Spearhead’s Michael Franti And His Bali Bed

If you dig the vibe and music of Michael Franti & Spearhead, listen up. I’ve been a Franti fan since Everyone Deserves Music in 2003, and it’s no cheap thrill when I check into his new, green Soulshine Bali yoga retreat near the upcountry artist community of Ubud, in Bali, Indonesia.

Franti’s “villa, retreat oasis and cafe” is edged by rice terraces and coconut palms along the Agung river. It’s an oasis indeed after the touristy bustle of Ubud, world famous now that Julia Roberts starred in the film Eat Pray Love. Busloads of wide-eyed visitors arrive each day.

The moment I arrive I am given a cool glass of coconut water. Ahhhh, totally refreshing. I quickly find a vinyasa flow yoga class that’s starting up in the a large open-air studio, and join in. Afterwards, I dip into the infinity pool before enjoying an organic salad with housemade muesli and organic local coffee, rich and dark. After that, I’m totally in the groove and the hours just seem to slip away.

To cap the day, I try a Taoist meditation class, then amble slowly to my room. It’s called the Sunset Room for good reason, and I watch the last of the fiery sky disappear. This happens to be the room where Michael sleeps when he’s in residence. I look for clues to the man. Carvings on the furnishings and wall ornaments indicate he’s hot for geckos.

Franti collaborated on the creation of Soulshine with a longtime creative partner, Carla Swanson. She’s a filmmaker and editor who did many of Michael’s music videos and his moving pro-peace documentary, I Know I’m Not Alone. It was she who designed this yoga oasis and its beautiful grounds of organic tropical fruit trees (for the guests’ picking), ponds and guestrooms for up to 26 people.

The retreat was built using reclaimed wood for decking and other green building techniques. The cafe takes full advantage of the bounty from its own organic garden and other local organic farms. Bed linens are organic cotton.

It’s also great to learn that Franti gives back to the Balinese. Community support includes funds to a birthing clinic that works to stem the needlessly high rate of mortality of newborns and mothers and a well-regarded local school.

If you’re planning your own pilgrimage to Ubud, check out Soulshine. You don’t have to be a Franti fan to feel wonderfully at peace and totally rejuvenated here.

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