So, you’ve decided to travel to Bali to do your yoga teacher training? Great decision. Whilst you enjoy the experience of a lifetime, the last thing you want to do is concern yourself with not having the right clothing or personal items with you. Here’s a short guide for what to pack for yoga teacher training in Bali.

Clothing for yoga teacher training in Bali

Yoga Clothing and Equipment

Pack more yoga outfits than you think you will need. During yoga teacher training, you will most likely be doing at least 2 hours of asana in the morning and probably more throughout the day.

1. Bali is HOT, so even in air-conditioned rooms, you will still sweat
2. Due to the humidity, it is difficult to dry clothes easily, therefore you cannot rely on washing and drying the same clothes quickly

Therefore, pack more than you think you will need!

I packed far too little for the yoga teacher training and instantly regretted it. Having crowdsourced opinions from the girls I trained with, the below is what we agreed was the optimum number of items:

• At least 3 pairs of yoga shorts
• 2 or 3 pairs of yoga leggings
• 5 sports bras (assumes that some tops have built in bras)
• 7 yoga tops

Top Tip: If you are taking your teacher training in Ubud, you can buy a wide selection of inexpensive yoga clothing in town. However, if you’re training elsewhere, particularly on one of the islands, finding yoga equipment and active wear can be a challenge.

We had some debate in our group about the merits of wearing a sports watch during yoga teacher training. A sports watch could be very helpful to track activity but also to use as a timer for your yoga teaching and sequencing (I’ve never been so aware of how important timing is!) But, if you feel that wearing a sports watch might prevent you from feeling present during your training, then perhaps leave it at home.

Depending on your training centre, you may need to pack a yoga mat, but be sure to find out before you travel.

Other clothing

When packing for Bali, you will not need a warm coat or jacket, but you will need something waterproof. If you visit Bali during the rainy season, a waterproof jacket or a poncho is an absolute necessity. When it rains, it pours!

Flat sandals and flip flops are also vital. Unless you’re planning to go running, you don’t need trainers. In fact, one decent pair of flip flops would see you through the trip.

Although it may not feel like it, there will be a few hours each day when you might have time to change out of your yoga gear and put some other clothes on. Shocking! I’d recommend packing lightweight dresses, denim shorts and vest tops. A long sleeve shirt can also come in handy for boat trips, riding scooters or just hiding from the sun.

Speaking from experience, you will want comfortable and loose clothing. The last thing you want after a shower and being in sweaty active wear all day is to squeeze yourself into a tight dress. Think lightweight, footloose and fancy free.

You’ll need at least 2 bikinis or swimsuits. A sarong also comes in super handy in Bali for visiting temples and to use a beach towel if you’re short on space. I’d recommend buying one in Bali (Ubud has a great selection), rather than bringing it with you.

Personal Items

To do your 200 hour yoga teacher training in Bali, you will most likely be on a 3- or 4-week course. In that time, you’re going to need various personal items including toiletries. There are some items that are easy to buy in Bali and many that are not, and I’d recommend bringing extras.

The items that are easy to buy in Bali are:

• Mosquito spray
• Suncream
• Shampoo
• Basic toiletries

The items that I found less easy to buy were:

• Conditioner
• Hair products for blonde hair
• Face moisturiser
• Tampons

If you can, I would suggest buying solid shampoo and conditioner bars that could last the entirety of your course. You can also use these to handwash any small items of clothing, like bikinis.

A basic first aid kit

I always travel with a few basic items for first aid. It can be difficult and time consuming to seek medical advice or find medication. Ultimately, you don’t want anything to get in the way of your training, so I’d recommend packing a few bits.

• Cold and flu medication
• Painkillers
• Anti diarrhoea tablets
• Antihistamines
• Sticky plasters
• Muscle rub (Tiger Balm)

Other useful things to pack for yoga teacher training

Notebook and Pens

Taking yoga teacher training is a bit like going back to school, you are going to take lots of notes, so be sure to pack a decent notebook and lots of pens. Highlighters and sticky notes can be super helpful too if you need to annotate a training manual.

I took my laptop too and found this really helpful for typing up notes and researching anything I needed to know to support my learning.

Journal

Whether you choose to use a paper journal or keep a journal on your phone or laptop, I would really recommend having some method of journalling whilst you do your yoga teacher training. Especially in Bali, there are plenty of places you can sit back, reflect and write about your experience and your feelings. Completing yoga teacher training can be emotional and it’s a great idea to take time to self-reflect – there’s even a word for it in yogic philosophy Svadhyaya.

Power Bank and wireless Headphones

I’m sure most people wouldn’t travel without both of these items, but when doing yoga teacher training in Bali, make sure you don’t forget them. Headphones will come in handy when you’re either meditating (and need access to a metronome) or listening to music whilst you practise. As for the power bank, super handy if you’re using music for your classes and there are no plug points in the shala.

Local Sim Card

You can buy local pre-paid SIM cards in Bali very easily and inexpensively. I bought a 30GB SIM for around $20, which lasted a month in Bali.

You could probably get by without one and just use WiFi connections, but you’ll find in Bali that internet isn’t always stable.

Within your yoga teacher training class, you’ll probably have a Whatsapp group for you and the other trainees. If you don’t have access to your phone on the go, you might miss out on social plans or updates about class.

Personally, I also think a functioning SIM is a must have for any female solo traveller too – read more here about travelling solo and how to manage your own safety.

Cash card

Many restaurants and shops in Bali only accept cash. Therefore you’ll find yourself going to an ATM frequently. Make sure you have a cash card that doesn’t charge you commission to withdraw money.

Head torch

It gets dark pretty early in Bali. Plus, many of the roads and paths arent well lit. A head torch is really handy to help you walk around in darkness. But also handy for power cuts or some late night studying in bed!

Ear plugs

The Balianese Gecko. An absolute delight. But also, noisy!! Many things in Bali will keep you awake at night. From animals, to people milling about and maybe even scooters if you’re staying somewhere lively.

Don’t risk any sleep deprivation and pack ear plugs!

Travel Insurance

Not strictly a “thing” to pack, but certainly something you ought to consider. Completing teacher training overseas is not cheap, chances are you’ve saved hard to pay for it. If for any reason you can’t travel, or you get sick during the course, travel insurance may be the only way to get your money back. Worth exploring if only for the peace of mind.

We’ve written a long piece about travel insurance here.

Finally, check with your yoga school

Each school is different and they may have some specific requirements. Some schools for example ask students to wear white for their graduation ceremony. It’s worth asking if theres anything you need just in case!

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