I came back to Bermuda recently after being marooned for over five months in Bali.

It was a long, exhausting and dramatic return journey. I took six flights:

Bali/Jakarta/Istanbul/Zurich/Dublin/London and finally, Bermuda!

I spent 34 hours in the air, and five days of travel in total.

Bill and I were stuck in Switzerland in the transit zone for over two days because Swiss immigration would not allow us to enter their country and we could not find a connecting flight to Bermuda.

All borders in Europe and Asia were closed.

We made a new plan: Bill flew to the USA to see his children. I could not enter the USA, so I continued on my way to Bermuda.

When I got off the plane, I closed my eyes, breathed in the warm and sultry air of my island home and cried with happiness.

I was ecstatic to be back in my beloved and gorgeous Bermuda! I could not believe it was all over.

First of all, it is wonderful to now be in a safe and protected place where the Government has taken full control to stop the spread of the virus.

I had to take five rapid tests and I was happy to do them.

It was inspiring to see how serious Bermudians are about wearing masks, disinfecting their hands, and social-distancing. It was a huge relief after being in Bali where most people don’t even believe in the coronavirus and even make jokes about it!

We felt in constant danger there. I haven’t been in Bermuda for nine months! What happened to me and to Bill during this time? In short, we lived happily for four months in northern Thailand at the Tao Garden spiritual and wellness centre.

Among the emerald rice fields and wild mountain forests, I began to practise Qigong and other ancient and powerful Taoist practices.

Under the leadership of the Chinese master, Mantak Chia, I practised inner energy work, and learnt the movements and breathing exercises of his renowned Universal Healing System.

I met a fascinating array of spiritual practitioners from all over the world who came to Tao Garden to study the healing arts. Many became my good friends.

One month we spent exploring incredible, energetic Vietnam, a country full of surprises and more beautiful than we could ever have imagined.

Another month, we sailed on an old schooner and dove the remote waters of the Raja Ampat archipelago in Indonesia. It was here I experienced the breathtaking beauty of the far Pacific; watching the smooth and spellbinding dance of giant mantas over our heads, caressing the velvety skin of an enormous whale shark, and touching the rugged shell of a hundred-year-old turtle.

For five months we were locked down on the mysterious island of Bali, empty of tourists.

The Balinese culture is imbued with deep religious traditions that form a complex web of spirit worship with Hinduism.

We were invited to participate in many local ceremonies in ancient temples on the slopes of a massive volcano.

Nine months is the time it takes for a baby to be born. In the last nine months, I created my new course “Good Vibes From Nina London”.

It is designed to help us, beautiful and strong women, stay healthy and happy during these uncertain times.

I carefully chose practices and meditations that have changed my life; practices that have helped me to restore my energy after cancer treatments, and bring my mind and body into harmony and balance. I am eager to share them with you!

Abiding by government regulations, I will host five classes on the beach with social-distancing from August 31 to September 6.

In my classes, I will teach you how to:

• Start your day with a boost of energy through simple and effective Qigong movements for health and longevity that you can practise alone

• To cope with stress through breathing exercises, powerful Six Healing Sounds and Inner Smile meditations

• To stay positive with Laughter Therapy

• To do Nature Bathing and reconnect with your better inner self using the best healer in the world — nature

• To find your happiness and let go of your worries through Ecstatic Dance

During my long journey I realised something important: it doesn’t matter where I am in the world; be it Asia or Europe, Canada or Bermuda. What matters is that I know how to control my mind, how to make myself happy and balanced, and how to create energy that I can use during the day.

In this way, I create my own mood! You can, too!

• Nina London is a certified wellness and weight-management coach. Her mission is to support and inspire mature women to make positive changes in their body and mind. Share your inspirational stories with her at www.ninalondon.com