A Guide to Yoga in Bali – Best Studios, Retreats & Teacher Training in 2023
The stunning natural beauty, tropical landscape, unique cultural and spirituality has lead Bali to be known as ‘the island of the gods.’ Not only is Bali one of the best places to practice yoga, it’s also one of the best yoga travel destinations in the world.
Yoga in Bali has become so popular and there are literally hundreds of yoga studios, resorts and retreats in Bali offering yoga classes for all levels in every style imaginable. Bali is literally yogi paradise!
So whether you’re looking to try some drop in yoga classes at the best yoga studios in Bali, or want to treat yourself to a luxury wellness and yoga retreat, a fun surf and yoga holiday or even do your yoga teacher training (YTT), Bali has it all.
Our Guide to Yoga in Bali
We’ve spent a lot of time on this beautiful island, some of us even did our yoga teacher training in Bali, so we’ve been lucky enough to try out many of the best yoga studios and retreats. We hope our comprehensive guide to the Bali yoga scene for 2023 will help you find your zen on the ‘island of the gods.’
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Why is Yoga so popular in Bali?
Yoga in Bali has become extremely popular, and not just because of the movie ‘Eat Pray Love‘.
Bali has a long history of healing and a deeply spiritual culture and the island’s warm tropical climate, natural beauty and peaceful and serene environment creates the perfect setting for practicing yoga outdoors. It’s also one of the best spiritual destinations in the world to visit.
Bali’s laid-back and friendly culture, and its emphasis on balance, serenity, and harmony, aligns well with the philosophy of yoga and makes it an ideal place for yoga lovers looking for a holistic approach to wellness and to connect with like-minded yogi travellers.
Despite the island’s popularity, Bali is still an affordable destination for wellness retreats with a huge variety of yoga studios, spas, resorts, and retreat centres to choose from.
The thriving wellness and yoga community means there’s many highly-skilled and experienced yoga teachers offering a wide variety of yoga lessons in different styles to suit all levels.
Whether you’re working on your Hatha, Ashtanga, Vinyasa or Bikram yoga practice, or if you want to try out Acro yoga, Restorative yoga, Kundalini yoga or even Ariel yoga, you’re sure to find the ideal yoga class in Bali.
Traditionally yoga is much more than a physical exercise, it’s is a spiritual discipline rooted in Hindu philosophy. Bali, like India the birthplace of yoga, is also Hindu which makes it the perfect place to dive deeper into yoga philosophy or do your YTT, in a cleaner and safer environment for solo female travellers than India.
Bali is a really safe place for solo female travellers, the Balinese people are genuinely lovely and you’ll meet plenty of like minded people. There’s also plenty of retreats created especially for solo travelers.
The Best Places for Yoga in Bali
While you can find yoga resorts and retreats all over the island, the best places for yoga in Bali are undoubtedly Ubud and Canggu.
Ubud
Located inland, Ubud is the cultural, spiritual and artistic heart of the island and where you’ll find famous yoga studios like the Yoga Barn and numerous retreats and spas with inspiring views over the luscious rice fields. There is a huge variety of beautiful yoga resorts and places to stay in Ubud to suit all budgets.
Ubud is also home to many temples, the famous Tegallalang rice terraces, the sacred monkey forest and an amazing healthy food and raw vegan scene. Some of our favorite raw vegan restaurants are Alchemy, Seeds of Life, Zest, Sayuri Healing Food and Klear Café.
As well as all the different yoga classes, all sorts of workshops, healing therapies and yoga teacher training programs are on offer in Ubud. One of our favorite things to do after yoga in Ubud is walking over Camphun Ridge and including in the affordable massages, spa treatments and even flower baths at beautiful Karsa Spa. This guide to yoga in Ubud is a useful starting point.
Canggu
Situated on the coast, Canggu, is the best place to combine both yoga and surfing. The beaches have a vibrant surf scene with many breaks that are perfect for beginners and many Canggu yoga retreats combine yoga and surfing lessons.
Canggu is home to many yoga studios, cool boutiques, healthy cafes and even coworking spaces as it has become really popular with digital nomads. Canggu is also one of the best locations to try a yoga and surf retreat in Bali. Check out this guide to yoga in Canggu for more.
Other Destinations
You’ll find yoga all over Bali. The upmarket beach resort of Seminyak is home to several yoga studios, spas and upscale hotels.
Also, Ulu Watu also has a growing yoga scene and is home to some world famous surf breaks and the beautiful Ulu Watu temple.
And if busy beaches and yoga hotspots aren’t your thing and you want to really get away from it all, head to Amed or Bali’s islands where you’ll find a couple of laid back yoga studios and retreats.
Amed, on Bali’s East Coast, which offers empty black sand beaches, excellent diving, snorkeling and views of Mount Agung. Amed is home to Blue Earth Village – one of our favourite hang-out spots catering to the yogic lifestyle.
Or for an island escape consider Bali’s neighbouring small islands like Nusa Lembongan or the Gili Islands. See a more detailed description of all the different areas to stay in Bali here.
The Best Bali Yoga Studios for Drop In Yoga Classes
If you are looking for casual drop in yoga classes there is no shortage of amazing yoga studios in Bali, especially in Ubud and Canggu. Bali’s yoga studios are perfect if you want to try out different teachers and yoga styles or don’t have time for a full retreat.
The price of yoga classes in Bali varies depending on a number of factors, including the location, the type of class, and the teacher. Generally, yoga classes in Bali cost around IDR 150,000 (about $10) for a single 90 minute class. Many yoga studios in Bali offer discounts for multiple class packages or for booking in advance.
You may want to consider taking along your own yoga mat, as the drop in classes can get quite busy and the yoga centers often only have a limited number of their own. Have a look at our recommended travel yoga mats if you want something lightweight and travel-friendly.
The Best Drop-In Yoga Studio in Ubud – The Yoga Barn
The Yoga Barn in Ubud is one of the most famous and best yoga studios in Bali with a huge range of daily yoga classes and workshops in all styles and for all levels.
Situated in a quiet street surrounded by tropical greenery near the centre of Ubud, the Yoga Barn has 7 yoga studios and offers 100 yoga and meditation classes each week as well as acro yoga jams, kirtan, sound healing, movie nights and a popular ecstatic dance workshop.
They also provide healing and ayurvedic holistic spa treatments and serve delicious raw, vegan and ayurvedic food in the Garden Kafe. The only downside is that the class sizes can be pretty large as it’s such a popular studio so you’ll need to book in advance for some of the popular classes and the ecstatic dance.
Check out the Yoga Barn’s website for more info.
More of our favorite yoga studios in Ubud include:
- Radiantly Alive for creative vinyasa yoga with highly experienced teachers,
- Ubud Yoga House and Intuitive Flow for gentle yoga in a more intimate atmosphere,
- Ubud Yoga Centre a modern studio specialising in hot yoga and Bikram yoga.
The Best Drop-In Yoga Studio in Canggu – Samadhi Bali
For yoga classes in the heart of Canggu our favorite studio is Samadhi Bali. Located in a lush and inspiring environment close to the popular Echo beach, this is the best yoga studio in Canggu because of the extensive and diverse schedule of yoga and movement classes including Pilates, master classes and workshops, breathwork, sound healing, dance, yoga training and other events.
From Ashtanga yoga classes to surf flow motion, capoeira, kirtan and blue flower tea ceremonies, I’m sure you’ll find what you’re looking for a Samadhi – and probably a couple of new yoga styles to try that you never knew existed! The friendly team of Indonesian and international world class teachers and therapists are dedicated to healing and renewal, and believe in “learning to dance with the universe”.
They also have a spa, vegetarian cafe, organic and sustainable supermarket and host a popular farmers market on Sundays. Check out Samadhi’s website here.
For more yoga studios in Canggu, also check out:
- The Practice for traditional Hatha yoga and a more spiritual approach
- Serenity Yoga offers 10 daily classes in a huge variety of styles and affordable retreat packages,
- Pranava Yoga for yoga lessons with local teachers, including a very popular Aerial yoga session,
- Desa Seni School of Yoga for personal yoga retreats in a beautiful Balinese village style eco resort.
Although Ubud and Canggu are Bali’s biggest yoga hotspots, you’ll find studios all over the island. More Bali yoga studios we can’t fail to mention include:
- · Seminyak Yoga Shala, Seminyak
- · Morning Light Yoga, Ulu Watu.
- · The Yoga Rescue, Ulu Watu
- · Power of Now Oasis, Sanur
- · Blue Earth Village, Amed
- · Yoga Bliss, Nusa Lembogan
- · Serenity Yoga, Nusa Lembogan
- · H20 Yoga, Gili Air
The Bali Yoga Guide has a more comprehensive listing of Bali’s best yoga studios as well as many more tips for exploring the island’s yoga scene.
The Best Yoga Retreats in Bali
Whether you dream of practicing yoga with views over the rice fields and ancient temples, pampering yourself in the beautiful spas, or combining yoga with tai chi or learning how to surf, you’ll be able to find the perfect yoga retreat in Bali.
In fact, there’s so many incredible Bali yoga retreats that it can be overwhelming trying to choose the right one for you. Whether you are looking for a fun and affordable yoga holiday, a beginners yoga and meditation retreat or a luxury wellness retreat there’s no shortage of choice.
The best retreats in Bali can be really great value as they include not only daily yoga classes, but also accommodation, healthy food and often spa treatments and excursions for an affordable wellness holiday.
We also recommend searching on BookYogaRetreats where you can narrow it down to the best options for your level, style, dates and budget. The best thing about this site is that you can also read the reviews from previous guests so you know what to expect.
We can’t possibly cover all the retreats in Bali in one article, so here’s a few of our favourites to help you narrow it down. Check out our article on Bali’s best yoga retreats for more recommendations.
3 of the Best Bali Yoga Retreats
- Firefly, Ubud – Great value Ubud retreat perfect for beginners.
- De Moksha Boutique Resort – Eco-friendly luxury yoga vacation.
- Serenity, Canggu – Budget-friendly retreats by Canggu beach.
Firefly, Ubud
Beginner Friendly Wellness and Yoga Retreats in Ubud
Firefly is our favorite affordable Bali yoga retreat, not just because of the serene rice field setting and stunning views. The yoga classes and guided meditation sessions are ideal for beginners and will allow you to find balance in your body and mind.
Accommodation overlooking a picturesque rice field, daily yoga sessions in multiple styles including classical Hatha yoga, traditional Balinese cultural activities and excursions, and organic vegetarian meals are all included for an amazing yoga vacation.
If you’re looking for a relaxing Bali yoga vacation with included excursions and activities to help you to learn about the unique Balinese culture this is a great choice.
There’s also plenty of free time to relax by the pool in a peaceful spot in the rice fields and it’s just a short walk to explore everything happening in the yoga hotspot of Ubud.
De Moksha Boutique Resort, Tanah Lot
Stunning Eco Luxury Yoga Retreat near Canggu
This beautiful, luxurious, eco-friendly yoga and wellness retreat is located in a serene spot near Tanah Lot temple but still close to popular Canggu beach. The resort is surrounded by stunning rice fields and authentic Balinese villages and offers a semi open air yoga shala, riverside spa and luxury private pool villas.
In addition to traditional yoga classes and meditation sessions with experienced teachers from Mira Yogashala, the retreat package includes a 90 minute spa treatment, healthy vegetarian meals and fresh juices and accommodation.
You’ll also experience the rich and unique Balinese culture through local excursions and workshops in dance, cooking and offering making. In the Hindu religion and philosophy, Moksha means liberation, and here every detail has been taken care of to give you the feeling of freedom and the perfect luxury Bali yoga vacation.
Serenity Eco Guesthouse, Canggu
Super Value Yoga Eco-Lodge Close to the Beach
Our favorite budget friendly Canggu yoga retreat is Serenity Eco Guesthouse where you can enjoy a week of unlimited yoga classes and a one-hour Balinese massage at an amazingly affordable price.
Serenity Eco-lodge offers unlimited yoga classes where you can try traditional yoga styles like Hatha, Vinyasa and Yin yoga, or try out Acro and Aerial yoga (also known as anti gravity or sky yoga.) They also provide tasty vegan buffet breakfasts.
With a choice of up to 10 sessions of daily yoga practice in a huge variety of styles this retreat is perfect for beginners wanting to try out new yoga styles. After yoga, relax by the resort’s swimming pool or head to the beach or explore the trendy cafes, bars and boutiques in Canggu.
This is one of the most affordable retreats in the world, choose between shared dorms or, for an additional fee, upgrade to a private room.
The Best Yoga Teacher Training in Bali
If you’re thinking of combining traveling with becoming a certified yoga teacher then Bali is a great choice – Bali is actually one of the best places in the world to do yoga teacher training (YTT).
There’s a huge range of yoga teacher trainings available in all styles of yoga. Many yoga teacher training courses in Bali are registered with Yoga Alliance. Graduates of these programs will be eligible to register with Yoga Alliance as Registered Yoga Teachers (RYT).
The most popular way to gain your yoga certification in Bali is on an intensive 200 hour yoga teacher training course which takes between 2 weeks and 1 month.
Most programs include accommodation and meals and the cost starts from as low as $1000 USD, and can go up to $4000 USD. The average cost of a 200-hour YTT in Bali is around $2000-3000 USD. You can get a good overview of what’s on offer at the BookYogaTeacherTraining website.
During the training, you’ll learn not just about asanas, pranayama, and meditation, you’ll also be taught about the history and philosophy of yoga, anatomy and physiology as well as learning how to lead a yoga class, how to adjust students, and how to create a safe and inclusive environment for students.
Here’s our favorite YTT, for more recommendations check out our post on Bali Yoga Teacher Training.
Yoga Union, Ubud
The Best 200 Hour Yoga Teacher Training course in Bali
Our favourite Bali YTT is with Yoga Union who have been delivering highly respected and internationally recognized YTT’s for over a decade. As well as being one of the top rated programs, Yoga Union is also one of the most affordable trainings in Bali.
Located in Ubud, the spiritual heart of Bali, and surrounded by lush rice fields and temples, Yoga Union offers 200-hour Yoga Alliance certified course focusing on Ashtanga Vinyasa Flow which is designed for both aspiring yoga teachers and dedicated students looking to deepen their yoga practice.
You’ll have twice daily classes and will love practicing in an open air yoga shala surrounded by tropical greenery. You’ll start the day with energizing Ashtanga and Vinyasa yoga classes and wind down with a relaxing yin yoga class.
During the course you’ll stay in a beautiful yoga resort learning from international teachers who are experienced, knowledgeable and passionate about sharing their love and wisdom of yoga.
Tips for Planning your Bali Yoga Trip
As you can see Bali is a must visit destination for all yoga travelers. So here’s some essential travel tips to help you plan your trip to Bali.
The Best Time to Visit Bali
As a tropical island Bali is warm all year round with temperature’s normally being between 82°F to 90°F (28°C and 32°C) although the more mountainous areas, like Ubud, feel slightly cooler.
There are two main seasons in Bali that you should know about and take into account when planning your trip. The dry season (April to September) and the rainy season (October to March).
The dry season is the peak tourist season and the best time to visit to practice yoga outdoors and enjoy other outdoor activities. The dry season is the best time for beach days, sunbathing, hiking and diving. It’s also the best time for beginner surfers to ride the waves. The dry season is the main tourist season with July and August being the busiest, peak tourism months.
The rainy season offers cooler temperatures and even lusher greenery. The wet season is a good time to visit Bali to enjoy cheaper prices at the spas and luxury yoga resorts and to escape the crowds. Bali’s frequent tropical downpours give the island its luscious, tropical, greenery.
It doesn’t rain all day and some areas like East and North Bali do not receive so much rain. Although Ubud, the island’s main yoga hotspot, can receive a lot of rain in December, January and February. Despite this Christmas and New Year are still busy times on the island.
How to Get to Bali
Bali has only has one airport – the Ngurah Rai International Airport (DPS) also known as Denpasar airport. It’s situated in the south of the island near to the city of Denpasar and close to popular beaches like Kuta and Canggu. It’s about 37 km to Ubud, Bali’s yoga hub, from the airport which takes about 1 hour and 20 minutes in a taxi.
If you’ve booked a yoga retreat in Bali many include airport transfers as part of the package so check with the organiser. If not, don’t worry, Bali is very safe, easy and affordable. Once you arrive, just walk to the right as you exit the airport and get a fixed-rate coupon for an official taxi.
There are quick and direct flights from Australia but there are not many direct flights from Europe or North America to Bali. So if you’re traveling from Europe or the US you will usually have to change flights in Asian hubs like Singapore, Kuala Lumpur or Bangkok that have frequent connections. They are also safe and fascinating cities to explore in their own right so why not break the journey and have a few days stopover on the way.
Most nationalities can get a 30 day Visa on Arrival at the airport which costs USD 35. This can be paid by card or in cash in several major currencies. If you fall in love with Bali so much and want to stay longer you can extend the visa by a further 30 days by visiting the immigration office in Denpasar.
Final thoughts about the Bali Yoga Scene
Bali is a true haven for yoga enthusiasts, with such a wide range of yoga classes. teachers, healing therapies and affordable retreats available in beautiful surroundings.
With its rich culture, beautiful landscapes, and spiritual energy, Bali is the perfect place to practice yoga and to nourish the mind, body, and soul. It’s really no wonder that the island attracts yogis and spiritual seekers from all over the world.
Whether you’re a beginner looking to try yoga for the first time or an experienced practitioner looking to gain your yoga teacher certification, Bali is the perfect place to go to enhance your yoga journey.
We hope this guide to Bali’s yoga scene helps you plan an amazing trip to the island of the Gods and that you fall in love with Bali as much as we did!
Do you have any more questions about yoga in Bali? Leave us a comment below!
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