The Truth About Cacao: More Than Just Chocolate

An interview with Ms. Olivia of Ubud Raw by Dian Dewi for Usada, Ubud Bali What’s the controversy with cacao today? The Truth About Cacao with Ubud Raw at Usada. Chocolate often carries a bad reputation. Many people associate it with weight gain, cavities, and unhealthy habits. But according to Ms. Olivia of Ubud Raw, […]
How Ayurveda Came Into My Life

How Ayurveda Came Into My Life, with Ulli Almendinger The short answer? Through yoga. Ayurveda entered my life at a time when I was deeply out of balance. It helped me reconnect with my body, not from the mind, but by truly listening to what the body was asking for. Whether that meant rest, specific […]
Putu Yudiantara: On Text, Integrity, and a Spirituality That Makes Sense

Putu Yudiantara works at the intersection of psychology, Balinese scripture, and lived experience. Rather than offering fixed answers, his journey unfolds through deep listening—to texts, to tradition, and to the human condition. In this conversation, he reflects on purpose, doubt, devotion, and the clarity that slowly emerges when one finally makes peace with their own […]
Turning the Mountain

Philosophy, Power, and Sacred Memory in Balinese Mask Tradition Article and Photography by By Dian Dewi In conversation with Kadek Sudiasa, mask maker and dancer, Bali For several years, I have worked alongside Kadek Sudiasa, a Balinese mask maker and dancer, documenting and exploring the philosophy of Balinese masks not only as sculptural forms, but […]
The Quiet Work of Yoga with Manish Pole

This conversation with Manish Pole took place at Usada on 24 January 2026, following the first yoga session held at the space. Beginning at Usada The morning marked the beginning of yoga practice at Usada. Eight people gathered for the first session, a number that felt intimate and well balanced. The space itself could comfortably […]
LifeLines Creative Workshops Makes its First Mark. On the DOT!

Today marked the first LifeLines Creative Workshop at Usada. On the Dot introduced LifeLines as a community-driven creative workshop and a shared space to connect. We started with something very small: a dot. The DOT of Courage Led by Ellen, the opening exercise focused on the dot of courage. The courage to make a mark […]