Are you living in France and considering a yoga teacher training course in Bali? Travelling to Ubud for an intensive 200-hour programme gives you the space to step away from everyday responsibilities and focus fully on your practice, learning and personal development.
Bali attracts yoga students from across Europe and the rest of the world. Ubud is especially popular because it combines an international yoga community with Balinese culture, plant-based food and a peaceful natural setting.
However, choosing a course should involve more than choosing a beautiful destination. The quality of the teaching, course content, group size and practical teaching experience will shape what you take home to France.
This guide explains what to expect from a 200-hour course, how to assess a yoga school and what to consider when planning your journey from France.
Why travel from France to Bali for yoga teacher training?
A local or weekend-based course in France can work well for some students. An immersive course offers a different experience. You temporarily leave your normal routine and dedicate each day to yoga practice, study and self-enquiry.
This focused environment can help you:
- develop a consistent daily practice;
- understand yoga beyond physical postures;
- build confidence without the distractions of everyday life;
- connect with students from different cultures;
- experience Bali and its distinctive approach to community and wellbeing.
Ubud offers a useful balance. You can train in peaceful surroundings while remaining close to restaurants, shops, cultural activities and other services. It is a well-established destination for people travelling alone as well as those joining a course with a friend.
What is a 200-hour yoga teacher training course?
A 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training, usually called a YTT 200 or RYT 200 course, is the foundation-level programme chosen by many aspiring yoga teachers.
A comprehensive course should cover much more than asana practice. Key subjects normally include:
- yoga postures and alignment;
- meditation and pranayama;
- anatomy and injury awareness;
- yoga history and philosophy;
- class planning and sequencing;
- teaching methods and verbal cueing;
- adjustments, ethics and professional practice.
The Shades of Yoga 200-hour teacher training in Bali takes place over 21 days in Ubud. Its curriculum includes Vinyasa, Yin yoga, meditation, pranayama, anatomy, philosophy, sequencing and practical teaching skills.
Why small-group yoga teacher training matters
The number of students on a course can have a major effect on your learning. In a large group, it may be difficult to receive detailed feedback on your alignment, teaching style or cueing.
Shades of Yoga limits each training group to no more than 12 students. This creates more opportunities for:
- individual guidance from the trainers;
- questions and discussion;
- detailed feedback on your practice;
- supported teaching practice;
- meaningful connections within the group.
Small-group support can be especially valuable when English is not your first language. Before booking, ask the school to confirm the teaching language and recommended level of English. You can then prepare by becoming familiar with common yoga, anatomy and movement terminology.
You do not need perfect English. You do need to be comfortable following detailed teaching, participating in discussions and completing practical and written course work.
Can you teach yoga in France after a 200-hour course?
Shades of Yoga is a Yoga Alliance Registered Yoga School. After completing the programme and meeting the course requirements, you receive the relevant training certificate.
Yoga Alliance credentials are widely known within the international yoga community. A 200-hour certificate may support applications to yoga studios, gyms, retreat centres or private teaching opportunities.
However, a Yoga Alliance certificate should not be described as a French state diploma. If you plan to teach professionally after returning to France, check the current requirements relevant to your situation. These may include your business status, professional liability insurance and any requirements set by the studio or organisation where you intend to teach.
You can also take the course without planning to become a professional teacher. Many students join a YTT 200 to deepen their personal practice, understand yoga philosophy and create positive changes in their lives.
What will you learn during the 21-day programme?
An intensive teacher training course has a full daily schedule. A typical day may include morning practice, meditation, theory, anatomy, teaching exercises and time for reflection.
The Shades of Yoga curriculum includes:
- daily asana, meditation and pranayama practice;
- Vinyasa and Yin yoga;
- an Iyengar-influenced approach using walls, blocks and props;
- yoga history, Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras and the eight limbs of yoga;
- anatomy of the skeletal, muscular, nervous and fascial systems;
- posture clinics, alignment and injury awareness;
- class sequencing and energy balance;
- teaching practice, voice development and individual feedback;
- introductions to prenatal yoga, senior yoga and Ayurveda;
- teaching ethics and the practical foundations of a yoga business.
Students also work towards teaching a structured 60-minute yoga sequence. This practical element helps you move from understanding a concept to communicating it clearly and confidently to a class.
Where does the course take place?
The course is held in Ubud, in central Bali. The Shades of Yoga studio is surrounded by rice fields but remains close to the centre of town.
This location gives you a quiet setting for study and practice without leaving you isolated. During your free time, you can explore Ubud’s restaurants, markets, temples and cultural activities.
Shades of Yoga offers several package options:
- course only, for students arranging their own accommodation;
- a twin room;
- a private room;
- a bamboo room.
Accommodation packages include the full 21-day programme and daily breakfast. Other meals are not included. This gives you the freedom to explore Ubud’s wide range of cafés and restaurants while managing your own food budget.
Planning your journey from France to Bali
Allow enough time for the trip
The training lasts 21 days. Plan to arrive at least one day before the course begins so you can settle in and recover from the journey. If your schedule and budget allow, leave a few days after the training to rest or explore Bali.
Flights from France to Bali usually involve at least one connection. When comparing tickets, consider the total journey time, baggage allowance and flexibility of the fare, not only the headline price.
Check your passport and visa requirements
Entry rules can change, so always use official sources when preparing your trip. Check France Diplomatie, the Indonesian Embassy in France and the Indonesian immigration website before booking.
France Diplomatie currently states that your passport must be valid for more than six months from your date of entry and must be in good condition. You may also need proof of onward or return travel.
French passport holders can obtain a 30-day visa on arrival for certain types of visit. However, the correct visa depends on the purpose of your stay as well as its length. French travel guidance notes that a purpose other than tourism, such as training or an internship, may require a different visa. Confirm the correct category with the Indonesian authorities before travelling.
You should also check the current arrival declaration requirements and Bali’s tourist levy. Complete these through official channels only.
Build a realistic budget
When comparing yoga teacher training courses, calculate the full cost of the trip rather than looking only at the course fee.
Your budget may need to include:
- return flights from France;
- the course and your chosen accommodation;
- lunches, dinners and drinks;
- visa charges and local tourist levies;
- travel insurance;
- airport transfers between Denpasar and Ubud;
- personal spending and optional activities.
Prices and exchange rates change. Check the course page for the current packages in US dollars or Indonesian rupiah, then compare them using the latest euro exchange rate.
Choose suitable travel insurance
Look for insurance that covers medical treatment, repatriation and the activities you plan to undertake. If cancellation or interruption cover is important to you, read the policy exclusions and limits before you buy.
How to choose the right yoga school in Bali
Before committing to a course, ask the school specific questions:
- Is the school registered with Yoga Alliance?
- How long has it been running teacher training courses?
- What is the maximum class size?
- Who will teach the course, and what experience do they have?
- How much time is devoted to practical teaching?
- What exactly is included in the course and accommodation price?
- Is the training date guaranteed, or could the course be cancelled?
- Can you read recent reviews from previous students?
Shades of Yoga has been delivering yoga teacher training in Bali for many years. Its courses are limited to 12 students, and every advertised training is guaranteed to run. This gives international students greater certainty when booking flights and planning time away from work.
Current yoga teacher training dates
The training dates currently listed are:
- 1 to 21 November 2026;
- 6 to 26 December 2026;
- 17 January to 6 February 2027.
Dates and availability can change. Always check the official RYT 200 course page before booking travel.
You do not need to master every posture. A regular practice, curiosity and willingness to learn are more important than extreme flexibility. Contact the school before applying if you have an injury, health condition or concern about your experience level.
No. You can complete a 200-hour training to deepen your practice and knowledge even if you do not plan to teach professionally.
Yoga Alliance is known internationally within the yoga industry, but its certificate is not the same as a French state diploma. Before teaching in France, check the expectations of studios or employers and arrange the appropriate professional structure and insurance.
Yes. Many international students travel alone to join yoga teacher training. A small group can make it easier to meet people and feel supported during the three-week programme.
Confirm the current teaching language directly with Shades of Yoga before you book. If the course is taught in English, you should be comfortable following classes and participating in practical teaching exercises in English.
The programme itself is shorter than 30 days. However, your visa category depends on the purpose of your visit as well as the number of days. Confirm the correct visa with the Indonesian authorities before departure.
Start planning your yoga teacher training in Bali
A 200-hour yoga teacher training in Bali is a serious commitment, not simply a yoga holiday. Over 21 days, you practise, study, teach and explore your relationship with yoga in an international environment.
If you are travelling from France and looking for a small-group programme in central Ubud, explore the Shades of Yoga curriculum, trainers, accommodation and upcoming course dates.
