Yoga in Bali: Ubud and Canggu
The first time I fell in love with the thought of Bali was after reading Eat Pray Love in college (basic, I know..). I’ve dreamed long and hard about running away to Bali just to feel the luscious greenery in the jungle and to practice yoga on a tropical deck followed by a healthy, colorful, fruit smoothie. Cool thing is, last March that description became reality.
Bali was truly a magical place to recharge my yoga practice at, but I was surprised to see that barely any locals practiced yoga. According to local Indonesians, yoga is for “tourists”. For years I was under the impression that practicing yoga was part of the Balinese-Hindu culture (but I guess not?). Although I was surprised with this notion, I still had the time of my life practicing yoga & I thoroughly enjoyed all the international/ex-pat/english-speaking instructors. But I couldn’t help but wonder, who brought yoga to Bali? I assumed Australians? Whoever the culprit is for this yoga/healthy cafe movement in Bali….THANK YOU, you answered all my prayers.
Aside from India, Bali should be on every yogi's travel bucket list. Here are my thoughts and reviews of all the yoga studios & festivals I practiced at during my time in Ubud and Canggu!
UBUD
Yoga Barn
It would be a sin not to attend every class upon the hour when your accommodation is right next door to the YOGA BARN. OMG this studio is disneyland for yogis. Classes at practically every hour from 7AM-8PM offering numerous styles of yoga and meditation. There are several shallas so there's a lot of room for activities. It's situated in a lush green oasis in Ubud where you could find yourself there the entire day whether it’s to read a book, chillax, or have a healthy lunch while cracking open a coconut.
My favorite class was the Tibet Bowl Mediation class—I literally cried during the mediation and my chakras were alive & open. The class was in a shalla that was surrounded by glass windows where you can hear the relaxing sounds of nature. It was very different (in the best way possible) from the classes I typically attend in NY.
Downfalls: It’s overcrowded (which I don’t blame anyone for wanting to practice here—it’s a yogi dream) and the quality of the instructors isn’t the best (if it wasn’t for the location and the vibes, I would say some of the classes were average).
Rating: 4/5 Stars
Radiantly Alive
After staying at the beautiful Alaya Hotel (which I highly recommend for at least 1 night), I headed to my next accommodations at the Kuaya family’s home-stay that was closer to Ubud city centre. The closest yoga studio to the home-stay was Radiantly Alive. The studio wasn't as beautiful and big as the Yoga Barn, but the quality of the instructors was a lot better. That being said, I felt like I was practicing at a yoga studio in the states. But I'm certainly not complaining about well traveled, experienced yoga instructors who spoke fluent english. My favorite instructor was Saana; I loved her Ashtanga Yoga and Tibet Heart Yoga classes. She’s what I strive to be after teaching yoga for decades—she's a really amazing instructor.
The front desk staff was extremely friendly and the studio gives new students a cute welcome swag bag. Free water and fruits were always provided before and after class. Location is prime for yogis—it happens to be next door to the balinese healer “Wayan” from Eat Pray Love (if you’re into that stuff cause I’m cheesy and totally into it), a cute handmade mala bead shop across the street, and the Buddha Bowl for some yummy healthy bites.
Downfalls: The studio seemed a bit cliquey (a lot of expats and yoga teacher trainees gave off exclusivity vibes; not everyone was like that but you can easily mistaken the practitioners to come off like this), mats/other equipment smelled really bad—like the worst out of all the studios I practiced at, and there was a lot of obnoxious construction during the week I was there.
Rating: 3.8/5 Stars
Ubud Yoga House
After reading glowing reviews on Tripadvisor, I had to check out this studio on my last day in Ubud (even though I had an over priced ticket to Bali Spirit Festival). THANK GOD I made time!
This studio is exactly how I pictured practicing yoga in Bali would be like. From the walk through the rice fields to the studio itself, it was a dream. It’s situated in the middle of the rice fields outside the city center of Ubud; away from the hustle and bustle, and it's surrounded by lush green scenery where you can peak Mount Batar. The yoga studio is small and homey, which makes sense because it’s the owner’s actual home. The owner and instructors really get to know you; unlike other studios where you sometimes feel like a number.
To put the cherry on top of my experience at Ubud Yoga House, we were given a cold towel and iced lemon water after class. Practicing at this studio was a great way to end my time in Ubud. I met other like minded yogis after class and made some great friends. Wish I was able to practice here the majority of my time in Ubud!
Downfalls: I only practiced here once and my experience was nearly perfect. But if I were to nitpick downfalls it would be that it’s not the easiest to get to by foot and that they’re closed on Sundays/ only offer 3-4 classes a day.
Rating: 4.8/5 Stars
Bali Spirit Festival
I was initially excited when I found out I’d be in Ubud the same time as the Bali Spirit Festival. The website and marketing promo won me instantly even though the price of a day ticket was expensive even in American terms ($175 for a day ticket). Fortunately they provided shuttle buses from Ubud city center to the venue so there were a few perks with the pricey ticket. And the venue was gorgeous--beautiful place to celebrate yoga and to honor Mother Earth.
The festival had a very extensive line-up and there were numerous vendors from around the world. I enjoyed the sound healing meditation and mindful meditation classes. I also joined a Jivamukti class which is ironic because their headquarters is based in NYC. Unfortunately the weather didn’t cooperate for the closing ceremonies so I wound up leaving early.
Bali Spirit Festival was great, but not worth it for the price. Bali has access to world renowned yoga and meditation classes/workshops that are much cheaper plus you don’t have to travel far to practice with a gorgeous view. Instead, use that money to go on an excursion or book a couple of nights at a nearby island.
Rating: 3/5 Stars
CANGGU
The Practice
Located on the main street of Batu Balong just before Old Man’s break. Super easy to get to no matter where your accommodations are located. Such a gorgeous studio and super zen; it looks like a japanese garden and it is impeccably clean.
They offer numerous hatha yoga classes with some yin and meditation classes here and there. Their classes are yoga at its simplest form: breath, asana, and without western music or inversion competitions. Great instructors, they seem to all be Australian (?) and most of the practitioners seem to be Australian travelers or expats as well—I almost didn’t feel like I was in Bali.
Their mats/ equipment are extremely clean, the facility in general was spotless which is impressive due to their volume of practitioners. They provide free water and hot ginger tea which was so clutch after class. I could chill at this studio the entire day, which is actually what I did several times--I sat on the bean bags while I read my book and drank a few cups of tea (complete bliss). They also have a “quiet zone” section in the lobby with several book shelves and comfy bean bags where no phones or laptops are allowed which was really neat.
Downfalls: The only downside is the construction due to their expansion. I would rate this yoga studio closer to 5 stars if it wasn’t for the obnoxious construction (but thankfully it was only during the day).
Rating: 4.5/ 5 Stars
Samadi
A bit hard to get to, but in a much quietter setting. Located at the front of the studio is a cute shop and delicious cafe (great for before or after class). The vibes were really nice here—due to the flood of expats in Canggu there tends to be an exclusive/ too cool for school vibe at some places, but I didn’t feel that at all at this studio. At the main shalla, teacher trainees were role playing and practicing. The yin class we joined was at the the shalla in the back overlooking rice fields (not the best rice field view, but still pretty). The yin class was so necessary after the long and sweaty walk to the studio. For the most part, the facilities and equipment were clean. Loved the Sunday market at the studio—highly recommend going there for some local treats. As stated on the wall of their cafe, "Yoga, food, and happiness”.
Downfalls: The facilities and equipment are great, but after going to The Practice this studio needs a bit of an upgrade.
Rating: 4/5 Stars
Samadi Too
As a bikram yoga instructor, I was disappointed to see the bare amount of bikram classes offered at studios in Bali. THANKFULLY, I saw a flyer at Samadi about “free hot yoga classes” at their new studio "Samadi Too". I was ecstatic, and made plans immediately with my Canggu soul sista to attend class the next morning.
Your first class at the studio is FREE (seriously what a steal). The studio is new and extremely clean. The hot yoga shalla is located on the second floor with an awesome view of the surrounding rice fields. Great size room, and the combination of the heat and natural Bali humidity made for a perfect temperature. Instructor was great, although he came off a bit arrogant but he was awesome, regardless. This place is a gem for all my hot yogis out there traveling in Canggu.
Downfalls: The locker room was a bit tight on the second floor. Spacious changing areas make life so much easier after being drenched in a 90 minute bikram class.
Rating: 4.5/ 5 Stars
Serenity Eco Yoga
Yoga studio, hotel, and cafe located very close to Berawa Beach. Great facilities with cute decorations and an outdoor pool. Similar to yoga barn in Ubud, there are a crap ton of yoga and meditation classes throughout the day (from 7am-8pm). Although there are numerous classes, the quality of instructors was average. Classes didn’t blow me away but for the price and the location, they were so worth it. Not as clean as The Practice, but found myself just hanging out around the facilities for hours and it’s just a quick walk to the beach!
Downfalls: Quality of classes and outdated facilities.
Rating: 3.8/ 5 Stars
Whether you're an advanced practitioner, occasional yogi, or a curious beginner traveling to Bali..practice, practice, practice. You will either fall in love with yoga or remind yourself why you've dedicated your life to this beautiful way of life.
If only I had more time to practice yoga beyond Ubud & Canggu! What's your favorite yoga studios in Bali and what would you add to my lists?
