From the first glimpse of Bali, you will be impressed by
all the features of this tropical island. Yet it won’t take long to discover
that it is far more than just that. The temples, yoga and meditation
retreats, diverse healing modalities are telling a true story
The close correlation of Hinduism and yoga fills Bali with a unique yoga culture that you won’t find elsewhere. Numerous yoga centers and retreats are spread all over the island. Many provide a wide range of wellness programs in addition to yoga sessions, as well as accommodation and food.
Spa is another feature of Bali. There is no lack of five-star hotel spas and high-end city spas which boast not only quality services but also ideal locations with splendid scenery. Classical Balinese treatments are surely on the menu. Furthermore, each of them creates something special of their own.
Hot tourism destinations gather in the southern part such as Kuta, Seminyak, and Jimbaran. But there are more to explore, including the national park in the west, the beautiful beaches in the north and Ubud in the center.
Ubud – Yoga and Healing
In the center highland of Bali, Ubud perches amidst verdant terraced paddies with rich natural landscape. It is known as the epicenter of energy and culture.
Ubud Traditional Art Market attracts endless flows of tourists every day who come to appreciate and purchase the creative local handmade pieces. If you arrive before 8 a.m., you will see another facet of the market. The handicraft stores for tourists haven’t yet opened but many local people are there to buy daily food materials, filling the place with a local community vibe.
There are more than 200 yoga centers in Ubud. The Yoga Barn, one of the top ones, offers such a diversity of healing sessions that is beyond one’s expectations. There are over 100 classes of yoga, meditation and dance. Additionally, there are colonic hydrotherapy, reiki, Esalen massage, ayurvedic sessions, to name just a few. Accommodations and health restaurants are available, especially supporting people participating several days’ programs or teacher training. Flower and tree-covered lanes and pavilions can be found throughout the center, offering satisfying environments for the guests to interact.
Radiantly Alive pools domestic and international experts who give yoga sessions, mindfulness practice, workshops and yogis training. It is like a big family. People from different nations and cultures come together to explore the essence of healing. Everyone feels respected and loved.
Bali Botanica Day Spa dwells in pure nature, surrounded by trees and running streams. Ayurvedic Chakra Dhara Massage is the star treatment. The high-tech experience Bodhypnosis® is another highlight. It is said to be able to lead people into a deep meditative state and work on the parasympathetic nervous system to trigger the natural healing mechanism of the body.
Seminyak – High-end Vacations and Art
Seminyak has a more luxury profile with five star resorts, spas, restaurants, and international brands. Moreover, it has good surfing conditions, and there are many creative stores and galleries. Above all, it is not as crowded as its peels such as Kuta.
During the day, the beach is quieter. You can see people strolling or horsing along the shore. Some others prefer to visit the art galleries and colorful markets. When the night draws in, the beach becomes more vibrant. The array of cafes and clubs lining the beach are always packed. The Potato Head Beach Club is worth a try.
Seminyak is also a spa destination. Prana Spa Bali aims to awaken the senses through its magnificent Moroccan style and exotic treatments. Sundari Spa addresses holistic health and blends natural essential oil themselves. TERRA meets the various needs with a wide range of spa treatment, as well as acupuncture, reiki and more. Cottage Beauty House is popular among ladies with its Pelactiv facials, microdermabrasion, and other beauty care. There aren’t many yoga centers here. But if you want to visit one, the Yoga Shala maybe the best.
Canggu – Young and Chic
Compared with Seminyak, Canggu has a more laid-back feel and is welcomed by younger people. Creativity is the label here, which can be obviously seen in the cafes, restaurants and wellness resorts.
The Alkaline restaurant at Serenity Eco Guesthouse is like a health market serving healthy and innovative dishes like Kombucha, Kefir beverages, homemade jams and vegetarian cookies. The yoga studio — Serenity Yoga offers complete yoga classes, sound therapy, meditation and more programs to both in-house and city guests.
Next to the beach, Samadi villa resort has a distinctive organic vegetarian restaurant which has been certified by Slow Food Movement. The specialties are superfood smoothie, authentic Indian dishes, ayurvedic and raw dishes.
Located in the idyllic village setting, Desa Seni is more like an art village. You can find art pieces from Indonesian artists throughout. There is a yoga center, spa, organic restaurant, the food ingredients of which are sourced from the resort’s own farm onsite, and a boutique selling art pieces.
Jimbaran – Sunset and Spa
The former fishing village has now become a hot tourist spot with a lot of high-end resorts. But you can still see native fishermen catching fish here.
Jimbaran is best known for the Jimbaran Beach, boasting one of the “top ten sunsets” in the world. Everyone who comes here won’t want to miss this splendor and neither will they miss the seafood BBQ along the beach. There are more than 10 seafood restaurants on the 4-kilometer beach. Their tables are spread along the sands in rows. Many of them have their own secret sauce, as well as beautiful table cloths and friendly service. While you are tasting the delicacies with your feet directly in the warm sands, onsite singers makes the ambience more soothing with their beautiful melodies.
There are lots of spa options in Jimbaran. The Kayumanis Spa at Kayumanis Private Villa and Spa Jimbaran is just steps away from the beach. Every treatment here inherits the authentic Balinese traditions and characters. The Bamboo Spa by L’Occitane is the brand’s second outlet in Bali. This one in Jimbaran takes a bamboo theme. You can see that from the interior and the spa menu very quickly. Don’t miss the signature Verbena Bamboo Therapy. The Healing Village Spa at the renowned Four Seasons Resort Bali at Jimbaran Bay offers a true transformation. In the beachfront garden, the Healing Village Spa leads one to explore the inner self.
The story of Bali is far more than just the above. In order to dive into the island more deeply, SpaChina has interviewed five persons who live and work in Bali, and love the place with all their hearts. They share with us more aspects of the island from an insightful perspective.
