How to Plan a Yoga Retreat in Bali

YOGA PLACES IN BALI

The best and most economical way to do yoga is to buy a class card. Most of the studios offer a class pack (e.g. 10 classes valid for 6 months) or days pass (e.g. 30 day unlimited class card).

At the yoga centres, you get access to traditional yoga styles of Classical Hatha, Vinyasa Flow, Power, Pranayama, Restorative, Iyengar, Yin & Anusara. Other modalities include Meditation, Sound Medicine, Kirtan and Ecstatic Dance. I only did yoga at the Yoga Barn, but I also heard good things about these places:

• Radiantly Alive
• Taksu
• White Lotus Yoga & Meditation Centre
• Ubud Bodyworks Center

HOW TO CHOOSE A YOGA OR MEDITATION STYLE

Anyone can join a yoga retreat in Bali and there are classes for both beginners and advanced. The types of yoga and meditation vary from class to class and it’s an excellent idea to try something new while you’re here. Personally, I’ve practiced meditation for many years, but was surprised to find out how many different kinds of meditations there actually are. I tried out several classes and it took my meditation practice to a whole new level.

When you are choosing what type you want to do, have this in mind:

• Choose a teacher and style you love
• Pick a focus that speaks to you
• Choose a yoga style that matches your current fitness level, your personality and goals for practicing yoga
• Do you prefer challenging or gentle yoga? E.g. Ashtanga (challenging), Bikram (challenging), Hatha (gentle), Viniyoga (gentle) and so on. You can ask and read about the classes at the centers

Try different classes and see what works for you.

Read next: What I learned from my yoga retreat in Bali

The Yoga Barn

ORGANIC AND VEGETARIAN RESTAURANTS

Ubud is a Mekka for healthy food lovers, and raw food, vegan, macro and vegetarian food can be found everywhere. Here are some of the best restaurants:

Find the best food in Ubud here.

CLEAR 
With its temple-like interior and menu full of enticing elixirs, Clear is the perfect place to indulge in raw food, vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free dishes.

Price range: $6-20 
Address: Jalan Hanoman No. 8
Website: Clear cafe

DOWN TO EARTH 
Everything about this vegetarian restaurant is so thought through from the macrobiotic chef and all organic foods to only using local supplies and supporting the community. The meals are exceptionally tasty and beautifully presented.

Price range: $4-8
Address: Jalan Guatama Selatan
Website: Down to Earth Ubud

ALCHEMY 
A raw food vegan cafe offering delicious organic meals, raw chocolate and amazing garden surroundings.

Price range: $7-15
Address: Jalan Penestanan, Ubud
Website: Alchemy

WARUNG SOPA
All organic, tasty meals! This vegetarian restaurant with an emphasis on wholesome and organic food offers a mix of Japanese and Balinese dishes.

Price range: $3-8
Address: Jalan Sugriwa 36
Website: Warung Sopa

YOU DON’T HAVE TO BE RELIGIOUS

If you’re going to the Yoga Barn, you have to be prepared to hear the name Ganesha a lot during classes. If you aren’t okay with this and you don’t want to bow to Ganesha, then don’t. You shouldn’t succumb to peer pressure and it’s not written anywhere that you have to be spiritual to practice yoga or meditation.

You will see that a lot of the classes are opened with a thank to Ganesha or that he or some other hindu god is mentioned in the mantras. I’m no hindu so I simply refrained from saying the mantra or I replaced the word Ganesha with something else; like God, myself or whatever makes me happy. Do what you are comfortable with.

HOLISTIC TREATMENTS

You’ll find plenty of alternative and holistic treatments in Ubud. The most common kinds are reflexology and healing, but you can also find acupuncture, palm reading and many other things.

Healing 
Legend has it that as far back as the 8th Century, royal families from across the island sent their ill to Ubud to be healed, and the tradition continues today – with people from all over the world arriving in hope of curing what ails them. Whether it’s sound healing or heart problems, depression or a chronic disease – Ubud has a cure for it.

Reflexology 
This natural healing art is based on the principles of using acupressure points in the hands and feet to combat stress, tension and to promote general well-being in the form of better circulation and function of the organs. For trained and excellent practitioners, head to Taksu, Reflexology Bali or Kenco.

HAVE A HEALTHY SKEPTICISM

When it comes to spirituality and self-development, we expose ourselves and become vulnerable in order to grow and learn. Whether you believe in spirituality, alternative treatment or not, you need to take good care of yourself and make sure you’re doing this in a safe environment with a trained teacher or practitioner.

In the spiritual field, there are people taking advantage of this vulnerability. I’m not saying that you should second guess everyone’s motives, but you should develop a healthy skepticism towards spirituality and everything it entails. Make room for asking questions. You should take care of yourself first and foremost; that’s what you’re here for, remember.

SPA AND MASSAGE

Speaking of taking good care of yourself… A yoga retreat in Bali is more than the exercise. It’s also about relaxing and unwinding. Everywhere you look, you’ll see massages and spas, but if you want excellent treatment (as in the-best-you’ll-ever-had), I’d recommend you to splurge a little and go to one of these places – Taksu is my personal favorite (ask for Jero).

• Taksu  (try the lomi lomi massage)
• Putri Bali Spa
• Kayma Spa