6 Reasons Why Ubud is the Ultimate Yoga Destination
April 19, 2019
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Among all the gorgeous regions of Bali, Ubud is the number one choice for most yoga enthusiasts. Thousands of yogis come to this Zen rural area each year to enjoy the unique combination of ancient landmarks, mesmerizing landscapes, incredible food scene, fascinating culture, and much more.
Read on and find out what makes a yoga retreat experience in Ubud so special and why it’ll make a great destination for your next yoga vacation or retreat!
1. Immerse in yoga in a secluded and tranquil environment
The Ubud district is a collection of villages that exudes a peaceful and secluded ambiance.
The area is surrounded by the fabulous landscape of rich jungle, lush rice fields, and misty mountains. The sunsets and sunrises here are incredible, and at night, thousands of tiny fireflies illuminate the rice fields under the star-covered sky.
Tip: Many retreat organizers offer a complimentary rice field tour where you might try your hand at planting rice paddies or just enjoy the impressive landscapes. Don’t miss out!
Most yoga retreats run in traditional Balinese villas with lush tropical gardens and panoramic landscape views, perfect for yoga, journaling, and self-reflection. If you are looking to get away from the crowd and fully focus on nourishing your body and mind, Ubud is the place to be. Its Zen-like ambiance will make it easy for you to relax and dive into your yoga practice.
2. Gain a sense of Bali’s spiritual culture
Due to its rich cultural heritage, Bali is known as an ultimate spiritual destination, and Ubud is undeniably Bali’s cultural and spiritual soul.
While the rest of Indonesia is predominantly Muslim, most of Bali’s population follows a unique kind of Hindu religion that worships Hindu gods as well as distinctly Balinese gods (typically associated with the mountains, lakes, and the sea).
Rooting in the island’s rich cultural and spiritual heritage, Ubud has an ancient tradition of meditation, prayer, and reverence deeply embedded in daily life. Everywhere you go, you’ll see little handmade offerings for the Hindu gods. This rich lineage is one of the reasons why yoga culture has flourished here.
There’s lots of yoga tradition in Indonesia, but especially in Bali. Learn why Bali is a top yoga destination.
As part of your Balinese spiritual and cultural journey, many retreat and holiday organizers will invite you to a traditional purification ceremony at one of Ubud’s ancient temples. You‘ll immerse in the authentic Balinese culture, learn how to do offerings and prayers, receive blessings from the local Priests, and ultimately discover hidden spiritual symbolism in everyday life.
Fire Blessing Ritual
The ritual begins with meditation in the ceremonial fire space where you’ll listen to the Priest as he rings the Balinese bell and chants Sanskrit mantras. Following the lighting of the fire, you are invited to participate by making offerings of grains, lentils, and other foods into the fire. The ceremony culminates with a silent meditation session.
Water Blessing Ritual
While meditating in one of Ubud’s sacred spaces, a temple Priest prepares the holy water in a vase with flowers and incense while chanting mantras in Sanskrit. You’ll receive a holy water cleansing as the water is poured gradually over your head and body giving a sensation of a "holy shower." The Balinese believe that this ritual cleanses our bodies on physical, emotional, and spiritual levels.
3. Get your personalized, boutique yoga retreat
Ubud offers an incredibly rich yoga scene with a diverse community of yoga teachers and practitioners. There are numerous retreats and vacations in various styles, from spiritual practices to fast-paced vinyasa and power flows.
Many retreats offer a chance for you to create a personalized yoga itinerary. You’ll be able to hand-pick the yoga lessons and teachers that will benefit you the most.
Perhaps you’ve thought of trying a new yoga style? Or maybe you’d like to try a slightly different flow? In Ubud, you’ll have an opportunity to get the most out of your retreat experience.
Yoga retreat venues in Ubud are well-equipped and spacious, typically offering panoramic views of the spectacular landscapes, making even a budget retreat or holiday feel like a boutique, well-curated experience.
4. Pamper your inner yogi in the world-known health & wellness hub
With a name that comes from the Balinese word, "Ubad" translating as ‘medicine’, Ubud is known as the ultimate place for health and wellness. From Ayurvedic centers to spas and saunas, you’ll find something to pamper your inner yogi.
Some of the most popular wellness activities for your choosing include:
- Reflexology
- Reiki
- Acupuncture
- Watsu aquatic bodywork
- Balinese massage
- Crystal bowl and drum healing
- Breathing workshops and various spa procedures.
These wellness treatments will clean your body, enhance your digestion, and make your skin more radiant. You’ll feel more energetic, restored and calm.
5. Nurture your body with delicious & healthy yogic food
In Ubud, it’s easy to eat healthily and actually enjoy it! Local cooks are passionate about using fresh, locally sourced organic ingredients, which make even the simplest dishes taste flavorful. The vegan and vegetarian restaurants in Ubud are second to none, giving you access to top-notch chefs skilled in crafting healthy gourmet menus.
With such an abundance of healthy yet delicious dishes served at your retreat or holiday, you’ll be able to delight your taste buds while nourishing your body and soul. You’ll experience a rise in energy, your skin will glow, and you’ll feel much more flexible and conscious of your body.
Below you’ll find samples of the dishes that you would typically have at your yoga retreat or vacation:
Breakfast: muesli, chocolate chia pudding, superfood smoothie bowls, papaya boats, avocado bruschetta, vegan burritos, wasabi toast, jackfruit tacos.
Main-course: raw lasagna or raw sushi, various superfood salads, curries, cold vegetable soups, tempeh skewers, delicious rice, and noodles.
Dessert: juicy tropical fruit, raw food sweets, organic chocolate, parfaits, raw carrot cakes, cheesecake.
Drink: cold-pressed juices and smoothies, organic tea and coffee.
If you're thinking of doing a short detox, Ubud is the place to do it. A professional nutritionist will design an individual program just for you, and you’ll get juices and products to cleanse your body and get you through the day effortlessly. It's a great opportunity to try it out if you're a detox beginner.
Many retreats also offer complimentary vegan cooking classes and lectures on nutrition science. You can also learn to make natural coconut oil or jamu, a traditional Indonesian herbal medicine. These new skills will help you keep up with your healthy eating routine at home with ease.
6. Enjoy a mesmerizing jungle yoga experience
The climate in Ubud is warm and humid, averaging at 82° Fahrenheit (28° Celsius) throughout the year. Because of such a favorable climate, you’ll have many yoga retreats and holidays to choose from all year round.
This hot environment helps you stretch more deeply and makes your joints feel lubricated, which will greatly enhance your yoga abilities. Chances are, you’ll finally be able to tackle that challenging asana that you’ve been trying for a while. You’ll also sweat more, which is a natural way for your body to eliminate toxins, get rid of bad bacteria and viruses.
Are you craving a beach yoga experience?
If you’d like to do some yoga while soaking up the sun on a tropical beach, you can easily get to the nearby Sanur or Padang Bai (located less than one hour away). Are you a dedicated swimmer? Most yoga retreat resorts also offer spacious swimming pools.
Want to expand your next yoga adventure all throughout the Island of Gods? Check out all yoga retreats in Bali!