Bali is more than just beautiful beaches and luxury resorts. This Indonesian paradise offers incredible cultural experiences and natural wonders. Moreover, these destinations provide the perfect backdrop for deepening your yoga practice. Whether you’re visiting for our yoga teacher training or simply exploring the island, these three locations will transform your Bali experience.

 

Ubud

Ubud is the cultural and spiritual center in Bali. Located between rice terraces and green forests, this town is the reflection of the Balinese tradition. In addition, it has become a global hub of yoga and wellness practitioners.

Religious Temples and sacred sites

Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary welcomes the audience to the world of fantasy. The ancient temples are in the company of giant banyan trees. There are also mischievous monkeys which are playing along the forest trails. It is not just a tourist attraction. It displays the Balinese philosophy of the harmony of nature, animals and humans.

The other spiritual experience is the Tirta Empul Temple. Its spring water is clear and crystal clear and flows through purification pools. Visiting this place, local Balinese clean their souls. Visitors therefore get a chance to experience the ancient cleansing ceremonies as presided over by temple priests.

 

Arts and Traditional Crafts

The Ubud art scene is booming on all fronts. The town is characterized by traditional Balinese painting, wood carving and silver ornaments. Consequently, you can observe master craftsmen working in their studios. Ubud Art Market is the handmade products market of colour. The scene is saturated with sarangs, traditional design baskets and paintings.

The Balinese works are showcased in the Agung Rai Museum of Art in classical and contemporary forms. A comparable situation is the Neka Art Museum with an amazing collection covering several hundred years. These places give profound understanding of the artistic traditions of Bali.

Yoga and Wellness Paradise

Ubud has earned the reputation of a wellness destination. There are many yoga studios and they provide classes at different levels. In the meantime, meditation and traditional therapy is also administered through the curing centers. The Bali Yoga School is one of the most popular yoga studios in southeast Asia.

Most of the practitioners have believed that the power in Ubud makes their practice of yoga better. The gamelan music echoes in the air. The eye could see rice paddies all the way. This is inherent as far as mindfulness and inner peace are concerned.

Borders on Natures and Rice terraces

The Tegalalang Rice Terraces are the Bali attractive agricultural landscapes. These are green terraces that are collapsing down the hillsides that are of emerald-green. They also display the ancient Subak irrigation system which is several centuries old. One of the things that one does is a walk across these terraces.

Another natural escapade is the Campuhan Ridge Walk. This hiking path is an easy one passing through fertile valleys and hills. Walking in the early morning here is a wonderful view of the sunrise. As well, peace of mind comes in handy to get your mind clear.

 

Organic Food and Healthy Living

Ubud is the master of organic food. The restaurants offer farm-to-table food with local products. Thus, there are limitless possibilities offered to vegetarians and vegans. Cafes combine the traditional Balinese tastes with the modern tendencies in wellness.

The domestic markets are filled with fresh tropical fruits and vegetables. Traditional Balinese recipes are taught in cooking classes. Consequently, you would be able to take these healthy eating practices back home.

Mount Batur

Mount Batur is a spectacular mountain that sits on the throne on the northern eastern Bali highlands. It is a living volcano which attracts adventure as well as spiritual tourists. In addition, the challenge in climbing this mountain is an experience that one will never forget since it involves physical challenge and a blend of nature.

The Holy Volcano Experience

Mount Batur, contains much spiritual value at the heart of the Balinese people. It is their opinion that this sacred mountain is the dwelling place of powerful deities. They also believe that it is a very spiritual one in respect to its volcano. Close to this, there is a temple called Pura Ulun Danu Batur that is devoted to the goddess of the lake.

Sunrise Trekking

The early morning hiking to the peak of Mount Batur is also one of the most preferable experiences in Bali. Most of the climbers arrive at the base level at around 3: 30 AM. The ascent precedes after two hours on the volcanic territory. The headlamps illuminate the path that one should take in the darkness.

The top of it is the reward of magnificent views. The sun is up on the horizon in glorious colors. In the background is the mountain, Agung, which is covered by a morning mist. And under, the lake Batur shines in the rising sun. The feeling of success and calmness is profound at this moment.

Local Villages and Lake Batur

Lake Batur is stunning and it is located in the volcanic caldera. This is a lake in the shape of a crescent which provides a lot of water to Bali. It has fishing communities which lead old-fashioned lives. Cruise around the lake and have a different view of the volcano.

This region is geologically important as evidenced by the Batur Global Geopark name. Educational programs educate the visitors in volcanic formations. On the same note, local guides tell tales concerning the cultural importance of the mountain.

Relating Nature with Yoga Practice

Mount Batur is considered spiritual by many yoga practitioners. The tough hiking develops psychological and physical resilience. Moreover, the meditation at the top in the morning enhances inner consciousness. This experience can be compared with the process of yoga itself.

The vibes of the mountain are unlike the soft ones of Ubud. It is strong, radical, and even a little bit wild. Thus, going to Mount Batur will make your yoga experience in a very special and special way.

 

Jatiluwih Green Land

The most attractive rice terrace in Bali is Jatiluwih. The site is a world heritage site managed by UNESCO which exhibits the finest traditional farming. Moreover, the landscape here appears almost too green and peaceful.

UNESCO as World Heritage

In 2012, Jatiluwih was declared by UNESCO due to its Subak system. This is a very ancient irrigation method that is over 1000 years old. It represents Balinese philosophy of Tri Hita Karana. This philosophy promotes the oneness of humans, nature and divinity.

This rice terraces area is above 600 hectares. They flow down the mountain slope in ideal geometrical figures. Moreover, farmers continue to use old traditional ways that have been transferred over the years.

The Subak Irrigation System

The Subak system is a great feat in agricultural engineering. Mountains springs channel water in specifically designed channels. Water is distributed to the farmers on a cooperative basis. This means that everybody benefits under this democratic water distribution.

Planting and harvest schedules are traditionally controlled by priests of temples. They also refer to the Balinese calendar in order to get favorable dates. This is what makes Jatiluwih special as it integrates spirituality and agriculture. Hence, walking on these terraces is like going to a living museum.

Breathtaking Landscapes

Jatiluwih translates to truly marvelous in Balinese, and the name fits well. There are exquisite layers of visuals in all directions by the terraces. There are varying green colourations in various growth stages. The background is framed by mountains rendering the picture complete.

The rice paddies are crossed with walking paths. These paths allow you to move at your speed. Further, the area has small shrines which provide relaxing resting places. The natural meditation music involves the sound of water passing through the mediums.

Traditional Farming Culture

Visitors are always very welcome in Jatiluwih by local farmers. They also tend to work in the areas with the traditional clothes. It is interesting to observe them planting or harvesting rice as a cultural experience. Moreover, you can get to know the rice growing cycle.

There are small warungs (local restaurants) where one can find Balinese traditional food. These are home-owned restaurants that utilize rice that is cultivated in the local farms. Thus, the meals here can be associated with the landscape. The flavors are simple and fresh as the Balinese cuisine.

 

Mindfulness and Meditations

Jatiluwih’s serene environment naturally helps you to meditate better. The beautiful sceneries here, assists you in calming down your stressful mind. In addition, the terraces are patient and careful. Such attributes are very much in line with the yoga philosophy.

A high number of visitors claim that they feel very relaxed here. Lack of commercialization maintains the peace of the area. Jatiluwih therefore is an ideal getaway to contemporary stress. It has us remember more tied-together ways of living.

Riding and Leisurely Adventure

Another excursion is cycling through Jatiluwih. There are a few companies that provide guided bicycle tours around the terraces. The routes mostly descending are conducive to all fitness levels. Also, cycling gives you a whole different experience to travel further and, also be close to nature at the same time.

And the most enjoyable experience for this is in the morning. Cheerfulness is the light and cool air. The farmers start working on the fields. This timing offers true peeps into the life of Balinese in rural areas.

Conclusion

All these three places reflect the beauty of Bali in different ways. Ubud is culturally and spiritually rich. Mount Batur is a source of adventure and transitional power. Jatiluwih depicts farming and tranquility.

A visit to all these three places gives one a complete experience of Bali. Yoga practices have special places that help you in the process. Hence, we motivate our yoga students to go outside the studio. These natural and cultural centers will make your practice and knowledge richer.