Everyone dreams of having an actual break that truly lets them escape their daily commute and routines but be present in the days filled with enjoyment. The ever-growing stress of our daily lives just get to us–sometimes maybe a little too much. Dear retreat organizers, this is where you step in.
Imagine serene landscapes, soulful connections, and the key to jumpstart self-discovery. This (and more!) is what you’ll get through wellness retreats. But with so many details to consider, where do you even start and how can you make it less overwhelming?
Well, this handbook by us from the Bali Floating Leaf, is your backstage pass. So grab your cup of coffee (or herbal tea if that’s more your vibe!) and read on for the full guide to organizing a wellness retreat of a lifetime. You crowd of hungry explorers are going to be chit chatting about it in no time!
Defining Your North Star
Photo by Jamie Street via Unsplash
We know, we know. You might be thinking “Oh no, even retreats have KPIs?😭”. Jokes aside, a wellness retreat without a clear goal is like a ship adrift in a vast ocean—beautiful, but lacking direction.
Having a North Star gives you true purpose and anchors your retreat. With this, you’re able to visualize the activities you can do to reach it. Not to mention, you’ll also get a good understanding about your audience and would be able to know what they’ll want to achieve in your retreat. Here are some good examples you can consider:
- “I want to truly find the best version of myself”
With this goal, maybe you’d consider organizing a detox retreat where a group of people disconnects from their phones and the outside world—just focusing on retreat activities full of contemplation. Smell that? Oh, it’s the scent of sweet self-discovery!
- “I want to explore new ways to grow”
This one’s another fun one. With this goal, you can organize a retreat full of people who want to learn more about the world beyond what they know. Plan a retreat with relaxing hobbies or ones that would keep you active in the middle of mother nature.
- “I aspire to give back to the community”
A noble goal, indeed! If your group wishes to achieve this, arrange a retreat that focuses on learning from the community itself—or the locals around it.
Expert Tip:If your crowd was a whole orchestra, what songs would resonate most to them? That’s your goal!🎶
Craft an Engaging Itinerary
Photo by Bali Floating Leaf
Now that you have your goals and understanding of your crowd–it’s time to roll up those sleeves and dive into the nitty-gritty.
Naturally, your goals and audience will influence the activities, and vice versa. So, we’ve whipped up a little list of retreat activities for different vibes. Check them out below:
🧘🏼♀️Yoga and Mindfullness Retreats
You might want to add these activities to your itinerary:
- Farm-to-table (organic) meals three times a day
- Daily juice or healing elixirs (because hydration is zen)
- Sunrise and sunset yoga sessions with an expert
- Sprinkle in meditation classes throughout the retreat
- Oh, and don’t forget to try sound meditation—it’s like a spa day for your brain!
🧘 Healing & Wellness Retreats
You might want to add these activities to your itinerary:
- Farm-to-table (organic) meals (yes, still three times a day—because well-being deserves seconds)
- Yoga and meditation classes
- If you’re also planning a retreat in Bali, well you can also add in Balinese Massages and the Balinese authentic water purification ritual at Bali’s sacred water spring temple
🌴Authentic Local Retreats
Now, since we’re based in Bali, we’re going full-speed on the Balinese experience for this one:
- Try the shamanic healing package with Balinese healers (Balian)
- Explore traditional Balinese cleansing rituals (because sometimes sage just won’t cut it)
- Visit spiritual centers
- Swing by art villages and unleash your inner artist: batik-making, silver ring crafting, or pottery
- And of course, end the day with a Balinese massage (because knots are so last season)
Expert Tip: Of course you can always add on your own personal twists in the itinerary. We trust you would know your audience in a deeper level in the end–so trust your instincts!
Budget Wisely
Photo by Austin Distel via Unsplash
Money isn’t the star of the show, but it’s essential backstage crew. It’ll determine how you fit all these beautiful activities and the heart of it all into the accommodation later on. So, grab that budget sheet, put in all the expenses you think you might need and don’t forget to make room for unexpected costs.
Keep an eye out for early-bird discounts, group rates, and other sweet deals. And when choosing partners, transparency and communication are key. You don’t want any surprise expenses showing up like uninvited guests.
And guess what? If you’re lucky, you’ll find an accommodation partner like Bali Floating Leaf that provides a helpful tool like their Retreat Builder. It’s like having a personal budget wizard—just check the activities you’d like to add, and voilà! Your approximate budget appears, hassle-free.
Choosing the Perfect Location
Photo by Bali Floating Leaf
At this point, you might feel like you’re ready to go. But before you book, remember how crucial your venue is to your retreat. It sets the tone and creates the atmosphere for your transformative escape. So, before you put down that deposit, choose carefully. Here are some things to consider:
- Exact Location: Is it close to the activities and places you’d like to explore? You don’t want your retreat to be a marathon between destinations.
- Surroundings: Imagine creating a peaceful wellness retreat in the middle of a busy road. Exactly—it’s tough. Opt for serene surroundings that harmonize with your intentions.
- Indoor and Outdoor Space: Does it have enough room for your group to stretch their bodies and minds? A meeting hall for those heart-to-heart discussions?
- Facilities: Your retreat goals need backup dancers. Check if the place has the best facilities to support your vision—like a spa for those well-deserved massages.
- Views: It’s not just about the four walls. The views matter. Imagine waking up to lush trees or an ocean panorama. Spectacular, right?
To help, try and close your eyes. Breathe. Now imagine a place where clocks lose track of minutes, and worries dissolve like sugar in a tropical smoothie. That’s your wellness retreat venue—the chill zone for your transformative retreat.
Picture this: a cozy cabin in the middle of lush trees and the songs of birds flying around you. Or maybe a ocean-view haven where you’re just 5 steps away from having the sand between your toes and salty breeze in your hair.
Better yet, imagine a huge eco-luxury retreat space filled with all the facilities you need–and more! A healing pool to melt your troubles away, two exclusive spas for pampering, and a yoga sanctuary to satisfy your inner om. Even better, imagine sleeping in comfort while overlooking a vast horizon of paddy fields in the Island of the Gods.
And although there’s plenty of opportunities to disconnect, the Wi-Fi is still strong (for your emergency cat memes that is😽) Can it get any better than that?
Well if that’s your forte, you’re going to love Bali Floating Leaf.
Let Us Help You Make it a Little Less Overwhelming
Photo by Bali Floating Leaf
As you organize your transformative retreat, remember that every detail matters—from the scent of frangipani in the air to the sound of waves lulling you into serenity. And where better to weave these threads than at Bali Floating Leaf?
Our award-winning eco-resort has been a haven for millions seeking diverse paths to well-being. Guests arrive with heavy hearts and leave as light as feathers. The energy here embraces you like an old friend.
Immerse yourself in our healing pool, find solace in our yoga sanctuary, indulge in exclusive spa treatments, and rest in our luxurious rooms. We invite you to experience your wellness retreat at its finest.
Contact us for a FREE first consultation and remember to check out our Retreat Builder to help you visualize your retreat on your very own personalized budget. Don’t worry, we’ve designed the tool with complete transparency because we want the best for you, our seasoned retreat organizers, and our guests.
Let’s co-create magic! Namaste, and may your travels always lead you to tranquility and self-discovery. 🙏
