Bali has a huge yoga scene, especially in Ubud and Canggu. You can find almost any style - Vinyasa, Yin, Ashtanga, Kundalini, Sound Healing - on any given day. Drop-in classes are cheap by Western standards and the quality is excellent because many international teachers are based here seasonally.
Best studios in Ubud
The Yoga Barn - the legendary one. Huge schedule, all styles, sometimes huge classes (40-60 people). Ecstatic Dance on Fridays and Sundays is an institution.
Radiantly Alive - smaller, more curated, consistently excellent teachers. Our top pick for a serious practice.
Intuitive Flow - tiny Penestanan studio, quiet, very loyal community.
Taksu - beautiful space above a restaurant, intimate classes, great movement and bodywork integration.
Best studios in Canggu
The Practice - Pranayama and Hatha focused, run by Octavio Salvado. Arguably the most serious studio on the island.
Samadi - eco-village feel, wide schedule, good for all levels.
Udara - Tabanan/Echo Beach area, beautiful open-air shala with ocean breeze.
Serenity - cheap drop-ins, great for budget travellers wanting to stay consistent.
Retreats: yes or no?
A retreat makes sense if you want deep focus, a teacher and group to commit to, and all-in accommodation+food. Typical 5-7 day retreat: $1000-2500 all-in.
A retreat does not make sense if you want flexibility, other activities (surf, sightseeing), or if you just want to try yoga. In that case, book a nice boutique hotel in Ubud or Canggu and drop into 1-2 classes a day.
How to pick a teacher
Read recent Google reviews of the teacher, not just the studio. Most studios publish teacher bios with their style. Look for Instagram clips of them leading to see if the energy matches yours. Don’t be afraid to try 2-3 teachers in your first few days and commit to your favourite.
Beyond asana
Bali has excellent sound-healing sessions (try Pyramids of Chi near Ubud), breathwork (The Practice Canggu), ecstatic dance (Yoga Barn, Udara), temazcal and cacao ceremonies. If you are new to this world, Bali is the easiest place to try it without feeling like you are doing anything extreme.
