Yoga teacher trainings in bali (That actually changed me)

I used to think doing a yoga teacher training in Bali would feel like… floating. Like I’d just levitate into spiritual wisdom, drink a coconut, maybe cry a little under a waterfall, and voilà — instant enlightenment.

Yeah. Not quite.

Instead, I sweated through sunrises, overthought every pose, got mosquito bites in weird places, and discovered more about myself than I’d planned. Still, it was so worth it. Over time, I explored a few different teacher trainings (and stalked way too many comparison charts), so here’s my very human review of the Yoga teacher trainings in Bali I experienced or nearly joined.

Zuna yoga ubud — the one that broke me open (In a good way)

Zuna Yoga wasn’t even on my radar at first. Someone at a café in Ubud told me about it while I was nursing a turmeric latte and pretending to journal something profound. “It’s deep,” she said. “Not just asana—like life deep.” And okay, she was right.

From day one, it hit different. The shala felt sacred—high ceilings, jungle views, incense wafting in the breeze. But this wasn’t some floaty retreat. The days were long. The philosophy classes, intense. I remember sitting cross-legged at 6:30 a.m. thinking, why am I here again?

But then something shifted.

We weren’t just learning poses—we were learning how to live them. Energy work, breath, meditation. It was structured but not rigid, and the teachers had this grounded, kind of mystical vibe that made me actually want to pay attention (which says a lot).

The hardest part? Realizing how much of my mind was on autopilot.
The best part? The community. We cried together. Laughed awkwardly through chanting. Shared dragonfruit from the market like it was gold.

Would I recommend it? Yes—if you’re craving more than just a 200-hour cert. This one’s for the thinkers, the feelers, and the “okay-but-what-does-it-mean?” types.

Yogarenew — the one I did in my pajamas (Not even kidding)

So, full confession… I signed up for YogaRenew after a minor breakdown at 11:47 p.m. one night. You know that feeling when you’re overwhelmed but also weirdly determined to do something meaningful with your life? That was me. I wanted flexibility (in schedule, not just hamstrings), and YogaRenew had that “start anytime, go at your own pace” vibe.

No Bali shala. No jungle bugs. Just me, my mat, and a laptop.

And honestly? I loved it more than I expected.

It was surprisingly comprehensive for an online training. The anatomy modules were actually engaging (and not soul-destroyingly boring), and the instructors had this chill but super clear way of explaining even the weirdest Sanskrit names. I could pause and replay whenever I zoned out, which—let’s be honest—happened more than once.

But yeah, I missed the sweaty group energy and someone correcting my Warrior II in person. Still, for something online and affordable, YogaRenew made me feel like I wasn’t totally doing it alone. The community group helped, even if I was too shy to post at first.

Would I recommend it?
Yes — especially if you’re juggling work, kids, or, like me, a rotating list of existential crises. It’s budget-friendly and solid. Just be prepared to hold yourself accountable… and maybe change out of pajamas. (Or not. No judgment.)

Ubuntu yoga — the one that felt like coming home

Ubuntu wasn’t just a yoga school. It felt like someone opened their arms and said, “You’re safe here. Take a breath.” I know that sounds a bit cheesy, but it’s true. There was something deeply human about the way they ran things. Not overly polished, not trying to impress—just sincere, grounded, and heart-forward.

The space? Cozy, lush, unpretentious. You’d hear birds during savasana. And the people—wow. Diverse, open, kind of scrappy in the best way. We weren’t all yoga Barbie clones with perfect splits. We were students, parents, wanderers, skeptics. And we somehow clicked.

The teachers encouraged real conversations. About trauma. About identity. About why we were even there. I remember one day, after a particularly emotional heart-opener class, someone just started crying. And no one flinched. We just sat in it together. That kind of space? Rare.

Ubuntu’s style was slower, more introspective. Lots of somatic work, nervous system awareness, and self-inquiry. It wasn’t about nailing the pose — it was about feeling the truth of it.

Would I recommend Ubuntu?
100%. Especially for people healing from burnout, or anyone who feels like yoga is too intimidating. Ubuntu reminded me that it’s okay to show up messy, unsure, and still be worthy of growth.

Ubud yoga house — the hidden gem (With the view that healed me)

Ubud Yoga House is one of those places you almost miss if you’re not paying attention. Tucked away in the rice fields, getting there felt like a little pilgrimage. I had to cross a narrow path with ducks waddling past and locals smiling like they knew I was about to have my mind blown.

And then—bam—the view. Green, endless, and quiet in a way that made your nervous system whisper, thank you.

Their YTT was more intimate, less “mass production,” which I honestly needed after feeling overwhelmed by bigger schools. Classes felt personal. Like they actually saw me. I wasn’t just Student #17. I was me. And they met me where I was — stiff hips, wandering mind, all of it.

There was one afternoon, I swear, when we were doing a Yin practice with the sun dipping low over the rice fields and the teacher just softly said, “You’re allowed to rest.”
And I cried. Like, fully lost it. No one judged. No one tried to fix it.

Would I recommend it?
If you want heart-centered teaching, epic nature, and a slower pace to really be with yourself — yes. It’s not the most “famous” school, but it might just be the one that changes you when you’re not even trying.

Siddhi yoga — the solid, no-fluff foundation

Siddhi Yoga was the one I almost skipped. The website looked a bit too structured at first — like, “Here’s your day, now go be enlightened between 10:00 and 10:45.” But I’m glad I gave it a chance. Because structure? Turned out to be exactly what I needed.

This one was all about foundations. Clear teaching methodology, detailed anatomy (that actually stuck in my brain), and a daily rhythm that made me feel like I was truly becoming a teacher—not just someone who can hold a plank and quote Rumi.

The instructors had this grounded, kind energy. Not overly spiritual, not too clinical—just real. And the Indian philosophy modules? They hit. There were a few times I had to close my notebook and just feel the teachings.

Oh, and bonus: the food. I wasn’t expecting it to be that good. But every mealtime felt like a reset—nourishing, simple, Ayurvedic-ish without being too restrictive.

If I’m honest, Siddhi Yoga didn’t feel like a big emotional “breakthrough” the way Ubuntu or Ubud Yoga House did. But it gave me something arguably more important: confidence. By the end, I could lead a class with clarity and heart.

Would I recommend it?
Yes—especially for those who like structure and want a strong, balanced foundation. If you’re the kind of person who thrives with a syllabus and still wants heart woven in, this is your place.

Jessica yoga ithaca — the unexpected soul connection (Yes, even in bali)

Okay, hear me out—Jessica Yoga Ithaca isn’t based in Bali originally, but when I found out she was offering a special YTT immersion in Bali, something in me said yes before my brain caught up. And wow. Talk about alignment.

Jessica’s approach is like a warm hug wrapped in deep knowledge. She’s got this calm, intuitive presence—like someone who’s lived a thousand yoga lives and still remembers your name on day one.

The training itself felt less like school and more like mentorship. We weren’t just learning sequences—we were talking about lineage, intuition, even how to hold space for someone falling apart mid-class. There were long conversations over tea, spontaneous chanting under moonlight (yes, that happened), and teachings that felt felt, not just taught.

And, ugh, the location she picked? Think bamboo shala, tropical flowers, and a breeze that somehow knew when I was about to overthink again. One afternoon we did a heart-opener class that left me buzzing for hours. Not in a weird way—in a wow, my chest actually feels open and I don’t want to close it again way.

Would I recommend it?
Yes, especially if you’re someone who values personal connection and intuitive teaching. Jessica holds space like no one else. Her YTT was less about poses and more about remembering yourself.

My vinyasa practice — the one that fit into my real life (Even when life was a mess)

So, here’s the thing—My Vinyasa Practice came into my life when I was juggling too much and dropping all of it. I wanted to keep growing in my yoga, but the idea of flying to Bali again or spending thousands just wasn’t realistic. MVP offered an affordable, flexible, online YTT that didn’t feel like a sad substitute.

I was skeptical. Online again? But this one surprised me.

First off, Michelle, the founder, brings so much heart and clarity. There’s a real sense of inclusivity and trauma-informed care woven into the teachings. You’re not just memorizing cue scripts—you’re learning how to hold people’s emotional realities, including your own.

The coursework was rich but doable. I’d squeeze in modules between messy workdays and emotional laundry piles (you know the kind). Some days, I lit a candle and created a sacred space. Other days? I did pranayama in bed, hair in a bun, surviving on oat milk lattes. Both were valid. And no one made me feel bad about it.

The standout?
The community support. The Zoom calls. The feedback. It felt… personal. Even from thousands of miles away, I wasn’t alone. And that mattered more than I realized.

Would I recommend it?
Absolutely. MVP is for the modern yogi—busy, tender-hearted, maybe a little scattered, but deeply committed. If you want depth, flexibility, and a program that meets you where you are (even in sweatpants), this is it.

Oytt_aasha — the one that went deeper than I expected

I’ll admit it—I almost skipped OYTT_Aasha because I couldn’t quite figure out what it stood for (Online Yoga Teacher Training… something? Aasha = hope? Still not sure). But I’m glad I gave it a second look, because this one snuck up on me. Quietly, humbly, and powerfully.

The vibe was feminine, nurturing, and kind of devotional without being dogmatic. A lot of the focus was on inner awareness—less about teaching the perfect triangle pose, more about what’s happening in your body and mind while you’re in it.

It felt like a slow unfolding.

There was one practice that involved journaling between asana flows. At first, I resisted (like, I’m here to move, not write about my inner child, thanks), but something cracked open. I wrote stuff I hadn’t admitted out loud in years. That day stayed with me.

The teaching team? Soft-spoken but wise. You know those people who talk and you just want to sit closer, not even for the words, but the energy? That. They blended yoga philosophy, subtle body work, and embodiment practices in a way that felt… sacred.

Would I recommend it?
Yes, especially to people healing from trauma or burnout. This is a training for those who want to teach (or just live) from the inside out. Not the flashiest, not the most technical—but deeply, soulfully real.

Power yoga with Bryan kest — the one that kicked my ego’s butt

Okay so, full transparency: I didn’t plan on doing Bryan Kest’s Power Yoga training. I stumbled into it after watching one of his old-school YouTube videos and thinking, “Who is this guy with the surfer vibe and no-BS attitude?” A few weeks later, I found myself in his intensive—and whoa, it was intense.

Not in the bootcamp-y, drill-sergeant kind of way. More like, you think you know yoga? Let’s peel back the layers kind of intensity.

The sessions were physical—sweaty, humbling, sometimes annoying. I remember holding Warrior II for what felt like 97 minutes while Bryan casually reminded us, “Your body isn’t the problem—your mind is.” (Cue internal tantrum.) But honestly? He was right. I caught myself pushing to prove something, and that realization alone was worth the sore thighs.

What stood out most was how real he was. No sugarcoating. No fluff. Just direct, embodied, gritty wisdom. He talked about food, addiction, judgment, humility—all while guiding us through sequences that looked simple but left my muscles shaking and my mind kind of… still.

Would I recommend it?
Yes, if you’re ready to strip away the spiritual performance and get raw with yourself. This isn’t a training for the faint-hearted, but if you can drop the ego (or let it get lovingly punched in the face), it’s transformative.

Guru singh’s kundalini yoga — the one that blew my mind (And my Aura)

So… how do I even begin to describe this one?

Guru Singh’s Kundalini Yoga teacher training wasn’t just a course—it felt like I stepped into another dimension. I’m serious. The first day, we chanted for 31 minutes straight, and I questioned all my life choices. By the second week, I was crying during breathwork and telling strangers I could feel colors.

If that sounds dramatic—it kind of was. But also kind of amazing?

Guru Singh is this radiant, otherworldly presence with a booming voice, rockstar hair, and a heart that somehow holds the whole room. His teachings blend ancient wisdom, cosmic humor, and real-deal discipline. One minute he’s talking about aura expansion, the next he’s reminding you to floss your spiritual hygiene like your life depends on it. (Because apparently, it does.)

The practices? Whoa. Long kriyas, intense breathwork, chanting that cracked something open in my chest. I swear, at one point I felt like my spine was glowing. I don’t even know how to explain it without sounding like I joined a cult—but I didn’t. I promise. Just… wow.

Would I recommend it?
Yes—but with a cosmic asterisk. This isn’t your “flow through sun salutations and sip a smoothie” kind of yoga. It’s for the seekers. The energy junkies. The ones who want to wake up at 4 a.m., shake off the ego, and meet their higher self under a blanket of stars.

So… Which One’s “The Best”?

Honestly? I can’t tell you which yoga teacher training in Bali is the best. Because the truth is—they all gave me something different, and maybe that’s kind of the point.

• Zuna Yoga cracked me open and showed me how deep the path really goes.
• YogaRenew reminded me that transformation can happen in pajamas.
• Ubuntu wrapped me in emotional honesty and nervous system safety.
• Ubud Yoga House offered beauty, quiet, and space to feel.
• Siddhi Yoga built my confidence from the ground up, with real tools.
• Jessica Yoga Ithaca was soul mentorship wrapped in tropical moonlight.
• My Vinyasa Practice fit into my chaos and still felt sacred.
• OYTT_Aasha pulled me inward, gently but powerfully.
• Power Yoga / Bryan Kest humbled my ego and strengthened my presence.
• Guru Singh’s Kundalini Yoga cracked open my third eye (or something close to it).

Would I do it all again? Probably, yeah. But maybe with better bug spray and fewer expectations.

If you’re thinking about doing a YTT in Bali—or from Bali, or even from your bedroom—just know this: you don’t have to be perfect, flexible, or “ready.” You just have to be willing.

And maybe bring snacks. And tissues. And that one outfit that makes you feel like your highest self.

Because this path? It’s wild. It’s weird. It’s wonderful.

And it’s yours.