Yoga in Architecture: Four Seasons Unveils Dharma Shanti Yoga Bale at Sayan

Four Seasons Resort Bali at Sayan continues to lead the way in the field of sustainable design and architecture with the launch of its newest wellbeing space, the Dharma Shanti Yoga Bale.

Unfurling from the tropical jungle foliage alongside the sacred Ayung River, the form of the Dharma Shanti Yoga Bale is based upon the elegant and natural curve of a lotus petal, with the silhouette gently resting on the edge of the surrounding forest.

Envisioned and created by Balinese bamboo aesthetes Ibuku – which was founded by Elora Hardy and is renowned for experiential architecture – the bale is constructed entirely of locally sourced bamboo, grown throughout the river valleys and mountainsides of Indonesia.

The design of the structure – led by Ibuku architect Eka Wiradana – was inspired by both the principles of yoga and the natural surroundings. “Bamboo is yoga in architecture,” explains Wiradana. “As a material, it has a flexibility that mirrors the practice of yoga, and a beauty and grace of form that people seek in yoga.”

Each hand-carved pole used in the bale is unique. Curving and tapering in different ways, pieces were either chosen for their structural integrity, smooth texture or individual beauty. The radial clusters of soaring bamboo columns are bound by rope, with sections connected by hand-whittled pegs. The result is an incredibly durable edifice that utilises bamboo’s natural strengths, while delivering an ecologically sensitive end result.

“We are thrilled at the way the Ibuku team combined their wealth of unique skills and understanding to create the Dharma Shanti Yoga Bale,” says Uday Rao, General Manager of Four Seasons Resorts Bali. “The design and architecture of our entire Sayan resort is based upon the principles of harmonious integration into the surrounding natural landscape. The new bale is an extraordinarily successful extension of that.”

Ibuku’s intimate design process and attention to detail brings the bale to life, elevating it as a space designed to create, support and deepen the experience of all who enter and spend time within it.

“The chance to add something special to the Sayan River valley environment is both an honour and a responsibility,” commented Ibuku’s founder, Elora Hardy. “We began with a question: ‘How do we connect people to the extraordinary experience of the location, adding shelter but also creating a beautiful form that is sensitive to the terraces, undulating curves and energy of this unique location?’”

It is this genuine understanding of the principles of experiential-based architecture, connecting on an emotional and physical level, that is in perfect alignment with the Resort’s original design, first brought to life by critically acclaimed architect John Heah.

And as the building took shape, so too did its name. “‘Dharma Shanti’ is directly connected to that understanding of the experiences at the heart of our lives,” explains Luisa Anderson, Spa Director of Four Seasons Resorts Bali.  “Drawing from the spirit of Buddhist philosophy, the concept of ‘dharma’ refers to the intrinsic nature of things, the path, sometimes referred to as your true purpose, while the word ‘shanti’ comes back to peace. Watching the bale take shape, it felt like the architectural embodiment of those concepts. Naming it the Dharma Shanti Yoga Bale just made perfect sense.”

The Dharma Shanti Yoga Bale opened May 4, 2015 with a dynamic program of yoga and meditation for guests – including Bali’s first introduction to AntiGravity Yoga – alongside wellness experiences including Life Talks hosted by resident Wellness Mentor Ibu Fera. The bale is also a sanctuary for private classes and quiet introspection, with views across lush rice terraces to the Ayung River, which winds through the valley floor.