Yoga and meditation
The Yoga Barn
Range of classes and an excellent set of teachers mostly in the Ashtanga/Vinnyasa school. Upper studio has great views of the surrounding rice terraces. Residential packages, multiple day classes and simple single entry classes. If you are a teacher, they offer the possibility of renting the centre to host your classes.
Taman Hati Yoga and Meditation Center
This centre was founded in 2000 by two local men, both from families containing many generations of Hindu priests. Set up for both complete beginners, and those already experienced but wishing to broaden their horizons. Every Wednesday at 7:30PM, there is a free class entitled "World Peace Meditation".
Ubud Yoga Centre
Expat-run centre offers everything from single attendance classes up to residential yoga instructor training courses.
Whitewater rafting
Sobek Bali Utama
Specialise in white-water rafting and cycling tours. Established in 1989, this was the first company of its type in Bali, and they are distinctly less package oriented than their main competitor.
There is good rafting available on the Ayung River at Sayan, just west of Ubud. Almost as good as the rafting itself is the wonderful experience of being right down inside the Ayung gorge. This is the domain of high-end resorts like the Four Seasons and Amandari, and it is a very scenic area indeed. The rapids are Class II and Class III, and best during the rainy season as the river can run a bit dry from June to September. There are two well established operators, both with offices on the main road in Sayan, close to Amandari, however other operators have sprung up recently as well.
Cultural performances
Barong Dance
A Barong dance performance takes place here every day at 9:30AM, lasting about an hour. It is very much a performance for tourists, and the story is of the never ending battle between good and evil. There is actually not much dancing and a lot of talking in this performance. While buying a ticket, you will get a description of the forthcoming performance.
Pura Dalem
One of the best kecak performances in Ubud, every Friday and Monday evening. Staged in beautiful surroundings outside under the banyan trees, and followed by a fire dance. Excellent ambiance and the fire dance at the end is impressive. However, parts of the performance can get repetitive.
Puri Saren & Puri Saraswati
Smack dab in the centre of town, dance performances are staged here almost nightly.
Bali Healing
Even for the experienced massage consumer, this six bed massage centre is an experience. A 1 hs massage is about Rp 80,000. Magic warm stone massage for Rp 120,000. Several other deep tissue and reflexology treatments are available
As a centre of the arts, Ubud has dance and shadow puppet performances every night. There are also plenty of spas for resynchronising your chakras, and all manner of spiritual classes and treatments, some distinctly less genuine than others.
Paon Bali Cooking Class
Traditional Balinese cooking class in the home of a very hospitable family. They offer a pick-up in Ubud.