The Ritual of Now: Pikiran, Jiwa, and Raga

Our first event on the island of Bali was set in Rumah Rubah—a serene, open‑air villa in the heart of Pererenan. We gathered ten special guests for a day dedicated to slowing down and reconnecting with themselves. Surrounded by lush tropical greenery and Balinese eco-conscious design structures, the space immediately invited calm.

Chrysti and Nina, co-founders of The Self Hug welcomed the wellness advocates to the space.

This day retreat embraced the power of presence, and created an opportunity for guests to reconnect with their mind (pikiran), body (raga), and soul (jiwa), through curated wellness experiences with our wellness partners: Summer B and ROU. The intention was to fully ground ourselves in the present moment, notice our surroundings, and appreciate every minute of it.

A Flow Back to Ourselves

We started by sitting around a long wooden table in the shaded pavilion and settling into soft conversation as a light breeze drifted through the open sides.

Ritual of Now is a wellness experience designed to ground ourselves in the present, through moments of connection and mindfulness.

The morning kicked off with a warm welcome from Chrysti and an intention-setting exercise led by Nina. This set the tone for what was to come, a day of tuning in and showing up for ourselves. We then moved into our first ritual for the raga (body): a mat pilates class with Olivia from Summer B.

Mat Pilates session by Summer B

By the pool, our guests engaged in an energizing workout. Everyone moved together in sync. It felt powerful and grounding. It was the kind of class that leaves you feeling both exhausted and completely awake — the perfect way to connect with our bodies before entering the rest of the day’s rituals. Each stretch, each pause, was a reminder that presence doesn’t need to be triggered by something big—it lives in the in-between moments.

The class ended with deep breaths and some laughter, our bodies slightly shaking but our minds more present than ever. We took a short break to cool down, rehydrate, and nourish our bodies with delicious snacks by Rumah Rubah, all while finding shade and conversation in small pockets across the space.

Then, slowly, we shifted into our next ritual — one that invited stillness in a different way.

Matcha-making workshop by ROU

Led by Nety from ROU, the matcha-making workshop was less about learning technique, and more about engaging your jiwa (soul) and cultivating presence. Each step—from selecting your matcha bowl to whisking the powder into a vibrant green froth—became its own quiet meditation. We weren't just making matcha. We were learning how to slow down, how to savor, how to be.

We moved into the living room area next—a space that immediately brought a sense of home into the day. Everyone settled in where they felt most comfortable, whether that was on the floor, a cushioned armchair, or tucked into the couch. With our Self-Reflection Journals in hand, we were gently guided to turn inward, choosing prompts that encouraged us to write heartfelt letters to our younger, present, or future selves.

Sharing Circle using Self-Reflection Journal

This session created space for self-appreciation — a chance to acknowledge everything we’ve moved through, where we are now, and what we hope for ahead. It was a quiet, thoughtful moment of reflection that felt both personal and shared.

Everyone truly showed up for the experience. Some wrote with ease, others took time. We shared personal stories, laughed, and even shed a few tears. Though we were each on our own journey, we felt deeply connected in that moment.

An Ongoing Invitation

Gratitude floated in the air—toward Bali, toward Rumah Rubah, and toward everyone who showed up with intention and heart.

The Ritual of Now wasn’t just an event. It was a reminder.

That stillness is not something we have to earn.
That connection can begin with a single breath.
That rituals can live in the smallest, most ordinary of acts.

To all who came, thank you for your presence.

And to you reading this, we gently ask:
Where can you find a ritual of now in your everyday life?

I think this is the first ever event I attended where I actually feel like the event was so personal and made for us individually. From the beginning to end, I felt like every second was so special and so genuine. I can feel that there is so much love and effort put into the event and thanks to Chrysti and Nina honestly. It felt like I went to a discovery retreat. I felt so anxious coming in to this event but from the moment I stepped in everything was just so calm, genuine and welcoming. This event made me feel so grounded, at peace and loved. I hope there’s more event like this where all women can just sit down and talk, learn, laugh and share beautiful moments with each other.

- A Ritual of Now participant

We invite you to join us in the next chapter of The Ritual of Now. Click here to sign up and join our waiting list for our upcoming events and well-being journeys.

About Our Author

Yanitrasari Widyastuti is a mental health therapist and wellness consultant with a background in psychology and counselling, dedicated to empowering others on their journey to well-being. She believes in the power of empathy to inspire self-discovery and growth. Based in Jakarta, Indonesia, she begins her day with a morning walk to her favorite spot for coffee, embracing small rituals that ground her in the present.