We've recently created a yoga circuit in Bali. Reconnect in an idyllic setting and experience authentic Bali.

Your guide: a yoga instructor in Bali

I'm Sophia, a yoga instructor based in Paris. I teach in Parisian studios, in corporate settings, through private coaching, and also in the education sector.

I'm a passionate traveler and lover of wide open spaces. For me, backpacking is second nature. I've been traveling since I was 18; every professional opportunity, internship, or job was another chance to explore the world. At 23, I began leading eco-responsible itinerant retreats abroad for teenagers aged 15 to 17, with the goal of instilling values of respect and international solidarity.

Discovering the world has transformed my vision of life. Travel has given me so much: profound richness and wisdom. Among the most meaningful experiences, I taught English to young orphaned Buddhist monks in Cambodia during a volunteer placement, and shared a meal with a shepherd in the Himalayas at the source of the Ganges.

I believe travel is essential to our self-reflection. It allows us to discover who we are, to learn about our planet, to experience extraordinary moments, and to make magical connections that transform us profoundly.

My second great love is yoga. The practice of yoga and meditation invites us to become aware of our body, to master our mind, to calm our thoughts, and to better understand what we feel, what we truly desire, and what meaning we wish to give to our life. Beyond its powerful health benefits, yoga and meditation invite us to transform ourselves so we can better transform the world, to become better, more altruistic, and more engaged beings.

After beginning a career in the fashion and luxury world, I left everything behind to dedicate myself to teaching yoga. Yoga allowed me to overcome difficult challenges, to bounce back, to find serenity, a beautiful life energy, and great joy in living. I couldn't keep this treasure to myself, so I decided to share it. This retreat is an opportunity to bring together these two passions that deeply nourish me. If it works for me, why not for you?

Your yoga retreat in Bali

I created this retreat in collaboration with Azimuth Adventure Travel to give travelers the opportunity to escape their intense, demanding daily lives and fully recharge. To go far away, break from the usual rhythm, take care of yourself, and reconnect with your inner self.

This retreat is not a traditional yoga retreat. This itinerant format is unique. Far from touristy Bali, we've designed it to allow participants to recharge their body and spirit on sacred ground, through the different energies of fire, air, earth, and water, embodied in the abundance of Balinese nature, the Balinese people, and their culture. Having spent several months in Bali, I'll guide you to my favorite places and the island's hidden gems.

This circuit allows you to travel off the beaten path and discover the island's many facets, moving through landscapes and atmospheres that are very different from one another.

Your Bali circuit

We'll begin our journey in Amed, a peaceful fishing village with endless sunsets. Upon arrival, we'll meet the village children and experience Balinese dance for a complete immersion. With my knowledge of Balinese traditions, I'll help you feel at ease in this new environment.

We'll then head inland to discover the idyllic Sidemen Valley and take time to recharge in this paradise that is home to Bali's most beautiful rice terraces.

Next, we'll head to Ubud, a haven of wellness and spa treatments, surrounded by its lush jungle. I'll take you to the internationally renowned school where I trained in vinyasa yoga. We'll be welcomed by my spiritual family and the directors of Radiantly Alive studio, Jasmine and Rafael. We'll practice different types of yoga together: why not try a handstand class or aerial yoga for the more adventurous?

We'll then ascend to discover the mystical village of Munduk, nestled in the heart of the island's mountains. We'll finish our adventure in Canggu, surrounded by waves and surfers, to fully recharge through our connection with the ocean.

Our yogic routine

During this journey, I'll share with you my lifestyle and my yogic routine inspired by Ayurveda, an Indian medicine that helps maintain the body and mind in excellent health. This is an opportunity to discover and test a new way of living that listens to your body and its needs, and perhaps to establish new healthy habits in your daily life.

The daily practice of yoga and meditation, whether you're a beginner, intermediate, or advanced practitioner, allows you to detoxify your body, tone it, gain flexibility and mobility, and boost your immune system. Practice relieves physical and emotional tensions, promotes deep relaxation, and restores harmony and inner peace. Bali is a land rich in positive energy: the island is considered by many yogis to be an energetic vortex.

We'll explore different practices throughout the retreat:

• Hatha yoga: an ancestral and classical practice where poses are held for extended periods.
• Vinyasa yoga: more modern and highly dynamic, it's based on flowing sequences of poses centered on the coordination of movement and breath.
• Yin yoga: a meditative practice inspired by Chinese medicine and meridians, where poses are held longer to work deeply with fascia and release tensions held in these tissues.

This retreat is open to everyone. I teach daily to diverse groups and specialize in accessible yoga. I adapt the practice to each body so it's as respectful as possible.

The solidarity aspect of the retreat

One of the things that struck me most during my first visit to Bali was the warmth of the Balinese people, the generosity with which they share their island, their culture, and their gods, with open hearts. Bali welcomes an average of 8 million tourists per year for 3 million residents, and yet foreigners are welcomed with joy and love. Every encounter, every smile is unique and genuine.

Through this retreat, I hope we can express our gratitude to the Balinese people by showing our support as responsible travelers.

One day of solidarity will be dedicated to collaborating with the Anak Bali association, which works to improve the education and health conditions of Balinese children. It will be a unique moment of sharing around yoga and environmental protection.

This retreat is an invitation to live a waking dream in Bali, nicknamed the island of the gods, where an exceptionally divine energy reigns. It's an opportunity to discover or deepen your yoga practice, to create space within yourself. Listen to your heart and let yourself be guided.