SOULSHINE IS A STATE OF MIND
Michael and Sara believe that Soulshine Sound + Wellness is not just a place but a state of mind. They wanted to create a place where people can feel happy and inspired. That wellness is actually asking yourself the question of ‘I am happy’ which can be the hardest question you can ask yourself.
WELLNESS IS NO LONGER ABOUT THE SIZE OF YOUR JEANS, EATING YOUR ORGANIC SALAD OR TAKING YOUR WEEKLY CLASS. WELLNESS IS ANOTHER WORD FOR HAPPINESS.
And so Soulshine was reborn post-pandemic as a place to inspire introspection but also joy, play, fun.
Michael – when was the first time you came to Bali? I came to Bali in 2006 after an international tour in Australia. I immediately fell in love with the people, the culture, the art and knew I wanted to spend more time here but wasn’t sure how. I purchased a small plot of land and began to build a home but quickly realized I wouldn’t be able to spend much time here. So with the advice and mentorship of some dear friends on the island who are the owners of Yoga Barn, I transformed what was going to be a warm weather compound for me, to a warm weather compound to all. I even did something a little controversial and I put the yoga shala at the top of the home when most would have put a luxury suite because I wanted everyone to be able to enjoy the epic views.
Sara – What was the most challenging time for you during the pandemic? Well, we chose to build and expand through the pandemic. We took Soulshine from a 16 room retreat oasis to a 33 room resort. But it was unique because the borders were closed, and very few people were moving in and out. So we were building in this sort of vacuum or container of what we hoped Soulshine be would once the borders opened. It is very cool now to see guests on the property experiencing the spaces we created exactly as we imagined or hoped.
Michael – What was the reason you rebranded post-pandemic? When we first opened Soulshine, I can best describe the space as a gorgeous tropical container to host retreats. Teachers came in and injected their brand of wellness. But when the pandemic hit, Sara and I who together have a very strong vision of balance in all things realized that there was actually a gap in the wellness space that showed wellness as something that could also be fun. And so we decided to relaunch with our vision in mind. Which is why you will find a waterslide when you come out of our yoga shala.
Sara – Give us the main ethos of what Soulshine is about. Soulshine is a place where you can reconnect with your soul again. Where you can cry it out on the yoga mat and also dance to a DJ under the stars. We are disrupting the wellness space. That you find wellness in balance.
