Balian Beach, located in west Bali, 90 minutes drive north of Seminyak. Balian Beach: Pondok Pitaya Surfer Retreat Center is located on the edge of a natural volcanic black sand beach and beautiful cliff crafted by nature itself. The beach is perfect for long walks and has all year round waves for surfing. It is about 90 minutes from the popular Canggu beach.
Bali, known as the Heart Chakra of the world, is a magical place that everyone should experience at least once in a lifetime. Pondok Pitaya’s Bungalows are a different type of Indonesian traditional wooden bungalows built of teak woods and boat woods, facing the surf break, swimming pool, conveniently located literally meters from the beach.
Each bungalow is unique in its own way, there is no room that has the same design, fitted with queen size bed, ceiling fan, hot shower, and a safe box for guest valuables. In-room fridge is available on the bigger size bungalow. Laundry is available at a great price through the center. Wifi is available onsite during meals.
All rooms have been reconstructed from indigenous houses imported from Java, dating back to the 1930’s. Rooms include twin share Surfer Suites and large houses that can sleep up to 8 people. One of the best place in Balian Beach for Surfing and Yoga.
** Please put your flight information on the logistics sheet.
We will arrange a Direct Shuttle for you from the airport or anywhere else you are staying. Please indicate exact flight or pickup hotel information in the logistics sheet.
You can pay your shuttle directly to Pondok Pitaya upon arrival.
Make your flight arrangement: Plan to arrive into Denpasar International airport at the latest the morning of the training start date. The retreat center is roughly a 90 min-2 hour beautiful drive. We recommend arriving to the island at least one day before the training in order to acclimate to the island and time changes.
If you would like to arrive early to the retreat center, please let us know and we can arrange extra nights at a set rate. This rate will include breakfast and you can purchase any extra meals directly at Pondok. If you would like us to arrange your transport, be sure to put all of your details into the Logistics Sheet.
When we have student arrivals at the same time, we encourage (environmentally and financially) to share a taxi. We will send flight confirmation and details on how to meet Pondok Pitaya’s drivers the week before your arrival. They will have red and white Pondok shirts and hats on and are willing to stop along the drive to get you anything that you need. If you have any questions or a last minute flight or pickup time change, be sure to send an email to reservation@pondokpitaya.com so that Pondok Pitaya can u pdate the driver.
** Please put your dietary restrictions on the logistics sheet.
Please let us know of any allergies or dietary restrictions. All meals are healthy and prepared by our lovely cook who knows how to make your taste buds smile. 3 Daily vegetarian Balinese/Indonesian healthy meals (breakfast including detox drink, lunch, and dinner) served as a buffet.
Do not drink the water in Bali. Only drink purified water. During the day there will be purified water available in the yoga shala and at night near your River house accommodations.
When traveling outside of your home country it is a good idea to take the extra steps to protect your immune system. If you have never traveled outside of your country, this may make you more susceptible to getting tummy sickness because your body will be exposed to unfamiliar bacteria! Even though our retreat centers have filtered water, we recommend bringing a water filter or water purification tablets. Here are the products we recommend:
The local currency is IDR (Indonesian Rupiah) You can check the most current exchange rate directly on google.
In order to get a visa, your passport needs to be valid for six months after entering Indonesia. Visa requirements are different for various countries. Please search the internet for the closest Indonesian consulate for the visa requirements for your country of origin. Many countries enjoy free visa entry into Indonesia. This will give you a 30 day stay upon arrival, called a VOA.
If you wish to stay longer, you can purchase a tourist visa upon entering Bali at the airport. The cost is US$ 35.00 in cash. Presently it is possible to extend your visa for an additional 30 days but you must get the extension upon arriving at DPS and by paying the $35 upon entry. If you have this extension visa, you must apply for the extended visa 15 days into your trip (the process can take 10-15 days). The cost is 900,000 RUP. If you do not get this 2nd visa extension option, you must leave within 30 days. If you overstay, the cost is currently 300,000 per day overstay ($22). There is a rumor that this may increase and we don’t recommend staying over 30 days without the planned extension. You can always fly out of Indonesia and fly back into Bali as well.
Here are the 2 required texts you can purchase at your local bookstore or online. Please note that the Manual is INCLUDED in the tuition, and will be there when you arrive. PLEASE NOTE these books are only required for the Mystical 200hr YTT.
Purchase one of the following Yoga Sutras books. The choice is yours!
If your course is not a 200hr YTT we’ll send you the recommended books in your logistics email!
The Manual is included in the price of tuition and we will have it for you at the start of the course.
Optionally, a neti pot and a tongue scraper are suggested to be used throughout the course, you can purchase these on your own at any health food store. Please also bring any creative tools that enable you to express your gifts such as musical instruments, painting/drawing materials, etc. For the Mystical 200hr YTT only
These are simply suggestions, none of these packing list items are mandatory :-)
Our retreat centers provide mats, so it is not mandatory to bring one! However, if you would like to invest in a mat, these are some that we like!
These are simply suggestions, none of these packing list items are mandatory :-)
Any snacks/superfoods you like between meals
Use the code SYIFAM20 for 20% off!
If you don’t already have a regular practice, please take some time prior to the beginning of the training to start practicing yoga and meditation 3-5 times per week if possible. This will help your body and mind more quickly adapt to the schedule once we begin the course. You can find videos of the flows here.
Full participation is required to complete the program. Any additional hours missed will require communication with a facilitator and an action plan as to how hours can be completed. If additional facilitator time is required to work with a student to make up hours, an additional cost per hour may incur. Students must fulfill all Yoga Alliance required hours in order to graduate.
At the end of the course, you will receive your 200hr Yoga Teacher Certification. This course is approved by Yoga Alliance. As a graduate of this program you will qualify to register as a teacher with the Yoga Alliance organization if you choose to.
If you have any other questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to get in touch with us by phone or email. We are looking forward to having you here to embark on this life-changing journey to shed away layers and become your truest self.
We encourage you to begin the practice now, by reflecting on your intentions for yourself and what brought you on this journey. Together we will create a safe and sacred space within our group that will help to reveal the wisdom within and the nature of the Self. This path will ask for self -reflection, growth, and discipline. Your journey will be greatly guided by what you chose to bring to the experience. Open yourself to what is there, leave all expectations behind and enter the clear, crisp perspective and sacred landscape of Bali with an open heart.
“TELL ME, WHAT IS IT YOU PLAN TO DO WITH YOUR
ONE WILD AND PRECIOUS LIFE?”
- Mary Oliver
