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A truly pampering Yoga wellbeing retreat where the stresses of every day life demands float away. With enriching, twice daily yoga and pampering spa treatments, there is time between to do as much or as little as your heart desires.
Whatever your level of yoga ability, you will be support through the exploration of Hatha yoga movement threaded with philosophy, breath work, deep relaxation and meditation.
Nourish and energise with the fresh and healthy culinary delights from the endless choices of cafes and restaurants Ubud has to offer. Relax by any one of the three pools in the beautiful surrounds of Ananda Resort set amongst rice paddy fields and forest. Explore the museums, temples, shops and the many other cultural experiences this beautiful island has to offer.
Early Bird to 31 December 2024
From 1 January 2025
Please Note: If you are travelling on your own and like to share a room I will endeavor to match you with a (same sex) room buddy but can't be guaranteed, in which case, single room rate will apply.
Please contact julia@affinityyoga.com.au to receive your Registration Form. To secure your booking, please complete and return the form via email along with your $300 deposit (pay in details included on the form). The balance is required by 31 March 2025.
Many retreaters enjoy a day to settle in. If you’d like additional nights at Ananda Cottages pre and/or post the retreat dates, please book directly with Ananda anandaubud@gmail.com The rate is US$95 per night. When booking, please let them know you are part of Julia's yoga retreat so that you can remain in the same room for the duration of your stay.
Flights are not included in the package. I recommend Webjet to compare airline carriers and flight prices to Denpasar, Bali. Your transfer from the airport to Ananda is included in the package. The distance is 40km and takes around 1.5 - 2 hours, depending on traffic. Please note, your return trip to the airport is not included but easy to book with any of the many local drivers prior to your departure day.
With a combination of Contemporary Classical Hatha Yoga, Yin Yoga, mindful slow flowing movements and strengthening postures, each session will be threaded with yogic philosophy to enrich your experience and help you delve deeper into your body's innate ability to release, heal, restore and rejeuvenate.
Whatever your level of ability, you will be encouraged and supported in practicing in a way that is nurturing, strengthening and beneficial for you as an individual.
Our yoga shala is set in the stunning natural surrounds that will assist you in slowing down and finding inner calmess as you practice pranayama (breathwork), deep relaxation and meditation. See more images from 2023 retreat.
Ananda Cottages is a charming traditional Balinese family run resort. Located far enough out of town to give you a sense of space, peace and tranquility yet close enough for a 25 minute walk or 10 minute taxi ride into central Ubud.
The accommodation is superior classic Balinese style villas, each with balcony, overlooking surrounding rice paddy fields or tropical vegitation.
Delve into that book you've longed to read on your private balcony or lounge on a deck chair by the pool taking in the serene surrounds.
Ananda's restaurant is where we share our buffet breakfast. Enjoy lunch and dinner, at the array of delightful surrounding cafes and restaurants.
Sunday | 7:00pm | Welcome Dinner |
Monday | 7am - 8:45am | Opening Circle - Hatha Yoga, Pranayama, Meditation |
| 9am | Nutritious buffet breakfast varied daily |
| 10:30am | Orientation and rice paddy walk into town |
| 5pm-6pm | Restorative/Yin Yoga |
Tuesday | 7am-8:45am | Core strengthening, Hatha Yoga, Pranayama, Meditation |
| 9am | Breakfast |
| 5pm-6pm | Restorative/Yin Yoga |
Wednesday | 7am-8:30am | Hatha Yoga, Pranayama, Meditation |
| 8:30am | Breakfast |
| 9:30am-3pm | Maya luxury spa day (including lunch) |
| 5pm-6pm | Restorative Yoga |
Thursday |
| Free morning and day to rest and/or explore |
| 7am-10am | Breakfast at your leisure |
| 5pm-6pm | Yin Yoga |
| 8:00pm-8:45pm | Yoga Nidra (guided relaxation for a good night's sleep) |
Friday | 7am-8:45am | Hatha Yoga, Pranayama, Meditation |
| 9am | Breakfast |
| 5pm-6pm | Yin Yoga |
Saturday | 7am-8:45am | Hatha Yoga, Pranayama, Meditation - Closing Circle |
| 9:30am | Farewell Brunch |
Thursday you'll have the option to sleep in and enjoy restful time. Relax at the resort or explore some of the popular activities such as a cycling tour through the rice paddies and traditional villages, a Balinese cooking course or traditional offerings making
Julia Jones
My Affinity with Yoga began in the early ninety’s when my passion and curiosity for all things beneficial to health and wellness, and a big believer in ‘prevention is better (and gentler) than cure’, led me to yoga. I’d always enjoyed the physical, mental and emotional benefits of exercise in its many forms and it was through a Yoga foundations course that I had my true ‘AHA’ moment. It opened up the world of intrigue and deeper enquiry into this ancient wisdom of the East and how relevant it is to Western modern day wellbeing. The rich philosophy, psychospiritual and energetic teachings brought completeness to my physical yoga practice and it became crystal clear to me that I wanted to share the benefits with as many people as I could through teaching.
Since graduating in 2006 I’ve had the honor and privilege of teaching, learning from, and practicing with hundreds of unique individuals in yoga studios, gyms, workplaces and on retreats locally and internationally. I teach traditional Hatha yoga with an emphasis on breath supporting the movement.
I truly believe that yoga can benefit every body and I enjoy creating practices and retreats that are both challenging and supportively nurturing for clients' individual and ever changing needs.
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"Thanks again for taking us all on a most wonderful journey of love and insightfulness, food and fun. I had the most amazing experience and really enjoyed meeting a beautiful group of women."
Andrea (Banking Manager)
“Dearest Julia, I just want to say a BIG thank you to you and Sandra for one amazing week! My God where do I begin? So many firsts, so many experiences, so much for the mind, body and soul, so, so incredible! Hard to put in words the whole experience but suffice to say I want to come back next year! Thank you, thank you, thank you! Om shanti, shanti shanti.”
Jane (Marketing Manager / Yoga Teacher)
"I first attended Julia’s Bali retreat with Sandra Groves in May 2014, and I loved it so much I went back the next year! As a stressed-out young lawyer with no time to plan a holiday, it was the perfect escape for me. The retreat is the perfect balance of structure and free time, taking care of the logistics and fuss usually involved in holidays. The variety in the classes, daily themes and focuses, and nurturing, tailored approaches to teaching of both Julia and Sandra make it an experience that is both relaxing and informative. They also know every great restaurant and café in Ubud, making every meal a stress-free and delightful experience. I cannot speak more highly of the experience."
Lily (Solicitor)
"Thank you for a life changing experience of yoga and meditation in Bali. Before going I was nervous, as I'm not exactly a serious yoga aficionado. It's a good week if I make it to the (low-key) Sunday class at my local gym. How was I going to manage three hours a day?! I need not have worried. You are both the most amazingly knowledgable, communicative, patient and generous teachers I know. You made yoga accessible for me, with just the right amount of both challenge and nurturing. I came away from the week feeling like a new person: calm, strong, alive, restored. Can't wait to go again!"
Jessica (Form Designer)
“Just a note to thank you for organising and running such a magical yoga retreat in blissful Bali. I thoroughly enjoyed myself and am missing the daily practice. The places you took us to were wonderful, such amazing food and good company, always.”
Jennifer (Mid-wife)
"Over the last almost 10 years I have had the privilege of building and growing my yoga practice with Julia through classes, workshops and retreats both near and far. All of my experiences with Julia have always been filled with an ease and lightness of spirit that has gently allowed me to grow my practice to be what I wanted and needed it to be throughout the shifts and changes of life. Endlessly patient and always smiling, Julia has led me to do, experience and find things within myself that I didn’t know were possible. For me the expression of yoga as connection between mind and body has been my favourite teaching and this is still the core of my practice after many years; as a teacher, Julia is accepting and welcoming of whatever level you are at and whatever you want to be open to. Over time I have found that being in her classes has enabled me to find a stronger balance between the physical, mental and spiritual world and I often refer to my practice as “personal training for the mind” to friends and family as I observe how it affects my ability to concentrate and think more clearly in the crazier and busier aspects of my life. Thank you Julia for your wonderful classes and presence!"
Em (IT Consultant)