Although yoga actually originated in India, Bali has developed into a kind of yoga Mecca. On the island of the gods, one yoga studio follows the next, and numerous retreats, workshops and even yoga teacher training courses are offered.
But why Bali of all places? What does the island have to do with yoga and is it really an ideal place to take a yoga vacation? But let’s start from the beginning: What is yoga anyway and why is it such a trend?
What is yoga?
Yoga is a millennia-old philosophical teaching from India whose holistic approach is meant to harmonize body, mind and spirit and, most importantly, to quench the “monkey mind”. This busy commentator in our brain, which keeps us from living in the here and now, is to be brought under control or at least turned down.
Here, the physical exercises actually play only one of many roles. Besides the poses, the so-called asanas, breathing exercises, meditation, concentration as well as certain moral attitudes and ways of acting and other aspects are just as important as the physical exercise.
In the meantime, yoga has also found its way to us in the West and enjoys great popularity. In our western world, however, the focus is often mainly on the asanas and is often seen as just another sport to make or keep us fit and flexible, which is actually not the sole purpose of the exercises. The poses are intended as physical preparation for meditation and, as mentioned above, there is much more meaning behind them than a bit of gymnastics and stretching.
Why Bali is a good place for yoga
Even though yoga originated in India and is not actually part of Bali’s historical culture, a large yoga scene has developed here. Especially in Ubud, the spiritual center of Bali, yoga has become strongly established. There are numerous yoga studios and stores selling yoga clothing, books and accessories. Many tourists come to Ubud to attend a yoga retreat or even to take a yoga teacher training course. There is even a one-week yoga festival, the “Bali Spirit Festival”, once a year.
But also in the other tourist places of the island, such as Canggu, Seminyak, Uluwatu or Sanur, there are now numerous yoga studios that teach various yoga styles for every yoga level. Why Bali is so popular to practice yoga and why the island and yoga go so well together? Here are some of the reasons.
Self-discovery and spirituality
At the latest since the bestseller in book and film form “Eat, Pray, Love” by Elizabeth Gilbert, thousands of meaning seekers make an annual pilgrimage to Bali in search of themselves and the meaning of life. But why is this easier to find in Bali than elsewhere?
On the one hand, this could be due to the spirituality that is very present on Bali. With the numerous healers and gurus who offer their services and the countless ancient temples, the Indonesian island generally has a magical aura. Since spirituality is so present and you are surrounded by it every day, it makes it easier to access it and allows for more abstract ways of thinking and living.
This, of course, harmonizes great with the principle of yoga and perhaps also facilitates the search for meaning to some extent by broadening the seeker’s horizons and presenting new perspectives.
Hindu Religion
India, the birthplace of yoga, and the island of Bali have at least one thing in common: the Hindu religion. This is omnipresent on Bali and every day is marked by religious rituals, offerings and prayers of the locals. Meditation, a part of the yoga teachings, is also a big part of the Hindu religion and Balinese customs. Yoga has never been part of Balinese culture, but it has a lot in common with the attitude and beliefs of the Balinese people. And you can feel this in every corner of the island.
Tranquility of the Balinese
The Balinese have the talent to live in the here and now, of which we could take a big slice. Of course, this is not the right approach in every situation and sometimes it requires some planning for the future and foresight, but on the whole it is a very desirable way of life. You worry less and dwell less on the past. The Balinese lives in the moment and is not easily upset. What is today, is today and what is tomorrow, we will see tomorrow. This attitude brings great serenity and is somewhat contagious. Yoga also teaches to arrive more in the moment and worry less about the future and the past.
Tropical climate
The warm temperatures make our muscles more stretchy and our bodies more flexible. This makes it easier to achieve yoga poses specifically, for which you need to be quite stretchy.
Exotic view
Many yoga shalas are beautifully designed in their own right. Since they are usually open, they usually offer a gorgeous view into the green jungle, over lush rice paddies or over the ocean. This, of course, makes practicing even more attractive and beautiful, and is immensely relaxing and decelerating.
Great choice
Due to the fact that Bali has developed into a kind of yoga mecca, there is a very large selection of yoga studios that offer a wide variety of yoga styles for every level. This makes it easy to find the right class for your needs, experience level and individual taste. From classic hatha yoga to challenging ashtanga yoga to deeply relaxing yin yoga, every style imaginable is represented. For example, you can also find offers for Vinyasa, Kundalini, Fly-High-Yoga, Iyengar, Jivamukti, Sivananda or Anusara-Yoga.
Bali is cheap
The cost of living in Bali, compared to other vacation destinations, is very affordable. Here you can attend a yoga retreat at a fraction of the usual price. Yoga teacher trainings are also more affordable, as the cost of accommodation and food is much lower than in Hawaii or Costa Rica, for example.
Conclusion: Is Bali a good place to practice yoga?
Even though you wouldn’t actually have to leave your home to practice yoga, some people do make the pilgrimage to Bali to unroll their mat. And for good reason. Bali is an ideal place to surrender to the spirituality of the island and yoga, and to let the magic of the island work its magic on you. The relaxed atmosphere and rich nature make it much easier to relax and meditate. In addition, Bali offers something for every taste and level from beginner to advanced and the offer is very diverse and varied. So if you come to Bali to do yoga, you probably won’t be disappointed and will come home deeply relaxed. And quite possibly he will even find the meaning of life.
