Our Trip to Ubud: A Subjective Yoga Guide
Ubud â a mountain town whose energy attracts yogis from around the world â captivated us too. We're sharing with you what we saw, experienced, and were most inspired by.
Bali has been a magnet for us for years. Jagoda, ½ Joy in me, lives here, in love with the island, the people, and the ocean. This place is particularly close and magical to us.
In December, we longed for warmth, moments of relaxation, and renewed energy to inspire us. The three of us, along with Karolina, who had just opened her second, unique Yoga Beat MokotĂłw studio, made these plans. We dreamed of a trip to catch our breath, practice our own yoga, and regenerate. Searching for the perfect destination, we thought of Bali. Not only because we'd finally spend some time together in the same time zone, but also because we'd decided to go to Ubud. It promised to be the best girls' trip ever.
Ubud is a mountain town located in central Bali. It's so popular that the center is plagued by crowds and traffic jams. The streets are crowded, with souvenir shops for tourists, local businesses, and Western restaurants lining the road. There's also a large market selling island handicrafts, art galleries representing local artists, museums, and temples. Further from the center, boutique hotels and local homes with private temples are located. It's definitely quieter and more spacious here. In the distance, rice paddies, swaying palm trees, and hills. It's a typical tourist village, a bit too noisy and crowded. To say yoga is popular here is an understatement. Ubud is Asia's yoga mecca. This place attracts practitioners from all over the world, including those interested in alternative medicine and vegetarian cuisine. The city's unique atmosphere attracts artists, designers, painters, and sculptors. Because Ubud is truly enchanting. Far from the center, the sun sets, disappearing behind trees or the intricately carved temple peaks, and Balinese architecture intertwines with the sophisticated design of hotels and restaurants.
We spent several days there exercising, enjoying delicious food, and blissfully relaxing. To share our impressions with you and capture the island's spirit, we've written a subjective guide to the places that impressed us and to which we'd gladly return.
Yoga schools in Ubud - beautiful places to practice
Ubud is a yoga resort. There are many yoga studios here that offer stunning jungle views from the room, and they offer classes in all possible styles of yoga.
Where is it worth practicing? - yoga in Bali
We checked out several recommended places and rolled out our mats in more than one room. The three studios we can recommend are Yoga Barn, Ubud Yoga Center, and Radiantly Alive. True oases of peace and tranquility in crowded Ubud.
Vinyasa / Yoga Barn
Yoga Barn is essentially a yoga village surrounded by tropical forest. The most beautiful shala we've ever practiced in, and the Ketut hall, where we flowed in a perfectly planned flow. An inspiring, experienced teacher led the group with calm and confidence. Breathing and movement transported us to another world. A wonderful group energy was created. One of the best experiences in Ubud.
Hatha / Yoga Barn
Same shala, different activities. It's a beautiful place, so we want to stay longer. This time, a hatha yoga session. Body, spirit, and mind in the present moment.
Inferno Hot Pilates / Ubud Yoga Center
A yoga studio located on the outskirts of Ubud, on a hill, offering views of the jungle and river below from the shala. And the room is 95 degrees Celsius. Hot and humid, because it's an Inferno Hot Pilates session. An intense, full-body workout. Motivating, highly challenging, and energetic classes for a great start to the day in a yoga paradise.
TRX / Ubud Yoga Center
After a few days on the island, we're feeling energized, and we start the morning with a super-demanding resistance band workout. High temperatures and a serious workout. It's goodbye.
Fly High Yoga / Yoga Barn
A beautiful shala and magical lighting, as the classes took place in the evening, and the whispers of the jungle drifted into the room. Yoga on straps attached to the ceiling, drawing on the tradition of Iyengar Yoga. Playing with gravity and the limits of one's comfort, as these are quite physically demanding classes. The pure joy of movement and a truly subversive practice. For anyone in need of a fresh perspective.
Food in Ubud - restaurants and pubs with delicious food
Since Ubud is a yoga mecca, local restaurants and eateries focus on vegetarian, healthy cuisine to please the taste buds of yogis flocking to the city.
Where is it worth eating?
Sage
This intimate eatery on the outskirts of Ubud perfectly captures the spirit of the city. The simple design utilizes natural materials. Wooden tables, windows that let in sunlight, and the surrounding greenery create a truly relaxing atmosphere. The eatery is vegan and alcohol-free, and, in keeping with island tradition, you must remove your shoes before entering. The owners are so hipster they don't have a Facebook page, and we love that.
Zest
The perfect place for dinner. Beautiful Balinese architecture from the outside. Inside, murals adorn the walls, and a sweet-smelling plumeria grows in the heart of the restaurant, creating a wonderful, exotic atmosphere. Organic cuisine, locally sourced ingredients, and a team with extensive knowledge and passion for what you experience on your plate.
Sayuri Healing Food
A vegan eatery inspired by Japanese, South Asian, and raw cuisine. They also serve fantastic desserts! The eatery also hosts yoga sessions, cooking workshops, and concerts.
Bali Buda
Another vegan restaurant with an organic, no-waste philosophy, meaning fresh, homemade food, cuisine based on locally sourced ingredients, and food scraps that go to the compost bin. No plastic straws, of course.
Warung Siam
A restaurant serving traditional Thai cuisine. Pad Thai and curry from the islanders. Look no further.
Accommodation in Ubud - Favorite Hotels and B&Bs
When looking for accommodation, we had three things in mind: great design, a stunning location for our latest photoshoot, and an intimate atmosphere. A boutique hotel in the heart of the jungle sounded good.
Where to stay?
Stone House Bali
Modern architecture that respects island tradition and six rooms ensure intimacy, space, and privacy. Luxury nestled among the trees. In our case, literally, as we stayed in an above-ground apartment with a beautiful view of the rice fields. The owners are very friendly and with their attentiveness, they made us feel at home for a moment.
Guest House
For the rest of our stay, we stayed in a B&B. Guest houses are run by locals, and there's a wide selection in Ubud. A room, a bathroom, a pool, breakfast, and friendly owners are all you need. You can book this type of accommodation in the easiest way possible: online.
Recommended in Ubud - unique places and experiences
Ubud is not just about practicing yoga. Gong and Tibetan bowl concerts and meditation sessions are held here. It's also worth getting off the mat and hopping on a scooter to explore the area, people-watch, and absorb the energy of this place.
What is worth experiencing?
Sound Healing / Pyramids of Chi
An otherworldly, cleansing experience. Meditate by gongs inside one of the pyramids, and be enveloped by the scent of sandalwood. A unique place, as they say, "Expect the unexpected." Truly, you can't prepare for such an experience.
A visit to the local shaman
Those interested in alternative medicine can seek the services of a local shaman. We did. Please allow us to share our impressions. There are several shamans in Ubud, so if you look, you'll find them.
Purification Ceremony / Pura Tirta Empul
The Holy Water Spring is the name given to this temple located on the outskirts of Ubud, dedicated to the god of water, Vishnu. Here, Hindus enter the icy waters to contemplate and purify their souls by immersing their heads under the stream. Islanders claim it has healing properties.
Tegalalang rice terraces
The Tegalalang Terraces, sprawled across the hills near Ubud, are a must-see for tourists. Due to their proximity to the city, they are the busiest and most expensive. They attract visitors with their shades of green and yellow, depending on the ripeness of the rice. Rice is grown practically year-round, with harvests occurring three or four times, with the entire village contributing to the harvest. To avoid the crowds, it's best to visit during the week around 11 a.m. It's worth bringing water, as the fields are hot and humid. We carried DROP bottles of ice-cold water everywhere. They keep things cool, and cold water is a pure pleasure in this heat.
Jatiluwih rice terraces
For those with more time on the island, we recommend strolling through the largest terraces in Bali, located about a two-hour drive from Ubud. The terraces can be explored on foot or by bike, which can be rented on site. It's worth coming here to feast your eyes on the greenery.
shopping / Bali Buda
The restaurant chain operates organic stores in the spirit of zero waste, stocking shelves with organic products, vitamins, and vegetarian supplements that are unavailable in any other store. They also stock home accessories and essential kitchen appliances for those who prefer to cook their own food.
How to travel to Ubud - what's worth taking and how to get around
What is worth packing?
If you're planning to exercise, first and foremost, bring a mat. We always bring our own. For hygiene reasons and for your comfort. And for color. Plus, you can spread it out anywhereâin the gym, in your room, by the poolâand practice whenever you feel like it. Yoga schools, of course, have mats, but of course, your own is your own. For those who want to stand out in the gym, we recommend the Nomadic Soul in earthy tones. To blend in with the surroundings, it's worth taking the Tropical Mood, and for fans of exercising under the stars, the Star Gazing is perfect. Another must-have is a fitness towel. The local tropical climate is incredibly sweat-inducing, especially when combined with an intense workout. A super-light, handy, and quick-drying microfiber towel will guarantee freshness and well-being. Speaking of which, you can never have too many workout tops. Especially cotton ones, lightweight and breathable like our tank tops. No matter how many you bring, they'll all come in handy, because it's hot on the island, you sweat, and it's worth having a change of clothes. Another essential item you can't travel without is a water bottle. We carried our DROPS everywhere because in Ubud, you can refill them free of charge in many places. This is the case at yoga schools and restaurants. Where should you pack all this? In a yoga mat bag. In addition to the mat, it can hold a bottle, clothes, toiletries, and a towel. It weighs nothing, is super light, and waterproof, so even if you get caught in the rain, you can still unroll your mat in the studio dry. And it has a wide, comfortable strap, so it's comfortable to carry over your shoulder.
How to get around?
The most convenient option is a scooter, but it's worth considering and not rushing ahead, as traffic on the island drives on the left, and roads outside the center can be steep. Hotels and B&Bs also offer transportation, so you just need to make arrangements with the owner. You can also hire your own driver or use local taxis. Another option is to call Gojeck â a local Uber whose driver will pick you up on a scooter or car. Be warned that choosing this option will mean a bit of a wait, and sometimes even an impromptu wait (especially if you book a car, not a scooter). We don't recommend the latter option, but we're happy to inform you â it's also available.
How do we remember our trip? Exceptional. A time spent together as women, an intense practice, stirred emotions, and a body in motion. It was hot. The view of the jungle was breathtaking and filled with greenery. Fresh, exotic fruit, delicious food, contentment, and regeneration. For us, Ubud is a place of power. The air vibrates with energy that inspires self-improvement and change. It's beautiful to be there and feel it. We invite you to Ubud.
Jagoda, Paulina, Karolina