Yoga is originated in India, but Yoga lovers know that Indonesia is a spiritual paradise and the perfect place to practice yoga. The island of Bali is considered by many to be one of the yoga capitals of the world.
More than 5000 years ago originated yoga in the northern of India. The aim was to become more one with nature. As a result, people started meditating, so that they could better isolate themselves and focus on the energy pathways in their own body and the world around them. Hundreds of years later, yoga came to Bali. Yoga got its name from Sanskrit word “yuj” which means union and connect.
Yoga is a practice that involves deep breathing and physical poses. It is an alternative medicine used to reduce stress, become more flexible and to lose weight. There are many different types of yoga. Each individual suits a different form of yoga. Each pose also works differently for everyone, so there are different variants to make poses easier or more difficult. You can use blocks, blankets and straps for this.
The philosophy behind yoga is that your body, mind and spirit become connected with each other. There are 6 different branches of yoga that all focus on a different aspect of yoga.
Yoga is the relationship between the human being and the universe
Raja means ‘royal’ and is seen as the ‘best’ or ‘highest’ form of yoga and is also known as the ‘classic’ form of yoga. In this form of yoga, you gain control over your thoughts through meditation. By de-identifying with the ego-based self and identifying with the universal true self, you pursue the connection with ‘God’ or ‘consciousness’.
Hatha yoga is also called ‘the yoga of force’ and is anything using the physical body. Many teachers equate “Ha” with the Sun and “Tha” with the Moon, reasoning that the physical practice of yoga is to ‘balance’ the sun and moon energies within us. Hatha yoga was first practiced around 1100AD and is the most modern branch of yoga. In Hatha yoga, experimentation, movement and physical ‘force’ change the physical body and mind. During a lesson of Hatha Yoga, you will practice physical postures and breathing techniques. It is ideal for beginners since they perform the basic poses.
Tantra yoga explores all aspects, sensations and energies that flow through the body and mind, it actually started as a religion around 500 BC. For over 1,000 years it has been India’s primary belief system in its fewer extreme forms, and it is the first time that the physicality of the human body started to take on importance within a yogic context. Before that, much of a yoga practice was based on worship, visualization and meditation.
It’s funny to note that while Tantra has come to be associated exclusively with sexual rituals, most tantric schools recommend a bachelor lifestyle. Essentially, tantra is the most esoteric of the six main branches. It will appeal to people who like ceremonies and relate to the feminine principle of the cosmos, which yogis call ‘Shakti’. If you see the meaning behind holidays and rituals, then Tantra yoga might be for you.
Karma yoga or Yoga of Action is also known as the ‘Religion of Love’. The word ‘Karma’ comes from the verb ‘Kri’ meaning ‘to do’. People started practicing this form of yoga around 300 BC. It is the main focus of the Bhagavad Gita. It occupies a large part of Indian thought and through this practice union with ‘the divine’ is achieved by making every act an offering to God. The principle of karma yoga is that what we experience today is created by our past actions. They believe that all our current efforts are a way to consciously create a future that frees you from negativity and selfishness.
Bhakti yoga is also called yoga of the heart and, as the nams says, is based on the heart, love and devotion to a chosen deity (Ishta Devata). Like Karma yoga, all actions are dedicated to a ‘God’. The word Bhakti comes from the root word ‘Bhaj’ which means ‘to share’. Bhakti. Yoga is first mentioned in the Bhagavad Gita around 300 BC.
Bhakti yoga describes the path of devotion and is used to channel emotions in a positive way. The path of bhakti offers the opportunity to cultivate acceptance and tolerance for everyone you come in contact with.
The last branch is that of Jnana yoga, which means wisdom or knowledge. This is the yoga of ‘knowing’, of realizing the truth of yourself. This was first mentioned around 400 BC and is considered one of the most direct paths to insight and enlightenment, but also one of the most difficult.
If we consider Bhakti as the yoga of the heart, then Jnana yoga is the yoga of the mind, of widom, the path of the sage or scholar. This path requires development of the intellect by studying the scriptures and texts of the yoga tradition. It requires serious study and will appeal to those who are more intellectually inclined. For example, kabbalistic scholars, priests and monks practice Jnana yoga.
If you are going to do a yoga class in Bali, it is most likely that the class falls under the Hatha yoga branch. You can practice Hatha Yoga in different ways. Below are some examples of Hatha yoga styles.
Vinyasa yoga is another name for flow yoga. In flow yoga you move one after the other by following your breath. This allows you to let go of your thoughts and to focus on what is happening on the present moment. By means of an inhalation or exhalation, you can time each movement. There are different types of flow yoga, but they all focus on breath techniques, stamina and strength. The name flow yoga comes from the fact that practitioners feel a sense of fluid motion when they are engaged in flow yoga. It is a mix between meditation, breath-work energizing movement.
With Yin yoga you hold the poses longer so that you can focus on the physical sensation of your body. It is slower and more meditative than other yoga forms. This form of yoga focuses on deep tissues, bones, ligaments, fascia and joints.
You can practice sup yoga on a sup board in the water. In this form of yoga, you develop mindfulness because you have to focus on all your movements. You also use different muscles than on land. To stay stable, you need to move slowly, stay in the center of the board and focus on a point on land.
You practice Acro yoga together with a partner, it is a mix between yoga and acrobatics. You can also practice this form of yoga with three persons, the third person is there for safety and catch if someone falls. With a class you first practice yoga on your own before you start practicing with a group or partner.
Power yoga is not that old and dates back to the 1980s. It is a very active form of yoga. The poses are challenging and you move quickly form one pose to the next. The goal is to improve muscle strength and endurance.
Yoga lovers know that Indonesia is a spiritual paradise and the perfect place to practice yoga. The island of Bali is considered by many to be one of the yoga capitals of the world.
Many people come to Bali to escape the hustle and bustle of their daily lives and finally find peace between their nature and culture. The island offers a complete package of beautiful beaches, majestic mountains and incredible culture. In addition to exploring all these things during your vacation, you can also complete your trip by doing incredible yoga sessions in the middle of nature.
If you are interested in practicing yoga in Indonesia, these tours have been designed for you.
Namaste!
Discover the beauty and richness of Balinese culture as you delve deeper into your yoga practice at this Yoga Retreat in Ubud! Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced yogi, this is an invitation to immerse yourself and experience the many gifts yoga has to offer.
Packed with the beauty of Balinese culture, this retreat will give you time to rest, be inspired and reconnect with your potentials, wisdom and gifts. Every day includes energizing yoga, healthy juices and breakfast, spa sessions, local adventures and plenty of time for you to relax. This is the principle to love you again.
At this Yoga retreat in Bali, you’ll find balance in your body and mind amid the serene surroundings of Shanti Toya Ashram. You’ll have two daily yoga practices, relaxing afternoons to enjoy ashram and free time to join cultural classes or venture into other areas of Island of the Gods, Bali. The ashram is located just half an hour from the beach, giving you the opportunity to rejuvenate yourself also on bali’s beautiful beaches.
There are also people who want to practice yoga for a few days, they go on a yoga retreat. There are several reasons why people go on a yoga retreat in Bali:
The chance of injuries is not very big. Most styles of yoga are mild and therefore doable if you practice it with a yoga instructor. People who do get an injury from yoga usually get sprains and strains. If you already have injuries, sometimes it’s better not to do all the poses. The instructor can help you with this. Beginners should slowly build up the yoga poses from easy poses to increasingly difficult poses with more difficult techniques in order to avoid injuries.
If reading this blog has made you curious about practicing yoga, here are a few examples of good yoga schools at different locations in Bali. You can buy individual lessons or a subscription at these yoga schools. A subscription is usually cheaper, but it might be a good idea to take a class first to see which branch and form of yoga suits you and whether it is something for you. At most yoga schools in Bali it doesn’t matter if you are a beginning student or an advanced student. Yoga is for everyone.
The Practice is a five-star yoga center with high-quality classes and world-class teachers. They give daily lessons in asana and meditation, master classes, workshops, retreats, a monthly women’s circle and teacher training programs for both new and experienced practitioners. They even have a virtual online studio so you can stay connected no matter where you are in the world.
The Yoga Barn is one of the largest yoga studios in Southeast Asia and is known as one of the better wellness and yoga centers in the world. Since 2007 they have been welcoming a global yoga community. The Yoga Barn is located in the center of Ubud in a tropical environment. They have 7 yoga studios where experienced teachers give yoga lessons daily. You can also eat in the Garden café, watch movies and they offer health and wellness sessions with water therapy. In addition, they have a guest house and they train people to become yoga teachers. They offer different types of yoga, from Hatha to mediation to ecstatic dance.
Morning Light Yoga is located in Uluwatu, overlooking the Indian Ocean and the surrounding lush jungles. Classes start every day at 7:30am and cost 100k. They welcome everyone both beginners and advanced. They have 2 yoga studios and also offer yoga retreats. If you are in Uluwatu, Morning Light Yoga is a definite recommendation!
Samadi Bali is located in the heart of the surf spot in Canggu, this yoga studio offers yoga classes for both beginners as advanced. In addition, the studio provides various yoga styles to choose from, their specialty is the traditional Mysore Ashtanga Yoga. The Samadi team describes Ashtanga yoga as ‘learning to dance with the universe’. Samadi Bali also has a restaurant where you can enjoy a coconut and some healthy food.
Desa Seni is described as an art village that showcases culture, religion and wellness rituals – including traditional yoga classes.
The Yoga Alliance recognized Desa Seni internationally. They bring together a team of highly experienced teachers providing daily yoga classes in Bali, such as Ashtanga, Kundalini Yoga, Vinyasa, Hatha, Restorative, Yin, Tantra, Fly High and Meditation, personal yoga retreats and teacher trainings. They encourage the local culture through workshops and events. Furthermore, they have a holistic spa, organic farm and a restaurant.
The wide offer makes Desa Seni a must-visit when doing yoga in Bali!
Radiantly Alive opened its doors in 2012, with the mission of creating an inspiring community that supports vibrant living. They have now three studios with a variety of different practices and workshops, including Sky Yoga Flow. Sky yoga flow is a form of yoga where people can experience yoga poses while attached to straps hanging from the roof. They also offer workshops for sound healing, mindfulness and trauma release. The options for radiating from the inside out are endless, that makes Radiantly Alive unique compared to other yoga studios in Bali.
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Born in Valencia (Spain), his professional career has always revolved around the tourism sector. He studied tourism degree and later specialized in digital tourism marketing.
After working in various travel agencies. In 2018, he was a beneficiary of an Indonesian government scholarship to study at one of the most prestigious universities in the country. After specializing in the destination and having traveled and lived in various areas of Indonesia, he joined our team in early 2020.
Fernando is passionate about surfing and extreme sports. He’s the first to sign up for a trip, always looking for new adventures!
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