When I was 21 I set out on my Eat Pray Love adventure in Asia with the intention of healing a broken heart and to explore more of the world. I was an international business major at the time and felt like seeing more of the world and different cultures was a part of my education.

I had just spent a week in Vietnam where I had quite a rough go. I was traumatized from an incident with a man who groped me while I was riding my motorbike- which ended up with me panicking and crashing. I had painful road burn all up and down my arms and legs (peep the wrapped ankle in the picture to the left).

I felt so emotionally and physically exhausted. I had been hit on the leg by a motorbike while I was crossing the street in Hanoi, Vietnam and was just generally overwhelmed by the noise and chaos I encountered there - especially while feeling so delicate.

Then I flew to Bali. As I sat in the taxi from the airport to my hostel, my body softened as I saw and smelled the incense burning from offerings at every residence and temple. The bright colors and lush greenery cued my body into ease.

I spent my days in Ubud exploring the monkey temples, the sacred fountains, rice fields, going to the spa (which is top tier!), going to yoga classes at Yoga Barn and eating Nasi Goreng (Bali's traditional noodle dish) at every opportunity. After that I spent a week on the coast in Canggu, waking up at 6am to surf (poorly) and then explore the fantastic restaurants in the afternoon.

In Bali I had the space and silence to soften from the bracing and clenching. I felt the exhale. I felt the parachute ride down from activation and back to the meadow of nervous system stability. The space where I can connect with myself and the new friends I made there.

Bali will always have a special place in my heart for holding me so softly while I felt so cracked and clenched. She's a soft and gentle medicine and I am so excited to share that magic with you!