Bali Yoga and Meditation in Indonesia, Ubud

• Practise and learn from experts, the healing techniques of Yoga and Meditation
• Learn to focus your mind, thoughts and delving into your soul
• Gain a better understanding of your purpose in life
• Journey to the wondrous destination of Bali, Ubud
• Enhance mental clarity and boost the functioning of the immune system
• Learn meditation and infuse a sense of balance
• Bestow peace of mind and a positive, peaceful outlook on life

You will be settled in and orientated during the first few days of this trip. However, we do offer a more comprehensive cultural immersion week which many people do as it’s a great way of meeting others, learning local customs and seeing a few sights. If you like the sound of this, then search our ‘Related trips‘ and add it on for your first week.

Program Description
During this week, practice and learn from our experts, the healing techniques of Yoga and Meditation to have a healthy body and sound mind. Meditation is the art of focusing your mind, restraining your thoughts and looking deep into yourself. Practicing it can give you a better understanding of your purpose in life and of the divine, as well as provide you with certain physical and mental health benefits. Whatever your experience at yoga and meditation, Ubud has so much to offer, from learning some basic yoga and Bali meditation to relaxing your body and mind.

And body to courses for more experienced practitioners. Whilst you can sandwich in a session or two into one of our programs and if that is all that time permits, then fine, but ideally, if you can, please experience one of our Yoga and Meditation weeks, you will be pleased that you did. Many people travel the world to be in Bali as they believe it is a unique place for reflection and contemplation and we fully agree with them. In fact, they take this a step further and say Ubud is a sanctuary within Bali, an idyllic environment in which you can experience true tranquility. You have probably traveled halfway around the world to be here, a journey taken to help others through one of our many projects and we would encourage you not to lose this opportunity to rejuvenate yourself.

If you have the time to take this extra Yoga and Meditation week, do it, what you learn in the week you may take away from Bali and practice for the rest of your days.

The physical and mental benefits received from this program are enormous if practiced in daily life. In general, the practice of yoga, meditation, and Spa will help bring down stress, relieve physical ailments, boost physical strength, stamina and flexibility, boost impulse control and bestow great skill in concentration and self-control. They also enhance mental clarity and boost the functioning of the immune system while improving overall blood circulation and results in healthy glowing skin and in making you feel younger. Meditation itself will help infuse a sense of balance and help bestow peace of mind and a more positive and peaceful outlook on life.

CRB/DBS (Criminal Records Bureau) Check
It is required that participants complete a CRB/DBS (Criminal Records Bureau) check in order to take part in this project. We can provide this service for you at an additional cost because some people may already have one that is valid (please get in touch for more details).

Start dates are every week of the year with your activities starting on a Monday. We therefore request you arrive anytime on the Sunday before to receive a free airport pick-up and transfer. Early or late arrivals will incur an additional charge for the transfer and extra night including food, so arriving on the Sunday will be your better option.

Your trip will finish on the Saturday morning when you will need to vacate the accommodation.

Aims & Objectives
The yoga principle stretches further than just physical exercises. It teaches different paths of yoga, postures, breathing techniques and meditation to liberate yourself from stress, anxiety, and physical ailments.

Schedule

Monday

On Monday, you will wake up early to practice yoga and meditation while getting an introduction to these two concepts. After the introduction, you will get a short break to eat some fresh fruits and drink tea. Then you will have breakfast and relax a little until lunch time. After lunch and some free time to chill, you will start afternoon yoga and meditation sessions. In the evening, you will once again get a break and enjoy some fresh fruits with tea.

Tuesday to Friday

From Tuesday to Friday, you will follow the same routine through which you can get more training in yoga and meditation. You will start the morning with a yoga and meditation session. After the morning session, you will get a break to enjoy some fresh fruits and tea. After breakfast, you will get some free time where you can relax further and make your body and mind ready for the afternoon yoga and meditation session. After lunch followed by some free time, you will then commence the afternoon yoga and meditation session. The session would end followed by the serving of some fresh fruits and tea. The free time is all yours to get rid of your busy lifestyle and to enjoy the tranquility you obtained from yoga and meditation.

Location

You will be accommodated in one of our houses in the village of Penestanan Kaja. Located on the outskirts of Ubud, village life is quintessentially local here and you will get a good chance to see typical Balinese life – roosters crowing and all!

Accommodation & Food

The Balinese place great importance on family and our houses are located amongst Balinese compounds, where you will get the chance to interact with local families and practice your newfound language skills. You can expect to share a room (dormitory style) on single gender basis.

Available Room Types

* Three meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner) during the week and two meals (breakfast, dinner) during weekends
** Drinking water
*** There are local laundry services around the village

Food Arrangements

Indonesian food is tasty and diverse and you can expect to experience a myriad of flavours and meals during your stay. Typical dishes included Mie Goreng (fried noodles and vegetables), Nasi Goreng (fried rice and vegetables) or Gado Gado (mixed vegetables with a satay sauce). For those who do not eat meat, Indonesian cooking uses a lot of tofu and tempeh (soybeans), some western dishes would also be available. Breakfasts are varied and include pancakes, fresh fruit, toast etc. Tea, coffee and purified water are available at the house. We do not recommend that you drink the tap water.

Facilities

Our houses are located in Penestanan village and it will take about 10-15 minutes to reach the centre of Ubud. There are some grocery shops in the village and 24 hours mini mart in Ubud centre.

Shopping

In Ubud there are good grocery stores, 24 hour stores and plentiful small, family run shops where you will be able to find everything that you need.

Restaurants and Cafes

If you want to eat out occasionally, there is a wide selection of restaurants with high standards of both international and local cuisine. There are several cafes in the village, where you can relax and hang out with other participants in your spare time.

Swimming Pools

There are two swimming pools, both located a five minute walk from our centre.

Gym

There are several gyms around Ubud area.

Mandatory Orientation Day

On the Monday of your first week at this location, you will join our orientation day, to familiarise you with the surroundings as well as local culture. Your program will continue as usual from Tuesday onward throughout the rest of the week.

Schedule

• Welcome, introduction to Indonesia, House rules, Code of Conduct and handling of documents
• Culture Lesson
• Lunch
• Project meeting and Preparation

Activities & Events

No scheduled activities outside the program.

Sights & Surroundings

Since the weekends are free, you can go wherever you please. Several popular destinations that you can reach by taxi are:

• The Gili Islands, where you will find small resorts and huts for tourists looking to get away from the bustle of Ubud. The islands are a popular destination for snorkelling and diving due to their abundant marine life.
• Nusa Lembongan, an island paradise with one of the most clear waters that you will ever see and it is also a place where you can find peace and completely relax. Surfing, diving and snorkeling are amongst the most popular activities that visitors can enjoy.
• Lovina, located between the Bedugul mountains and the sea, is popular for dolphin watching, trekking, hot springs and its gorgeous coral reefs.
• Sanur, a stretch of beach in Southeast Bali that contains villa resorts and Zen Villas. Historically, it was used as the landing site for the Dutch invasion troops during the Dutch invasion in 1906 as well as being the entry point into Bali for the Japanese during WWII.
• Kuta, a beach known of its surfing opportunities and party atmosphere.
• Uluwatu, a temple built at the edge of a 70 meter high cliff at the edge of the sea and inhabited by monkeys.

Transportation

From this location we do not provide free transport to other locations.

Accommodation

Volunteer camp with shared rooms (4-8 people per room); Basic but comfortable; Shared toilet and shower facilities; Communal areas for socialising and relaxation, Wifi in social areas.

Food

3 meals a day are provided on weekdays, and then 2 meals per day on weekends; Diverse and tasty meals are provided. Meals are of a typical Indonesian fare.

Airport Transfer

Included on arrival date. Ask us for details if you are arriving early/late. You be supported at the end of your trip in your onward travel.

Training

A full orientation and project induction takes place. You will also receive full training relevant to your volunteer role.

Support

Pre-departure help and advice; Local in-country team; 24 hour emergency support.

Donation

Part of your fee is used to buy decent equipment for the project and community you work with. If you wish to bring further donation, please make sure that this is in the form of equipment and not monetary donations.

• Flights
• Travel Insurance
• Visas
• Vaccinations
• Spending money
• In country travel
• Laundry service
• Extra activities not on itinerary
• Departure transfer

Preferred Duration

There is no preferred duration but we believe that the longer you can stay the more you will experience and benefit.

Pre-requisites

No prior experience or qualifications are required and it is important that you can speak English. All participants require a CRB/DBS check to take part in the project activities.

Ideal for

• Volunteer Holidays and Placements in Asia
• Community Work and Activity Breaks in Indonesia
• Volunteer Gap Years and Career Breaks in Indonesia
• Student Summer Holidays in Indonesia
• Cultural experience Indonesia

Suitable for ages 18 to 80

Most participants are between 18 and 25, so please be aware of this. We do welcome older people because of the value and experience they bring to the community. Participants above 65 should have medical clearance to take part in this program.