Yoga Retreat In Bali Or Rishikesh?

Bali is a holiday heaven - lovely people, beaches, mountains, lush greenery, beautiful hotels, wonderful variety of food and a tropical climate. Yoga in Bali has gained popularity over the years, with several well-known yoga studios in various parts of the island like in Ubud, Seminyak and in almost every resort.

Rishikesh is, on the other hand, a famous international yoga city and deservedly so. There are yoga teacher training and classes in almost every corner of Rishikesh, all with well trained teachers who are qualified to teach more than yoga.  It can't get better than being totally immersed in India where the source of yoga originated, particularly in a holy city like Rishikesh. If learning yoga from excellent teachers, learning about vedic philosophy (like in ashrams), experiencing ayurveda and attending satsangs are what you are after, then Rishikesh is all about this. So the choice for a serious yogi is clear, Rishikesh is definitely the place to deepen your knowledge and practice.

So why do people still head to Bali for yoga? Bali is an island that is very well developed for the western tourists who want to have it easy. Standards of living are much higher and the living environment makes one feel much more comfortable. But don't expect more than yoga classes in Bali as most are drop-in studios which focus only on the physical aspects of yoga. If practising is all you want, Bali is a more comfortable and 'westernised' option.

Rishikesh is an Indian city, and like in any other place in India, things can get a little chaotic. The living environment is less comfortable or clean so you will feel more like on a budget holiday rather than a luxury retreat. Sure, there are better hotels but most are in the budget/mid-class range and once you are out of your hotel, it's the same chaos! People who do come to Rishikesh have a different mindset - to learn and to experience more than to be pampered.

For a serious yogi, Rishikesh is the obvious choice. If you don't want to sacrifice your western comforts, then Bali might be better. But why lose the chance to learn more about yoga if you are serious?

Check out here to know more about yoga and meditation classes in Rishikesh.