Muslims are barred from practicing yoga due to its connection to Hinduism, though yoga is not a religion. As Bali is not of the Muslim majority, yoga is openly practiced and advertised. With such a large expat community, you will see advertisements for private yoga classes posted up on community boards in coffee shops and local hangouts. A majority of the resorts, hotels, and villas on Bali will offer some form of yoga, either from an in-house teacher or as host to yoga retreats. Do not expect to find much by way of yoga offerings on Lombok, an island of Muslim majority.
The Yoga Barn (tel. 0361/970992; www.theyogabarn.com) is a rustic, spiritual space, set amidst terraced rice paddies, in the middle of Ubud. It is an inspiring and beautiful environment for the nourishment of body, mind, and soul.
Throughout the island you will find small and large retreats, some dedicated to holistic practices and others offering a broad spectrum of related activities. One of the most prominent services is Bali Spirit (tel. 0361/970992; www.balispirit.com). Contact them directly to discuss extended holistic practice; yoga and meditation retreats; and detox centers. Their extensive list of practitioners and retreats makes them the one-stop shop for the best services on the island.
One World Retreats (tel. 0361/289752; www.oneworldretreats.com) is a travel service that specializes in tracking down retreats and workshops led by world-renowned yoga and Pilates teachers.
In the north, Zen Bali (tel. 0361/289752; www.zenbali.com), combines ayurveda, pranayama (breathing practices), yoga, and mediation with beauty treatments. Leading practitioners are on hand to provide assistance; this retreat offers unique and specialist programs for beginners and the advanced.
Bali is home to several spiritual communities that welcome visitors. The Gandhi Ashram, in Candidasa (tel. 0363/41108; www.ashramgandhi.com), is a community of followers of Mahatma Gandhi. They practice their founder's beliefs through prayer, meditation, and yoga. Visitors and volunteers are welcome to join the community.
The Nirarta Centre (tel. 0366/24122; www.awareness-bali.com) is tucked up in the hills of the Sidemen Valley. This center focuses on one-to-one self-guided or guided seminars to assist with personal development.
Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.
