Indonesia’s ‘island of the gods’ has become synonymous with yoga: an oasis where jungle meets sea, where physical and spiritual well-being are at the center of daily life. These 10 yoga retreats in Bali will have you feeling replenished and inspired with that authentic ‘Eat, Pray, Love’ experience you’ve been dreaming of.
Photo: Radiantly Alive
Bali is such a hotbed of yoga that it is at least as popular as India for souls hoping to lose themselves in nature to find themselves on the mat. Situated between Lombok and Java, the island attracts more than a third of its visitors for wellness tourism, so it’s no surprise that the world’s finest yoga teachers flock there, too. In addition to the deep spiritual connections of Balinese Hinduism, the island of the gods offers a safer and less chaotic option than some regions of India – the most danger you are likely to encounter is running into a group of hungry vegans, or a surfer wielding his board carelessly while queuing for a smoothie. From the hip beach town of Canggu to the vibrant cultural center of Ubud (which translates to ‘healing’), no yoga center is too far from breathtaking waterfalls, ancient temples or lush fields, with plenty of eco-conscious ashrams offering unforgettable and transformative yoga retreats. Here are 10 of the best, for all kinds of yogis and budgets.
Gokul Yoga Bali
Photo: Shanti Toya ashram
Along a verdant riverbank in the rice farming village of Penarungan in Mengwi, 20 minutes southwest from Ubud, Shanti Toya is a hidden gem. The qualified local teachers at from Gokul Yoga Bali vary the two daily yoga, pranayama and meditation classes in the thatch-roof bamboo yoga shala: expect a stimulating mix of vinyasa, hatha, yin, and kirtan classes with live music and chanting. Three daily vegetarian or vegan meals and a Balinese cooking class will ensure you leave well nourished. Choose your accommodation from rustic villas and suites, some boasting a balcony with jungle views. Focus on your yoga practice in a calm, idyllic setting, with plenty of free time to enjoy cultural activities (traditional banrong dance, the resplendent Taman Ayun temple)… or just chill in the spring-water pool. From $250 / 7 days
Bali Green Retreat
Photo: BaliGreen
This revitalizing juice detox and yoga retreat takes place in Sesandan, a secluded Hindu village in the Megati district of Tabanan. This region along the west coast is known as the ‘rice bowl of Bali’. We confirm that you will be practicing your asanas facing the sunlit rice terraces, with Morning Waturaku sessions – traditional Balinese yoga with ancestral roots in Indian postures. Eat the rainbow (in liquid form) with nutritious and colorful juices to cleanse the digestive system (meals or fasting programs also available). Enjoy daily spa treatments to relax the muscles and mind. In your downtime, visit the village shaman or take part in a waterfall purification ceremony. From $620 / 7 days
Yoga Barn
Photo: The Yoga BarnThe largest and most established yoga ‘village’ in the heart of Ubud is beloved by locals and travelers alike. Its Rejuvenate or Blissful retreat packages also happen to be the best value for money you will likely find on the island. The former includes seven days’ accommodation with breakfast, unlimited classes at the studio, two massage and sauna or dance sessions and much lounging around the saltwater pool, organic café and Ayurvedic spa. With guest rooms inspired by Indian and Balinese design, you’ll be sure to come to class well-rested and inspired. From $420 / 7 days
Puri Bagus Lovina
Puri Bagus Lovina (Photo: bookretreats.com)
Ten days at this secluded resort in the northern coastal town of Lovina may be enough to persuade you never to leave. Your main priorities will be daily yoga sessions and traditional Balinese massage, one treatment at Jaya spa, and vegetarian meals prepared by the in-house restaurant Saraswati (there is also a seafood grill). Downtime consists of lounging on the private beachfront or resting in your quaint thatch-roofed villa, or venturing farther afield for a purification ceremony at Sudhamala holy fountain in Singaraja, chasing waterfalls, and dolphin-spotting. You’ll be far too busy to do anything other than relax and enjoy the gentle pace of life in Lovina. From $1100 / 10 days
Bali Silent Retreat
At this vast eco-friendly property in Tabanan, an hour northwest of Ubud, you’ll find a unique opportunity to practice yoga and meditate silently. Although not a strict vipassana program, co-founders Patricia and Sang Tu have dispensed with chit-chat and distractions so you can truly quieten your mind. Traditional Watukaru yoga, movement and meditation classes and sound baths will complement your digital detox, and you’ll appreciate nature more than ever on contemplative jungle walks or in the local hot springs. The food is really something to talk about, but you will have to hold your tongue and simply savor the garden-to-table, dairy-free vegetarian buffets. If you were absolutely counting on making friends at your retreat, there is a designated zone for small talk, but most here will agree that silence is golden. From $350 / 7 days
https://www.balisilentretreat.com
Serenity Eco Guesthouse and Yoga
A budget option for a longer stay and the chance to meet like-minded yogis from all over the world. Backpackers will enjoy the rustic vibes of this eco-friendly lodge with clean dormitories and single rooms. A daily vegan breakfast buffet and unlimited yoga classes will keep you in shape to explore the quietly cool beach town of Canggu, though you may prefer to enjoy a Balinese massage and relax by the pool. The surrounds may be simple and cheerful, but the quality of yoga instruction at Serenity Eco Guesthouse is world-class. From $440 / 30 days
Radiantly Alive
Photo: Radiantly AliveCelebrity yoga teachers such as bendy boho goddess Meghan Currie flock Ubud’s Radiantly Alive to run their retreats. It’s easy to see why: the studio is a spacious, light-filled cathedral with wall-to-wall jungle. The Radiantly Alive wellness retreat includes seven nights at Adiwana Jembawan luxury hotel five minutes from the shala, a five-day juice detox, vegan and vegetarian cuisine in the in-house Chandra Café. It may not be the most competitively priced retreat to be found in Bali, but it is bound to satisfy even the most discerning yogi. From $1950 / 8 days
Palm Tree House
Poolside relaxation (Photo: bookretreats.com)
Pristine pool area, tropical jungle, rooftop yoga and fitness shala… and no boys allowed. This luxury resort one minute from Canggu’s Echo Beach offers a women’s only retreat, for single travelers or a girls’ vacation. Palm Tree House offers four yoga classes, four hour-long massages, a day trip to Ubud for sightseeing, and delicious, healthy meals from the in-house chef. Take one of their bikes for a ride along the beach, or enjoy sea breezes from the extreme comfort of the villa’s suites. Palm Tree House also runs couple’s retreats at certain times of the year, along with detox, surf, fitness and Pilates packages. From $1695 / 7 days
Adiwana Resort Jembawan
Prepare to be pampered: you probably didn’t know that so many different kinds of spa treatments even existed, much less that they could all be found in the one place. At this lavish spa and wellness in central Ubud, you’ll wake up to jungle views from your terrace; not one, but two pools beckon. After an initial wellness consultation upon arrival, you’re likely to get more spa time than mat time, with daily morning yoga and meditation followed by a total of ten hours’ Ayurvedic massage, soaks and facials. A two-hour traditional Boreh rituel bath steeped in flowers? Check. Full body herbal poultice rub? Check. Podikizhi and Bashpasweda? Check – whatever those are. Try them all and you might just turn into a unicorn. From $1490 / 6 days
Pelan Pelan Bali
Pelan Pelan (photo: BookRetreats)
Yoga and surfing are complementary activities: both require balance, strength and flexibility, and Bali is the ideal place to experience the best of both worlds, even if you have never surfed before. Rice fields, beaches and Hindu temples provide the sublime backdrop for this two-week retreat in Canggu, one of Bali’s hottest surfing destinations. Pelan Pelan’s team will take you to secret beaches to ensure you can catch less crowded waves. To soothe tired muscles after an active day on the board, you’ll enjoy eight yoga classes and two meditation sessions, as well as six massages, hot stone therapy, and (because you want to look your best when you wipe out) a manicure and pedicure. From $1400 / 15 days