Scott F. Bauer
Founder
ABout US
USADA BALI
At Usada Bali in Ubud we offer authentic cultural experiences rooted in Bali, with inspiration from the arts and traditions of the other Indonesian islands, and Asia as a whole.
While the word ‘Usada’ refers to the ancestral medicinal knowledge of the Balinese, our vision of holistic wellbeing is broader, embracing mind, body and spirit, which are nurtured and nourished through nutrition, tradition, and culture.
The Usada Forum, our studio, hosts cultural events, seminars, and community gatherings, and is a thriving and welcoming space for indigenous performing arts. We also regularly host teachers of various spiritual lineages, the healing arts, devotional practices and contemplative traditions, who share their wisdom and practical insights.
On the ground floor, our restaurant Dapur Usada serves healthy, flavorful dishes inspired by the culinary traditions of both Indonesia and India.
Our Story & Vision
Usada comes from the Sanskrit word ausadha, meaning medicine – specifically plants and herbs with medicinal properties. In Bali, Usada refers to the science of traditional medicine and ancient medical treatment systems.
The word ‘Dapur’ translates as ‘cooking room’ but also ‘fire’, and in present-day Indonesian means ‘kitchen’. In Balinese Hinduism, the fire element is associated with Brahma, the God of Creation. At Usada, this fire fuels the creativity that flourishes under our roof, the innovative ideas expressed in our cuisine, and the passion and enthusiasm for all we share.
Usada was designed as a haven for holistic wellbeing, a place to keep alive the flame of Life and the fires of health on every level. We embody a space to cultivate wellness, spiritual growth, and connections and learning, through food, culture, community and personal development.
Our privileged friendships with local Balinese teachers, leaders and artists make Usada unique – the majority of our workshops, and many of our programs and events – facilitated or directed by local masters in their traditional fields and crafts. We also host exhibitions that showcase the work of artists – many renowned, others up-and-coming – who hail from both Bali and other Indonesian islands.
These offerings reflect Usada’s heartfelt priorities and goals, which include disseminating and preserving local culture, and creating an inclusive environment which brings together Balinese, foreign residents and visitors, for the mutual enjoyment of all, while benefitting the local community and economy.
Discovering the traditions and culture of Bali through experiences led by local contributors allows guests to drink straight from the source, and ensures the preservation of ancient wisdom.
Because helping to keep Balinese culture thriving, and giving back to the community are two of Usada’s most important commitments, we donate 10% of all profits to local projects that have a positive social impact. These include classes for kids, charities, and local education. In this way, we hope to support positive growth, and to encourage a new generation of Balinese teachers and leaders who will preserve, embody and share their cultural traditions.
SCOTT F. BAUER – FOUNDER
SCOTT F. BAUER FOUNDER
When I first came to Indonesia in 2011 the extraordinary kindness, generosity and happiness of the Balinese in particular, and of the Indonesian people in general, made an profound and beautiful impression on me. While still living in the USA, I had been influenced by Yoga, Ayurveda and Mahayana Buddhist philosophy.
Now, Bali is teaching me the concept of Tri Hita Karana – a foundational philosophy of life that espouses harmony as a principle of order in the cosmos. It’s three pillars are: harmony between Humanity and the Divine; harmony with the Earth; and harmony between individuals, and with society.
I now perceive my earlier training as a stepping stone towards this understanding, and to aspiring to such harmony.
The idea for Usada was born a little later, in 2015, when I was at Munivara Ashram in Ubud, attending a Purnama Puja, or full moon ceremony. Since then, that seed of an idea has grown into something much larger: our organisation now includes five partners, all of whom are devoted to working for the cultural arts of Bali and Indonesia.
I take pride in the positive feedback that our work in the Forum and Dapur Kitchen has generated, and I am, likewise, deeply grateful to our amazing staff and the many presenters that have graced our programmes.
Our Team
Pramita Rahayu
GM Events
Komang Santini
GM Restaurant
Dian Dewi Reich
Creative Director
At Usada, every experience is conceived to encourage a deepening of presence, openness and greater connection. Through meaningful encounters with local teachers, artists, healers and guardians of traditional culture, our programs are not simply activities—they are guided journeys, an invitation to slow down, listen, and to discover Bali’s deeper stories.