Serene Yoga Retreat in Bali, Indonesia
A couple of months ago, we visited Bali while on our trip around Southeast Asia. We were searching for a lovely place to rest our bones and practice yoga with some of the most dedicated practitioners and teachers in Bali. We found it in Canggu, Bali at Serenity Eco Guesthouse.
Serenity Eco Guesthouse
Serenity Eco Guesthouse is a family-run eco center that focuses on providing quality yoga programs that are accessible to all and on operating in a way that is synergistic with it's surroundings. We were impressed by the level of thought and attention that goes into the details of being environmentally friendly throughout this space. I'll talk more about the facilities and practices at Serenity Eco Guesthouse in a future article, but for now, I want to focus on highlighting their Serene Yoga Retreats.
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Serene Yoga Retreat
The yoga retreats offered at Serenity Eco Guesthouse, called the Serene Yoga Retreat, are special for many reasons. For one, they're affordable! And you don't sacrifice any of the quality. The grounds are beautiful and the retreat leaders, Bente & Maria, are knowledgeable in their fields and specialties.
I got to sit and talk with the retreat goers who were there at the time and it was fun to hear what they had to say. They raved on about the different things they got to experience. Some of the highlights include yoga nidra, which was new to most of them, the fun surf lessons (most took extra!), the bike ride to the beach through rice fields, and the AcroYoga workshop was a big hit.
Katherine Plunkett catching a wave on the Serene Yoga Retreat in Canggu, Bali.
Suksema Surf Bali provides the surf lessons, and Bente & Maria love working with them and other local businesses to provide services for the retreats. The instructors at Suksema are extremely patient, kind and knowledgable (and most importantly, safe!). Most of the yogis on this retreat had never tried surfing and are now hooked! The only downfall is most don't have surfing where they live... I guess they'll have to come back to Serenity!
#Serene #Yoga Retreat in #Canggu Bali at @serenitybali I had an amazing time! https://t.co/7UmLYzxIGY #indonesia #travel #vegan #surf #eco
— Rima Danielle Jomaa (@rima_danielle) July 26, 2016
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The group of yogis that participated in the Serene Yoga Retreat were from Germany, Holland, Japan, England, Canada & Singapore! When talking to them on the last day of the retreat, it seemed to me like they had known one another for years, but most of them met on this trip (a few came together in pairs).
Their first impressions upon arriving at Serenity Eco Guesthouse were:
- "There's an excellent vibe... welcoming, friendly, chill. Everything I was looking for in a retreat center!"
- "Relaxed from the second you step in."
- "I love the sounds of nature all around and the smiles from everyone here."
- "I love that Serenity is forward-thinking with eco-practices. They practice what the preach and it fits in with the yogic philosophies that we come to learn more about."
- The level of yoga classes and the quality of the programs are in line with what I needed! I've been practicing yoga for a long time now and I was afraid of not being challenged."
While all of the yogis on this retreat had some kind of yoga experience, the yoga practiced on the Serene Yoga Retreat caters to all levels of practitioners.
Gorgeous yogis of the Serene Yoga Retreat on Nyeppi Day in Bali.
Considering a Yoga Retreat in Bali?
If you've ever wanted to go to Bali for a yoga retreat, I encourage you to consider the Serene Yoga Retreat in Canggu. For only $450 (double) or $550 (single), you get all of THIS:
The retreat yogis loved the AcroYoga workshop!
- Comfortable Accommodation
- Healthy vegetarian breakfast and dinner
- 2 Daily Yoga Classes
- 1 Surf Lesson
- 1 Balinese Massage
- Acroyoga Workshop
- Yoga Movie Night
- Airport transfers
- Free Wifi
I honestly don't even know how they make a profit!
Yoga
The yoga you'll practice on the retreat is Vinyasa Flow in the morning. In the afternoon, sessions are "serene, deep and delicious" ranging from Yin to Restorative. Yum!
In addition, you get to partake in the craze that is AcroYoga.
AcroYoga is a physical practice combining the wisdom of yoga, the dynamic power of acrobatics, and the loving kindness of healing arts. AcroYoga builds strength and flexibility but most importantly trust and teamwork. And it is also just a lot of fun and play!
Food
And did I mention that the food is ridiculously amazing? Vegan food for days, and don't get me started on their vegan Tiramisu (which I had every night).
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Upcoming Retreats
Ganesh at Serenity Eco Guesthouse.
- 30 July - 5 August 2016
- 5 - 11 September 2016
- 29 October - 4 November 2016
- 5 - 11 December 201
- 22 - 28 May 2017
- 12 - 18 June 2017
- 3 - 9 July 2017
- 24 - 30 July 2017
- 14 - 20 August 2017
- 4 - 10 September 201
Retreat Leaders
You'll get to hang out with Bente & Maria, both registered yoga alliance teachers. Check them out on Instagram: Bente @guyogini & Maria @frischyoga.
Get More Details
Get in touch with Serenity Yoga Retreat by e-mailing sereneyogaretreat@gmail.com (tell them Rima sent ya!) and join Serenity Eco Guesthouse on Instagram: @serenitybali.
Retreat photos courtesy of Isabel (@lovewesay).
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Thanks for reading! The new life that Pete and I have embarked upon has taken a considerable amount of time and energy in these last few months (hence the silence from me!). I promise to devote more time to the blog, to catch up on the Asia travel posts, and to start telling some amazing stories from our time here in Costa Rica, managing at yoga retreat center!
xoxo,
Rima