Gaia Retreat Center

Nurture your adventurous global spirit journeying through Bali, Indonesia through the insightful lens of yoga. For 7 or 10 days, immerse in local life at three destinations: art and wellness town of Ubud at Gaia Retreat Center, followed by your next destination in traditional rural village in Tabanan and finally, peaceful beach town of Sanur. Practice daily yoga with Michelle Chua overlooking verdant rice fields and vast ocean, and enjoy a taste of ancient Balinese yoga with a local instructor.  Spend your free time hiking to stunning waterfalls, strolling on the beach or savoring Balinese artistic expressions of love: exquisite cuisine, rejuvenating bodywork, entrancing traditional music and dance, mesmerizing sculptures and architecture and devotional offerings.  Joined by like-minded travelers, play in infinite possibility and expand your perspective of the world and Self.

Upon arrival at Ngurah Rai International Airport in Denpasar, you will land in Gaia Retreat Center - a peaceful sanctuary overlooking terracing rice fields and swaying palm trees.  Unwind with an hour Balinese massage before dinner with your fellow travelers and relaxing evening yoga.  The villa property includes a sauna, jacuzzi, chlorine-free swimming pool, yoga shala and open-air dining surrounded by lush nature. Only 15 minutes leisurely stroll to Ubud’s town center, enjoy your free time visiting the art market, temples, vast array of restaurants, Sacred Monkey Forest, Ubud Palace and spa and wellness centers.  Invigorate your senses with the cultural vibrancy of Ubud, and rest in the serenity of our retreat grounds.  

Drawn to yoga to rehabilitate from a dance injury,  Root 2 Rise Yoga founder, Michelle Chua witnessed its power to align body and mind with the unconditional love that lies within, eliciting benefits beyond physical healing. During 15 months of volunteer teaching in Ghana, West Africa and later in Costa Rica, Michelle developed a regular yoga practice and realized that in its various forms, yoga can empower a joyful vibrant life when applied with integrity and consistency. Upon her return to the USA in 2010, she graduated yoga teacher training and transitioned from schoolteacher to a life path sharing yoga with diverse communities and evolving in her own practice, since attending her first yoga class in 2001.

Michelle’s teaching style nurtures a clear understanding of physical alignment paired with conscious breath to facilitate focus and compassionate meditation for all levels of practice. She invites insight on ways to integrate yogic tools in daily living for inner peace and wellness and provides space for self-inquiry and personalizing asana (physical) practice within a large group.  She enjoys her free time dancing, running or hiking in nature or savoring a meal at one of her favorite plant-based restaurants.

Our bodies naturally cleanse themselves through detoxifying our organs. However, our liver and gut suffer from the stresses of modern lifestyles that challenge, instead of support their functions.  It’s easier to continue running a stressful daily lifestyle than it is to step away to nourish ourselves. This is where our detox tailored program come in. Our friendly holistic team at Villa Gaia in Ubud, Bali, ensure you are engaging in a well-researched protocol to give your body the nutrients it needs to function properly and support your cleanse. 

Detox, short for detoxification, is the body's natural, ongoing process of neutralizing or eliminating toxins from the body. Toxins are anything that can potentially harm body tissue, including waste products that result from normal cell activity, such as ammonia, lactic acid and homocysteine, and human-made toxins that we are exposed to in our environment, food, water and daily stress. Benefits of a cleanse, detoxifies your body from the inside out – at a complete metabolic and cellular level. Your blood becomes purified and your body is able to release toxins from the colon, kidneys, bladder, lungs, sinuses, and the skin clears out all of the unhealthy lifestyle habits or exposures you have had over time. When you give your digestive system “a break” your body has more energy to devote to releasing toxins. 

No matter how healthy we are, the air we breath does have micro fibers of heavy metals that are toxic to our bodies. The more toxic your body is, the more difficult it is for you to lose weight or have better food and vitamin absorption.  The human body is designed to rid itself of toxins, but it can become overwhelmed by the sheer volume of external toxins. Two natural fiber powder which we include in our detox and yoga retreat, support detoxification and help IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) and a distressed digestive system alongside a shot of a powerful alkalizing agent, full of malic acid, aiding in skin issues to headaches.

During your free time, you will enjoy colonic sessions, lymphatic, abdominal, full body massages, body scrub, far infrared sauna, reflexology, daily invigorating yoga sessions and plenty of inward time to relax over a stack of books on health & wellness.

The idea is for you to love our detox programs, rehydrate, and reset your digestive and sleeping patterns to its optimal level as you leave Bali feeling fully energized again and most importantly, walk away learning how to continuously detox in life.

We teach an Alignment-Based Vinyasa Flow practice.  Culminating in restorative postures, meditation and pranayama, our practice serves first to awaken the body and break-up stuck energy, and then to soften the mind and nurture our inner being.  Uniting the masculine + feminine aspects of practice we find freedom in movement, draw awareness from the mind to the heart, and allow insight to arise naturally.

Our bodies naturally cleanse themselves through detoxifying our organs. However, our liver and gut suffer from the stresses of modern lifestyles that challenge, instead of support their functions.  It’s easier to continue running a stressful daily lifestyle than it is to step away to nourish ourselves. This is where our detox tailored program come in. Our friendly holistic team at Villa Gaia in Ubud, Bali, ensure you are engaging in a well-researched protocol to give your body the nutrients it needs to function properly and support your cleanse. 

Detox, short for detoxification, is the body's natural, ongoing process of neutralizing or eliminating toxins from the body. Toxins are anything that can potentially harm body tissue, including waste products that result from normal cell activity, such as ammonia, lactic acid and homocysteine, and human-made toxins that we are exposed to in our environment, food, water and daily stress. Benefits of a cleanse, detoxifies your body from the inside out – at a complete metabolic and cellular level. Your blood becomes purified and your body is able to release toxins from the colon, kidneys, bladder, lungs, sinuses, and the skin clears out all of the unhealthy lifestyle habits or exposures you have had over time. When you give your digestive system “a break” your body has more energy to devote to releasing toxins. 

No matter how healthy we are, the air we breath does have micro fibers of heavy metals that are toxic to our bodies. The more toxic your body is, the more difficult it is for you to lose weight or have better food and vitamin absorption.  The human body is designed to rid itself of toxins, but it can become overwhelmed by the sheer volume of external toxins. Two natural fiber powder which we include in our detox and yoga retreat, support detoxification and help IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) and a distressed digestive system alongside a shot of a powerful alkalizing agent, full of malic acid, aiding in skin issues to headaches.

During your free time, you will enjoy colonic sessions, lymphatic, abdominal, full body massages, body scrub, far infrared sauna, reflexology, daily invigorating yoga sessions and plenty of inward time to relax over a stack of books on health & wellness.

The idea is for you to love our detox programs, rehydrate, and reset your digestive and sleeping patterns to its optimal level as you leave Bali feeling fully energized again and most importantly, walk away learning how to continuously detox in life.

As with the five elements in nature, this retreat curated by Naima Woodson of www.beachbumwisdomco.com has been thoughtfully orchestrated with each element creating the other and working together to support a beautifully balanced vacation experience.  Aside from Bali being one of the most high vibration, spiritually magnetic, lush, naturally and culturally beautiful places on earth, her love of the culture, food and spas inspired her to create a retreat where you can deeply nourish yourself, indulge, and have fun with kindred spirits. 

You will see amazing sights, explore majestic temples, splash around in the sea, sip cocktails on white sandy beaches with stunning sunsets, eat fresh and organic regional cuisine, get massages and more! On this mainly all-inclusive journey, you will have some time on your own to explore the island.  Spend a half-day at the spa for a relaxing Ayurvedic body treatment and fragrant flower blossom bath, wander through rice fields, shop the colorful markets, splash around in a waterfall, take a yoga class, visit the Monkey Forest, check out the night-life.After all, this is YOUR time to feed your mind, body and soul, as you wish.

Ladies, have you been promising yourself that you’ll take time out from your busy life and treat yourself to a luxurious getaway? Now here’s your chance!

Explore an exclusive opportunity for you to escape the grind and indulge in delights for your mind, body and spirit. Daily yoga sessions, meditation, journaling, swimming, sauna, nutritious food and Balinese culture are just a few of the things you’ll enjoy in this Grand Escape by Marnie and Kristy. Imagine waking every day and not having to worry about work, or responsibilities that are tying you down and enjoy the simplicity of each moment. To realise the freedom for your mind, your body and your spirit! 

Our bodies naturally cleanse themselves through detoxifying our organs. However, our liver and gut suffer from the stresses of modern lifestyles that challenge, instead of support their functions.  It’s easier to continue running a stressful daily lifestyle than it is to step away to nourish ourselves. This is where our detox tailored program come in. Our friendly holistic team at Villa Gaia in Ubud, Bali, ensure you are engaging in a well-researched protocol to give your body the nutrients it needs to function properly and support your cleanse. 

Detox, short for detoxification, is the body's natural, ongoing process of neutralizing or eliminating toxins from the body. Toxins are anything that can potentially harm body tissue, including waste products that result from normal cell activity, such as ammonia, lactic acid and homocysteine, and human-made toxins that we are exposed to in our environment, food, water and daily stress. Benefits of a cleanse, detoxifies your body from the inside out – at a complete metabolic and cellular level. Your blood becomes purified and your body is able to release toxins from the colon, kidneys, bladder, lungs, sinuses, and the skin clears out all of the unhealthy lifestyle habits or exposures you have had over time. When you give your digestive system “a break” your body has more energy to devote to releasing toxins. 

No matter how healthy we are, the air we breath does have micro fibers of heavy metals that are toxic to our bodies. The more toxic your body is, the more difficult it is for you to lose weight or have better food and vitamin absorption.  The human body is designed to rid itself of toxins, but it can become overwhelmed by the sheer volume of external toxins. Two natural fiber powder which we include in our detox and yoga retreat, support detoxification and help IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) and a distressed digestive system alongside a shot of a powerful alkalizing agent, full of malic acid, aiding in skin issues to headaches.

During your free time, you will enjoy colonic sessions, lymphatic, abdominal, full body massages, body scrub, far infrared sauna, reflexology, daily invigorating yoga sessions and plenty of inward time to relax over a stack of books on health & wellness.

The idea is for you to love our detox programs, rehydrate, and reset your digestive and sleeping patterns to its optimal level as you leave Bali feeling fully energized again and most importantly, walk away learning how to continuously detox in life.

Day to day, stress fills us with so much tension and anxiety that it is often difficult to even enjoy the little things that used to make us happy. It compromises our immune system, stunts cognitive and emotional development, and raises blood pressure. Toxic stress also can fuel a challenging range of disorders: eating, drinking, sleeping, obsessive-compulsive, bipolar, and more. It speeds the aging process and shortens the life span.

The practice of Transcendental Meditation (TM) is a simple, effortless technique that anyone can learn and enjoy. It allows the active-thinking mind to settle down to its own state of inner stillness at the deepest level of awareness, one that goes beyond all thoughts and feelings. It is your own quiet inner self, before you start thinking, creating, planning, making lists, deciding, worrying and celebrating. It’s always been there, within you. It just gets lost or overshadowed easily by the constant noise and distractions. 

When you learn the TM technique, you’re learning an ancient process of “effortless transcending” that had been long lost to society—even in India, the land of its origin. The technique was revived by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, who introduced it to the world and provided professional training and certification to thousands of teachers, so that people everywhere could benefit from the technique’s ease of practice and profound effectiveness. Fifty years ago, spiritual leader Maharishi Mahesh introduced the practice to the rest of the world, founding the Transcendental Meditation Program. His success as a meditation teacher is unprecedented. Never before in recorded history, even as far back as the flowering of Zen throughout Asia, has a meditation technique been learned by so many people during the teacher’s lifetime—and with such demonstrable results. 

Erika Cramer, the founder of The Queen of Confidence who is taking a bold stand for women to reclaim their self confidence, returns to Gaia Retreat Center with her beloved husband Hamish Cramer of Manfulness who both co-create and bring a deep level of holistic experience, meditation and personal fitness training designed to inspire the Mind, Body and Spirit connection. 

Erika and Hamish encourage women to end people pleasing, self judgment, comparison and to let go of caring so much what other people think of us.

This highly anticipated co-facilitated 6 day retreat for women will be based on working with the mind, thoughts, feelings, beliefs and behaviours via modalities of coaching, mindfulness, cognitive behaviour therapy, shamanic healing, movement, meditation & neuroscience to inspire action, change, connection and deep compassion and acceptance of self and others.

Here you will be safely guided and lead in order to push past comfort and into the rebirth of you are really meant to be. This retreat will leave you feeling, energised, rejuvenated, clear minded, expanded and ready to experience yourself on a whole new level.

In this 6 day immersion created by Trent Banyan - founder of High on Chi - you will learn how to identify key areas of life, to cultivate and harness your energy by working through the Pillars of Chi Flow. You will learn and practice powerful skills to help micro-dose daily on chi and provide your body with a hit of energy when stagnation and lethargy kicks in.

Our bodies naturally cleanse themselves through detoxifying our organs. However, our liver and gut suffer from the stresses of modern lifestyles that challenge, instead of support their functions.  It’s easier to continue running a stressful daily lifestyle than it is to step away to nourish ourselves. This is where our detox tailored program come in. Our friendly holistic team at Villa Gaia in Ubud, Bali, ensure you are engaging in a well-researched protocol to give your body the nutrients it needs to function properly and support your cleanse. 

Detox, short for detoxification, is the body's natural, ongoing process of neutralizing or eliminating toxins from the body. Toxins are anything that can potentially harm body tissue, including waste products that result from normal cell activity, such as ammonia, lactic acid and homocysteine, and human-made toxins that we are exposed to in our environment, food, water and daily stress. Benefits of a cleanse, detoxifies your body from the inside out – at a complete metabolic and cellular level. Your blood becomes purified and your body is able to release toxins from the colon, kidneys, bladder, lungs, sinuses, and the skin clears out all of the unhealthy lifestyle habits or exposures you have had over time. When you give your digestive system “a break” your body has more energy to devote to releasing toxins. 

No matter how healthy we are, the air we breath does have micro fibers of heavy metals that are toxic to our bodies. The more toxic your body is, the more difficult it is for you to lose weight or have better food and vitamin absorption.  The human body is designed to rid itself of toxins, but it can become overwhelmed by the sheer volume of external toxins. Two natural fiber powder which we include in our detox and yoga retreat, support detoxification and help IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) and a distressed digestive system alongside a shot of a powerful alkalizing agent, full of malic acid, aiding in skin issues to headaches.

During your free time, you will enjoy colonic sessions, lymphatic, abdominal, full body massages, body scrub, far infrared sauna, reflexology, daily invigorating yoga sessions and plenty of inward time to relax over a stack of books on health & wellness.

The idea is for you to love our detox programs, rehydrate, and reset your digestive and sleeping patterns to its optimal level as you leave Bali feeling fully energized again and most importantly, walk away learning how to continuously detox in life.

Day to day, stress fills us with so much tension and anxiety that it is often difficult to even enjoy the little things that used to make us happy. It compromises our immune system, stunts cognitive and emotional development, and raises blood pressure. Toxic stress also can fuel a challenging range of disorders: eating, drinking, sleeping, obsessive-compulsive, bipolar, and more. It speeds the aging process and shortens the life span.

The practice of Transcendental Meditation (TM) is a simple, effortless technique that anyone can learn and enjoy. It allows the active-thinking mind to settle down to its own state of inner stillness at the deepest level of awareness, one that goes beyond all thoughts and feelings. It is your own quiet inner self, before you start thinking, creating, planning, making lists, deciding, worrying and celebrating. It’s always been there, within you. It just gets lost or overshadowed easily by the constant noise and distractions. 

When you learn the TM technique, you’re learning an ancient process of “effortless transcending” that had been long lost to society—even in India, the land of its origin. The technique was revived by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, who introduced it to the world and provided professional training and certification to thousands of teachers, so that people everywhere could benefit from the technique’s ease of practice and profound effectiveness. Fifty years ago, spiritual leader Maharishi Mahesh introduced the practice to the rest of the world, founding the Transcendental Meditation Program. His success as a meditation teacher is unprecedented. Never before in recorded history, even as far back as the flowering of Zen throughout Asia, has a meditation technique been learned by so many people during the teacher’s lifetime—and with such demonstrable results. 

Ladan is a yoga & meditation practitioner who facilitates her own classes, workshops, and retreats internationally. She trained with Sivananda Yoga in the Himalayas and Mysore style Ashtanga in San Francisco with Greenpath Yoga and has invested 30 years of her life in health, well-being and mindfulness. Ladan is a writer for Huffington Post (click here to read more), published author of "Fabulous Fitness at 40", and teacher for various Fitness TV Sky channels.  She loves teaching yoga as it has allowed her to become aligned with her true sense of purpose in life. She lives by the Eastern philosophy that yoga is about self-realization. 

Each morning, overlooking spectacular views of terraced rice-fields and palm trees, we will start with a yoga practice to establish and learn the basic fundamentals of the postures and refine them by going into more detail. The style and discipline taught will be a mixture of Ashtanga, Vinyasa & Hatha Yoga. Ladan will be giving plenty of adjustments and demonstrations, so you may feel more empowered within your practise. She will offer modifications when available for beginners, as well as options for more advanced poses. Everyone will receive personal attention.

During evenings, there will be guided meditation, yin yoga sessions, yoga nidra, breath-work and a core workshop to help build strength so your back and spine feels more stronger and supple. This will help you to gain more knowledge so you can practice with confidence on your own with inner peace.