Did you know, that for roughly the same price as training locally, you can join our Yoga Alliance Registered Yoga Teacher Training at an all-inclusive resort in Bali or Costa Rica?
East+West brings together master level yoga teachers from India to teach with leading Western teachers creating a truly life-changing experience. See why LA Yoga Magazine called East+West the:
Ubud has become the favorite recreational spot for yogis from all around the world. Seasoned practitioners with an established yoga routine come over to attend workshops and engage in new modalities of Yoga. Albeit beginners seeking to discover what is real Yoga may get a bit confused, it’s a great place to learn to express oneself through body movement.
The western standards of hygiene and order combined with outstanding nature landscapes and tradition, create a safe space for those pursuing a deeper look inside without worrying about what might happen on the outside world.
Ubud is the heart of Bali Island and offers everything a Yogi can need or dream for. The area has a perfect set-up to drive around with a scooter, bicycle or even walk to any destination. Besides the Yoga studios selling out every single spot for their drop-in classes, Ubud has way more cool stuff to provide.
Body Movement
As yogis, we are lovers of bodywork and sacred movement, and sometimes we crave for some different art to shake our bodies with. Yoga is a very complete science, but depending on the style and the regularity in which you practice you might want to spice up your everyday training with something else.
Some enjoy practicing modalities of insight fighting or martial arts such as capoeira. You will find many good teachers, masters in their field, available to broadcast the talent to you. Sugeng Madeira, -the pioneer in bringing Capoeira to the island- has spent a lifetime practicing and sharing this unusual technique, combining dance and martial arts movements. He offers a variety of workshops throughout the year, and he even tours around Europe during summers.
Another great activity that adds strength and mobility to the body its bouldering. Tokei Climbing has the perfect structure for novices and specialists. My recommendation is to save the day after this activity, as many of your muscles will be sore as never before!
We cannot skip sharing the dancing events of Ubud, and ecstatic dance is one of the most well-known endeavors. The Yoga Barn offers a bunch of dancing such as contact dance, salsa classes and of course, ecstatic parties. You only need a few days to realize Ubud has everything to offer.
Yoga and Fun
If Rishikesh is the Capital of Yoga of the World, Ubud is the capital for the New age Yogis. You might struggle to find a traditional teacher in Ubud that sticks to the Hatha Yoga books, but rather you will find beautiful and creative modalities of Yoga exercises to sweeten and ‘sweaten’ your day.
Yoga is a science, and probably this new modalities of Yoga will not awaken spiritual insight within you, but if done them properly and taught by experts, you can help a fit body.
I’ve mentioned before The Yoga Barn, home for nomads and expats; an excellent space to build new relationships. Every day they offer one free ‘Community activity’ where they share notions of the Balinese culture, astrology, meditation, and dance. A beautiful opportunity to engage with the juicy culture of the island.
At Radiantly Alive they’ve been leaders in offering numerous workshops daily, bringing celebrity teachers to share their wisdom and encouraging people to learn more about specific themes.
Ubud Yoga House is home for Women wellness retreats to restore mind with luscious mind treats. They organize walking meditations, Sound healing and Yoga sessions held among the rice fields.
Feminine Alchemy
Ubud has a highly feminine frequency, and you will be catching those yin waves from the moment you step into the island, carrying the biochemical state that goes with it. Yes, I am talking about emotions. Emotions are instinctual to the experience on the island, and they will come up a lot. Bali has this intoxicating capacity.
But also has de antidot. There are tons of activities to understand how to handle, channel and work with those emotions.
Women circles happen almost every month, especially on the full or new moon. This magic gathering consists of a 2 to 4-hour session where women from all ages and nationalities sit together, in a circle shape, and share stories, experiences, and healing techniques. The host, often a shaman female or healer of some kind, check-in with each of the assistants and try to understand the need of the particular group. Every circle is different since the same group of people rarely meet together again.
Besides circles, woman self-care workshops are also abundant, where educational topics such as pelvic floor care or beauty routine are considered. Home remedies, plant-based potions, and other alternative insights can be part of these sessions.
Ultimate Nutrition
For many, Ubud is the supreme place to eat in the world. Not only the restaurants have the most creative chefs, but also the ingredients used for the menus are as much as possible locally sourced, fresh, and frequently organic. As an Island with volcanic activity, Ubud has very fertile and rich soil. Its ground merges with ashes that contain very high concentrations of minerals. As a result, the f0ods grown on the island have a higher amount of nutrients and antioxidants.
It is not hard to find a great vegan and vegetarian restaurant in Ubud. In fact, I will be surprised if you find a warung, padang, or cafe that doesn’t have at least a few vegetarian options.
If you are not familiar with raw food, we recommend you to check the delectable salad and breakfast bar from Alchemy where you can choose your ingredients and toppings among the yummiest healthy options. Alchemy is the meeting point for entrepreneurs, teachers and also hipsters, which generates an undeniable cool vibe that will surely make you come back.
Healthy food is a vibe in Ubud, so you will find many places around the city such as Zest, Seeds of Life or Sayuri Healing.
Make sure you try them all before deciding which one is your favorite!
Accessories for the practice
Finally yet importantly in the new age of Yoga is the presence of objects and accessories. The abundance of material stuff. Yoga has become a source of business and new needs have arisen which every different modality.
In Ubud, you will find that amazing Aerial set you were looking for a long time, all those light props you require as a nomad yogi, and the most outstanding ethically made outfits on the marketplace.
A special mention to the crystal bottle infusers, bamboo cutlery sets and abundant organic yoga mats that can make your life more stylish while being part of the eco-friendly movement.
Wonderful stores fill the streets, from the most contemporary vibe to the ones imbued with mysticism. I personally love Meisou, located in one of the busiest streets of the center. This unique shop offers organic and ethical products to complement your daily rituals and practices in an elegant and modern way.
A shop you will step into inevitably will be Bali Yoga Shop. They have good sales from time to time on Yoga props, books, jewelry, and clothes.
Other shops such as Studio Kolektif, or Yoga Shanty have also beautiful collections worth to check. The later it’s owned by a local Balinese girl, reproducing the most trendy designs with local fabrics in small batches.
Just a reminder! We are very lucky to have so much variety and modern products around Ubud, but keep in mind that local people live mostly from tourism. Helping the community it’s essential while we are enjoying the many gifts their land has to offer. Shop mindfully and experience life as a local!
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