This June, a group of guests gathered for the first of three retreats in a series called Merasa Origins. Each retreat traces the roots of everyday wellbeing wisdom we see in Bali today — starting in India. Four days, built entirely around the inherited knowledge Reema Datta.
Reema built this retreat with Potato Head as a tribute to her own lineage. Her grandfather taught her a solar tradition: yoga philosophy rooted in masculine energy, disciplined through sun salutations, pranayama, and clarity of mind. Her grandmother taught her the opposite, a lunar practice built on emotional wisdom, deep listening, and attention to what isn't immediately visible. After years spent balancing both traditions, she arrived at her own approach: The Yogi's Way, the philosophy this retreat is built around.
The first gathering was an opening circle at Klymax, where movement and dance led the introductions between participants. A family-style opening dinner at the rooftop, featuring dishes from Tanaman, gave room for strangers to connect before the work within began.
The second day opened with the solar half of Datta's lineage: a sunrise practice at Sweet Potato Kids combining mantra, sun salutations, pranayama, and gong frequencies, followed by a knowledge session on pure consciousness drawn directly from her grandfather's teachings. In the afternoon, a workshop turned that material into journalling focused on clarity and self-love.
Day three introduced the lunar half: gentle breathwork, a knowledge session on emotional wisdom rooted in her grandmother's teachings, and an afternoon spent examining identities guests had been holding onto without noticing. By evening, that work culminated in a fire ritual where guests wrote down what they are ready to let go of, and burnt those words into the flames.
The final morning turned quieter and more integrative by design, opening with a silent mantra practice on the beach guided mainly by wind and waves. Guests then created a keepsake with a piece of bamboo to carry the retreat’s legacy forward, embracing a whole new state of self.
This September, from the 10th to the 13th, the series continues with Merasa Origins: Java — four days with Pak Sugeng, the caretaker of Candi Sukuh on the slopes of Mount Lawu, who almost never leaves his village and teaches outside of it. He's joined by Serj, his apprentice who bridges his teachings for today's guests. The retreat will focus on the Javanese spiritual principles of mantra, offering, and ceremony.
