Remote surfing village opens first yoga center in West Bali

The combination of yoga and surfing is a growing worldwide trend. Surfers across the globe in almost every coastal town are starting to do yoga.

Balian, a small village in the western province of Bali, Indonesia , has been an attraction among surfers for many years. 75% of Balian's visitors are surfers and 25% are tourists exploring Bali.
Seeing that a venue was missing where surfers and tourists could do yoga in Balian, Shankari from Shankari's Bali Retreat decided to open the first and only yoga studio in the area, the 'Balian Yoga Center.'
Situated on a lush and tropical resort with 14 bungalows, and three swimming pools, the surrounds of the Balian Yoga Center have an unforgettable spiritual ambiance.

Big surfing names of today such as Slater, Curren and Lopez all believe that yoga contributes to their flexibility, strength and stamina on the waves. Some surfers say a session of yoga feels similar as to having a couple of hours in the waves. Yoga and surfing share the same timelessness. They both strengthen and cleanse the human energy system. Each tones the body and relaxes the mind.

Warm ups before hitting the waves these days is not just a few push ups and hand to toes stretches. Most surfers will now do 'salutes to the sun' (a famous sequence of yoga postures) before getting into the ocean.
'I can never go into the water without doing a sun salutation first. I won't have a good surf if I don't it' says Piedro from Brazil, a visiting surfer to Balian. Yoga videos for surfers, yoga books for surfers are all part of the increasing awareness that these two strangely juxtaposed fitness activities work hand in hand.

Besides the good surfing waves, sunbathing on the beautiful palm fringed black sand beaches, and walking around the magnificent countryside, the daily yoga classes have now become an added attraction to the Balian list of 'things to do'. In between swell time, the surfers can come and iron out their tired limbs. Yoga is also a great way for non surfing partners to have a bit of social activity in the area as well.


The classes are given by Western certified teachers assuring a safe and professional yoga experience.
"We have a true cross section of people coming to classes" says Nirmala Mayi from Australia, who teaches at the retreat, "but mainly surfers and their mates or girlfriends. Surfers really appreciate a good stretch after a long session in the waves."
Nirmala explains how yoga makes the body more flexible and supple. It calms the mind and balances the nervous system and improves overall circulation.


The Balian Yoga Center brings to your surfing holiday a great mix of the benefits of both yoga and surfing.
If you ever travel to Balian, take advantage of what's on offer at the Balian Yoga Centre. A definite must if you go to the area to surf! And what's more, it might improve your 'barrel ability!'