by Milena Scheuerpflug & Martina Reinbold
With the 400th edition of our Sunday Festival approaching on June 21st, we felt it was the right time to step back and reflect on the heart of this weekly ritual and why it continues to mean so much to us.
Every Sunday, Udara turns into a festival wonderland of yoga, breathwork, movement, dance, music and celebration. The Udara Sunday Festival is not just an event, it is a ritual. A gathering of open hearts and kindred spirits who come together to celebrate life and connection.
The Story of Our Sunday
It’s humbling to look back at how this all began. What started in 2018 as a small, intimate Ecstatic Dance for our hotel guests and the Bali community, eventually grew into something of a legend, with over 500 people gathered on our floors just before the world changed in 2020.
During the quiet of the pandemic, when we had to limit capacity or cancel on short notice, we did our best to keep the connection alive through livestreams. We still remember the sight of our staff dancing in front of the camera while DJ Adhe (aka “DJ Fxckmewell”)—who has supported this event for years—played against the backdrop of the ocean. It was our way of sending the Bali vibe to those who couldn’t be here in person, and the gratitude we received in return was deeply moving.
Over the years, we’ve slowly and steadily evolved into a full six-hour festival experience, with multiple classes running simultaneously. None of this would be possible without our loyal team who quietly work their magic behind the scenes, handling everything from the intricate setup to clearing all the flower petals after the event. We are so grateful for the community that has grown around us—the regulars who return week after week, and even the couples who first met on this dancefloor and eventually got married. Every Sunday still feels fresh and new, and it’s a joy to see it come to life each week.
Crossing the Threshold
Located at Seseh Beach, along Bali’s increasingly vibrant southwest coast, just minutes from the ever growing energy of Canggu, Udara Bali offers a different kind of escape. It’s less of a getaway and more of a coming home to yourself within a community of like-minded people from all over the world.
The surrounding area may be busier than it once was, with new cafés, shops, and a steady flow of travelers, yet stepping into Udara still feels like crossing a threshold. The outside world fades away, the senses awaken and curiosity arises.
The Flow of the Experience
From early morning until the afternoon, the space unfolds into a multi-sensory journey where each experience gently leads into the next. There is no rush, no pressure to perform, only an invitation to arrive exactly as you are.
Gong sounds, mantra meditation, yoga and conscious breathing and movement create the gateway, allowing you to land fully in the present moment and become part of the community. As the morning expands, energy begins to rise during the conscious dance in the open-air shala with ocean view. Music begins to build, and the space transforms into a living, breathing dance floor. The Sunday Dance is not about how it looks, but how it feels. There are no expectations, no words, just rhythm and freedom. You move as you are, shedding layers, expressing what cannot be spoken, and connecting to something beyond thought.
What emerges is a shared energy that is both deeply personal and beautifully collective. After the intensity comes integration with sound. The body softens into deep relaxation once again through a sound healing journey. Vibrations wash through the space, calming the nervous system and inviting a sense of deep release. It is in these moments that many feel a quiet clarity, as if something within has gently realigned.
As the day continues, connection takes center stage. A beautiful Celebration of Life integrates you within the circle of connected hearts through chanting, the much-loved flower shower, hugs and affirmations, before the experience continues with live music, nourishing food, and open conversations to create space for togetherness and joy.
More Than Just an Event
We often get asked what makes the Sunday Festival special. It isn’t just the lineup of classes or the location. It’s the fact that you can arrive as a stranger and, by the end of the flower shower, feel like you belong. It’s a moment where life feels a bit brighter, regardless of the weight of the outside world. There’s no pressure to “get something right” or be a certain way. It’s just a few hours where you can breathe a little deeper, move a little freer, and remember what it feels like to be part of something real beyond the digital noise and the constant search for validation
You breathe a little deeper.
You move a little freer.
You feel a little more.
May this festival be a reminder that life, in its most beautiful form, is meant to be felt together.
Will you join us to celebrate the Udara Sunday Festival with us? Make sure you get your ticket in advance, as spaces are limited!