Greetings from the Island of the Gods, where ‘dry’ season is wet and summer (from my previous North American seasonal calendar) is cold. Of course cold and wet are delightful here, in tropical balm.

In line with Mercury moving into its retrograde cycle (more on that below), our news this time is brief: just to say hello, we’ve got some fun stuff happening, and we hope to see you soon or sooner:

                      • Yoga in Jakarta, July 21 –23
                      • Art of Vibrant Living ReTreat, August 22-29

Our Yoga Teacher Training (still 11 months away) is already shaping into the yoga event of the century. We’ve just added Edward Clark, of Tripsichore Yoga Theatre in London and old friend, superb Iyengar teacher, Allaine Stricklen, of Miami Beach – they’re both world-class teachers. We’re currently negotiating a famous and fabulous ashtanga teacher (I’ll tell you who when it’s confirmed), and an equally starry Kirtan singer and band.

Since it’s a newsletter, and we’re all about the good news, and lately the other news is largely not so good, here’s a little, if bright, story about some people making the news good.

A Balinese friend commented to me the other day about all the ‘problems’ in Indonesia lately. “What can we do about it?” she mused. I’m personally grateful to those who have given time and/or resources to help in Yogyakarta, no doubt it means the world to those affected by the earthquake. That’s something – a lot.

And something else: the real truth of the biggest help we can give to the ‘problems’ around us, is to address the ‘problems’ within us. Of course from the more enlightened perspective there are no ‘problems.’ There’s only what is. And yet wherever we struggle, fight, resist and react – in our own minds, hearts and bodies – we’re contributing to ‘problems’ in the world.

This good news flash is about a group dedicated to health, well-being and community. ‘Seger Oger’ (which means ‘super healthy’ in Balinese) has over 100 members who meet daily at 7am on Sanur Beach for Yoga. Accepting their invitation, we shared Vibrant Living Yoga to 110 people on a bright Sunday a May (photos below). What a pleasure to be with such optimistic people sharing their goodwill and the benefits of yoga.

What complaints can we let go of? What are we grateful for?

Paul Benhaim returns to co-host an 8-day Art of Vibrant Living ReTreat at Anahata. We still have some space available and, until July 15, you can take advantage of the early registration discount ($100 off). In eight days and seven nights we create an experience that can begin a whole new life for you. Yes yoga, gourmet food, stunning accommodations, adventures into Bali, nature, education, body treatments... yes, yes, yes. And the juiciest part, the most potent, is our intention to craft our lives ever more artfully, ever more sparkling. How good can it get?

Someone from the US just booked her space in the retreat. She debated it first, wondering if it’s worth the long trip. It doesn’t take much energy to keep things as they are. And sometimes transformation begins with just enough energy to get us moving. “Ninety percent of success is just showing up” (please email us, if you know who said that).

For more information about retreat activities, Anahata Resort, Living Foods and the August adventure, please see www.radiantlyalive.com/retreats5.php. Registration information is available on our site, and you can also contact us directly at retreats@radiantlyalive.com to reserve your space.