How to Prepare For a Yoga Retreat in Bali?
Choosing Bali for a yoga retreat is a no-brainer. It offers everything one could wish for while still being on a yoga retreat – sunshine, beaches, and amazing food. Though Bali is a really good answer to the ‘where’, knowing how to prepare for a yoga retreat in Bali is a must.
Here’s a quick breakdown of what you need to prepare when going to a yoga retreat in Bali:
- Find the best way to arrive to Bali from wherever you are
- Check for Bali’s visa requirements
- Pack your clothes according to the time of year
- Communicate with your yoga retreat’s organizer
- Prepare yourself mentally, physically, and spiritually to attend a yoga retreat
Whether you are spending a couple weeks or a couple months at your yoga retreat in Bali, building familiarity with the place, engaging with it mentally, and knowing what to expect and what is expected takes away much of the pre-travel stress.
You shall find all the answers to whatever questions you have at someplace in what follows.
Whether it is about how to get to Bali, what Bali is like, what you should pack for when assisting a yoga retreat in Bali, and/or what are the must-knows, we have you covered.
So, save yourself from any surprises when you get there and read on.
Planning your trip to Bali for your yoga retreat
The 101 on how to get to Bali, Bali’s visa requirements, the other travel documents you would need, and Bali’s famous volcanoes.
How do I get to Bali?
To make life easier, there is only one international airport in Bali. Ngurah Rai International Airport, also called Denpasar International Airport, is located in the south of Bali.
Irrespective of where your yoga retreat is in Bali, if you are taking a flight, you will be landing at this airport.
The airport is well connected and almost all major airlines service Bali.
Do I need a visa for Bali?
If your yoga retreat in Bali is for less than 30 days and you are certain that you would like to return within that time, you could opt for a visa-free entry.
Over 160 countries get a free visa stamp on arrival in Bali.
In case your yoga retreat is longer than 30 days, or you would like to explore Bali once you finish your yoga retreat (something that is highly recommended), you would need to apply for a visa before you get there, which is a fairly simple process.
Since visa regulations can change, it is best to check the official immigration website of Indonesia before booking your flights.
Do yoga retreats in Bali ask for Travel Insurance?
Well, technically you do not need to buy travel insurance to travel to Bali but it is highly recommended that you do.
Many yoga retreats in Bali make having travel insurance mandatory, including having health insurance.
Check with yours to see if they ask for certain coverage options to be necessarily included in the insurance policy.
3 questions to pose to your yoga retreat center in Bali
Check about Internet connection at your yoga retreat in Bali
Wifi in Bali is usually stable and fast, but in some of the places in Bali can be painfully slow.
Check with your yoga retreat if they have wifi, and if they do, inquire about its quality.
It is fairly easy and cheap to buy a prepaid local sim card that has a reliable internet connection.
These are widely available in almost all of the tourist streets and are much cheaper than what you would find at the airport.
However, if your yoga retreat is at someplace more remote, it is advisable to buy a sim card from the airport when you land.
Inquire about the food at your yoga retreat in Bali
The food served in most yoga retreats is vegetarian and a mix of western and Balinese or Indonesian cuisine.
Balinese food is rich in flavors and is a blend of a variety of spices, vegetables, and meat. Rice is a staple.
If you have any food allergies or follow a special diet, let your yoga retreat know in advance so they can make appropriate arrangements.
Check about health facilities
Medical facilities in Bali – clinics, and hospitals, are decent and easily available.
How close you are to one in case of an injury or emergency is best checked with your yoga retreat.
Also check if your yoga retreat has first aid available, if there is a pharmacy close by, and if they recommend that you carry any medical supplies with you.
What to pack for your yoga retreat in Bali?
First, how to pack. Pack light. When in doubt, choose to leave behind.
Bali is inexpensive and most things can be easily bought on the market streets.
Here are some things you could add to your packing checklist:
Prescription medicines
Make sure you carry enough for the duration of your stay.
Besides, you could also carry some meds for diarrhea (something that is common to get in case you are eating out in Bali), basic first aid, and sunscreen.
Either carry it with you or buy a bug repellant once you get there.
Power adapter
The standard socket and plug used in Bali is the 2 pin, as is used in most parts of Europe.
The pins are round, not rectangular or flat.
Clothes
Most yoga retreats have laundry facilities so you do not need too many clothes. Perhaps just enough to last you a week.
Make sure your clothing is appropriate both for yoga and for the weather.
Loose, cotton clothing fits both the bills. A light jacket for early mornings and late evenings can feel snug.
You might need to buy an umbrella or rain jacket once you get there.
Shoes of a few kinds
On your day-offs in the yoga retreat, you might enjoy a hike or a long walk. Carry comfortable walking shoes or hiking boots.
A pair of slip-on is very useful if you are visiting the temples. It will save you the trouble of repeatedly untying and tying laces, as Hindu temples need you to walk in barefoot.
Culturally appropriate clothes for moving around in Bali
This deserves a special mention. The culture in Bali is more modest compared to western countries.
It is advisable to dress more conservatively if you are planning to head out from your yoga retreat.
On your off days, you might be visiting the beautiful Bali temples.
You could need the traditional Balinese attire, which you would easily find in Bali, but otherwise too, you will have to be in full clothes. Ladies, you could carry along a sarong.
Daypack or small bag
This is for your excursions. Something big enough to hold a water bottle, your rain gear, a torch (if you’ll be out in the evening), your swimming costume, and small enough so you leave everything else behind.
Your yoga props
Let us not forget why you are going to Bali.
Most yoga retreats provide yoga mats, yoga blocks, meditation cushions, and other props like straps. However, it is always worth checking.
Bali being a haven for yoga, accessories are easily available to buy. But if you have a favorite meditation cushion, take it with you.
Getting around Bali
Some good to know things about Bali:
What is the weather like?
Bali has a warm, tropical climate.
Most days are warm and humid with little variation in temperature.
It is dry from May through September but there is little predictability about rain.
Evenings can get a bit cooler, especially if your yoga retreat is in the interiors.
How safe is Bali for foreigners?
Travel warnings issued for Bali, if ever, are for natural disasters.
Other than that, Bali is generally safe for solo travelers and women but as they say, better to be safe than sorry.
It is good to be vigilant and be with other people when it gets dark, especially if you are in a part of the island that is quieter.
Macaque monkeys are often more troublesome than people.
Be careful to not swim at beaches that are red-flagged. And when you cross the road, look on both sides.
What is the level of familiarity with English?
Bali being flooded with tourists almost all year round is getting more and more comfortable with English.
Most people you will meet will know at least basic English, enough to sort of understand what you are trying to say or ask.
The locals are warm and friendly, so even if you find yourself in a situation where you find it difficult to communicate, they will do their best to understand you.
Is it easy to buy stuff from supermarkets?
Bali has enough supermarkets that are well stocked with anything you might need to get by.
Besides, there are numerous market streets with local stores that sell almost everything.
While supermarkets have fixed prices, you might need to haggle a bit at the local shops.
That said, Bali has a plethora of stuff worth taking back home.
How do I exchange money in Bali?
Exchanging money is fairly easy.
There are options at the airport, money changers in most markets, and there is a chance that your yoga retreat might also either have or be able to arrange for money exchange.
There are also enough ATMs everywhere.
How safe is the water and sanitation?
Please do not drink tap water.
Stick to bottled water and the water they give you to drink at your yoga retreat.
So if you are heading out, carry your own water bottle or buy water.
When eating out, it is good to exercise some discretion.
Eat at places that look clean and hygienic.
Carry a sanitizer and wash hands frequently.
Are there any health conditions that I should be aware of?
Yes, diarrhea.
Refer back to the question right above. This is the most common problem that travelers to Bali face but is also the most easily avoidable just by exercising caution.
A few weeks before you leave, seek advice from your GP or local doctor if you need any immunization.
Malaria is no longer a concern in Bali but dengue fever from mosquitoes still is.
How easy is it to move around in Bali?
Very.
There are all kinds of modes of transport available.
You could rent a bicycle, a motorbike, or a car.
You could also hire a car with a driver, which, though it is a relative thing to say, is not that expensive an option.
Hitching rides is also an option that has become more formalized with the advent of mobile applications that allow you to book an on-demand motorcycle ride.
Preparing for your yoga retreat
How to physically prepare for a yoga retreat in Bali?
Depending on the intensity of your yoga retreat, you might need to prepare yourself physically.
Most yoga retreats cater to practitioners at all levels but if you are a beginner, creating for yourself a disciplined practice for at least a few weeks before you leave will help you feel more confident in your body when you get there.
Yoga retreats usually have meditation sessions so you could be spending much more time sitting on the floor.
If you are not used to that, try some yoga poses that help with opening the hips.
Food is another area to be mindful of.
If your yoga retreat only provides vegetarian food and that is something you are not used to, it might help to make some of your meals vegetarian before arriving.
However, there are yoga retreats in Bali that have seafood options. Check with them if it matters to you.
Almost always, smoking is not allowed within the premises of yoga retreats.
How to mentally prepare for a yoga retreat in Bali?
Depending on where you would be traveling from, Bali could be a long way from home.
Make a checklist of everything you need to do well before you leave so you can avoid any last-minute rush.
Taking care of important chores before you leave will give you much-needed peace of mind.
Assign roles to friends and family if there are any situations that could come up while you are away.
And leave with them the contact details of your yoga retreat, just in case you are needed but are in class.
How to spiritually prepare for a yoga retreat in Bali?
It helps to set an intention.
What is your PURPOSE of doing a yoga retreat?
Whatever it is, staying close to it and keeping it with you will help create the experience you are seeking.
A yoga retreat is a great way to go deeper into your yoga practice, restore depleted amounts of energy, and move closer to your true, unique self.
The more you stay aware of the potential of what you can gain from this time, the more you will advance in your yogic journey.
In conclusion
The fact that Bali is truly spectacular only adds to the joy of being on a yoga retreat.
Bali can easily boast of hosting some of the world’s best yoga teachers and the depth and width of yoga that one can find on such a small island is incredible.
We hope we have lived up to our promise of providing you with all the answers but if there is anything that remains, please ask.
Let us know if there are any other curiosities about how to prepare for a yoga retreat in Bali in the comments section below.
Bon voyage!
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