ABOUT SUKMA YOGA
SUKMA is the Indonesian word for SOUL or JIVA in Sanskrit.
Sukma Yoga was founded in 2022 in Ubud, Bali. We offer Yoga Teacher Trainings (TT) with a focus on transformation and supporting students to meet their goals after completing the TT course. Through our courses, students will gain traditional yoga teachings of strength and stability, as well as theoretical and practical knowledge of asana positions, while incorporating native wisdom and traditional cultures from around Indonesia (Javanese, Balinese, Sundanese and more). We view yoga not only as a practice or exercise for the body, but also as a practice of life.
The path of Spirituality is a personal journey, the student determines his/her own path. Sukma Yoga promotes balance and equality between Teacher and Student by working with:
-
Teachers who feel called to offer service, not students serving the teacher.
-
Teachers who do not put themselves on a pedestal.
-
Teachers who offer examples and choices, the student decides.
-
Teachers who understand that teaching is a re-learning activity.
HONORING OUR LOCAL ROOTS
Many aspects of Indonesian culture have the vocabulary and practice that is in line with the philosophy of yoga. Our founders have come from diverse parts of Indonesia, and united through a shared love of yoga practice and teaching. Early on, as students, they noticed that the classes and approach to yoga which was often used in the International yoga community in Bali was challenging to be accepted by Indonesian yoga students; much of the approach was catering to the Western student. The founders of Sukma Yoga came together to build a bridge of understanding – by translating the concepts, theory and vocabulary of yoga into a way of teaching that is familiar and easily understood by Indonesians, without losing its essence as a universal practice (one that can be done by anyone, with any body condition and anywhere).
This method of teaching not only opened up the possibility to reach more Indonesian yoga students, through incorporating traditional wisdoms from around Indonesia, it has also created added value and interest for International students of yoga who want to find a deeper connection with Mother Bali and the wider Indonesian archipelago, the land on which they are studying.
​If the Western perspective and knowledge is more standardized and scientific, the practice of yoga in Eastern culture and wisdom is based more on RASA (ESSENCE).
Not just Thoughts, but FEELING as well. Not only Mind and Body, but also PASSION and EMOTION. This is because the Wisdom that teachers receive in any form of training, moves from their sensitivity in feeling.
Through this training, students will explore and gain awareness that exist inside and outside themselves that are related to yoga: WISDOM, CULTURE, KNOWLEDGE.
​
Through this awareness, students can choose the path that they will take after training. By sharpening their intuition, they may discover the truths that exist inside and outside of themselves (both physical, psychological, intellectual, and emotional).
4-24/ June/ 2023
Ubud, Bali
Then how does it all come together in YOGA?
Because yoga is an activity for
BREATH AND BODY CONNECTION,
ALIGNING KNOWLEDGE, TRUTHFULNESS, INTUITION​
​
Yoga is not just about harmonizing the limbs and movements, but also balancing knowledge, truth and intuition.​
​
Sukma Yoga is a school that was initiated as a way for our teachers to express gratitude. The knowledge and intuition that have learnt on their own journey is now being offered in return to students who are about to embark on a new journey of learning.
MEET THE TEACHERS
Made Murni, 500h Registered Yoga Teacher shifted from completely rejecting yoga at first to 14 years of constant and intense yoga practice.
E-RYT 500
Hatha, Vinyasa, Power.
Made Murni
Made Murni shares her personal yoga journey, her fears, spiritual beliefs and wisdom as a Yoga Teacher to beginners and advanced practitioners alike.
Murni has been working at Yoga Barn since its inception in 2007 and for the past 8 years, she's been teaching daily classes and running international workshops as a lead yoga teacher on various Yoga Teacher Training (YTT) faculties.
A dedicated practitioner, Murni is also a dedicated humanitarian. Alongside the co-founders of The Yoga Barn & the BaliSpirit Festival, Murni plays an active role as a volunteer teacher for the outreach & education programs aimed at Balinese Youth.
​
The most important aspect of a yoga practice is about self-acceptance, transformation and the embrace of freedom. Freedom of accepting our own bodies as they are; of respecting and loving it to the very core. Freedom of movement, not only physical, but also, and most poignantly the ability to free yourself from self-limiting mental beliefs. It offers freedom to change, to choose and to live according to our own truth.
Personifying ‘freedom to change’, Murni’s story indeed overcomes cultural expectations, and traditional roles of the female in Balinese society. Yoga has created freedom in her body, in her perspective on life, in her job prospects and her ability to rise to teach.
Testimonial
Sugeng “Madeira” Prasetyo
RTY-200
Vinyasa, Power, Capoeira
Sugeng Prasetyo, known as Madeira.
Madeira guides a fun class and supportive learning environment for all levels from beginner to advanced. His teaching techniques provide the students with the ultimate movement journey so that they can free themselves from their limitations.
Born into a healing family and community in Kediri, East Java, Indonesia, where the art of the ancient body wisdom was learnt from a young age. He spent his life studying many different disciplines from yoga to martial arts, capoeira, dance, movement, fitness and healing. All of which have been incorporated into developing his own unique teaching style and made him a devoted practitioner and teacher.
The journey with capoeira began in 2000. After a lifetime passion in martial arts, he has been one of the instrumental pioneers at the forefront of the capoeira movement in Indonesia and bringing it to the public. Completing 500 hours YTT, with teaching experience as well as providing healing sessions for more than 20 years. Offering yoga, dance, and movement classes in public and private sessions, helping with bodywork, energetic realignment, mental and emotional support.
Madeira can easily be found on the dance floor as his passion in Afro and Latin dances, as well as offering lessons.
Testimonial
Sheryl Sharaswhaty
Sheryl Sharaswhaty originally from Bogor in West Java, Indonesia, Sheryl moved to Bali in 2012.
500 E-RYT, YACEP
Acro Yoga, Vinyasa, Thai Massage
Shortly after that, she started practicing yoga in Ubud, and during this process rediscovered the meditation and mantras her Indian grandfather taught her when she was young.
​
Since then her practice has continued to evolve. She spent two years learning Iyengar yoga, and later completed several trainings, including the One Song TT with Denise Payne & Bex Tyler, FlyHighYoga TT, Acro Yoga TT, Thai Massage and Expression of Yin TT with Carlos Romero and SOHA TT with Daniela Garza, including TCM and Mandala Vinyasa.
​
As Sheryl’s experience grew she started assisting teachers in yoga trainings too, and has been teaching both private and group yoga classes in Ubud and elsewhere since 2015. In 2019, she started teaching in-person and online teacher trainings.
​
Sheryl particularly loves vinyasa and mandala vinyasa, acroyoga and Thai massage. She loves to connect with people, and she continues to value the space that yoga creates to be present, sit still with herself, and dive deep into mind and breath.
