Ubud - a mountain town that draws yogis from all over the world with its energy - has captivated us too. We are sharing with you what we saw, experienced, and what inspired us the most.
Bali has been attracting us for years. This is where Jagoda, ½ of Joy in me, lives, in love with the island, the people, and the ocean. For us, this place is particularly close and magical.
In December, we longed for warmth, a moment of relaxation, and new energy to inspire us to act. We made our plans as a trio, with Karolina, who had just opened her second unique studio, Yoga Beat Mokotów. We dreamed of a trip to catch our breath, practice our own yoga, and recharge. While looking for the perfect spot, we thought of Bali. Not only because we would finally spend some time together in the same time zone, but also because we decided to go to Ubud. It promised to be the best girls' trip ever.
Ubud is a mountain town located in the central part of Bali. It is so popular that the crowds and traffic in the center are noticeable. The streets are busy, with souvenir shops for tourists, local businesses, and Western restaurants along the roadside. Beyond that, there is a large market with island handicrafts, art galleries representing local artists, museums, and temples. Further from the center, you’ll find boutique hotels and local homes with private temples. It is definitely quieter and more spacious here. In the distance, rice fields, swaying palms, and hills. A typical tourist village, perhaps a bit too loud and crowded. To say that yoga is popular here is an understatement. Ubud is the Asian mecca of yoga. Like a magnet, this place attracts practitioners from all over the world, as well as those interested in alternative medicine and vegetarian cuisine. Because of its unique atmosphere, the town attracts artists, designers, painters, and sculptors. Because Ubud can truly enchant. Away from the center, the sun sets behind the trees or the intricately carved temple tops, and Balinese architecture intertwines with the tasteful design of hotels and restaurants.
We spent a few days on-site practicing, eating deliciously, and indulging in blissful relaxation. To share our impressions with you and evoke that island vibe, we wrote a subjective guide to the places that impressed us and to which we would love to return.
Yoga schools in Ubud - beautiful places to practice
Ubud is a yoga resort. There are many schools here where you will be captivated by the view of the jungle from the shala, and you will find classes in all possible styles of yoga.
Where is it worth practicing? - yoga in Bali
We checked out a few recommended spots and unrolled our mats in more than one hall. Three studios that we can recommend to you are Yoga Barn, Ubud Yoga Center, and Radiantly Alive. True oases of peace and quiet in bustling Ubud.
Vinyasa / Yoga Barn
Yoga Barn is essentially a yoga village surrounded by tropical forest. It has the most beautiful shala we practiced in, and the Ketut hall where we flowed through a perfectly planned sequence. An inspiring, experienced teacher who led the group with calm and confidence. Breath and movement transported us to another world. A wonderful group energy was created. One of the best experiences in Ubud.
Hatha / Yoga Barn
The same shala, different class. A beautiful place, so we wanted 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 school located on the outskirts of Ubud, on a hill, thanks to which the shala offers a view of the jungle and the river below. And the room is at 95 degrees. Hot and humid, because it's an Inferno Hot Pilates session. An intense full-body workout. Motivating, very demanding, and energetic classes to start the day right in yoga paradise.
TRX / Ubud Yoga Center
After a few days spent on the island, we had the strength to start the morning with a super demanding TRX workout. High temperature and a proper sweat. A perfect way to say goodbye.
Fly High Yoga / Yoga Barn
A beautiful shala with magical lighting, as the classes took place in the evening, with the whispers of the jungle reaching the hall. Yoga on straps suspended from the ceiling, drawing from the tradition of Iyengar Yoga. Playing with gravity and the boundaries of your own comfort zone, because it's a quite physically demanding class. Pure joy of movement and a truly transformative practice. For anyone who needs a fresh perspective.
Eating in Ubud - restaurants and cafes with delicious food
Because Ubud is a yoga mecca, local restaurants and cafes focus on vegetarian, healthy cuisine to satisfy the taste buds of the yogis flocking to the city.
Where is it worth eating?
Sage
An intimate cafe on the outskirts of Ubud that perfectly captures the spirit of the town. Simple design utilizes natural materials. Wooden tables, windows through which sunlight and greenery pour in, make it a place where you can truly relax. The cafe is vegan and does not serve alcohol, and you take your shoes off at the entrance, in accordance with island tradition. The owners are so hipster that they don't even have a Facebook page, and we like that.
Zest
The perfect place for dinner. From the outside, beautiful Balinese architecture. Inside, walls are adorned with murals, and in the heart of the restaurant grows a plumeria with sweet-smelling flowers, creating a wonderful, exotic mood. Organic cuisine, products from local suppliers, and a team with immense knowledge and passion, which you can taste on your plate.
Sayuri Healing Food
A vegan cafe inspired by Japanese, Southeast Asian, and raw food cuisine. Plus, they serve fantastic desserts! Next to the cafe is a space where yoga sessions, cooking workshops, and concerts take place.
Bali Buda
Another vegan cafe in the organic and no-waste spirit, which means fresh, homemade food, cuisine based on products from local suppliers, and food scraps that end up in the compost bin. No plastic straws, obviously.
Warung Siam
A restaurant with traditional Thai cuisine. Pad Thai and curry from islanders. You don't need to look any further.
Accommodation in Ubud - favorite hotels and B&Bs
When looking for accommodation, we thought about three things - great design, a wonderful photoshoot location for our latest session, and an intimate atmosphere. A boutique hotel in the heart of the jungle sounds good.
Where to stay?
Stone House Bali
Modern architecture that respects island tradition and 6 rooms to ensure intimacy, space, and privacy. Luxury among the trees. In our case literally, because we stayed in an apartment above the ground with a beautiful view of the rice fields. The owners are very kind, and their care made us feel at home for a while.
Guest House
For the rest of the stay, we lived in a B&B. Guest houses here are run by local residents, and there is a huge selection of them in Ubud. A room, bathroom, pool, breakfast, and kind owners. You don't really need anything else. You can book such accommodation as simply as possible, i.e., online.
Recommended in Ubud - unusual places and experiences
In Ubud, you can do more than just practice yoga. There are gong and Tibetan bowl concerts or meditation sessions. It is also worth getting off the mat and hopping on a scooter to explore the surroundings, watch the people, and soak up the energy of this place.
What is worth experiencing?
Sound Healing / Pyramids of Chi
An otherworldly cleansing experience. Meditation to the sound of gongs inside one of the pyramids and the enveloping scent of sandalwood. A unique place that says to expect the unexpected. Indeed, you cannot prepare for such an experience.
Visit to a local shaman
Those interested in alternative medicine can take advantage of a local shaman's services. We did. Let us keep our impressions to ourselves. There are several of them working in Ubud, so those who search will find.
Cleansing Ceremony / Pura Tirta Empul
Holy Water Spring, that is the name of this temple located on the outskirts of Ubud, dedicated to the water god Vishnu. Here, followers of Hinduism enter the icy water to contemplate and cleanse their souls by submerging their heads under the water stream. As the islanders claim, it possesses healing properties.
Tegalalang rice terraces
Stretching across the hills near Ubud, the Tegalalang Terraces are a tourist must-see. Because of their proximity to the city, they are the most crowded and expensive. They attract with shades of green and yellow, depending on the ripeness of the rice. Its cultivation lasts practically all year round, and harvests take place 3-4 times, with the whole village helping out. To avoid the crowds, it is best to go there during the week around 11:00 AM. It's worth taking water with you because it's hot and humid in the fields. We carried our DROP bottles with ice-cold water everywhere. They keep it cool perfectly, and cold water in such heat is pure pleasure.
Jatiluwih rice terraces
For those who have more time on the island, we recommend walking around the largest terraces in Bali, located about 2 hours away from Ubud. The terraces can be visited on foot or by bicycle, which can be rented on-site. It is worth coming here to saturate your eyes with green.
Shopping / Bali Buda
Next to the restaurant chain, there are organic shops in a zero-waste spirit. On the shelves, you'll find organic products, vitamins, and vegetarian supplements that are not available in any other store. There are also home accessories and the most necessary kitchen equipment for those who prefer to cook for themselves.
How to travel to Ubud - what is worth taking and how to get around
What is worth packing?
If you intend to practice, first of all, take a mat. We always take our own. For hygiene reasons and our own comfort. And for the color. Plus, you can unroll it anywhere - in the hall, in your room, by the pool, and practice whenever you dream of it. Yoga schools obviously have mats, but as you know, your own is your own. For those who want to stand out in class, take Nomadic Soul in earth tones. To blend in with the surroundings, take Tropical Mood, and for fans of practicing under the stars, Star Gazing will be appropriate. The second must-have is a fitness towel. The local tropical climate makes you sweat buckets, especially when you add 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 enough exercise tops. Especially cotton, light, and airy ones like our tank tops. No matter how many you pack, they will all come in handy, because it's hot on the island, you sweat, and it's worth having clothes to change into. Another thing you shouldn't travel without is a water bottle. We carried our DROPs everywhere because in Ubud you can refill them for free using large water dispensers in many places. This is the case in yoga schools or restaurants. Where to pack all this? In a yoga mat bag. In addition to the mat, it will fit a bottle, clothes, cosmetics, and a towel. It weighs nothing on its own, it's super light and waterproof, so even if it rains, you will unroll a dry mat in the studio. And it has a wide, comfortable strap, so it's easy to carry over your shoulder.
How to get around?
The most convenient way is a scooter, but it is worth thinking it over and not being reckless, because traffic on the island is left-hand, and outside the center, roads can be steep. Hotels and B&Bs also offer transport, so just talk to the owner. You can also find your own driver or use local taxis. Another option is to order Gojek - a local Uber, whose driver will pick you up on a scooter or in a car. We warn you in advance that choosing this option, you will wait a bit, and sometimes you might not get picked up at all (especially if you order a car, not a scooter). We do not recommend the last option, but we are informing you - it is an option to choose from.
How do we remember our trip? Exceptionally. Shared feminine time, intense practice, stirred emotions, body in motion. Heat. A view of the jungle that takes your breath away and saturates your eyes with green. Fresh, exotic fruits, great food, satisfaction, regeneration. Ubud is a place of power for us. The air vibrates with energy that inspires you to work on yourself and to change. It is beautiful to be there and feel it. We invite you to Ubud.
Jagoda, Paulina, Karolina
