BALI YOGA RETREAT — Tips, Preparing, Packing and Must-See Places
In this blog post you’ll find tips and tricks for traveling to Bali for a Yoga/Wellness Retreat.
We will explore: How to prepare, what to expect, what to pack and some top places to explore if you have a few days for free travel before or after your retreat experience.
Hotel Sages, Canggu
I am on my way to co-host my first overseas Wellness Retreat in Canggu, Bali.
I am very fortunate to be co-hosting this incredible 6-night wellness journey with Soul Haven; Yoga + Pilates.
We consciously decided to book the entire Hotel Sages Villa for our guests, providing them the opportunity to completely immerse themselves into this experience.
Having a private sanctuary gives our guests the space to cultivate vulnerability and feel safe within a group that will inevitably become their close-knit family during this week of shared living.
Our choice of venue, Hotel Sages, thoughtfully mirrors the aesthetic and energy of our home studio Soul Haven.
It has a rustic, beachy and almost Middle East vibe with textured curved walls, rustic woods and handmade ceramics. It’s stunning!
Choosing location mindfully, ensures that every aspect of our retreat aligns seamlessly with the energy we’ve nurtured in our studio.
Hotel Sages, Canggu
Preparing for Your Retreat…
Active Preparation
1. Attend Yoga and Movement Classes
Before you jet off to Bali, it’s a great idea to prepare your body and mind for the retreat. Attending yoga and movement classes in your hometown can help build body awareness, strength, and mobility. If possible, try hot yoga and Pilates classes to adapt to the warm and humid climate in Bali.
2. Enjoy Infrared Saunas
Incorporating infrared sauna sessions into your pre-retreat routine can offer numerous benefits. These sessions can boost your immunity, improve breathing, reduce inflammation, and support healing and recovery. Plus, they’ll help your body adapt to the heat you’ll experience during your retreat.
3. Find Some Good Reads
Here are some of my recommendations…
Starting your Yoga journey:
The Power of Now: Eckhart Tolle
A New Earth: Eckhart Tolle
Light on Yoga: BKS Iyengar
Core of the Yoga Sutras: BKS Iyengar
Spiritual:
The Secret: Rhonda Byrne
Karma: Sadhguru
Breaking the Habit of Being Yourself: Joe Dispenza
Becoming Supernatural: Joe Dispenza
Self-Development:
Atomic Habits: James Clear
Think and Grow Rich: Napoleon Hill
How to Win Friends and Influence People: Dale Carnegie
The 4-Hour Workweek: Tim Ferriss
The Body Keeps the Score: Bessel van der Kolk
4. Set an Intention and Start Building Good Habits Now
Why are you doing this retreat? What called you to take the leap and book your spot?
Everything happens for a reason.
Maybe you have consciously been wanting to create a big change in your life and now the opportunity has presented itself to you.
Or perhaps you haven’t been thinking about making any specific shifts, but you are feeling stagnant energy, have had ants in your pants or the little voice inside you is growing louder asking for more — but you don’t know yet what that is.
Journaling or mediating may help you to uncover your reason why.
When we want to draw things into our lives, make a change or manifest a dream, we need to take aligned action.
So, try adopting some simple habits now…
They could be
- Moving your body every day
- 10 minutes of meditation in the morning
- 5 minutes of journaling in the morning or before bed
- Eat 30 different vegetables each week
- Prevent your emotions from getting the better of you. Instead allow inconveniences and stresses to pass through you rather than taking control of you.
- Make a new friend everyday
- Compliment yourself everyday
- Stop self-criticism and self-judgement
- Repeat daily affirmations
- Read daily
Practical Preparation
1. Visa and Passport
Check the visa requirements for Bali and ensure your passport has at least three months of validity left, along with blank pages for stamps.
2. Travel Insurance
Don’t forget to secure travel insurance that covers medical emergencies, trip cancellations, and other unforeseen events.
3. Currency and Banking
Bali’s currency is the Indonesian Rupiah (IDR). It’s often more cost-effective to bring your home country’s currency (e.g., Australian Dollars) and exchange it locally. Inform your bank or card company about your travel plans to avoid card issues. Remember to carry cash discreetly to avoid potential hassles with local authorities.
4. International Driver’s License
If you plan on driving or riding a scooter in Bali, make sure to obtain an international driver’s license, as it’s legally required.
5. Useful Apps
Download handy apps like Maps.Me for offline maps, Go-Jek or Grab for transportation, XE Currency for currency conversion, and Google Translate for communication ease.
Tip: When carrying cash, avoid keeping all of it in one place. It’s not uncommon to be stopped by local police for minor offenses like jaywalking, and they may try to fine you on the spot. They will often take whatever cash you have on you. If they can only see $10, they will only ‘fine’ you $10.
What to Expect During Your Retreat…
You’re about to embark on perhaps a life-changing journey. You may cultivate a new mindset, skill and/or habit that you can carry home and integrate into your daily routine.
During your Bali Yoga and Wellness Retreat, expect to:
- Immerse yourself in daily yoga and wellness practices, guided by experienced instructors.
- Nourish your body with wholesome, locally sourced cuisine that is likely to be vegetarian.
- Build connections with other openminded people who want to build wholesome lives. The people you are sharing the experience with will become like family during the retreat.
- Experience moments of self-discovery, growth, and relaxation as you explore Bali’s culture and serene landscapes.
Top Places to Visit and Practice Yoga in Bali…
Before or after your retreat, consider exploring these locations:
Ubud: Known as Bali’s cultural heart, Ubud has lush landscapes, art markets, and numerous yoga studios including The Yoga Barn, Ubud Yoga House, Yoga Union Shala, Pyramids of Chi.
Seminyak: This vibrant beach town is perfect for both relaxation and vibrant nightlife. Many beachfront resorts offer yoga classes.
If you want to treat yourself, book yourself into Potato Head Hotel — An eco-friendly beach club, resort and creative playground.
Uluwatu: Famous for its stunning cliffs, surf, yoga retreats and classes with ocean views.
I stayed at 3 Monkeys Villa in Uluwatu. They have an open yoga shala where I did Acro Yoga! So much fun
Canggu: A very busy spot for expats and wellness seekers, Canggu has many yoga studios, healthy cafes, and beautiful beaches.
Nusa Lembongan: This quiet island offers a serene escape with pristine beaches and yoga retreat centres on the beach front.
Ginger and Jamu is a very cute vegan café on the beach and the upstairs yoga shala is where I did my first YTT.
To Pack…
Documents:
Passport
Driver’s licence
Cash and cards
Boarding pass
Health/Travel insurance
Toiletries:
Toothbrush and paste
Deodorant
Shampoo & Conditioner
Shaving Supplies
Moisturiser
Sunscreen SPF 50+
Aftersun
Tampons (not available to purchase in Bali)
Clothing + Swimwear:
Lightweight tops and t-shirts
Shorts, skirts and lightweight pants
Lightweight dresses/jump suits
Swimsuits
Covers ups and beach sarongs (You’ll need cover ups to visit temples)
Hat
Sunglasses
Yoga Attire:
Lightweight yoga pants/shorts
Breathable tops and sports bras
Sweat Towel
Shoes:
Comfortable walking shoes
Thongs
Sandals for evenings out
Water shoes if you’re going to do water sports
Electronics:
Travel adapter (type C or F) for Bali’s electrical outlets
Chargers for phones/laptops/headphones ect
Portable charger/power bank
Camera
Bluetooth speaker
Tripod for taking videos
Medications and First Aid:
Insect repellent
Prescription medications
Basic first aid — band-aids, antiseptic cream, pain relief.
Health & Wellbeing — Vitamin C, Magnesium, multivitamin, activated charcoal, Vitamin B12 (if you’re a meat eater you may want to have a veggie diet in Bali to avoid risk of getting sick. B12 is a good supplement)
Miscellaneous Items:
Money belt
Light weight backpack or bag for day trips
Reusable water bottle
Book
Journal
Healthy travel snacks
Health bars/Protein bars to take with you (if they’re in packaging you can take them in your check in)
Pilates bands (for Pilates workouts)
Yoga Mat
Your Bali Yoga and Wellness Retreat will be an unforgettable experience, filled with self-discovery, relaxation, and rejuvenation.
With thorough preparation and an open heart, you’re ready to embrace the beauty of Bali and your transformative journey.
I wish you an amazing and unforgettable experience!
