Yoga & Wellness

Ubud is the yoga mecca of Southeast Asia — nowhere else in Asia is the density of yoga studios, meditation centers, healers, and wellness retreats so high. What began in the 1970s with a few hippies meditating with Balinese healers is now a full-fledged industry — from the 50,000-IDR drop-in class to the 5,000-dollar luxury retreat with a private guru and volcano view. The quality varies enormously, but the best is truly top-notch.

The Yoga Barn (Jalan Hanoman) is the institution: A sprawling complex of open bamboo pavilions surrounded by tropical gardens, offering over 15 classes daily — Hatha, Vinyasa, Ashtanga, Kundalini, Yin Yoga, Ecstatic Dance, Sound Healing, Breathwork. A drop-in class costs 150,000 IDR (~8.80€), a 5-pass 600,000 IDR (~35€). The morning class at 7:30 AM (Hatha with a jungle view) is a legendary experience. The adjacent Garden Kafe serves top-notch healthy cuisine.

For more intensive experiences, there is the Ubud Bodyworks Centre (traditional Balinese healing treatments), Taksu Spa (a combination of yoga and spa in a hidden garden), and Radiantly Alive (smaller, more personal, excellent teachers). If you want to visit a Balinese healer (Balian): Ketut Liyer, the "Eat Pray Love" healer, passed away in 2016, but his grandson continues the practice. More serious and less touristy are the Balians in the villages around Ubud — ask at your accommodation for recommendations.

The spa scene is paradisiacal: A 60-minute Balinese massage costs 200,000–350,000 IDR (12–20€) in a good spa, in a luxury resort like the Four Seasons Sayan or Como Shambhala from 1,500,000 IDR (~88€). The best budget option is the small spas along Jalan Hanoman — here you can get an excellent massage for 100,000–150,000 IDR (6–9€). Pay attention to cleanliness and ask if the therapists are certified.