With more than 14 years of experience teaching around the world, Australian yoga teacher Ryan Mannix has made Bali a regular stop for the past decade. While familiar with Ubud and other areas of the island, this was his first time in Balian—and his first retreat at Yama. Founder of It’s All Yoga, Ryan runs an online studio offering asana and meditation classes to a global community. After his experience in Balian, he is already planning to return in mid-2026 to host another retreat at Yama.
First Impressions of Yama
“When I arrived at Yama, I felt instantly relaxed, at ease, and comfortable. It was the perfect environment to guide a retreat.”
On Transformation Beyond the Mat
Ryan highlights that transformation comes not only through practice but through the environment itself:
“It’s the simplicity, the cleanliness, and being surrounded by nature. Yama is remote and far from the busyness of Bali, which helps me find solitude and silence. It allows me to go inward in a way that feels natural.”
What Makes Yama Different
Having taught yoga in places like Ubud, Ryan found something unique in Balian:
“One of the most powerful aspects was being able to book the entire space. That creates a strong container for the group, where the energy remains intact. The shala feels spacious and open, and being immersed in nature makes meditation effortless. Nature itself is yoga.”
Memorable Moments and Rituals
What stayed with him most was the simplicity of living:
“Meditation, fresh food, long moments of silence. I realized I don’t need much to feel content. In Balian, I am reminded of how little we actually need to be happy. That energy follows me back into daily life.”
Ryan also emphasized the role of Yama’s team:
“The staff felt like part of the retreat itself—respectful, present, and caring. They embody yoga not just through action but through service and presence.”
The Nourishment of Food
Often overlooked, Ryan insists the food deserves special mention:
“It’s alive, clean, and nourishing. I felt light, energized, and clear-minded, never heavy or foggy. It’s the kind of food that sustains transformation.”
What Yama Teaches Us
For Ryan, Yama is a teacher in itself:
“Yama reminds us to live in harmony—with nature and with ourselves. When I hear the birds, the frogs, the cows, I realize they just want to be happy, just like I do. Yama teaches that we’re never alone—we are part of something much bigger.”
