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n annual celebration that combines yoga, music and dance will make its return to Ubud for its fourth year from March 23 to March 27.

The Bali Spirit Festival 2011 will assemble the island’s largest and most diverse collection of yoga masters, musical talent and dance genres from around the world.

“This event brings to Bali a wealth of talented and respected creative masters from around the world, merging the indigenous and rich cultures of Indonesia in the spirit of learning, collaboration and celebration of our creative and spiritual diversity,” the event’s media coordinator Kezia Winny said in a press release.

Combining over 95 inspiring kinds of yoga, music and dance, the five-day event will have more
than 100 workshops, master classes and nightly world music performances.

The outdoor festival will be at the Purnati Center for the Arts in Batuan, 10 minutes south of Ubud, during the day and at the ARMA Museum by night.

Growing in size and recognition every year since 2008, the much-admired festival showcases Indonesia’s rich indigenous cultures and attempts to merge East and West.

“We invite people to join the ‘global village’ and take part in a rare and unique holistic experience that embodies the spirit of Bali while supporting vital local programs through community education and outreach initiatives,”
Kezia said.

Yoga sessions at the event include Prana Flow, Ashtanga, Meditation/Philosophy, JivaMukti, Hatha Yoga/Tantra, Forest Yoga/Energetics and a very special guest, His Holiness Swami Saraswati.

The festival will also feature dances of Balinese, West African, Ecstatic, Afro-Cuban, Hip Hop, and Hoop Dance origins.

There will be a range of music performances from Delhi to Dublin from Canada, Los Pinguos from Argentina, Dafra Drum and Dance from West Africa, Ayu Laksmi from Indonesia, Filter Coffee from India and Saritah from Australia.

Participants can also enjoy the “Daily Dharma Fair”, a gathering space and eco-friendly marketplace for all ages that will offer massages and healing arts, healthy food, artisanal clothing, yoga products and live music.

The last day of the festival will be Hari Cinta Keluarga (Family Day), providing space for Bali’s environmental and community groups to share information about their work and to offer workshops specifically for children and the family.

Proceeds from festival ticket sales will support AYO! Kita Bicara HIV/AIDS (Let’s Talk about HIV/AIDS), an HIV/AIDS prevention and education outreach initiative.