I woke up this morning in our beautiful Ubud home feeling happy and energized, excited for the day. I scurried down the steps to the first floor, bursting open the front door to find golden sunlight flooding the airy space. Brilliant rays sparkled across the face of the big Buddha statue that sits peacefully in our entryway.

The electric green plants gleamed at me, and I felt compelled to turn on the music and just dance into the new day. Inspired, I clicked on our wedding song, “Te Doy la Vida” by Compay Segundo.

Johnny had only just awoken, and groggily shuffled down the steps. I found him in the bathroom sitting on the side of the bathtub; frothy toothbrush in mouth, tired eyes barely open. I couldn’t resist. I grabbed him tightly and in my best operatic voice bellowed out:

Te doy la vida, porque mi vida es tuya! Te entrego el alma, sedienta de ilusión! No dudes nunca que muero por quererte!! Te doy la vida, te doy el corazón!!

I felt my heart growing, filled with love and playfulness.

“It’s Sunday Dance day!!” I squealed.

The Yoga Barn has been my Ubud sanctuary for the past week. I’ve been taking a variety of classes, exploring the different traditions, learning new meditation techniques, and strengthening my yoga practice. I’d seen “Sunday Dance” on the weekly schedule and after hearing rave reviews, decided to check it out. Sunday Dance is one of the many classes offered at The Yoga Barn. But unlike the other yoga and meditation courses available, what makes Sunday Dance special is that it’s basically a massive dance party in the middle of the day. No talking allowed.

The mere idea of busting a move in broad daylight, no booze or BFS for support, made my stomach flip and flutter. But the thought of all the budding yogis and yoginis, not to mention the seasoned “gurus,” coming out to mix and mingle on the dance floor was a sight I could not miss.

So that was that. When in Ubud….go to Sunday Dance.

I somehow managed to convince Johnny to come with me. When we arrived, I knew we were in for an experience. Johnny realized it too, and immediately backed out.

“No, I’m not going in there. I can’t do it. This isn’t my thing.”

“Oh, c’mon, Johnny!!” I pleaded. “Just give it a chance!”

But before I could even convince my own self to stay, he was out of there. Passed the door, down the steps, Johnny had high-tailed it.

“I’ll meet you in an hour-and-half at the Cafe!” he yelled up to me.

So there I was. Alone. Standing in the doorway, in limbo, while the hula-hoopers, long haired nymphs, and shirtless new-agers streamed in around me. I took a deep breath, and waltzed in. When in Ubud…..

I found an open spot in the back of the room where I could safely sway and get into the groove. Soon enough, there were bodies and souls twirling and twisting all around me. The DJ spun a mix of tribal, uptempo beats splashed with some psychedelic ambient sounds. Basically a crazy free-for-all, sweat flying, hips swaying, arms soaring. Wet forms oozed onto the floor, while others floated, suspended in a trance-like state. Sharp cries echoed in the room, vigorous clapping, banging and jumping, followed by slow contorting waves.

I danced in awe of everyone around me. I fought the urge to stare, to laugh, to gasp. I closed my eyes, feeling the music and the energy around me. I knew that there was nothing I could do that would be out of place here. I could move in any way I felt like and it would be welcomed into this mix of motion surrounding me. At that moment, I let myself go. I danced fearlessly for about 30 minutes. I didn’t burst into radiant life crystals or some other tripped out transcendental experience.

Better yet, I danced and just had fun. Exactly right for me.