case study
delivering james nestor's
first bali breath retreat
A six day immersive retreat bringing together an international community to explore the science and art of breathing in the heart of Bali.
115 guests
international guests
6 days
10 - 16 May 2026
the mansion
ubud, bali
breathwork retreat
30+ Sessions delivered
the vision
When bestselling author James Nestor chose Bali for one of his flagship Breath Retreats, he wasn't simply looking for a beautiful venue.
He wanted to create an environment where over one hundred guests could completely immerse themselves in the science and practice of breath surrounded by nature, authentic Balinese culture and experiences that simply couldn't be recreated anywhere else in the world.
Delivering that vision required far more than logistics.
It required a team that understood Bali from the inside; its people, culture, traditions and way of working and could bridge the gap between an international retreat and the local communities that would help bring it to life.
That's where Soul Bliss Journeys came in.
Creating the Perfect Environment for Breathwork
Breathwork isn't just about what happens inside the yoga shala.
The environment itself becomes part of the experience.
Every element from the jungle surroundings and natural acoustics to the flow between sessions needed to support deep presence and nervous system regulation.
Working closely with James and his team, we carefully selected a venue that provided everything the retreat required.
• Quiet jungle surroundings
• Large open-air yoga shalas
• Comfortable accommodation within walking distance of every session
• Flexible teaching spaces for lectures, movement and integration
• Natural spaces that encouraged guests to disconnect from daily life
Rather than simply finding a venue, we helped create an environment where every breathwork session felt immersive from beginning to end.
Every experience needed to feel effortless for guests, while requiring months of planning behind the scenes.
the challenge
Delivering this retreat wasn't simply about booking a venue.
It meant coordinating over six days of carefully timed experiences involving multiple facilitators, specialist wellness suppliers and more than one hundred international guests.
Many of these experiences simply couldn't be booked online.
They depended on trusted local relationships, careful coordination and a deep understanding of how things work in Bali.
Some of the logistical challenges included:
• Transforming a swimming pool into a professionally managed ice bath experience for two consecutive mornings.
• Sourcing authentic Balinese gongs for immersive evening sound bath experiences.
• Coordinating simultaneous purification ceremonies for over 115 guests without compromising the authenticity or serenity of the experience.
• Managing dozens of workshops, lectures, yoga sessions, breathwork sessions and ceremonies across an intensive six-day schedule.
our solution
Rather than acting as a supplier, Soul Bliss Journeys became an extension of James' team.
We coordinated local suppliers, managed venue operations and acted as the cultural bridge between an international production and Bali's communities.
Because we've spent years building trusted relationships across the island, we were able to bring together experiences that remained authentic, respectful and seamlessly organised.
Our responsibilities included:
✓ Venue management
✓ Daily operations
✓ Guest logistics
✓ Airport transfers
✓ Facilitator coordination
✓ Local supplier management
✓ Activity scheduling
✓ Cultural experiences
✓ On-site troubleshooting
✓ Behind-the-scenes event management
While James focused entirely on his guests, our team worked quietly behind the scenes to ensure every experience unfolded exactly as intended.
While James focused entirely on his guests, our team worked quietly behind the scenes to ensure every experience unfolded exactly as intended.
our solution
Rather than acting as a supplier, Soul Bliss Journeys became an extension of James' team.
We coordinated local suppliers, managed venue operations and acted as the cultural bridge between an international production and Bali's communities.
Because we've spent years building trusted relationships across the island, we were able to bring together experiences that remained authentic, respectful and seamlessly organised.
Our responsibilities included:
✓ Venue management
✓ Daily operations
✓ Guest logistics
✓ Airport transfers
✓ Facilitator coordination
✓ Local supplier management
✓ Activity scheduling
✓ Cultural experiences
✓ On-site troubleshooting
✓ Behind-the-scenes event management
the results
✓ Successfully delivered a complex international retreat for 115+ guests
✓ More than 30 scheduled sessions delivered seamlessly
✓ Three simultaneous water temple ceremonies delivered
✓ Custom two-day communal ice bath installation
✓ Specialist sound healing programme delivered
✓ Guests enjoyed a seamless experience from arrival to departure
✔ Zero operational disruption to the guest experience
✔ James described it as "the best retreat we've ever done."
spotlights
a water ceremony for 115 guests
One of the retreat's defining moments was the traditional Balinese water purification ceremony.
Accommodating more than 115 participants at a single temple would have disrupted both the guest experience and the sacred nature of the ceremony.
Instead, we worked with our trusted local network to divide the group across three different water temples, each led by experienced local priests and supported by our operations team.
Every ceremony began simultaneously.
Every guest experienced the same level of care.
Every temple remained peaceful and authentic.
While guests experienced a deeply personal cultural ritual, our local teams were coordinating transport, timing, offerings and logistics across four separate locations behind the scenes.
This is where local knowledge makes all the difference.
BUILDING A TWO-DAY ICE BATH EXPERIENCE
Cold exposure formed an important part of James' programme, but the venue wasn't designed to host a large-scale communal ice bath.
Rather than compromising the experience, our team worked to transform one of the swimming pools into a professionally managed ice bath installation.
It wasn't as simple as filling a pool with ice.
The first test setup didn't perform as expected, so our team adapted in real time working with local suppliers, sourcing additional ice, adjusting the setup and monitoring temperatures throughout the tests until the experience met the standard James expected.
By the time guests arrived, everything felt effortless.
Behind the scenes, it required problem solving, flexibility and a team that knew exactly who to call when plans needed to change.
SOURCING AUTHENTIC BALINESE GONGS
Integration sessions were designed around deep relaxation and nervous system regulation.
To create the right atmosphere, we sourced traditional Balinese gongs carefully selecting instruments that complemented the retreat's intention rather than feeling like a tourist performance.
The result was an authentic sound journey.
retreat highlights
Across six days the programme included:
daily breathwork sessions
morning yoga
science lectures
ice bath experiences
water temple ceremonies
gong sound baths
evening integration
healthy meals
closing celebration
different
what made this retreat different?
Many people see a retreat as a beautiful venue and a well-planned itinerary.
What they don't see are the hundreds of operational decisions happening behind the scenes every day.
From synchronising transport for over one hundred guests to sourcing specialist wellness equipment and coordinating multiple cultural partners, every detail was carefully managed so James and his team could remain fully present with their guests.
That's the difference between organising a retreat and professionally delivering one.
what james said
"You and your team were absolutely amazing. You covered for me, delivered everything all the time, did it right the first time, and saved us from so many headaches. The combined effort between your team and my crew made this the best retreat we've ever done. Guests are still buzzing about it and many want to return."
James Nestor
Bestselling Author of Breath & Retreat Host
this mattered
why this retreat mattered
Most people see a beautiful venue, inspiring workshops and unforgettable experiences.
What they don't see is the local knowledge, trusted relationships and cultural understanding required to make those moments possible.
At Soul Bliss Journeys, we don't simply organise retreats—we become the bridge between international retreat leaders and Bali itself.
By combining world-class retreat planning with years of experience living and working on the island, we help create experiences that feel seamless for guests, respectful to local communities and unforgettable for everyone involved.
gallery
a glimpse of the retreat
ready to create a life-changing retreat experience?
Whether you're hosting your very first retreat or returning to Bali with your community, we'll help bring your vision to life.
From venue sourcing and itinerary design to logistics, visas and on-the-ground support, we take care of every detail—so you can focus on your guests.
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