Yoga Barn in Ubud has a colourful team of teachers, each bringing their special, unique styles to the mat. And Radiantly Alive offers new perspectives with their refreshing styles of yoga available. You may be in Ubud for just a couple of days — as long as you’re here for the yoga, get a class pack and day passes. It’s almost impossible to stop at one class!
1. GET CLASS PACKAGES AT YOGA BARN
I’d say if you’re staying for three to five days, the 10-class card at IDR900,000 is perfect. The single-class card is priced at IDR130,000 (9.7USD), which makes the 10-class card (6.70USD/class) a great value. You’d get to practise two to three times a day and have lovely breaks in between for Chai Masala and wandering the streets of Ubud. On lazier days, simply have one good Yin to slow down.
Packages available are the three-class card: IDR330,000, five-class card: IDR500,000, 10-class card: IDR900,000, 20-class card: IDR1,400,000 and 30-day unlimited: IDR2,600,000.
RECOMMENDED CLASSES AND TEACHERS
BEX’S MORNING YOGA
“Discover your deeper, hidden great capabilities by dancing on the edge.” I’ve been to three of Bex’s classes and loved every moment of it. She honours and meets everyone on their mats, she shares her personal learning experience of different cultures and how they relate to our modern-day yoga practice. We laugh and flow fluidly in classes. Unknowingly, finding ourselves in asanas we never knew we could hold, and emerging from deep meditation of contemplation and acceptance.
EMILY’S HATHA AND YIN & MEDITATION
Emily brings stories and magic to her classes, subtly guiding us towards a conscious practice. I’ve been to three of Emily’s classes and studied under her High Vibe Yoga Teacher Training for a beautiful, heart-opening month. Last week, she shared a story in her Hatha class on growing lobsters and small shells, how change is discomforting but necessary for self-growth. In her Yin & Meditation session, we blissed out and contemplated on the wonders of birth, life and death (instead of fears and desires). Her courage in sharing outwardly brings us courage to go inwards.
MURNI’S VINYASA FLOW
“Life begins at the end of an exhalation.” Murni has been with the Yoga Barn since its opening. The classes she conducts are reflections of her yoga practice — strong, disciplined and fluid all at the same time. She welcomes bold requests of students and guides with precise cues, bringing us one step closer to discovering our strength and power.
PUNNU’S MEDITATION
Once, I was fearful of the wails, cries and laughters drifting out from the doors of Punnu’s meditation class. Please, don’t be! I’ve learned that if something scares you but everyone comes out of the experience feeling renewed, speechless and more alive than ever, go for it. Every meditation session with Punnu, no matter how repeatedly you’d attend them, will be different each time, and varies across different individuals. We meditate with breath-work and chakra awareness. It’s not easy to elaborate further, you’d have to experience it yourself. Simply enter with an open mind and heart.
Other teachers/classes to note: Denise, Carlos, Greg, Tibetan bowl meditations, Ecstatic dances
2. ONE-DAY PASS TO RADIANTLY ALIVE
Radiantly Alive is opened much later than Yoga Barn but is increasingly popular for being cosy and its interesting offering of classes. As there are fewer classes per day at Radiantly Alive, I’d suggest to pick one or two types of yoga you’d like to try, and purchase a one-day pass (IDR170,000/12.60USD) for that chosen day. Get extra value and also the chance to explore other classes. In the vicinity are lovely cafes and warungs to check out in between classes too.
RECOMMENDED CLASSES AND TEACHERS
FLY HIGH YOGA
Conducted by Acacia Jade, the class is energetic, fun and quite a workout! Her wicked sense of humour and clear instructions make us first-timers feel welcome and safe — and extra adventurous to go for that crazy backflip on swinging ropes.
ROLL AND RELEASE
James Mattingley is friendly and knowledgeable. He guides us in using plastic balls to roll out the knots in our bodies. Fifteen minutes into class and everyone’s all “ohh” and “ahh”, feeling the release in our muscles and fascias. The more you think “Nope, I’m good here. I’m flexible and strong and have no time to waste in a slow stretch,” the more this class is good for you.
Also seen on yo-na.com
