Ayurveda + Chinese tea — Bali residency

The arc of the residency

Arrival day (8 November): settling into the villa, a gentle late-afternoon restorative yoga session to ease travel, followed by an evening tea circle where Chen Hui Yi introduces sattvic white tea — bái háo yín zhēn (白毫银针) — from her own curated collection. Simple breathing exercises (nāḍī śodhana) prepare the palate for the first cup.

Day two: morning prāṇāyāma with a specialist in yogic breathwork, then a dynamic flow. After breakfast, a personal Ayurvedic consultation to determine your doṣa and tailor the remaining days. Afternoon tea session — exploring the subtle energy of shade-grown lóng jǐng (龙井) and its clarifying effect before seated meditation.

Day three: a silent morning — gentle yin yoga and a guided tea meditation with aged shēng pǔ’ěr (生普洱) sourced from Yúnnán gardens featured on puerh.app. The tea’s grounding quality supports long-held poses. In the afternoon, a session on prāṇāyāma and tea pairing — sharp ān jí bái chá (安吉白茶) for kapālabhāti, warm xiǎo qīng gān (小青柑) for bhastrikā.

Day four: excursion to a nearby water temple for sunrise prayer, then a workshop on brewing ritual — gōngfū chá (功夫茶) technique using Yixing clay. Chen Hui Yi guides participants in serving one another, treating the tea ceremony as a social practice. The evening brings a sound bath, warm mí lán xiāng dān cōng (蜜兰香单丛) in hand, as the body absorbs the day.

Departure day (12 November): a closing circle after morning yoga, sharing insights over a final cup of white tea. Each participant leaves with a personal tea kit and ongoing access to tea.community for continued practice and connection.

Throughout, the residency stays intimate — twelve seats only — held in a private villa with open-air shalas, a koi pond, and a tea room overlooking rice terraces. Meals follow sattvic principles, prepared by an in-house Ayurvedic chef. The schedule leaves ample quiet time for journaling or rest.

Those who want to layer deeper tea study can explore modules on tea.school either before or after the residency. Anyone already active on tea.community may apply with a returning-practitioner discount on the residency fee.

What you get

• Daily personal Ayurvedic consultation and doṣa assessment

• All Chinese tea tastings and a personal gàiwǎn set to keep

• Guided morning yoga and prāṇāyāma each day (all levels welcome)

• One-on-one brewing mentorship with Chen Hui Yi

• Three sattvic vegetarian meals per day, plus herbal infusions

• Private or shared accommodation in a villa with rice-terrace views

• Ongoing access to tea.community for post-residency practice exchange

Logistics and what to bring

• Venue — private villa with open-air shalas, koi pond, and tea room in Ubud, Bali

• Dress — comfortable yoga clothing, a light shawl for morning meditation, sandals

• Food — three sattvic vegetarian meals daily, prepared by an in-house Ayurvedic chef, allergen-friendly on request

• Accessibility — the main shala is step-free; two guest rooms are on the ground floor; a few steps lead to the garden

• Language — instruction in English; Sanskrit terms explained in context; Mandarin available with Chen Hui Yi one-to-one

• Kit included — personal gàiwǎn, 50g yín zhēn white tea, 20g aged shēng, a linen tea towel, a mindfulness journal

• Weather note — November is early rainy season in Bali; warm days (28°C) and occasional evening showers; bring a light rain jacket