Do you ever feel like you want to escape the daily grind? Just for a week? Schedules keep us tied down, meetings all start to roll into one, and sometimes (mostly all the time) you want to swap those work shoes for bare feet. We reckon escaping to Bali for seven days is sounding pretty good right about now, are we right?
Say hello to the answer to your overworked, overloaded life. It’s a Bali based retreat that will work wonders on your body and soul. The real world can survive a week without you.
Ocean Soul Retreats is based in Seminyak, Bali and is launching in April. Fear not, April will be here before you can say “see ya later boss, I’m off to do the downward dog on a beach in Bali before sipping on a tea elixir by sunset.” Founded by New York-based Australian Georgie White, the week long retreats are about individual relaxation with a maximum of 10 participants per retreat, meaning overcrowding is never a problem.
> See our Guide to the Best Retreats
The woman behind the retreats
Georgie White grew up in Berwick VIC enjoying a life of the outdoors. With horse riding and the fresh air in her veins, she was always living a fast paced adventurous lifestyle. It’s all very new-age Elizabeth Bennet, right?
After a few health setbacks – namely an allergic reaction that landed her in emergency, Georgie learnt to look to alternate medicine, clean eating, and holistic health as a way to heal and detoxify her system. Then after a personal set-back she decided to head overseas on a Eat Pray Love type adventure – well at least that’s how we’re picturing the next phase in her life unfolded. After a three-month stay in Bali, surfing, practising yoga, and eating healing foods, then another year living and working in the country, she dreamed up Ocean Soul Retreat as a way to give this experience to other women all over the world. Thank you, Georgie!
Ocean Soul Retreats
Where Ocean Soul Retreat sets itself apart from other retreats is in the holistic approach, with wellbeing and health the sole focus. While surfing, yoga, and healthy eating are key, they’re balanced out with acupuncture, craniosacral therapy, traditional Balinese healing, Reiki, and spa treatments. The retreats also allow plenty of time for each guest to turn the focus inward, making it a time for reflection and rejuvenation, in a space near the ocean and filled with other like minded women. What better place to reset and recharge.
What to expect while you’re on the retreat
The food menus are built for healing, detoxing and don’t skimp on the delicious factor. Designed by Melbourne-based naturopath and holistic nutritionist Meg Thomson, the menus are heavy on wholefoods, fresh fruit, snacks, and herbal teas. You’ll feel so virtuous you might even forget to Instagram the beautiful fruit platter.
There are a range of packages you can choose from, making sure you get out of it what you want. The Surf and Yoga Package, the Yogini’s Package or the Soul Surf Package. All three packages include a seven nights lstay at the Ocean Soul Retreat villa in Seminyak and offers a range of yoga, surfing, and other optional features like cooking classes and stand-up paddle boarding. Word on the street is there is a raw chocolate cooking class. Sign. Us. Up.
That extra mile
Georgie wanted to be able to give back to not only the women on the retreats, but also the women living in Bali. Ocean Soul Retreat gives 5% of its profits to the local non-profit organisation R.O.L.E. Foundation. R.O.L.E’s aim is to reduce poverty and improve education and wellbeing for the many underprivileged women living in Indonesia and Bali.
Bookings are now open with the first retreat taking place from April 18 – April 24 2015. We’re ready to let our hair down and find some inner stillness. You organise the babysitter and we’ll meet you there.
Ocean Soul Retreat
Prices from USD$2595
www.oceansoulretreat.com
