Bali Writing Retreat

June 15 - 20, 2023 - Sold out

  How outrageous would a writing holiday in Bali be?

Blissful Bali Writing Retreat

6 days / 5nights — June 15 – 20, 2023    SOLD OUT!

Rest and write in Bali 

Imagine tuning into the sound of cascading waterfalls and the rhythm of nature punctuated by the gentle Balinese practices of spiritual worship.

Imagine your pen and notebook, covered in your newly formed stories, are scattered on the batik covers of the carved daybed. You’ve lost track of time. You have given yourself over to the creative flow and the gentle embrace of nature.

Imagine a view of rice paddies cascading all the way to where the horizon meets the sea.

Imagine your senses are alive to the sounds and smells of nature. You are deeply relaxed and connected. Your pen glides effortlessly over the page. Your mind is awake and alive. Imagine the joy of deep creative connection.

Experience the unique environment of Bali Eco Stay and discover a new sense of wonder.

Connect deeply, emerge restored and creatively re-charged.

Gift yourself a Bali writing retreat, you deserve it!

Unleash your wild mind and heart

& join us at Bali Writing Retreat and  write your life back into balance

Join our Bali Writing Retreat and set your stories free!

Get your stories out of your head and onto the page and feel the joy of creating beauty of your own.

Whether you have an established writing practice or have always wanted to write but never had the time, this retreat is for anybody who yearns to creatively reconnect.

Every day begins with gentle yoga, followed by breakfast and an inspiring writing workshop. 

The afternoons are free for your own adventures and explorations, 1:1 sessions with Kerstin & Edwina, your complimentary massage, a tarot reading, and a guided writing group if you like to write in company. 

At the end of the day we join together again in the beautiful open air yoga shala for some gentle yoga breathing techniques to help clear your mind and revitalise your energy.

Every evening we share incredible dinners and relax with conversation and readings.

All retreat activities are optional and there will be no judgement if you prefer not to join the yoga sessions and meditations, or if you skip a few.

This is your creative holiday and we are there to serve your wellbeing and your creative process.

Ready to join us at a blissful Writing Retreat in Bali?

Where you will stay

Bali Ecostay — Nurtured by Nature

ACCOMMODATION

During our Bali writing retreat you will be staying at Bali Eco Stay, a small boutique resort with 8 uniquely designed Balinese bungalows, spread out over five acres of beautiful tropical gardens.

The resort is fed by crystal clear mountain streams and surrounded by food forest and organic rice paddies gently worked by the local community.

There are plenty of beautiful spaces where you can sneak away with your journal, walk through the rice paddies and the fruit forest, sit by the waterfall or take a swim in the creek that winds through the property.

Please note that this writing retreat is for the curious and the open-minded. You will be sleeping in beautiful open Bali-style bungalows. All beds are fitted with mosquito nets. For some of us, living in such close proximity with nature will be a new experience. Nature’s powerful embrace is deeply nourishing and soothing if you allow yourself to surrender to it.

LOCATION

Bali Eco Stay is situated on the southern slopes of Mt Batukaru in the central Bali mountains, about 90 minutes drive from Ubud and two and half hours from Denpasar airport.

FOOD

The retreat is fully catered and you’ll be fed morning, lunch and dinner, plus morning and afternoon tea. All meals are prepared from organic vegetables grown in the property’s permaculture gardens. It’s some of the most exquisite food you’ll ever taste.

 Meet your Bali Writing Retreat leaders:

Kerstin Pilz & Edwina Shaw

Kerstin Pilz, PhD

I’m a former academic with nearly 20 years university teaching experience, a RYT 200 qualified yoga teacher and a published author. 

My publications include an academic monograph (Mapping Complexity: Literature, Philosophy and Science in the works of Italy Calvino), book chapters for Oxford University Press, peer-reviewed academic articles as well as travel features including for The New York Times, The Australian, The Sydney Morning Herald.

I’ve just completed my memoir Falling Apart Gracefully.

A series of difficult life challenges made me discover the healing power of writing. I believe we are the authors of our own life.

Watch my TEDx talk about The Healing Power of Writing.

Read my story here.

I love helping writers at all stages of development and I enjoy the intense focus and joyful synergy we can create at a writing retreat!

Kerstin Pilz
Kerstin Pilz

Edwina Shaw

I’m an Australian writer of fiction, memoir and screenplays. My books include the critically acclaimed Thrillseekers, In The Dark Of Night and A Guide Through Grief. You can find some of my publications here.

I’ve been writing and publishing since 2002 and have been teaching Creative Writing at the University of Queensland and in the community since 2005.

I love helping people get their stories out of their heads and onto the page.

I’ve run Relax and Write Retreats in Queensland for over six years and just love connecting with writers at all stages of their development.

Like Kerstin, I have a long-standing yoga practice and over twenty years teaching experience.

The mix of yoga and writing has been a great healing force in my life and I love to share the magic of these transformational practices with others.

I am looking forward to sharing Bali’s gentle energy with you as we adventure together through yoga and writing, deep into our creative selves and beautiful spirits.

Our Bali Writing Retreat is for you if you: 

  • yearn to step away from all that keeps you busy, distracted and disconnected from yourself & your writing
  • need to get some writing done and crave time to dive deeper into your creativity
  • desire a nourishing environment that will allow you to release long-held stories
  • are willing to surrender to the flow, because we’ll let all of it flow, our creativity, our writing, our breath, our wild minds, our voice, our stories.

Whether you’re writing a journal or a book, whether you’ve always wanted to write but never knew how to start, whether you’ve written before but need a creative push, this relaxing creative retreat will leave you feeling nourished and in tune with yourself, with an abundance of new writing tools and skills.

     

    Inclusions

    • 5 nights accommodation in superior eco-resort
    • All meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner; afternoon & morning tea)
    • Morning yoga
    • Daily writing workshops (6 x workshops)
    • Daily guided writing sessions
    • Evening Pranayama
    • 1:1 mentoring
    • 1x Balinese massage
    • 1x Tarot reading
    • Return airport transfer (or hotel pick-up near airport)
    • 2-hour guided village and nature walk
    • Traditional Balinese Welcome & Blessing
    • Bonfire on last day
    • Gift bag

    Cost* of Bali Writing Retreat

    SOLD OUT

    Private Bungalow with en-suite (only one available) $2750 $2950(SOLD)

    Private Room (in shared bungalow)

    $2550 $2750 (SOLD)

    Twin-share Room (in shared bungalow)

    $1850 $2050 (SOLD)

    *All prices in Australian dollars

     

    A non-refundable deposit of $ 450 will reserve your spot.

    Book early, don’t miss out!

    “Fantastic writing retreat for those looking to reconnect with their creativity, and reignite their passion for writing. I found this retreat incredibly valuable and walked away with tools and exercises to help keep my writing flowing. A very inspiring environment, with enough structure to keep you motivated and productive. I would definitely do another writing retreat!”

    —Alexandria Funnell

    SOLD OUT

    Bali Writing Retreat — June 15 -20,2023

    Price per person from: $1850*
    A $ 450 deposit will reserve your spot.

     

    Have more questions? Please get in touch:

    6 + 1 =

    FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

    What kind of writing will we do?

    The daily writing workshops are designed to help you unleash your creativity, connect you with your voice and to lead you towards the stories you need to write.

    There will be a two-hour formal writing workshop each morning after breakfast exploring a particular aspect of the craft of writing and also some free-writing exercises to carefully selected writing prompts.

    Timed freewriting allows you to bypass your inner critic so that you can write straight from your core, without stopping to think or edit or worrying about grammar and spelling.

    There will be many opportunities for sharing. Sharing your writing is totally optional, but we find that reading your writing out aloud helps build confidence, momentum and creative synergy!

    The writing sessions are aimed at any level of writer, whether you are working on a project, or simply writing for yourself as a way to make sense of your personal self-narrative.

    What if I don't write in English?

    You are encouraged to write in your native language as this will allow you to connect more deeply with your inner voice.

    The writing you will be doing in this retreat is for your eyes only. Sharing is optional but encouraged. Some of our foreign language writers in the past have opted to summarise their words in English .

    What kind of yoga will we do?

    We will start our days with a gentle Vinyasa flow sequence to wake up the body and get you connected to your breath.

    The classes are designed for people who have some experience with yoga but you don’t have to be an experienced yogi to participate.

    Sample schedule

    7:30 Morning Yoga

    8:30 Breakfast

    10:00 Workshop

    12:30 Lunch

    Free time

    15:00 1:1 sessions/tarot card readings/massages/ guided free-writing in a group setting

    17:30-18:00 Pranayama

    18:30 Dinner

    Terms & Conditions

    • A non-refundable deposit of $450 is required to book your spot.

    • Full payment for all bookings is required 2.5 months prior to retreat start. Any bookings made thereafter, must be paid in full.

    • To participate in our international retreats, you will need to provide evidence of international travel insurance. This will also protect you in case of flight cancellations or any unforseen events.

    REFUND POLICY
    We understand that circumstances can change. In the unlikely event of another Covid related lockdown, any monies paid will be transferred to a future date.

    If you cancel 2 months out from the retreat, we will refund your fee minus the $450 deposit.

    Cancellations up to five weeks prior to retreat start will receive a 50% refund.

    If you cancel one month out from the retreat, we are unable to provide any refunds.

    However, if you can find a replacement to fill your spot, we are happy to transfer all fees paid to the new participant.

    Likewise, if we can find someone to fill your place, we will issue a refund minus a $200 administrative fee.

    Where do I fly into & how do I reach Bali Ecostay?

    Denpasare International Airport.

    Your retreat package includes complimentary group pick-up & drop-off from Denpasar airport (or a nearby hotel).

    Aim to be ready for pick up from 10am (exact times to be confirmed).

    Depending on flight arrival times, you might like to consider arriving on the day before (ie. on the 14th) and overnighting near the airport (at own expense).

    There are plenty of good options in all price categories.

    It takes about 2.5 hours from Denpasar airport or 90 minutes from Ubud.

    One-way transfer by private car is about $50.

    Check-in at Bali Eco Stay is from 2pm; the  retreat starts at around 4pm (exact time tbc).

    Christine W
    Christine W
    2019-10-14
    Being a part of writeyourjourney is a rewarding experience I've enjoyed and benefited from the writing prompts which Kerstin provides and found our group sharing inspiring. For anyone hesitant about getting into writing this forum provides great support. We are often critical of our writing but with the camaraderie of other writers many wonderful stories are created and shared,
    fLo_lexpat
    fLo_lexpat
    2019-10-14
    Fantastic writing workshops with Kerstin - highly recommended! Kerstin uses her heart and long standing expertise to guide others through their writing journey. She typically starts a writing workshop by a meditation, which always put me in the best mindset to write but also to relax, unwind and unfold details of my stories. I really enjoyed the feeling of learning a lot while relaxing and finding peace. I gained a lot from every sessions I did with her and I took the wisdom to my daily life. I can't recommend her enough.
    Kay
    Kay
    2019-10-12
    Wonderful experience I went to the September 2019 retreat in Hoi An. Kerstin and Nigel take such good care of everyone, the hotel An Villa where we stayed also looked after our group so well. Nothing was too much bother for staff and they got to know everyone in the group well. We were treated to amazing local food and trips into the village and surrounds. Make sure you go to the cooking class, it was really fun and we were able to see how they grow their vegetables for the district as well as make some amazing flavorsome food and have a lot of fun at the same time. On top of all the cultural experiences we also did a lot of writing! Kerstin's incredible background as a writer and her ability to tune to individuals and the group created such a nurturing experience for us all. We were given prompts to encourage some creative flow and able to share our writing with others which really did enhance the experience and bonded to the group together. It's amazing to hear what other people write as well as getting the courage to read out your own. The great thing is that it's always optional too. Nothing is forced. The yoga by Victoria each morning was just such a wonderful way to wake up to the day, followed by meditation and lovely sound bowls. It is hot in September, but it didn't rain much. It's all such a wonderful experience, I couldn't say which part was my favorite. The whole retreat blends in so well together. If you think this is for you, don't hesitate. You will get something out of it.
    tackygift
    tackygift
    2019-10-10
    A magical week It may sound hyperbolic to describe the Write Your Journey retreat as magical, but that is the word that comes to mind each time I'm asked about it. From the daily writing sessions, early morning yoga, and sound bowl meditations, to the excursions into Hoi An and the cooking class, everything was perfect. Although I wasn't sure what to expect, I can say with conviction that everything exceeded my expectations. I am new to creative writing, but that didn't matter. The nine women on the retreat were all at very different stages of their journey, and the camaraderie was lovely. The venue - An Villa - is an idyllic place run by beautiful people. Heaven. A special mention, of course, goes to Kerstin, the retreat conductor, as well as to Nigel on sound bowls and Victoria on the yoga mat. See you there next year!
    Heidi Washburn
    Heidi Washburn
    2019-10-10
    The experience of a lifetime! I was blessed to attend a weeklong Write Your Journey retreat in Vietnam in September of 2018. (The option didn't allow me to select September so I selected the closest mont). The week with Kerstin was an outstanding, deepening and inspiring experience. Kerstin clearly poured her heart and soul into providing the most spacious, accepting and safe environment for writing together. There was a great balance of prompts, discussion and teaching, writing, reading and sharing. As the week progressed, we all went deeper and deeper into our creative expression. I particularly liked that there were a variety of approaches to opening up our writing: visual, verbal, drawing. The yoga, meditation, sound baths and excursions were all wonderful. Kerstin attended to every aspect of being in a foreign country. The individual writing consultations were extremely helpful, motivating and inspiring and as a result, I am leaving with a project that I knew I needed to do but was avoiding. If any part of you is pulled toward this experience: GO!! Heidi, craniosacral therapist, Woodstock, NY
    foody174
    foody174
    2019-10-10
    Kerstin gets you writing! I have been visiting the Hoi An Writers Group on and off for the last 1.5 years and I always enjoy it. Not only is it a very well-prepared and well-lead class with a great combination of meditation and writing (which works for me personally very well!), but there are also always great laughs. It's a really nice and welcoming group of people. I've also joined a few of Kerstin's Yin yoga, sound bowl and writing workshops that were equally wonderful. Highly recommended to check out her website for any events when you're in town.
    HoiAnAnna
    HoiAnAnna
    2019-10-09
    Unearth the stories you didn't know you had! I love attending Kirsten's Friday workshops whenever I get the chance. She is a very kind and nurturing person and this seems to overflow into the rest of the group, so you feel very comfortable writing about and sharing things that are sometimes quite personal. Sometimes it's a surprise what you find yourself writing about and sometimes it can also be a surprise to find out how creative you can be. And in the middle of a busy life, it is a joy and a pleasure to spend some time nurturing yourself in this way, in this very nice group and under the care of this very special and creative woman.
    Sushi
    Sushi
    2019-10-08
    Write Your Journey at Hoi An! I participated in one of Write Your Journey's sessions in Vietnam (Hoi An) along with my husband, who is actually an engineer...not a writer. But both of us enjoyed the session and it brought out a lot of stories and ideas from both of us. I think the whole point about participating in any writing session is to be able to come out of it with your head full of motivation and memories and ideas that could shape themselves into an essay or book in the days to come. Write Your Journey is a good way to kickstart the writer in you. I recommend this with all my heart.
    Emma
    Emma
    2019-10-07
    A safe space and fun place to unleash your creativity! I've been coming to Kerstin's Write Your Journey workshop every Friday for the past few months. It is, without a doubt, one of the highlights of my week. Having struggled to write anything for quite some time and now feeling the flow of creativity, the desire to tell a story, pretty much every day, is just proof of how effective those couple of hours are. From the gentle meditation to help us relax, to the clever writing prompts to help us focus, to the well-planned exercises and discussion points of the workshop, Kerstin never fails to deliver a Friday morning that's insightful, creative and fun! Not to mention the support and feedback from our wonderful group members – who I'm very grateful to call both teachers and friends. Their advice is invaluable, and inspiring. Whether you're just visiting Hoi An for a few days, a few weeks or you've come for a longer day, Kerstin (and the rest of us!) will make you feel welcome at the group. You won't regret this great gift to yourself! :)
    Janie L
    Janie L
    2019-10-07
    Amazing Time At Write Your Journey Kerstin was such a lovely facilitator. I would absolutely recommend this experience. It's also a great way to meet other travellers.

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