Gods” and working with the right partners is a key aspect of the experience at Potato Head, recognized as one of The 50 best hotels in the world and well-known in global hospitality circles for promoting sustainable practices throughout its properties that protect the environment and encourage local tourism.

“This retreat is not wellness; This is just . You start your wellness journey when you decide to get healthy – and you start it one small thing at a time. It could be the words you choose to let into your mind or making sure you maintain your boundaries. You can start this journey at any time, at any time, and you can start over again at any time,” explains Badu during a morning meeting with ESSENCE. The Merasa festival program intuitively reflects the generosity and kindness woven into the delicate fabric of Balinese culture. There is not any competition for the best performance – just the calm presence of a community that encourages you to simply come as you might be. From curious beginners to more experienced practitioners, participants from around the world gather at the annual event to experience a big selection of activities and sessions.

An invigorating electric yoga session challenges novices and yogis of all skill levels to maneuver in harmony with the electronic frequencies of a “fractal” – a mathematical term used to explain geometric shapes containing a posh structure of scales. Disconnecting from the pace of the world and celebrating the human form is simple with the Intuitive Movement Workshop: a non-judgmental zone where dance also serves as a transformative, communicative tool of expression. The light vibration session becomes a sanctuary for exploring deeper levels of consciousness as class members meditate on specially crafted waterbeds with vibration speakers, complemented by a synchronized, awe-inspiring light show. Guests could even satisfy their curiosity with a fireplace ceremony, a cleansing ritual held in the Bamboo Garden on the property.

Through this undeniable connection between nature and nurture, Badu, a licensed Reiki healer and doula, honors the people of Bali as a community that continues to be rooted in its traditions and that actively chooses to live well by showing others. “It was just family. I used to be greeted with a temple blessing. They wrapped me in a sarong and gave me flowers, rice and water, leading me to every temple that represented one of the elements,” he recalled. This deep admiration for place and space is a mirror that reflects the values ​​and teachings of the festival. From song and dance to the selection of workshop leaders, bringing together the local and regional community is a crucial feature of maintaining the authenticity and sanctity of the experience.

“It’s not a race or a hierarchy. “Being truly welcomed into this land is a big deal for me – because then I can speak freely and walk as quietly or as strongly as I want,” he says. Her own signature floating ritual session, cheekily called “Morning Wood”, provided a deeper understanding of the seven chakras and their role in our day by day lives. But it’s greater than just commemorating moments of silence. Her magisterial aura during the session encouraged us to create an area where we will find freedom, help transform our energies, recognize that consciousness without conscience is dangerous – and that as elemental beings we’re conduits for the balance and change we frequently desperately seek.

In a technology-driven era of staying connected to an evolving, noisy world, the culture of noise has develop into the norm of every waking life. It is a phenomenon that may only be rivaled by the constant pursuit of material success. An artist, musician and environmental activist from Thailand ATTENTIONwho led the “Water Vibrations” metamorphic sound meditation session, appreciates the Merasa Festival as a joyful opportunity to attach with several like-minded individuals doing deep intuitive work, but still appreciating art and appreciating the modern world.

“Merasa taught me that whenever I feel lost in life, all I have to do is close my eyes to return to a state of peace,” she says. He notes that many individuals have been conditioned by societal expectations to place the needs of others before their very own. This often results in neglecting one’s own well-being and personal development. “Everyone’s energy and spirit will always reside deep within my soul, assuring me that I am safe and supported. It helped me realize that everything I need is already within me.”

Despite her success co-curating the Merasa festival and understanding the “gift of pause” as a essential element of healing journeys, Badu reflects on the state of society that suppresses the magic of Black women and girls who consistently navigate spaces of violence, fear and unbridled grief, and the seek for reassurance. in the form of self-care as an empowering tool. The glint of sadness in her reflective eyes is quickly replaced by one fiery, defiant command.

“Don’t wait for them, Black girl. You don’t need permission to be beautiful, to have strong will, to maintain balance, to be kind to yourself. I think this is the problem. We think we need permission,” he argues thoughtfully. “You are already all the things you desire to be. Practice this on bad days. We’re here, we’re managing it, and we do not need anyone to inform us about it anymore. Shine for no reason. I offer you permission – if you happen to need it.